Tell me why i should or shouldn’t buy this GT40...

Love the color, love the engine setup... but havent really heard of Active Power Cars


tell me why i should or should not buy this particular GT40.. any and all reasons..
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
If you want a GT40 that's as close to an original as possible, one of these isn't. But, it's a darned nice LOOKING car...

Here's the dealer's youtube vid:

 
Thanks. But what are the pros/cons of the Active Power Cars GT40 when compared to RCR, CAV, ERA, Superformance, etc

how/what different is this from the original?

how is the build quality?

how valuable are these compared to the other replicas? how valuable are these on the used market?

thanks
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
Thanks. But what are the pros/cons of the Active Power Cars GT40 when compared to RCR, CAV, ERA, Superformance, etc

how/what different is this from the original?

how is the build quality?

how valuable are these compared to the other replicas? how valuable are these on the used market?

thanks

Superformance is THEE closest to an original 'far as I know. So much so that they were licensed by Carroll Shelby to use the GT40 name & "P"-type serial numbers. Something like 85% of the parts on an original will interchange with those on a Superformance. Originals use a monocoque chassis (as does SPF)...the APC you're look at uses a ladder frame. Originals (obviously) use SBFs and Ford F.E.s...not Coyotes! There are a number of diffs. 'Best to Google each make and check out the diffs for yourself. ;-)

"Used market prices" are a can of worms that depend on waaay too many things to try to cover here.
 
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I echo what Larry said. The first question is...do you want a replica or a continuation car? Moreover, do you want the visceral experience of the real thing or do you just want to look like the real thing? Once that question is answered, then and only then can you proceed to answer your intial question.
 
the question im really looking to get answered is how does Active Powers Cars GT40 stack up to the more popular, well known kits? Everyone has heard/seen/driven the GT40s from the “big 3”.... this one LOOKS good, but IS IT good?

im not looking for a continuation car...im not looking for the most accurate to the real thing...at the end of the day, if its not an original from the 60s, it’s a rep no matter how close it is to the real thing. Im looking for 1- a solid kit in terms of build/fit/finish. 2- a solid frame design, suspension, and handling. 3- overall popularity

Let me explain by comparing to my current Cobra..
I have a Backdraft Racing Cobra, a newer built from 2017. It has a Coyote 5.0, stack injection, Tremec T-56, 3.73 rear, LSD, Autometer gauges, carbon fiber dash, and true knockoffs...It uses the E36 M3 rear suspension, and even though it’s a ladder style frame, it handles well. This is a SOLID Cobra. It’s clearly not the most authentic looking, but its badass, drives and handles like a modern sports car, reliability of a modern sports car... its not a Factory Five where the quality depends on who slapped it together in their garage.. its not a Superfromance to be the “closest to the original” .. its not an aluminum body Kirkham costing 6 figures.. but its a solid grade A replica. And definitely unique.
 

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Anyone know how many Active Power Cars GT40s were made?

Also resale-ability matters .. going back to my Cobra comparison, Factory Fives are the hardest to sell and have the least resale value, while Backdrafts (and most others) hold value..

$130k seems a lot for this Active Powers GT40 considering one sold at Barret Jackson last year for $85k.. and Battet Jackson usually pulls high money
 
An ERA sat for 6 months before finally selling for less than $90k. Do your research and buy smart. Everybody thinks there car is worth $150k. In fact they are only worth what someone will pay. The cost to build that is not near that. But then your time is invaluable. Look around and you will be amazed what your dollar will buy if you are patient.
 
One more thought. Before buying any car like this, call your collector car insurance company and find out what they will insure it for. Again, everybody has a “guy” that does stated value for $150k. Your mileage may vary IMHO. Would sure suck to pay 130k and be covered for 80k.
 

Julian

Lifetime Supporter
I would agree that $129K seems high for this Active Power, that said it's an asking price and may be very negotiable. For comparison an SPF sold a week or so ago on on BaT for $135K. I do think the Ford v Ferrari movie has brought new buyers to the table, with a number of cars reported selling recently. Not sure that ERA would have sat around long in the current market, it's all about timing.

