CAV GT in component form

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

LATE BREAKING NEWS !!!

1. THE CAV GT 40 AVAILABLE IN COMPONENT FORM.
2. THIS KIT CONSISTS OF ALL THE PARTS AS USED BY OUR ASSEMBLERS DURING FACTORY ASSEMBLY.
3. COMPREHENSIVE BUILD MANUAL.
4. FACTORY SUPPORT VIA E-MAIL AND PHONE.
5. NO SPECIALIZED TOOLS REQUIRED.
6. BASIC KIT SUPPLIED WITH BODY TO CHASSIS FITMENT AND SHAPING COMPLETE.
( FACTORY SPRAYPAINTED BODIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST )
7. STARTING PRICE: GBP 18 000 , EXW

CONTACT info@gt40.co.za OR www.cav.co.za


AUTO FUTURA

JEAN FOURIE AND JOHN SPENCE

[ghur]

Having recently completed my CAV kit I thought I would share some of the fun I had building the car with the forum.
After being an avid GT40 fan for many years and then discovering that the factory was not ten minutes from where I live in Cape Town, I paid them a visit.
After deliberating for about 35 seconds I purchased the kit in January 2004 which was during the transition period from the liquidation of CAV to the new beginnings of the car with Autofutura run by Jean Fourie and John Spence.

The basic setting up of the body was done on the premises in Cape Town, South Africa and was then sent to a sprayshop downtown where the body work preparation and spray painting was done. It took three and a half months to complete but the results speak for themselves. The finish is superb. The sprayed car was delivered to my house in Cape Town and I promptly stripped off the body and got to work.
The hard part was fitting in the building with my job. As an airline pilot doing two weeks on and two weeks off it was a huge inconvenience going to work and leaving my fledgling project all alone, but armed with GT40 literature and a laptop computer full of pictures I got by.
With an average of eighteen hours a day when at home (and on one occasion 25 hours with out rest, much to my wife’s disgust), the first drive took place two months after starting the assembly. It was a thrill like no other and certainly turned a few heads in the neighborhood. It still took another few months to finish off the finer points because I was having too much fun driving around, minus carpeting and trimming and door windows etc. but I am now extremely happy with the finished product.

I fitted a 302 with all the “go faster” bits like ally heads and fancy cam, Holly 600 carb and Edelbrock inlet manifold. It was dyno tested at 390hp and coupled to an Audi 016 transaxle – which after 1500 miles started to self destruct and was then replaced with an Audi / Porsche hybrid built in Johannesburg by the same company that built the motor. The stainless headers were sprayed with a molten aluminum process which really makes the engine look stunning but the rest of the car is standard CAV. The service and support I received from Autofutura was second to none. I had my share of problems with the construction – a lot of which were a case of not observing the old rule of “R.T.F.B.” - but all were handled expeditiously and professionally by Jean and John and more than once Jean met me at the factory after hours to help with small issues. The cooling system when fully operational is very efficient but it did give me a few grey hairs initially in purging the air. Again one of the reasons was a mix up on my part but that is another story all by itself.

The quality and finish of all the components is superb and there have been many improvements on the car since being under new ownership. I have been a regular visitor to the factory and have been watching with great interest the research and development being carried out by the team. My next car which I intend to start in a few months is going to be that much better firstly due to my “knowledge” and secondly to all the subtle revisions that have been made to the vehicle which include among other things – lowering of the floor pan by one inch and a re-designed seats to cater for the taller drivers, revised suspension, fuel fillers, new style pedal assembly and numerous chassis mods to strength the structure and provide easier access to hidden components.

From an ease of building point of view I have been re-building cars for many years as a hobby so I obviously know one end of a spanner from the other but I feel any person with a good grasp of D I Y should not have too much trouble building the car. I can say with a certain amount of pride that apart from the initial body set up and paint job this was a solo project. The only time I had a buddy over was to help carry the body panels down from their storage spot in the roof of my garage. I even fitted the engine / gearbox assembly single handedly (at 3am). Very few specialized tools are required – the obvious spanners and sockets and the rest - but you do need a good drill with a selection of high quality bits for stainless steel drilling. Most holes are pre drilled with captive nuts fitted where necessary but a fair amount still need to be done mainly for trimming and fitting of inspection panel etc. The only tool I had to source was a rivnut gun (thanks again to Jean for the loan). A bench grinder / belt sander are essential for the fitting of the polycarbonate door glass, headlamp and side lamp covers which are shaped and curved but need to be trimmed to suit the individual car. The first edition instruction manual was a little too brief and the photo sequence could be improved but I am sure this has already been amended as I write.

