Calgary to be Owner

[shayne]

If you did it over again would you choose a Superformance or CAV GT40? Owners please share with me your experiences so I can be better prepared for this purchase. I do know my GT40 MkI will be RHD and RHS, a 427 engine, not sure of HP# but would like advice on this. An all leather interior is a must.
Any response is appreciated.
Thanks
Shayne

 

[Rich Roy]

Shane, I own A Superformance and a CAV, call me 1-509-276-2925 Pacific time 8:00A.M. to 5:00 P.M. I don't want to break any rules on this site on what my opinion is. I'am just South of you in the Spokane area. Rich Roy

 

[Julian]

If you are in Canada the choice might not be your preference, but a case of what you can get imported. The Superformance is only sold as a rolling chassis and as far as I'm aware is not admissible to Canada.

CAV have representation in Canada through Ian Clark and if not already done so I'd recommend making contact with him to get a feel for what's what in regards to Canadian kit car laws.

 

[Mark Charlton]

Shane,

There are a few GT40s in the Calgary area. Definitely 1 or 2 CAV cars. As Julian notes, importation will be the issue unless you have experience getting around the issue. Ian Clark at CAV Canada Motorsports (a forum supporter) is a great resource. From what I've seen, both cars are exceptional and have benefits. If you want to have a car built to your specs in Canada, CAV may be your choice.

As far as power goes, I have a 410 HP HiPo 289 (331 stroker) in my GTD and I can't imagine why anyone would need more power except down the Mulsanne straight (or at the bragging bar). Lightness is your friend and substantially more power will probably weigh more and impact the handling as well. Try to get a few rides to help you decide. In my case, my engine is a fantastic race motor but is so fantastically loud I can't run legally on any local tracks. Something to keep in mind when building.

Rich, I wasn't aware of any forum rules expressing opinions when someone is looking for guidance. If you have both cars your are well placed to highlight their individual strengths.

Mark

 

[Ron Earp]

Shane, I own A Superformance and a CAV, call me 1-509-276-2925 Pacific time 8:00A.M. to 5:00 P.M. I don't want to break any rules on this site on what my opinion is. I'am just South of you in the Spokane area. Rich Roy

Rich Roy,

There are no rules on this site about expressing an opinion. If someone has indicated to you there are rules about expressing opinions I'd certainly like to hear about it.

There are rules about civility and so on, but they are not oppressive of opinions.

Ron

 

[shayne]

Thanks for the responses so far,please keep them coming.
Everyone has an opinion and I respect them all. I talked to a local owner who told me I may not be impressed with a GT40 at all, as it rides rough, its too loud,not wind proof,handles poorly and always needing attention.After saying these thing he was clear to say that its the funnest car one could own! Your thoughts?

 

[Mark]

I am currently doing my homework on a future GT40 build. Both the SPF and the CAV are great cars and each have something different to offer just depends what you are looking for. At this time I have found that RCR is going to be the best choice for my future build. As for the engine you may want to check the Keith Craft website. Good Luck

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Thanks for the responses so far,please keep them coming.
Everyone has an opinion and I respect them all. I talked to a local owner who told me I may not be impressed with a GT40 at all, as it rides rough, its too loud,not wind proof,handles poorly and always needing attention.After saying these thing he was clear to say that its the funnest car one could own! Your thoughts?

Loud? Yes, but that can be addressed.

Rough ride? Not really, it is no Lexus but they really do not ride badly.

Wind (weatherproof)? Again, no Mercedes but it can be addressed. If you will freak out if a drop of water gets on you, not the car for you.

Handles poorly? Only if the setup is WAY off! I know the CAV, RCR and SPF cars will suck the eyeballs outta your head in a turn when properly set up.

And it IS possible to import an SPF into Canada. It just requires a lot of dedication and work as the roller must be disassembled and imported in pieces (actually a little more complex than that, but that is the general idea).

 

[Seymour Snerd]

... the roller must be disassembled and imported in pieces (actually a little more complex than that, but that is the general idea).

How many, or which, pieces?

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

How many, or which, pieces?

If it can be removed from the tub, it must be removed!

 

[Jimmy P]

I can't speak to anything other than CAV. Overall I'm impressed with the car. Have I had issues? Yes. "Sorting" the car has its ups and downs but I think you'll find that in any make you buy. The SS chassis was a big draw and consideration for me. Is the car loud? Yes. Is the car practical? No. Is the car hot? Yes. Does it have leather? Yes. (many say the CAV interior is the nicest of the bunch and who am I to disagree) Is the factory support there when you need it? Yes. Is the car weatherized? No. (it does ok in lite rain but in a down pour you might get moist. Keep in mind the side windows are plastic and have hard to seal vents.) Is the car roomy? No. Trunk space? Enough for a change of underpants which you might need if you get into some spirited driving if not for you then your lucky passenger. Is the car fun. Ab-sol-bloody-lutely! Do you wnat to feel like a rock star pulling into a gas station? If the answer is no then don't buy one.