Superformance pays a license fee to Safir Spares (nothing to do with Shelby) whom were astute enough to copyright the GT40 name from under Ford. For that, SPF get to call their replica a 'continuation', with 80% parts interchange to original but personally I consider a Gelscoe more of continuation, the other are all replicas. SPF, CAV, ERA, RCR, Tornado (and others) all offer a monocoque chassis, find one that speaks to you in fit, finish and color and go for it, all will hold resale value if cared for.
 
I would agree that $129K seems high for this Active Power, that said it's an asking price and may be very negotiable. For comparison an SPF sold a week or so ago on on BaT for $135K. I do think the Ford v Ferrari movie has brought new buyers to the table, with a number of cars reported selling recently. Not sure that ERA would have sat around long in the current market, it's all about timing.

Superformance pays a license fee to Safir Spares (nothing to do with Shelby) whom were astute enough to copyright the GT40 name from under Ford. For that, SPF get to call their replica a 'continuation', with 80% parts interchange to original but personally I consider a Gelscoe more of continuation, the other are all replicas. SPF, CAV, ERA, RCR, Tornado (and others) all offer a monocoque chassis, find one that speaks to you in fit, finish and color and go for it, all will hold resale value if cared for.

good info
Looks like this APC GT40 has been for sale for 8 months or so.
 
You really can’t compare like you are doing...doing so would be like comparing steak at Lone Star vs. steak at Capital Grill and not considering that one is a skirt steak and one is a Kobe Filet. The High end is the SPF where essentially the only difference between it and the original is the VIN tag. As a result, they cost the most, they have OEM finish and they APPRECIATE in value. However, it is not for everyone (regardless of the price), it has the least enjoyable driving experience, unless you love originality (or vintage race like I do.). The next step down is probably an ERA or CAV, but the value of them depends in large part on what options they have...crate engines and basic trannys will lower the price...and they hold value, but do not really appreciate. The rest are true tribute cars, they are the least accurate, but probably all drive BETTER than the SPF!! Resale marketability starts with SPF and then down. However, each car serves a market and are good for what they are. You need to decide which market you are in and make sure you pay the FMV for that sector of the market. There is no wrong decision. Lone Star has great steaks, as does Capital Grill...just don’t pay Capital Grill price for the lone star steak.
 

Ron Scarboro

GT40s Supporter
Supporter
I agree with the above, except that SPF is not a “tool room” copy (unless you buy one of their new “tool room” copy editions). However, it is really accurate. Unless you’re going to go “whole hog” with the correct engine, fuel systems, fittings, axles, brakes, etc. then I don’t see the point of “tool room” copy models.

FWIW, none are great street drivers. I’ve owned a CAV and now a SPF - Visibility isn’t great, storage is non-existent, rubberneckers and highway photographers get really stupid around you, all are hot and the doors make parking spot a critical activity.

The biggest consistent difference is in the outward body appearance. I don’t know which makers have the “short front end”, but that is the reason I own a SPF. Once I saw the difference between the CAV and the Superformance next to each other, I couldn’t unsee it.

Fit and finish will be entirely dependent on the builder, so you should put your eyes on the car BEFORE you purchase it. There is a local car that looks really good from 50 feet, but up close it is a disaster. I continue to expect it to spontaneously burst into its individual pieces every time I see it.

My $0.02 priced for value.

Ron
 

Ron Scarboro

GT40s Supporter
Supporter
I looked at advertisement. Here is a question for the experts here. The body looks like a CAV (short nose and really low rear). Where did this body shape originate? Were any original cars this way?
 

Dwight

RCR GT 40 Gulf Livery 347 Eight Stack injection
At the 2018 London Cobra Show I saw a Active Power GT 40. I thought it was put together poorly. If I remember correctly a kit was low $20,000.
I would go and look at it before I bought. Look at the detail of construction and material used.
 
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