Modern GT40 Replica

[ChrisP2175]

I am of a certain age that I remember the original GT40's performance at Sebring in the 60's (I lived in Florida at the time, though a mere slip of a lad).

I thought someday I might build a replica of one, and then Ford brought out their modern version of it.

My question: is anyone making a replica of the modern version?

I've researched this issue, and the best I've seen is a few web sites that hint that they will be producing one, but when I call I'm told "it's a few months off". I've gotten the same "few months from now" line for more than a year.

Does anyone think there are some replica's in the pipeline?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Bill D]

No one makes a replica of the modern version

[Howard Jones]

I have seen used Ford GT's in autoweek for sale as low as a 100K. I believe you could buy a real one for 100K - 125K all day long. This makes the economics of doing a replica of one difficult at best. The power train would be near 40K alone if you were to use the original power plant and gearbox.

However if you can find someone to let you splash a car to make some molds the you will only have Ford to contend with. I find it very difficult to believe that they would go along with selling copies of their GT. A one off would fly under the radar I would think but again the cost of doing a one off would really make the used car an attractive alternative.

Have a look at the ongoing GT90 thread for a preview of what would be required. Having a donner car would save building a scale body huck but not much else.

But if the task is calling you then by all means carry on! Oh and double the budget and the amount of time you think you can do it for. At least!

[Fran Hall RCR]

Ford will without a doubt come down like the hammer of Thor on anyone replicating the new GT.....
It has been whispered to me here in Detroit,not to even think about it.......now a modified race version...no problems there...oops

[ChrisP2175]

The least expensive modern GT40 that I've ever seen for sale (10K miles) was a 2005 for $160,000 USD.

But yes, sadly, I agree that no are no current model replica bodies out there.

Still, a man can't help but dream.

Thanks all,

Chris

[Craig White]

There are quite a lot of GT40 replicas built in Australia that are very modern in both appearance, features & operation. Our registration requirements certainly call for some modern features.

Exterior - modern colours, twin headlights, led rear lights, side indicators, high-level brake lights, modern wheels, lambo doors etc.

Interior - modern colours and style, electric mirrors, cruise, abs, traction control, MP3, ipod docks, modern gauges etc.

Engines - modern injected engines due to registration requirements.

The GT40 is just a beautiful classic shape and in my opinion looks great whether it's dressed in it's original livery or with a modern twist. The more variety the better in my books.

We also don't have Ford GT's here on the road, so buying a Ford GT is not really an option either. (Of course there is a couple of Ford GT's here, but you get my drift)

[Dimi]

Hi Craig

With regard to your comments on rego restrictions.

I have been trying to get my 40 registered in NSW for the last 10 weeks and to this point without success due to the RTA moving the goalposts.

It seems that the GT40 with a Boss 260Kw motor and Corvette brakes do not comply according to the RTA.

Their ruling is that the braking system must be used in total and complete from a donor vehicle that had a motor of at least the same power or greater and the weight of the donor vehicle has to be greater than the recipient vehicle.

Also as the Corvette is not an Australian ADR approved vehicle the brakes cannot be used at all, at least in NSW.

I had my 40 set up as per DRB's manual with the standard Corvette suspension and brakes and when we did the braking tests with my engineer everything passed as per the requirements and everything was within the limits required but when the engineers report was submitted they refused the brake tests and so we retested to a higher standard and they still refused.

It has always been my understanding that the brakes on a vehicle were designed to stop a vehicle of a certain mass weight irrespective of the power of the motor but I guess I was wrong.

So now I am being forced to upgrade to larger Aust ADR approved calipers and will have to submit to another series of brake tests and as I am led to believe from a speed of 160Km per hour.

A speed that is totally illegal in all states of Australia on public roads.

Are these beaurocrats being totally letter of the law or just trying to stop ICV's from being registered, or just pig headed F#@$%wits.

This whole process has been unbelievably frustrating and getting me to the point of wanting to punch someone out.

Time will tell where we end up with this.

Dimi

[Craig White]

I certainly feel for you. That's encroaching on stupidity.

NSW has it own rules and certainly a lot tougher than the other states in most regards.

That's not goods news for people registering cars there.

I certainly didn't know about those extra brake requirements, it has not been passed onto me through the NSW engineers I have contact with yet.

NSW is my biggest challenge when it comes to rego compliance.

[Dimi]

Hi Craig

Apparently this is a result of a new guy that is now in charge of the ICV section in the RTA in NSW and also the fact that the regulations were re released ( read, re written, re interpreted ) 6 weeks ago and are now being enforced with a vengeance.

Fun time ahead for all.

Dimi

[Jac Mac]

Dimi, I am not up to speed with your Aussie state rules etc, but it seems a bit double sided when the Corvette brakes ( 84>> C4 ) were IIRC, developed & supplied by PBR in Aust ( Also fitted on some commodores as well- that may be an avenue you could look into ) . Also it amuses me ( you probably wont be ) that they dont also spec that the donor & recipient cars need to have similar front/rear weight distribution- tyre size etc , rather than HP/OA weight similarity.
You might have to shift to NZ, mate- we have rules too, but they are a lot more user friendly.

