CAV or SPF?

[chuck smith]

I am 5-9 and I can tell you that both the CAV and the SPF are for smaller people. The Gurney bubble helps

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Johan,

Hi-Tech is the manufacturer, SPF is the retail brand. The factory does not sell cars direct, they have the dealer network for that. That is why you do not see advertisments for "Hi-Tech". Hi-Tech also manufactures products for other like Noble and the Speedway Motors 32 Ford roadster. Strictly build 'em & wholesale them. It ios what they do and they do it well.....

Rick

[CliffBeer]

I think you'll find that both cars are superior to most of the others available. While some people building from a kit do a really nice job, I've seen lots of hacked up cars that really need a lot of sorting out. With CAV and SPF you get a production, factory built, car that is nicely laid out, well engineered, highly functional (for a gt40), and drives/performes great.

I really like my CAV monocoque - the stainless mono chassis is exactly what I wanted. I absolutely hate corrosion in a chassis and plan on driving my car for many years, so, ease of maintenance/longevity is important. The mono cars seem more sophisticated and efficient to me than the space frame cars.

The SPF is just coming out so you never know what their committment is, and, who knows about the reliability of the post-demo cars. With CAV you get a decent dealer network, a bunch of fellow CAV owners and a nicely built production car. You really can't go wrong with CAV. Just my $.02.

[JCoop]

I have to second Cliff's .02 so make that $.04.

Having said that, I have inspected the SPF GT up close; and I must say the level of detail and faithfulness to the original is top notch. Additionally, the paint and finish is classic Superformance, near-show quality. I'm not sure about the newer (above #100) CAVs but my #29 is just a notch below that. The design and execution, however, is good. A few things needed addressing but I think that had to do with the assembly as I'm the 2nd owner. With the available upgrade kits and the network of CAV owners, the CAV GT gets my vote for best bang for the buck exotic.

[Veek]

I'm an early CAV owner and have been very happy with the car. I'm also 6ft tall and don't have a problem with the fit. Being on the forum for some time before I bought the car it was very helpful for me gathering information to make an intelligent purchase choice so the type of research you are doing is wise.
I've been inside and out of my car and have grown to appreciate the build quality and my contacts with the factory John, Jean and Lana (the admin that is great on follow-up) have been most responsive as has Roy Sales the US distributor.
What I most appreciate is the "CAV Network" that has been established with friends all over the world that are ready to help and save countless hours of blind alley searching. We exchange an unbelievable amount of information and while it has not reached cult status, it is nice having access to someone who probably has a suggestion or sympathy for most situations encountered.
I've never seen the SPF GT40 but I would assume the quality is similar to the Cobras I've seen so you really can't go wrong there. But the key for me is the CAV owner network that really isn't in place for SPF but probably could be once a significant number get on the street.
That said, after the RF mess, I think I would want to see the replica (any low volume exotic for that matter) before I bought it, even if it meant a trip somewhere.

Just an opinion from "hurricane central".

[Johan80]

Hallo all!

If i put all the comments togehter i think i can sum things up like following: The build quality will be about flawless on both CAV and SPF, CAV because they have been building GTs for a while and SPF because they have built quality cars for a long time so that should show on their GT too. They both have about the same handling which after all cant be complained on. They are both built in a similar way where the biggest difference is in the choice of material. So in the two cant really be separeted just by looking at them. BUT (there always seems to big a but somewhere) the CAV wins the closest race in the universe because its got a bigger owners network. If someone thinks this is totally wrong, lets hear your thoughts.

[JCoop]

Originally Posted by Swedish_thunder

It seem virtually impossible for me to get in contact directly either with Hi-tech or SPF, anyone got a clue?

CAV:

Unit 4 Tifosa Park, 5 Bell Crescent
Westlake Business Park, Westlake 7945
Cape Town, South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)21 702 3307
Fax: +27 (0)21 702 2419
E-mail: info@cavgt.co.za


MSC Engineering
C/O Fred Meyer, ZUM Alten Wasserwerk 6A, 51491, Overath, Germany

+49 220 448 0576 (w)
+49 220 448 0579 (f)
E-mail: msc-engineering@online.de

And Johan, here's a link to a photo directory of the SPF prototype up close.
http://performanceunlimited.com/supernews/gt-40/
It's also not true that the CAV and the SPF ar not different visually. The CAV is a Mk I replica while the SPF is a Mk IV. I'm partial to the Mk I, and they are also available with the wider Gulf rear end (where the wheel assy is more enclosed in the well).

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Originally Posted by JCoop

It's also not true that the CAV and the SPF ar not different visually. The CAV is a Mk I replica while the SPF is a Mk IV. I'm partial to the Mk I, and they are also available with the wider Gulf rear end (where the wheel assy is more enclosed in the well).

Actually the SPF is a MK II, not a MK IV...and they are now offering a MK IB version.
Rick

[Danimal]

Here is my answer to which gt40... (just can't figure out how to fund it yet....)

CAV Mk I with a 331 w/webbers, w/ ZF

AND a

SPF Mk II with a Roush 402, w/ ZF

AND a

RCR Mk IV with Carroll Shelby Alum FE (that block is crazy!! 6 bolt mains) w/ a Quaife Mk2

and to top it off,....throw in a SPF Datona Coupe.....

Now where did I put that extra cash....

sorry I couldn't resist....

I appreciate threads like this to help in my research also.

