best GT40 option UK ...newbie

[Craig7L]

Hi guys,
Contemplating a replica GT40 RHD complete car for the UK. Which are the "better" kits to look out for. (in your opnion)
Also how reliable are these cars for say 3-4k per year usage?
what budget should i expect in the purchase price and keeping it on the road.
Finally is there any benefit financially from US sourcing (obviously a downside being LHD) but the pound against dollar still seems favourable. Would shipping, paperwork, inspection, import tax etc etc make that a viable option or a nightmare.

cheers

[Simon]

Hi Craig and welcome. When it comes to the 'Better' kits question you really should take time to read the forum FAQ section and also search for previous posts on this subject as it's quite a contentious issue.
Personally, i'm getting my kit from RCR which makes the 40 in it's original RHD layout (as well as LHD if req'd) and they also offer a turnkey +/- options. I also had the engine made in the states and shipped over - to me it just made sense..coals to Newcastle and all that. With the £/$ rate as it stands i feel i'm getting great value for money and shipping is not the nightmare you might imagine it to be, although you will pay more duty for a complete car rather than 'car parts' which is what a kit is described as. The shipper Fran uses makes things very easy and it's delivered to right my door.

[Andy Sheldon]

Craig

Please give me a call on 01562 820372 for a chat.

Thanks

Andy

[Martin]

Hi Craig,

You may want to give MDA a call also.
I personally wouldn't buy a car from a supplier that was outside the U.K. However good the product.
You can always visit the factory and have some proximity should you have issues during the build if you keep it local. Also, SVA related matters will be at the forefront for any U.K manufacturer. Just my opinion.
Cheers,
Martin

[Bill D]

With the weak dollar against the pound, an RCR will be a bargain!! Take a look at the RCR, you won't be disappointed

[Scott Calabro]

Hi Graig,

Not turning the flame on, but here's the real math on your side of the Atlantic. It works out favorably on our side too even with shipping and US customs fees.

TORNADO Deluxe Plus = 16550 GBP + VAT

Rcr Deluxe Plus = 21586 GBP + shipping + duties

The kits are otherwise equal content wise.

Regards,
Scott

[chuck smith]

perhaps PM's would be best if you are a distributor. I think Craig is looking for more first hand experience from owners.

[Scott Calabro]

I am an owner Chuck.

Thanks for the opinion though.

S

[Craig7L]

Hi guys,
thanks for the responses. After visiting most of the manufacturers websites throughout today i am slowly getting to grips with whos who and who produces what and where.
How many miles per year on say a kit GT40 would be classed as the "norm" or not too excessive to keep reliabilty/maintenance to a minimum.

[Scott Calabro]

Craig,

"Normal" is how you utilise the car.

There is no avg. statistical mileage usage as far as I know.

That said I drive about 2500 miles per season (April - October).

As far as reliability I would expect that to be a direct result of how you plan to power the car and how modified the engine etc. is.

They can be very reliable or not so much so.

Regards,
Scott

[Craig White]

Due to the componentry used in a GT40, they are actually quite a simple and relatively cheap vehicle to service and maintain. But as Scott said, it all depends on the drivetrain etc that you choose. So if it's built right, there is no problem doing quite a few km's in them. Actually it's great to see that yours will get a reasonable amount of use.

Due to the commitment in dollars required to build a GT40, I would spend the time and research all available options and see what suits you best.

Definitely go to the trouble of looking at the different options available, if you can visit/talk with some builders & also if you can attend some club meetings I think that's where you will generally get the best information.

Each GT40 offering is substantially different in terms of design, quality of parts used, ease of build etc. So look closely into the different offerings and talk to each manufacturer with any questions you have and also to determine their responsiveness, enthusiasm and product support.

You are certainly off to a great start by posting here. Good luck with it.

[Ron Earp]

Craig, to be fair to the newbie, all the folks posting on this thread that have waving checkered flags beside their name are sponsoring vendors of the forum. That means they sell or represent a particular product. I don't know if that is really clear for a new person on the forum or not.

Ron

[Simon]

Hi Scott, just wondering about the price of £27,595 on Tornados' website for the delux component package - is this no longer current ?

[Scott Calabro]

Womabt,

No its current.

Our new US Spec kits were put together to be on an even keel with other mfg's as far as kit content.

The "Deluxe Component Package" is our complete spaceframe car in pieces, less engine and battery.

Everything down to the last nut and bolt, less options.

Door seals, complete cooling system, complete door hardware like door locks, interior release handles etc.

I could go on and on.

To see that packages contents, go to our price list and notice all the parts with a little red asterick next to them.

Full parts list for the TS 40

In short, all the parts needed to build a car that the other mfg's simply do not supply even in their most expensive kits.

Cheers,
Scott

[Andy Sheldon]

Simon

As Scott says the £27,595 is still the current price but thats a car in a box kit and includes many items no other manufacturer supplies.

So to make it simple for potential buyers to compare kit prices like for like we have introduced the US spec kits which contain exactly the same items as other suppliers kits and have named the kits accordingly.

You can also purchase a righthand drive version of the US spec kit here in the UK.

Thanks

Andy

[Simon]

Andy, Scott - thanks for your clarification.

[Cliff Beer]

Craig, I think you'll find most owners are quite respectful and restrained as to passing judgment on the quality of the kits/manufacturers of others here but utilizing the search function might give you some basic factual technical information - such as monocoque v. tube frame, chassis material choice, etc. - as well as some sense for other factors like originality and interior space. I'm a fan of CAV as I really like the rugged stainless steel chassis. There seems to be some consensus that Superformance makes a high quality product with very high levels of originality. And, similarly, there seems to be consensus that Fran's products at RCR are of very high quality with the absolute best post-sale support and customer service/friendliness. I don't know much about other manufacturers (Tornado, GTD, etc.) but many also have very good reputations - most all have pretty good web sites with technical information and undoubtedly there will be an owner here of any one manufacturer that will be more than willing to share his (or her!) thoughts. I believe where you are in the UK there are lots of GTDs and probably one or two for sale in kit or complete form. Good luck and enjoy, you will undoubtedly have a great experience with this forum and behind the wheel.

[Andy Sheldon]

Simon

No problem.

Good luck with your build.

Andy