New Part in Developement

[Canuk40]

Hi Guys,

Here's a part for our ZF equipped "Series 100" CAV GTs. It's a rear body support with Le Mans Quick Lift Jack Tabs. Designed to work with our ZF Transaxle Bracket or can be used with the original Cape Advanced Vehicles (pre Autofutura) ZF and Rear Sway Bar Bracket.

The new part is retained by four 10mm socket head cap screws. It will not fit CAVs after s/n 100 as there is no provision to hold up the transxle from below.

On ealier cars, the CAV Canada beam weldment transxale bracket takes care of all load carrying and shudder issues on ZF cars.

Shown is a prototype part and we're quite pleased with the results. As goes all things in developement, an apparently simple looking part can be a real challenge to make, even before considering the costs of low volume production.

Like all CAV Canada parts, the purpose of the part is to increase the performance, function, reliability (if an issue) and cosmetics of a particular component or vehicle system. This peice certainly makes the grade.

The plan is to supply the part powder painted black, with an aluminum lower pan and easy to adjust mounting plates so installation can be done with hand tools and a couple of jack stands. Removing the rear clip for major driveline service becomes a matter of two bolts, a harness connector, ground strap and pop off the struts. More importantly, it goes stait back on, no more fiddling with shims and slotted mounts!

As shown the gas strut mounts for the rear clip aren't in place and we're using the original plates off the old bracket in the hinge hardware. That will change. Anyways, I hope you like the part, it should be available soon and the first six buyers will get the 10% GT40s Forum discount that CAV Canada has on for a limited time, even if the sale is over...

Cheers

[Pat Buckley]

Looks good!

Is this what I have been waiting for? AS I recall I traded a bell housing for it?

[Canuk40]

Hi Pat,

Your memory is correct my friend, you'll be the first to know when the partis in production.

Cheers

[Pat Buckley]

Excellent!

In this case patience was a virtue - that looks great.

[Canuk40]

Thanks Pat,

I've had a few calls on this part already. Here's a few pics with the rear clip in place. The mounting plates to the inner wheel arches are from the CAV brackets on this prototype part.

The production brackets will come with complete hardware so nothing is carried over. Also not shown is the aluminum undertray with opening for the ZF protruding through. You can see how this part will really transform the look of the back end.

This car (Angelos' Gulf 1075 tribute) is getting a complete respray and conversion to right hand drive, the quicklift bracket is actually one of the less challenging aspects of the job

Cheers

[ragrod]

Nice work Ian, this looks so much better. what do you think about fitting post 100 cars? More shots please!! how does the change in piviot piont effect the closing at the front? Could a zf mount be added so it could go in my car?
randy

[Canuk40]

Thanks Randy, a real compliment considering your accomplishments.

About fitting post 100 cars equipped with or going to a ZF or Quaife ZFQ there's noproblem as we can supply a complete kit: Transaxle Bracket/Sway Bar Mount, Rear Body Support Subframe with Quick Lifts and the Hinge Plates.

The new hinge location is closer to the original car so the arc of the body closing against the roof is much better.

Since all our cars have ZFs we haven't had the opportunity to work on Getrag setups. The Rear Body Support Subframe as per the original Ford GT40 was not designed to handle drivetrain loads or provide mounting points for the same.

We could beef up the tubing sizes and provide transaxle mounting pads as per the standard non ZF application. There would also have to be some new pick-up points devised for the upper tubes to the chassis. Can be done, although I'll be happy enough to get the ZF Kit ready for production first.

Cheers

[David Briggs]

That is very cool Ian,
I will take one when they are ready.
Dave

[Canuk40]

Thanks Dave,

It's going to be a very popular upgrade, especially for the guys who work on thier own cars. So much easier to do anything in the engine bay without crouching around the rear deck. Just undo the hinge bolts, pop off your prop rod struts, unplug the tailight harness and off she comes. The real time saver is not having to realign the rear deck when you put it back on, just slide the bolts back... and presto!

Cheers

[Canuk40]

Thanks Dave,

It's going to be a very popular upgrade, especially for the guys who work on thier own cars. So much easier to do anything in the engine bay without crouching around the rear deck. I guess the next part to make willbe the matching quick lift jack

Cheers

[ijvpet]

I will take one too Ian!!