On the replica of the Ford GT- I would have to ask -why- take a hint from Clarkson/Top Gear, only time he did anything right, sent the thing back!

Jac Mac

[Dimi]

Hi Jac Mac

Yes I even tried that argument that they were the same as fitted to the Commodores but the reply was that the Commodores did not have a 260Kw motor with those brakes even though the Commodore weighed hundreds of Kilos more and so end of argument and still refused.

Dimi

[I LOVE GT40- Paolo]

Originally Posted by CraigW

There are quite a lot of GT40 replicas built in Australia that are very modern in both appearance, features & operation. Our registration requirements certainly call for some modern features.

Exterior - modern colours, twin headlights, led rear lights, side indicators, high-level brake lights, modern wheels, lambo doors etc.

Interior - modern colours and style, electric mirrors, cruise, abs, traction control, MP3, ipod docks, modern gauges etc.

Engines - modern injected engines due to registration requirements.

The GT40 is just a beautiful classic shape and in my opinion looks great whether it's dressed in it's original livery or with a modern twist. The more variety the better in my books.

We also don't have Ford GT's here on the road, so buying a Ford GT is not really an option either. (Of course there is a couple of Ford GT's here, but you get my drift)

completely agree with u Craig.
Do u know maybe where I can see some pictures or websites of those modern/old gt40?

[scott]

Originally Posted by Dimi

Hi Craig

With regard to your comments on rego restrictions.

I have been trying to get my 40 registered in NSW for the last 10 weeks and to this point without success due to the RTA moving the goalposts.

It seems that the GT40 with a Boss 260Kw motor and Corvette brakes do not comply according to the RTA.

Their ruling is that the braking system must be used in total and complete from a donor vehicle that had a motor of at least the same power or greater and the weight of the donor vehicle has to be greater than the recipient vehicle.

Also as the Corvette is not an Australian ADR approved vehicle the brakes cannot be used at all, at least in NSW.

I had my 40 set up as per DRB's manual with the standard Corvette suspension and brakes and when we did the braking tests with my engineer everything passed as per the requirements and everything was within the limits required but when the engineers report was submitted they refused the brake tests and so we retested to a higher standard and they still refused.

It has always been my understanding that the brakes on a vehicle were designed to stop a vehicle of a certain mass weight irrespective of the power of the motor but I guess I was wrong.

So now I am being forced to upgrade to larger Aust ADR approved calipers and will have to submit to another series of brake tests and as I am led to believe from a speed of 160Km per hour.

A speed that is totally illegal in all states of Australia on public roads.

Are these beaurocrats being totally letter of the law or just trying to stop ICV's from being registered, or just pig headed F#@$%wits.

This whole process has been unbelievably frustrating and getting me to the point of wanting to punch someone out.

Time will tell where we end up with this.

Dimi

What a bureaucratic nightmare! It's disgusting when a true enthusiast like yourself is made to suffer because of some a**hole on a power trip. A true waste of taxpayers money and your time. I hope it works out for you.

[Trevor Booth]

Dimi,
It has been the case since May 2003 that the abridged ADR 31 brake test was for vehicles fitted with components from a vehicle known to comply with ADR 31.

[Dimi]

Hi Trevor

The biggest problem I have with the RTA is they will not give any advice or guidelines other than to say " Talk to your engineer,he has all the answers "
and then when you follow your approved engineer's advice and pass all the required tests the RTA reject the results.

If the RTA gave a direct and clear answer I would be happy to comply first time around rather than having to re engineer the car after it has been finished.

The most frustrating part is they have accepted other ICV's and hotrods using the same brakes but not this one.

All DRB GT40's are specified to use Corvette suspension and brakes and are registerable in other states.

Even in NSW Corvettes are registered with 350 cubic inch motors putting out huge amounts of power and a lot more weight than a 40 and use the same brakes and these are deemed to be ok by the RTA.

Some of the braking systems I have seen on cars with limited rego,club rego etc I feel should not be on the road.

Why is it that these rego schemes make the car any safer in their eyes ?.

How can they justify a vehicle to be safe enough for limited rego but not for full rego ?.

Whether the car is limited or fully registered it can stil cause the same amount of damage or injury in either case.

Either the car is safe or it is not there is no grey area in this as far as I am concerned.

Dimi

[Trevor Booth]

Dimi,
The Engineers dont have all the answers despite what the RTA says because they cant or wont provide a definitive list of acceptance criteria for ICV.

It is not a matter of whether or not a limited rego car is more or less safe it is the lesser risk because they are on the road less by virtue of the limited (conditional ) rego scheme. That is the RTA approach.

I dont mean to be critical of your Engineer but he should have picked this up and worded the document accordingly. The RTA are incorrect by saying that the corvette is not a vehicle known to comply to ADR31.

Peter D's car was approved under the rule with the same brakes

The idiocy of the rule is engine power-- it has nothing to do with ADR 31 brake performance, all tests are done with the vehicle coasting!! Vehicle mass has everything to do with ADR 31 braking performance.

The RTA are not consistent in there approach to ICV, this is a huge problem for all concerned.