[Johan80]

JCoop, thank you for the contact details, but what i meant was that i have tried to email them but havent got an answer yet. Thanks for the link to

[Canuk40]

Hi Johan80, Ron, Chuck, Stephen, Cliff, Ray, Veek

Well my Swedish freind, you're looking at a couple of great cars. Having represented the CAVGT in the Canadian market for three years now, I'm glad to say that the car continues to improve an impress. Remarkable as it started out very well done to begin with.

The factory in SA has gone to great lengths to offer the best all round GT40 reproduction possible for a real world, driven, multi use car for the money.

Sure you can split hairs about who has what more authentic detail or part, what materials are used etc. What it boils down to is that for a beautifully made GT40 that you can comfortably drive on the street, with a passenger for long distances and also have a blast in at the race track, nothing can touch the CAV for the money. If you factor in delivery times, there is only one choice.

Jean and John at Autofutura have taken a proven car and signifigantly upgraded it. This year the CAV/Autofutura production of rolling chassis - not kits - will likely surpass the original production run of GT40s in the sixties. This is quite an accomplishment in the speciality car business to say the least.

It's also good to hear forum members who have the cars chiming in. A high quallity reproduction of a GT40, regardles of manufacturer, is a serious automobile, capable of embarrasing most of todays "Supercars" costing several times more.

So live the dream...

Cheers

[JCoop]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Actually the SPF is a MK II, not a MK IV...and they are now offering a MK IB version.
Rick

I knew that....

Rick, what's a MkIB compared to the MkI ?

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

What I consider the MK I"B" is the definitive nose design (as compared to the early open lower styles) and the slight rear flares as used on the production race and road coupes, again compared to the early cars. A car such as 1054 or 1068 is a "MK I B"

If you love a 40, there is no "wrong" choice.....be it CAV, SPF or RCR, if it makes you happy, it was a good deal!!!!

Rick

[Strobe]

ST
Have you managed to get a response from CAV yet? Let me know if I can help being only 5 mins from their facility!
Steve

[I LOVE GT40- Paolo]

hej Johan80,
I never visited a manifacturer in person,was just going to visit Goran in his GOX factory this august ause he lives not so far away from my swedish girlfriend.

U anyway say the cars are not at the level and I would like u to explain this, cause from infos and pictures seems he has a lot of knowledge.

Just my suggestion:
U live in sweden (lucky guy..I love that country) and there is a BIG swedish comunity of gt40 lovers, many of theme here inside.
The gox is there and will be too easy for u to fix any problem, being so near the manifacturer.

If u anyway decide not to buy a Goran car....I dunno why..nobody suggest u, as a TOO valid alternative..that guy in Michigan name Fran Hall and his RCR masterpieces.

From too many responses here inside he is one of the very very best (and newer projects...chassis and suspensions).

finally:
I remember I saw a yellow Tornado(?) in Le mans.
Some guys there told me the owner ordered the assembly by one of the best UK garage available (and he payed a LOT for that work).
I can just say...the work was excellent and the car was probably the nicest one overall (now people plz remind me the name of this Club member..was a yellow car with black wheels).
Including an awesome sound.

Think the assembly quality is the 99% of the work in a gt40 project.


Paolo

[Tye GT40]

I agree totally with Paulo. Having your supplier nearby you is worth a lot. I also agree that the assembly is the most important thing about getting the finish.

I am building the GOX replica and I have seen both the prototype monocoque and the new lasercut panels for the "serialproduced version" which are absolutely gorgeous in its finish which also means a pressed steel roof. The new monocoque is absolutely accurate to FAV drawings which I have now seen!!

I would by the monocoque from Göran and then hire a professional builder to do the job and the concentrate me on providing him with the correct parts. I you are serious with your intentions money should not be an issue in this case. Otherwise I think you can forget it. I would allocate at least 150.000 -200.000€ for this project if it is outsourced to a professional builder.

/Henrik

[Strobe]

Correct in saying that proximity of the builder is a big plus. However if they are in the same country and 4 hrs away it makes little difference. Me I assembled the majority of the CAV systems on the Chassis out of boxes within approximately 2 weeks. I mean brakes, cooling system, harnesses, fuel, throttle and pedal box clutch, suspension etc.
Well spread out build manual and a phone if you have difficulty.
I sourced the gauges, engine and transaxle myself.........things that take some time, body prep for painting, perspex work and leather detail (if you decide to go outside the factory!)
I am sure that this is the same as you would expect from the others FRAN et al on their home build kits. ....and a lot less than 150k euros try less than 50k US. Then again depends how authentic you want it. For me its about the drive..........if you walk down the road with your model wife, who knows if it cost 100k in the surgery or if its the genuine parts...As long as it goes like a race horse on the course.....

[Strobe]

sorry derogatory comment in the last sentence please replace "it" with "she", I was thinking about my mistress again!

[I LOVE GT40- Paolo]

O_o...mistress?

..then i TOTALLY agree with u steve.The mistress can be even better than Fran's cars........................................maybe...

paUlo

[David Briggs]

I too was all over the SPf at Monterey 2 weeks ago, it is a beautiful execution of the ugly MK II! The quality is as good as the CAV and it appears to be upgraded in all the important places. Racing this kind of a car is out of my hobby bracket( I will stick with my Swift FF) so I want a high performance street car. The CAV is perfect for the quick run up to Monterey from San Diego, it is very reliable, the AC works great and there no problems with overheating or breakage( everything on my car is new). I like the stainless chassis and it is authentic enough for my purposes. It will deal quite well with just about anything you are likely to come up against on the street and works well on the track.
Paolo, now I understa