Auto Futura - CAV GT Newsletter no 2. Jan 2006

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

Hi Everybody

I hope that you have all enjoyed a good Christmas and well deserved holiday break. We would also like to wish you all a fantastic 2006, with some outstanding GT 40 memories.

As for Auto Futura, a brief summary of events since our last newsletter follows:

• Two cars successfully shipped (on time) to Germany.
• Two cars successfully shipped (on time) to UK.
• Two cars successfully shipped (on time) to San Diego, USA
• One CAV shipped from San Diego to our UK agent.
• The Gulf car earmarked for the Congo is nearing completion. See attached photo.
• The second Gulf car, for Mr. Hamm, now has its engine and gearbox fitted and should be ready for track testing early February.
• The newly shaped CAV GT has left for the new set of body moulds.
• Two cars are in production, headed for Australia.

Latest news:
• Limited edition Le Mans series……see below.

Our own demonstrator is also coming together nicely. It has a 450 HP street racer engine with a new fuel injection system which we will be testing, coupled to the RBT 5 speed transaxle. The imported 17” BRM’s look incredible and work well with the aggressive colour scheme of the body. Please see attached photo. All things being equal, this car will be featured in a movie to be made in Cape Town later this year.

As most of you know, the CAV GT has undergone some remarkable changes since the early days when Auto Futura took over the production. As of car #100 the changes are:

1. A completely redesigned chassis. The original stainless steel monocoque consisted of 67 individual panels. We have revised 66 of the panels, and the building processes have also been improved. This has resulted in a stronger, stiffer, lighter and more accurate chassis. Our assembly team has also commented that their workload is lighter due to all the pre-assembly upgrades while in the welding bay.
2. The increased head and leg room. When taking over the CAV GT project, John and I decided that we wanted the CAV GT to be comfortable and be able to seat a 6”5’ easily. By making changes to the floor pan, the seat as well as roll-over and pedal assembly, we were able to find an additional 3” headroom and 2” legroom, without affecting the all important 40” height.
3. Revised suspension geometry. After having built a very successful GT40 racecar for our local racing game, we decided to incorporate this technology into the CAV GT. The front uprights, rear uprights, all wishbones as well as brakes were changed. The car now features 6-pot front -, 4-pot rear calipers (Wilwood), 12” vented brake bells all round, with independent light weight hand brake calipers. The fore and aft adjustable brake bias is situated within drivers reach.
4. Interior finishes. The new CAV GT features a hard wearing imported carpet as used in the high class modern day saloons. The dashboard has been upgraded with a new aluminium switch panel (complete with switch tags) and chrome beveled original Smiths style gauges, finish the dash detail. The seats, roof lining, door panels, door lining, center console and kick panels are all leather clad, making the interior lush and comfortable.
5. Revised fuel system. The rubber fuels cells have been upgraded and now feature slosh tanks, non return valves and additional fuel injection fittings. We also decided that it was time for a fuel filler that made it quick and easy to fill the car up and designed a stunning new large diameter cast aluminum fuel filler funnel and cap. The CAV GT is ready for any condition…road or track.
6. Apart from all the above, the CAV GT has also undergone some smaller facelifts. These include: aluminium front closing panels, alli front and rear skidpans, a very rigid rear cradle, revised engine mounts and cross member, revised bulkhead window, new adjustable pedal box assembly, stronger door hinges, cable shift for ZF, Audi and Porsche Transaxles, and many more.


With the new car, we have been inundated with orders and together with the possible addition of two new dealers, 2006 we will see us having to increase production. We have therefore built another chassis welding jig, ordered another body mould and increased staff levels.

But, THE BEST NEWS OF ALL is:

We have just confirmed the CAV GT is to be the pace car to the 2006 Classis Le Mans!!

With it being the 40 year anniversary of a GT40 winning Le Mans as well as the Centenary Year, Auto Futura will be producing 10 Limited Edition Gulf Spec cars. The full spec of this car will be posted and advertised as of Mid February.

As always, we are interested to hear from all the GT40 fans out there. Watch out for announcements on our webpage and on the forum. It is going to be an exciting year!

Jean, John and Andrew

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

Photo of demonstrator...

[Pantera1889]

The cars look incredible!!! They seem to have a MUCH lower stance than before.
Nice job!!

[Keith Hardy]

Yes I totally agree. This is my idea of a proper wheel/wheelarch relationship and the CAV is there!!!

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

Thank you for the positive feedback, guys. I also quickly attached this photo of the new rear upright....

[Frank Catt]

John/Jean, the new rear upright is an immense improvement to the old CAV unit, in fact I would recommend that EVERY CAV useing the old uprights shouls immediately change to the new ones on safety grounds. Frank

[Frank Catt]

I trust you have carried out a similar improvement to the front upright ? Frank

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

Hi Frank
Attached please find photo of front upright with revised top attachment block as well as adjustable 'bump steer' bracket.
Regards

Jean

[PATGT40]

Jean,
Are the new uprights a direct replacement? Also, any pictures of the new pedal assembly?

[Auto Futura-CAV Factory]

Hi Patrick
Unfortunetely the new uprights,rear, would not be a direct bolt-on. We did look into doing such, but with the new pick-up points on the chassis,the new calipers and new suspension geometry it was simply impossible. If however you are willing to cut and grind,weld onto your chassis, it could be done. The front can be replaced, but again they are built for the new calipers and you would need the new wishbones.
Please find attached photo of pedal assembly.
Regards
Jean

[PATGT40]

The pedal assembly looks very nice and appears to have the same master cylinder for the clutch. I will e-mail you direct with further questions. Looking forward to see and sit in one of the newer chassis.

[Pat Buckley]

[ QUOTE ]
John/Jean, the new rear upright is an immense improvement to the old CAV unit, in fact I would recommend that EVERY CAV useing the old uprights shouls immediately change to the new ones on safety grounds. Frank

[/ QUOTE ]

I take it there have been some failures?

[Canuk40]

Hi Pat,

The new rear upright certainly is an improvement over the original in that it's all one piece now. There have been no failures of the upright casting to my knowledge. Nice to see the continuing improvements to the breed. Well done John, Jean.

Cheers