Rfgt40 #133

David Lowe · 07-24-08, 03:06 AM

Hi All
Just wanted to let you know that we have a new member of the RFGT40 team on our Aussie streets. After much heartache, frustration and the odd redesign on the way it passed Vicroads with ease and is now road registered. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Will Croll who took on the build after Robert Logan's demise. If there was one positive thing that I could name that come out of that whole RF mess it is that I finished up with a far better built vehicle. I would also like to thank the NEW Roaring Forties Company, Andrew East, Eddie Edwards, Chris Fahey and all the other Victorian GT40 owners (including the guys on this Forum from whom we constantly looked for new ideas and information) for their invaluable assistance and support.
I believe Will is going to post some build specs shortly.

Bill Hara · 07-24-08, 03:57 AM

Well Done David.
I know you've been on one hell of a ride, so it's great to see you come out the other end with a great looking AND registered car.
Happy travels to you!
Bill H

The New Roaring Forties · 07-24-08, 09:50 AM

Great to hear Dave !

Will has done an awesome job on this car so it will be great to see some more pics when you get a chance.

I hope the long build and RF1 dramas fade away as you enjoy driving your truely unique GT40.

You have certainly been very patient and deserve a great time behind the wheel !!

Regards Paul

roaldin · 07-24-08, 10:58 AM

Hi David,

Welcome to the club!

I was told there was a GT in Longford last time I was up there, I guess you're the guy.

I'm in Tas' so I hope we can meet up some time so I can steal some ideas... er check out your car.

Tim.

Ross Nicol · 07-24-08, 10:32 PM

A lesser person would have given up long ago in disgust, so well done Dave. I am in total agreement with you regarding Will Croll, I have worked with Will constantly during the build and developement of my car and all I can say is his workmanship, ability and mature attitude are such I would never consider going anywhere else. Don't tell him I said that though, he might put the price up. I hope to meet up with you and Tim over there in Tassie when I get there next for a visit. I love the place.

Ross

David Lowe · 07-25-08, 03:00 AM

Thanks for your comments guys you are more than welcome to stay with me in Tassie if you ever visit this beautiful part of the world. Tim please pm me and we can arrange to meet some time.

Bobski · 07-25-08, 06:34 AM

Hey David,
Congrat on your beutifull car and it's great to seen yet another RF on the road. I've seen your car during the build stage at Will's shop and the man does know how to do a high standard of work. You will turn more than heads with that car. Have fun.

Bob.

Troy · 07-25-08, 10:45 AM

Hi David, fantastic looking GT. The 17" wheels really look the part! Well done.

Chris Simpson · 07-25-08, 01:53 PM

Very nice looking car. Hope mine looks as good when I have sorted out the body panels.

Chris

Will Croll · 07-28-08, 04:34 AM

Many thanks for all the kind words from everyone on the thread.

David Lowe’s car is the first 4.6 litre car I have built and yes, there have been some highs and lows during the build!

David originally ordered the car from RF1 which was pretty much fully loaded with all the top shelf extras; 4.6 litre, 6 speed, crossover exhaust, AP brakes, 4 point roll hoop, central locking, etc.

I was originally introduced to David at a RF meeting of owners after the demise of RF1.

I worked at RF1 in it’s infancy from 1999 to 2001 and built a dozen or so cars. Since then I have operated two businesses out of one shop. Will Croll Engineering has full machine shop and welding capabilities. This mainly concentrates on automotive engineering and we have worked tirelessly with Ross Nichol with his race car preparation. A lot of the development on Ross’ car has been taken from the race track to road cars and I do offer a lot of my own upgrades based on his racing.

Will Croll Engineering has helped RF2 in relaunching the RF over the last couple of years and is now a supplier of major components for the company.

The second business is Mr Bolts, a basic nut and bolt shop for all local business and I must say it is very handy having your own bolt shop when you are building cars!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting photographs of David’s build and I will be happy to answer questions.

Kind regards

WILL CROLL

JackW · 07-29-08, 12:26 AM

Awesome Will. I look forward to seeing the photos and the comments. Should be an interesting thread.

Regards

Jack

Will Croll · 07-29-08, 10:17 PM

Ok Jack you have inspired me to get going on this one and I hope it sparks your interest.Just going through all the old photos and I guess the best place to start is at the very beginning when I picked up the car from storage with new parts arriving over the following week.Engine, fuel tanks,
LSD,6 speed gear box etc.

Will

Will Croll · 07-31-08, 02:07 AM

Got the car into place for the build and drew up a job list.I wanted to finish a majority of the plumbing on the car first brakes cluch fuel and some of the water and AC.When the engine bay plumbing was finished then I could fit engine/gearbox but there is still alot of mods to do to get the 4.6 in there.
Sump mod for ground clearance,remote oil filter,water outlet mods.

Big-Foot · 07-31-08, 08:36 AM

Very interesting Header / Exhaust design...

Andrew E · 07-31-08, 10:38 PM

Hi Will,

Congratulations on a great build for David, full credit to you for hanging in there with him over a long period of time with delays outside your control.

David,
May be we'll see you and the car at All Ford Day this Year?

Randy,
Exhaust is interesting four small precats and two larger cats weighs a fair bit too. Part of what former RF had to do to get the 4.6 engine through AUS emissions. Crazy stuff when the easier option of 5.4 was available for comparative emissions, which is what RF2 guys have now done.

Andrew

Will Croll · 08-09-08, 04:35 AM

Thanks Andrew,
More parts arriving from RF2(exceptional job keeping up the supply of parts to me) and pressing on with the build now preping the engine, fitting the LSD to 6 speed sorting the gear box linkages.The development work on David's car was necessary because RF1 only really finished one 4.6.(2 or 3 under construction). The good news is the hard work on David's car has paid off now because all the development has carried over to RF2 and all nessissary mods are now current spec parts off the shelf.

Will

Will Croll · 08-09-08, 04:54 AM

A few more pics.
Will

Will Croll · 08-12-08, 04:21 AM

A bit more engine prep & then offering the engine up to the car.
Will