Tornado TS40

[KennyG]

Does anyone know anything about Tornado sports cars GT40? How do they compare to the others?
Thanks
Ken

[Bill D]

That's a very subjective question. I don't think you're going to get any public answers. You might want people to PM you their thoughts so you don't incite a riot on the forum.

I deleted your other post with the same question. Your question is better suited here.

Cheers
Bill

[Bill Hara]

Kenny

A simple search question for "Tornado" will bring up close to 200 threads that contain Tornado sports cars.

I've included a couple of Threads from this particular search below, as well as a great synopsis done by a forum member Ian K, some 2 years ago now. I have amended it slightly to remove any confusion with the old Roaring Forties.


http://www.gt40s.com/forum/consumer-...hlight=Tornado

http://www.gt40s.com/forum/poll-plac...hlight=Tornado


".....Re: GT40 replicas

[ QUOTE ]
I am in the process of making the complicated descision that all of you have made in picking a replica.
My criteria is as follows:
1.Originality
2.Best construction
3.Ease and fit of parts in build.
4.Best build support.
5.Price (best dollar value not cheapest)
6.Most satisfying upon completion.
7.Best handling.

I realise that the Superformance just arrived so a fair comparison can't be made.

Thanks for your help, Al

[/ QUOTE ]

Al,

My research experience has led me to the following beliefs/
assumptions:

1) Originality: ERA & Superformance - CAV is close, but
ERA and Superformance are closest (note, SPF is based on
their Cobras, I assume the same effort is going to be made
with the GT40s)

2) Best construction - pretty much all of the ones in your
poll are well built.

3) Ease and fit of parts - as in number 2), pretty much all of
the companies have gone to great lengths to make the parts
go together well. CAV and Superformance come as turnkey minuses
(though CAV keeps saying a DIY kit will be available) and
the rest will come in various states of completion per customer
request.

4) Best build support - again, they have all gone to great
lengths to support their product and be accessible. Add in
those who are on this board who have built the product and/or
represent the company locally, and their is a lot of help
available.

5) Price - this is a sticky area. MDA is probably the cheapest
overall, with Tornado not far behind. Looking at
RCR prices, their is a lot of sourcing of parts to be done, however you do get a monocoque chassis for the price.
MDA has some pieces needed for completion not included in
their price as well. A CAV turnkey minus is not a bad deal
either, once you factor in the cost of sourcing pieces,
body prep/paint and assembly (whether you do it or not) the
initial outlay may seem high, but the final cost is not too
shabby relatively speaking. Also, finding a used vehicle or
a partially finished kit could save money and time.

6) Satisfaction is highly subjective - I find pretty much
everyone is happy with their final product.

7) Handling is alo highly subjective - again, the owners
all seem satisfied with their choices.

Ian K.........."

Hope this helps.

Regards

Bill

[Chris Melia]

Hi Bill
I think you need to see what you get with the RCR deluxe plus Kit
www.race-car-replicas.com/rcr40.html

Regards

Chris

[Bill D]

To add:
There are many more GT40 manufacturers around - DRB in Australia and Bailey Edwards (BEC) in South Africa. I saw Larry's BEC first hand at Knott's and it's a VERY nice car.

Turn Ten in Canada (I think) recently began making GT40 kits. I'm unsure if they have delivered any yet. And there is Southern Automotive. I think they're in England but I'm not sure.

Goran in Sweden makes a true replica mono but it's expensive. I don't know anyone who has one.

I know this only adds to your confusion

[Mike Dozier]

Ken

Tornado is very succesful...shipped hundreds in the UK...nice car.
But not many Tornados made it to the US...for a couple reasons,
including poor dealer network....and in fact now none at all.
Are you thinking of building one from scratch? Or trying to buy a turnkey?
Above all....sit in one before you plunk down cash.

MikeD

[Bill Hara]

Sorry Chris and Fran, no offence was meant. I did point out that the quote was over 2 years old and the point was to show that even 2 years ago all the cars compared well.
Of course things have moved on; RCR have improved their package substatially and beautiful examples are hitting the road, Superformance are full flight into production and as Bill D points out, there are other manufacturers, some old some new with excellent cars on the road that did not appear in the 2 year old post.

The answer for Kenny was, "do a search for the Tornado but here is some help on what other forum members thought about the Tornado TS40....."

This is just IMHO, again no offense was intended.

Bill

[Scott Calabro]

For what its worth....

I have purchased a bellhousing (UN1 to SBF) and associated bits from Tornado.

It is a beautiful piece.

Andy was also extremely helpful in helping with the shipping of a UN1-13 from a fellow forum member located in England. He managed to fit it all in one crate saving me lots of green.

He didn't have to but he went the extra mile.

Cheers,
S

[Ian K]

Thanks for the kind words Bill H.

Also, I posted an amendment after my original reply, based on a follow up
private conversation with Fran. He was rightly concerned about my post, to
which I clarified some points to him. He accepted my reasoning, and I posted
the follow up. And, he still talks to me Also, at the time, the Deluxe Plus
kit was not available.

Here is the follow up (typos left in so the message is as pristine as it was so
long ago):

I should amend my comments to include that RCR's price, while
not totally inclusive of parts according to their website, does
get you a monocoque chassis with all access panel holes
predrilled and tapped as necessary, as well as a body that
should be ready for paint. An equivalent RF or MDA requires
the panelling to be done - which both charge extra for. So,
fator in the cost to panel vs. the extra parts supplied
when comapring RCR and RF.

Just want to be as fair as possible in my reply. I readily
acknowledge any errors in judgement and understanding, and will
correct any comments as required. I still stand behind the
fact that all of the mentioned manufacturers are helpful and
stand behind their products.

Ian

[KennyG]

Thanks you guys. You've been vary helpful. Buying a completed car or even a semi completed car is not in the budget. I'd really like to build it my self over time. I'd also like to build something that is as close to the original as possible. It would make me feel a lot better about building it. I'm vary picky about what I put my time and money into. I ordered a packet from TSC about 15 years ago and it looked pretty awesome. They sent me some really nice photos. One of which has been in my tool box at work the whole time for motivational purposes. I've finally gotten to the point financially to stat piecing one together. Unfortunately TSC is no longer in the states.

[Mike Dozier]

You can import a TSC kit if you want one...but it's significantly more costly now to do so than a few years ago. And TSC's backlog was quite healthy...
up to a year delivery...might be shorter now.

MikeD