Hi all,
Firstly, congrats on a great forum. I’ve been a member of many forums over the years and have been really impressed with amount of useful data and help posted here - I’ve been trawling through over the last few days. Very refreshing. I’m getting to the stage in life where I think I can justify a mid-life crisis :thumbsup: and have been trying to decide what to buy/build for road use primarily, but occasional track use. I used to have a terrific KCC Cobra rep with a 480hp-ish Chevy 350 in. It was fantastic. I love the US engines - fantastic across the board. However, I think for my next purchase I am keen to go mid-engined as, in general terms, a mid engine car is likely to be dynamically superior to a front engined one and my current race car (a Radical) is mid-engined too. I’ve always been a fan of the GT40, but at 6’2” my height is against me. I know most of the modern replicas can deal with a bloke my size, but it would always be a squeeze. The natural alternative would the Ultima GTR, but there is something about it that I just don’t really like. I’m not sure what. Perhaps it is just that the styling isn’t entirely to my taste - I think I prefer classic lines…. form following function etc. So, those factors along with the general increase in temperatures during the British summer (good old global warming!) leading me towards a roofless model, have helped me decide upon a T70 Spider rep. Oh, and the fact that they look fantastic and the Lola is a great bit of history for anyone interested in racing etc…..
As I said, the car will mostly be for road use (as I wouldn’t want to trash it racing it) with occasional track use and I intend to build it myself as that is half of the fun. I am fairly mechanically and electrically competent (I’m an electrical and electronic engineer but I spend most of my spare time doing mechanical engineering) and I do all of the work on the racing car myself. Well, almost all. However my welding leaves a lot (A LOT!) to be desired - so I wouldn’t want to do any ‘difficult’ fabrication. That seems to leave me with two main options for manufacturer: GD who make the GD T70 and RCR’s offering which is well covered on this forum. I know that GD are well known for their engineering standards and Fran seems to be very well regarded in the states and on here. It sounds like both offerings would fit the bill, but as GD are in the UK and can supply all parts, including the engine (I’d probably go for an LS7) and gearbox (G50), ready to simply bolt together they make the logical choice. However, I stand by to be corrected! Please let me know if that is poor logic.
I haven’t spoken to GD yet but plan to this afternoon. I’d be really interested in your collective thoughts regarding them and their products - the T70 in particular. One of the key aspects for me is being able to get the car through the IVA (which has just replaced the SVA) here in the UK; although GD are well known for ensuring their cars pass with the minimum of fuss.
Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts and help. Please let me know if there is anything else I should keep in mind. I’d really like to hear from any UK GD T70 owners out there. I’m based near London and happy to drive to most areas of the country to pick someone’s brains over a pint!
Cheers.
Paul
Firstly, congrats on a great forum. I’ve been a member of many forums over the years and have been really impressed with amount of useful data and help posted here - I’ve been trawling through over the last few days. Very refreshing. I’m getting to the stage in life where I think I can justify a mid-life crisis :thumbsup: and have been trying to decide what to buy/build for road use primarily, but occasional track use. I used to have a terrific KCC Cobra rep with a 480hp-ish Chevy 350 in. It was fantastic. I love the US engines - fantastic across the board. However, I think for my next purchase I am keen to go mid-engined as, in general terms, a mid engine car is likely to be dynamically superior to a front engined one and my current race car (a Radical) is mid-engined too. I’ve always been a fan of the GT40, but at 6’2” my height is against me. I know most of the modern replicas can deal with a bloke my size, but it would always be a squeeze. The natural alternative would the Ultima GTR, but there is something about it that I just don’t really like. I’m not sure what. Perhaps it is just that the styling isn’t entirely to my taste - I think I prefer classic lines…. form following function etc. So, those factors along with the general increase in temperatures during the British summer (good old global warming!) leading me towards a roofless model, have helped me decide upon a T70 Spider rep. Oh, and the fact that they look fantastic and the Lola is a great bit of history for anyone interested in racing etc…..
As I said, the car will mostly be for road use (as I wouldn’t want to trash it racing it) with occasional track use and I intend to build it myself as that is half of the fun. I am fairly mechanically and electrically competent (I’m an electrical and electronic engineer but I spend most of my spare time doing mechanical engineering) and I do all of the work on the racing car myself. Well, almost all. However my welding leaves a lot (A LOT!) to be desired - so I wouldn’t want to do any ‘difficult’ fabrication. That seems to leave me with two main options for manufacturer: GD who make the GD T70 and RCR’s offering which is well covered on this forum. I know that GD are well known for their engineering standards and Fran seems to be very well regarded in the states and on here. It sounds like both offerings would fit the bill, but as GD are in the UK and can supply all parts, including the engine (I’d probably go for an LS7) and gearbox (G50), ready to simply bolt together they make the logical choice. However, I stand by to be corrected! Please let me know if that is poor logic.
I haven’t spoken to GD yet but plan to this afternoon. I’d be really interested in your collective thoughts regarding them and their products - the T70 in particular. One of the key aspects for me is being able to get the car through the IVA (which has just replaced the SVA) here in the UK; although GD are well known for ensuring their cars pass with the minimum of fuss.
Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts and help. Please let me know if there is anything else I should keep in mind. I’d really like to hear from any UK GD T70 owners out there. I’m based near London and happy to drive to most areas of the country to pick someone’s brains over a pint!
Cheers.
Paul