Sam's first question.

[Sam McDowell]

I have been wanting a GT40 since I saw them in a Playboy magizine article in college (1966). I now may be able to afford a kit. The first question I have is the one that is not to be asked, according to the rules. So how do I ask " which kit do I buy?" I have looked at several kit makers. Several I can find no pricing or " pricing is under review". I have a hard time even telling if some are still in business. I found one just today- Active Power inc. that has a kit.

[Rick S.]

Nearly all of the sponsors to this site offer kits in some form or another. Check out the site, who is building what, and why, and learn from all of the members that are building cars. Then you can make a short list, talk to the manufacturers, see who you get the best response from, and go from there.

You can spend days on this site....

[Ron Earp]

Go have a look around in the builder's forum. Nearly every form of kit manufacturer is represented there. Clicking on banner ads on this site will take you to many of the kit manufacturers too and those are all in business.

[Cliff Beer]

OK, going to get myself in trouble here I'm sure but I'll give it a whirl....

Superformance builds completed cars (less engine and transaxle) rather than kits and they are very true and accurate to the original. I've heard the interiors are a little smaller than some others but the level of fit and finish is very high. If originality is important to you, and you don't want to build the car yourself, then SPF may be a good choice.

RCR builds a very nice kit of differing levels of completeness, and also a finished car if you can sweet talk them into it. The chassis is a very, very nice welded aluminum chassis and the suspension and other components are first rate. If you want to build the car yourself this may be a good choice.

CAV builds complete cars (less engine and transaxle) but not kits (that I'm aware of). The chassis is welded stainless steel and the level of fit and finish is very high. Slightly less "original" than the SPF.

There are a number of other excellent manufacturers who produce both kits and finished cars - this includes Tornado, ERA, Active Power, MDA, and others that I'm sure I'm forgetting. Each has a website and will be happy to let you come visit if you make arrangements although not all are located in the North America.

Reco is to go do your own research first hand - call each and see what kind of response you get.

My personal reco would be not to pay for the car or the kit until you have it in hand - in other words, use a downpayment or progress payments or some such mechanism in order to ensure you're getting something concurrently for your money. There's been more than one GT40 manufacturer go under while holding onto a bunch of other people's money as prepayment on a car.

Good luck!

[Sam McDowell]

Thanx for the info. I have spent many hours reading the forum and dreaming of a build. I'm sure that will continue.

[Dave Peterman]

Welcome to the forum.

[Ian K]

First - try contacting the manufacturers. They have all pretty much responded
to queries.

Second, to correct Cliff - CAV now sells kits. Also, it seems that MDA is no
longer in business.

Third, figure out what you want out of a kit - how much of the componentry is
included, or at least available from the manufacturer, how much will you have
to source/fab yourself (or how much do you want to source/fab yourself), do
you want a road car or a race car or something in between, do you want a
monocoque/semi-mono, or spaceframe based car, how accurate to original?
The list can go on. But, as you tick off "options", some manufacturers will rise
to the top of your list, and others will fall. And, as always, manufacturer support
is something to think about - though most of the ones represented on this forum
have been pretty good about it.

Ian

[Ian Anderson]

Sam

Welcome

Also don't forget to look at completed cars
OK so the colour may not be your favourite - or the box not to your desire but quite often a "complete" car can cost less than the sum of the parts by a long way

Ian

[Grady]

Sam'
Welcome to the worldwide site of GT40s. So much to learn. You may best read the the area of interest and use the heck out of the 'search' mode. I would strongly suggest that you get in your car and drive the 20 miles and visit Dennis Olthoff in Mt. Ulla. It is on highway 150 between Mooresville and Salisbury. Take 70 east and turn south on 801, left onto Sherrills Ford rd, right onto White road, then right onto 150. The Superformance shop in on your right 1 mile. And yes I do own two of their cars. They are what are called rollers (see Superformance site) that come from the factory without engine or transmission. Spend some to and put your hands on the cars. Get under one on a lift, sit in one, or better yet go drive one. It is a big kids candy store with your favorites in beautifully painted bodies.... Roush 402, 427 FI SB, or a honking 427 FE. The problem is making a choice!
Welcome again.
Grady Wilson-Asheville