Would I buy a CAV again? Yes. Hope this helps.

 

[Ron Scarboro]

This forum is full of great people, but I'll put in a plug for Ian and Johann. Johann has been eternally patient with me during the build and always has time to chat when I drop by and Ian helped me immensely with the correct Gulf blue.

The stainless chassis, gulf arches and small center tunnel were selling points for me.

 

[Seymour Snerd]

... Trunk space? Enough for a change of underpants which you might need if you get into some spirited driving if not for you then your lucky passenger.

Speaking of trunk space, which I believe most people think of as one or more of:

1. Door pockets
2. FIA luggage bins in the back, at least in period-correct Mk IIs.
3. Maybe some container up front where the spare might have been.

Nobody ever mentions the whole front end of the passenger footwell, but I think there are interesting ways to use that as well.

You add all that up and it's surprisingly large.

 

[Rich Roy]

Shayne: We have a superformance "Daytona" Coupe, and a CAV. I spent about 12 hours at the Reno Cobra Bash 2006 checking a CAV GT40 & a Superformance GT40 out that were about 30 feet apart in seperate dealer displays. The superformance was a roller so I was able to lift up the back and crawl into the engine bay on my hands and knees and get a real close look. I bought a CAV. The Daytona has had many teething issues. Lots of it due to assembly and poor design. Would I buy another Superformance?........NO! Would I buy another CAV? YES, today! Then there's the factory support, grade was a "D-" then, but since Lance took over the L.A. store it has greatly improved. Still 3 to 4 months on a part from S.Africa. Thats my $0.02 worth.................regards R.Roy

 

[Mark Charlton]

...it rides rough, its too loud,not wind proof,handles poorly and always needing attention.After saying these thing he was clear to say that its the funnest car one could own! Your thoughts?

I don't agree with the handles poorly part (unless the rear clip is open but that's a different matter) but otherwise, mine is fiercely loud (especially behind the car), hot inside (I have no AC but sure wish I did), cramped (CAV is largest inside as I recall - but will be swiftly corrected by others if I'm wrong), scary to drive in traffic because if people are not able to hear you, they will easily miss you because the car is so low. Is it the most exciting car I've ever driven? Yup. Absolutely.

Mark

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Speaking of trunk space, which I believe most people think of as one or more of:

1. Door pockets
2. FIA luggage bins in the back, at least in period-correct Mk IIs.
3. Maybe some container up front where the spare might have been.

Nobody ever mentions the whole front end of the passenger footwell, but I think there are interesting ways to use that as well.

You add all that up and it's surprisingly large.

I remember Hershall posting some years ago of the road trip in his RF. He had stuff bungeed under the dash on the passengers side, rolled up and under their legs in front of the seats and generally stuffed all over.

If you get creative there is a decent amount of room. And the FIA luggage boxes will hold a fair amount, I just suggest you carry your Swiss Chocolate truffles elasewhere.........

 

[Seymour Snerd]

... He had stuff bungeed under the dash on the passengers side, rolled up and under their legs in front of the seats and generally stuffed all over.

On my "much later" list of things to do is some clever design for a container deep in the passenger footwell that is easy to remove and replace, creates no risk during rollover accident, and serves as a nice footrest for madame.

Maybe refrigerated. :laugh:

 

[Doug S.]

I'm working on designing a wet-bar and a shower into mine.

Cheers from Doug!!

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

On my "much later" list of things to do is some clever design for a container deep in the passenger footwell that is easy to remove and replace, creates no risk during rollover accident, and serves as a nice footrest for madame.

Maybe refrigerated. :laugh:

With most passengers short of an NBA player (Pun, maybe?) there is sufficent room in the footwell for quite a lot of swag. Perhaps an FRP or ABS moulded unit (perhaps another product I can produce and have not sell?).

Also to touch back on the "ride quality" concern, the GT40 was born in the era when chassis designers had abandoned the "extra stiff" spring concept and were moving to more supple springing with better dampener control. I find the ride rather supple with some low level harsness due to the lack of rubber supension bushes. Of course some replicas do have insulated bushes, the SPFs as original type copies do not. All in all not a bad ride and prety comfortable out on the road.