In conclusion I can say that this has been an incredible experience for me and I have not had this much fun for many years, both in building and driving the car and wish I could have had it at eighteen years old and not at 44. If any one would like to make contact with me for more details and or advice on the CAV GT40 please feel free either directly by e-mail or through the forum. I am always happy to discuss my car or any other car at any time.

[ghur]

Engine pic with temporary air filter.

[Bob Childress]

Hi Geoff,

Your car looks fantastic in red and white! I sometimes wish I had picked a more dramatic color for my car which is guardsman blue. I did however also use the two-stripe side design from the new Ford GT for my car with GT40 lettering. If you would like the artwork for the matching steering wheel hub emblem let me know.

You mentioned that you were shopping for air filters so here are 3 pictures of a Ford Oval Filter (P/N # M9600E 302) that is a good fit on my CAV which has a 342 and a ZF. It centers perfectly in the body opening and does not block rear my rear view vision at all.

Enjoy your car and if you discover any clever modifications be sure and let the rest of us CAV owners know.

Best regards,

Bob

[Bob Childress]

picture # 2

[Bob Childress]

picture # 3

[Tim Kay]

Geoff,

Stamd proud, looks fantastic [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
........wish I could have had it at eighteen years old and not at 44.

[/ QUOTE ]

.....but now your are 18 again [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ghur]

Hi Bob

Thanks for the info on the air filter. I am currently using a home made filter which looks good but yours looks more the part. Can you confirm if it is available from Ford or only from specialist shops.
I would appreciate the steering wheel emblem artwork and should be able to get one made up in Cape Town.

Geoff

[Bob Childress]

Good morning Geoff,

I am always glad to connect with another GT40 fan and CAV owner. Your experience with John at Jean at AutoFutura is like mine, they seem to go out of their way to help everyone, even those of us with legacy cars from the old company.

I have sent this message and the files you wanted directly to your email address. A new GT40 logo was made in the style of the 2005 Ford GT. The original logo came from the Ford website. I copied the lettering style and then stretched the letters to make it look balanced since FORD GT has more letters than GT40. If you don't like the proportions I picked, any graphics guy can modify it to your preference. I know you already have your side stripes done but just so you would have the entire package, I also forwarded the left and right side *.ai files used to make my vinyl side stripes.

For a steering wheel hub, I made an archival quality photo print of the logo sandwiched between a flashlight glass lens (McMasterCarr #8477-K23 Borosilicate flat circle glass 2.25 inch dia x 0.125 inch thick) and a same size circle of 0.020 inch lexan. I machined the steering wheel hub about .030 wider and slightly deeper. The logo was left free to just float between the two lenses. The edge of the top glass lens was rounded and then the lens was set in place with two dabs of clear silicone at each side. It is not 1960s traditional, but it looks totally factory.

As for the air filter, it is direct part number from from Ford Performance, but I was reminded that the engine may sit higher with an Audi trans so double check before you buy. Good luck with your car, keep me in the loop as you learn about modification and upgrades you would recommend, and remember not to rotate until you get to at least 220.

Best regards,

Bob

[Bob Childress]

interior picture # 2

[Bob Childress]

interior picture # 2 again?

[Bob Childress]

last try picture # 2

[Veek]

Bob, the filter looks great, how much clearance do you have under your rear glass?

[Ron Earp]

Jean,

Or whomever might be reading this thread with the factory info, you might want to post some kit prices and list of materials in the "Manufactuer's Section". I had one PM regarding pricing on the car from a newbie and it is not here under this thread nor in the one in All GT40s (weeks ago) nor in the one under Manufactuer's Annoucements. Just wanted to let you know for sake of info to perspective customers.

Ron

[Bob Childress]

OK Veek,

As I mentioned to Geoff, it would be good to check the fit before you buy. I am in Chicago away from my car until next week but if you want a few more specific details I would be glad to send them when I get back to Phoenix.

An old email from Joseph reminded me that the Ford Oval Air Filter may not fit a CAV that that uses the Audi transaxle. I guess the engine sits a little higher with the Audi unit. I think have about 2 inches of clearance between the top edge of the filter and the rear clip glass on my car with the stock CAV engine mounts, a Roush 342, Holley 770 Street Avenger 4-barrel, Edelbrock Performer Intake, and ZF trans combination. There are so many possible combinations of different height parts that I think ultimately a test fit would be required anyway.

Bob

[Veek]

Thanks Bob, I will try before I buy.

[JOSEPH]

Geoff H,
I tried to get that filter that Bob Childress has in his car, but it hit the glass in my CAV which has a 302 + gt40 intake + 650 Holley and an 016 Getrag. I ended up with a 9 inch diameter K+N Extreme filter that sucks air from the sides and straight down from the top. Here is what it looks like. It bearths very well and looks " COOL ".

[JOSEPH]

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[JOSEPH]

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