I made the journey to RCR from VA to have a look around and see my chassis in production. Thought some impressions were in order:
1. I know guys that have gone to Italy to tour the factory at Maranello and come home with this renewed bond with their F-cars. I would ask... did the workers walk up to you, introduce themselves, and explain a little about what they specifically are doing to build your particular car? Was your chassis in the middle of the shop being worked on by hand? No, I think not. What a fantastic experience, truly a VISA ad (15 hours travel time, 4 flights, no meals, 2 hours at RCR... priceless). And on Fran's birthday no less. BTW, if you wonder why he might not pick up the phone when you call, it's because his phone rings about every 2 minutes. No exaggeration.
2. I chose to build a GT40 because I fell in love with the aluminum chassis and suspension, and I think the 40 body is gorgeous. The SLC is a better car in many ways (single center fuel tank, modern aero, big engine bay, etc) but in the pictures, eh, it's OK. I am going to all-caps this because it is important: IF YOU HAVE CONSIDERED BUILDING A SUPERLITE COUPE BUT AREN'T SURE OF THE LOOK, BEFORE YOU SPEND A DIME YOU NEED TO SEE IT IN PERSON. Will you be struck as I was? I don't know. But I can tell you that the car does not photograph well and is absolutely stunning in person. If I had seen it first, I would have built one. As it is now, I am "trapped" with a lowly RCR40.
3. This place RCR is the real deal. There is more car porn in there than you can shake a stick at. Racks and racks of CNC aluminum bits, body panels, trannies, motors, cars in various stages of build, it's mind blowing. There were at least four cars waiting to go out, two to Australia, one to England, and others to god knows where. My favorite was the double row of Ricardo transaxles worth more than my first house. And there are lots of things you don't ever see on GT40s.com
Definitely worth the trip. A big thanks to Fran et al!
1. I know guys that have gone to Italy to tour the factory at Maranello and come home with this renewed bond with their F-cars. I would ask... did the workers walk up to you, introduce themselves, and explain a little about what they specifically are doing to build your particular car? Was your chassis in the middle of the shop being worked on by hand? No, I think not. What a fantastic experience, truly a VISA ad (15 hours travel time, 4 flights, no meals, 2 hours at RCR... priceless). And on Fran's birthday no less. BTW, if you wonder why he might not pick up the phone when you call, it's because his phone rings about every 2 minutes. No exaggeration.
2. I chose to build a GT40 because I fell in love with the aluminum chassis and suspension, and I think the 40 body is gorgeous. The SLC is a better car in many ways (single center fuel tank, modern aero, big engine bay, etc) but in the pictures, eh, it's OK. I am going to all-caps this because it is important: IF YOU HAVE CONSIDERED BUILDING A SUPERLITE COUPE BUT AREN'T SURE OF THE LOOK, BEFORE YOU SPEND A DIME YOU NEED TO SEE IT IN PERSON. Will you be struck as I was? I don't know. But I can tell you that the car does not photograph well and is absolutely stunning in person. If I had seen it first, I would have built one. As it is now, I am "trapped" with a lowly RCR40.
3. This place RCR is the real deal. There is more car porn in there than you can shake a stick at. Racks and racks of CNC aluminum bits, body panels, trannies, motors, cars in various stages of build, it's mind blowing. There were at least four cars waiting to go out, two to Australia, one to England, and others to god knows where. My favorite was the double row of Ricardo transaxles worth more than my first house. And there are lots of things you don't ever see on GT40s.com
Definitely worth the trip. A big thanks to Fran et al!
