Rather than add to the post about the RF, I thought I'd start another thread /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Last Summer I did a lot of research into my replacement 40 (to replace my Hitech Welding GT40). I visited Tornado, saw the CAV at Goodwood and spoke with Mark Sibley. As has been said many times before everyone has their own thoughts on 40s and for me none of these options were quite right.
Therefore it was suggested (by my wife!) to visit the other manufacturers who may be able to help. Therefore I hopped on a plane and visited GT40 Australia (DRB Sportscars) in Brisbane, GT40NZ in Auckland, and Roaring Forties in Melbourne.
I had approximately 24 hours in each City to learn as much as possible before flying back.
In the end (after far too much scratching of my head to go into here) it was between RF and DRB.
There is a lot I really like about the RF and found it very hard to decide against it, but against my criteria, in the end, it had to be the DRB.
By the way my criteria were
Necessary -
1) high quality examples seen which had been built by members of the public (therefore excluded CAV, MDA)
2) examples in use in competition (therefore excluded Tornado, MDA (and CAV?)
3) part built option/s
4) car in production for over 1 year (therefore excluded MDA)
Preferred -
1) factory rollcage (RF and DRB options)
2) good aftersales support (RF evident from the forum, DRB evident from talking to the owners (10+) I have met)
3) output shafts higher than input shafts (DRB is based on Porsche)
4) high torque capability from transmission (DRB is based on Porsche, RF on Audi)
I am also not afraid to admit that although I have done all my own servicing for over 20 years, rebuilt a number of engines and transmissions, and modified a couple of cars with competition in mind, I do not have ready access to engineering facilities, so I did not want to get involved in a car which would need heavy modification to allow my requirements, and I also want to build the car/ bolt the car together within a couple of years. Having had a 40 previously I know how long it takes to get anything done!!
To my mind there was no ideal option for me. I have had to make minor compromises, but I am happy with them, and perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist. Any other option would have had compromises which were more serious as I see it.
To echo Jerry's comments, if you are serious it is well worth the trip down under. If you do make sure you visit GT40 Australia on the Saturday before the 1st Sunday of the month for the factory meeting, and then the Cobra club meeting on the Sunday morning. Terrific!
I hope I may still be able to source one or two parts from other manufacturers, but the 1st (and I am sure it will not be the last) DRB in the UK should be here around September.
Here is one of the first pictures of the chassis being started.
Last Summer I did a lot of research into my replacement 40 (to replace my Hitech Welding GT40). I visited Tornado, saw the CAV at Goodwood and spoke with Mark Sibley. As has been said many times before everyone has their own thoughts on 40s and for me none of these options were quite right.
Therefore it was suggested (by my wife!) to visit the other manufacturers who may be able to help. Therefore I hopped on a plane and visited GT40 Australia (DRB Sportscars) in Brisbane, GT40NZ in Auckland, and Roaring Forties in Melbourne.
I had approximately 24 hours in each City to learn as much as possible before flying back.
In the end (after far too much scratching of my head to go into here) it was between RF and DRB.
There is a lot I really like about the RF and found it very hard to decide against it, but against my criteria, in the end, it had to be the DRB.
By the way my criteria were
Necessary -
1) high quality examples seen which had been built by members of the public (therefore excluded CAV, MDA)
2) examples in use in competition (therefore excluded Tornado, MDA (and CAV?)
3) part built option/s
4) car in production for over 1 year (therefore excluded MDA)
Preferred -
1) factory rollcage (RF and DRB options)
2) good aftersales support (RF evident from the forum, DRB evident from talking to the owners (10+) I have met)
3) output shafts higher than input shafts (DRB is based on Porsche)
4) high torque capability from transmission (DRB is based on Porsche, RF on Audi)
I am also not afraid to admit that although I have done all my own servicing for over 20 years, rebuilt a number of engines and transmissions, and modified a couple of cars with competition in mind, I do not have ready access to engineering facilities, so I did not want to get involved in a car which would need heavy modification to allow my requirements, and I also want to build the car/ bolt the car together within a couple of years. Having had a 40 previously I know how long it takes to get anything done!!
To my mind there was no ideal option for me. I have had to make minor compromises, but I am happy with them, and perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist. Any other option would have had compromises which were more serious as I see it.
To echo Jerry's comments, if you are serious it is well worth the trip down under. If you do make sure you visit GT40 Australia on the Saturday before the 1st Sunday of the month for the factory meeting, and then the Cobra club meeting on the Sunday morning. Terrific!
I hope I may still be able to source one or two parts from other manufacturers, but the 1st (and I am sure it will not be the last) DRB in the UK should be here around September.
Here is one of the first pictures of the chassis being started.
