CAV #180 Factory Roller

If CAV sets your #180 up as well as they did with my #8 it will be running in only a few days. Two guys in So. Carolina had mine running in 3 days and I took it home on the forth day. This was after the trans. and motor was built which was ready when the roller was delivered. It went together like a tinker toy. I never had a bit of problems with it. It started EVERY time like a brand new Toyota even after sitting for 3 months during the winter.

JOSEPH

PS: Here is a picture of it that the new owner sent me.

 

[Sam Watson]

Joseph, that would be ideal! My rolling chassis car will be finished by Olthoff Racing vs CAV-America, but I can't think of a better place to have this done. Dennis has many GT40's in his portfolio. Btw, your CAV #8 is gorgeous!

Sam

 

[Jimmy P]

Sam, In looking at the stunning photos of your car I saw one MAJOR revision to the build process from mine, that being the placement of the A/C condenser. This is WAY better then how the condenser was fitted to the early cars and even some 100+ cars. Its great to see CAV updating their cars based on feedback from owners. Your a/c should work even better then the system in mine which ain't bad. I would still highly recommend once you have the car to put additional helicopter vents in the side windows. I added them to my car and this is one of the best upgrades I've done. Won't be long now.

 

[Sam Watson]

Jimmy, I've been thinking about the circular window vents. Olthoff sells those, so it would be easy to have them added while the car is there. The other window mod I am wondering about is the 90 degree opening hinges. I don't know how far the stock CAV windows open. Does it open enough to stick your arm out to pay a toll or parking attendant?

The other oops in the picture is the 3 point seat belts. Not sufficient for me in a car with no air bags. I'm informed that the hard points for a racing harness are present, so I will fit some nice 6 point Willans harnesses. Got used to those in my Formula cars. Just what one wants when crashing into things

Sam

 

[Jimmy P]

Window flaps sadly do not open far enough for paying tolls or for presenting the one fingered peace sign if needed. : ) More often then not I just open the door. Keep the pics coming please.

 

[Sam Watson]

Window flaps sadly do not open far enough for paying tolls or for presenting the one fingered peace sign if needed. : ) More often then not I just open the door. Keep the pics coming please.

Ok, thanks, Jimmy. I'll have a look at the 90 deg hinges, then. I certainly can get along with opening the door, also. Just have to remember to leave room to do that.

For those tracking post #100 changes, I have been advised of a couple forward fit improvements that begin with #180 .. thicker side windows, and headlight and turn signal lamp access from inside the body vs having to remove the Lexan covers. I didn't realize this was an issue.

As to communicating with other motorists .. I saw a kid in a pickup yesterday that had a banner across the top of his windshield in mirror image (pardon the lack of such a font): <= REVO EVOM

Brits would want the arrow on the other end ...

Sam

 

[Sam Watson]

Naked Pictures from South Africa

This weeks mail from CAV has #180 in the body mating phase. I'm not sure about the July 4th ship date, but it shouldn't be too long now ...

Sam

 

[Jimmy P]

Coming along very nicely Sam!

 

[Darrin]

That will be a darn nice looking car Sam.

I see they put the turn signals above the fog/driving light. Same configuration I am planning to do later this week.

 

[Sam Watson]

Thanks, guys! Darrin, the turn signal goes in the round hole on the bottom on every CAV photo I have. The fog light goes in the rectangular hole on top. I am told that new to this serial number, bulbs are changed from the back side so the lexan cover does not have to come off.

Sam

 

[Mike Rohach]

Hey Sam,
The car looks like it is coming along great. How is the drivetrain advancing?

 

[Sam Watson]

Hey Sam,
The car looks like it is coming along great. How is the drivetrain advancing?

Thanks, Mike! I thought you'd approve of the color scheme I was not trying to match you exactly, but CAV didn't understand "wide stripes" the same way I did ... oh well. The motor and transaxle are sitting at Olthoff's in North Carolina. Dennis is going to finish the car for me. It will be a Keith Craft 347 stroker making 492 hp and a new RBT trans.

Looking for a new ship date this week as we are upon the last date they gave me.

Sam

 

[JimmyMac]

Sam,

Alistair and I spent some time with a new CAV at Goodwood last weekend.
It appears that we have a new CAV dealer here in the UK and I'm sure he will do well. It's a very sweet looking machine.

Congratulations on your new build.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Sam Watson]

Thank you, James! I wish I had been there, and not just to drool on the CAV. I thought I had seen a notice about the new UK distributor. The factory news page has it: CAV | News

I assume you examined #178, the F1 Red with war paint. I would love to see a photo if you have one.

Best regards,
Sam

 

[JimmyMac]

Sam,
Yes that was the one.
Unfortunately no pictures but I am sure someone will chip in for you.
The finish did impress us all.

Try this link:

http://www.cambridgemotorcompany.co.uk/cav-gt.html

 

[Sam Watson]

CAV #180 Chassis Completed

Today's report from Cape Town advises that the factory did make the July 4th goal for completion of #180 The car is being packed for shipment. Load out for the ship begins this Wed. Sailing date is next Sat. Here are the latest pics:

 

[Dr. Bob Woods]

Sam, The car looks incredible. Fit and finish look good. I couldn't see the wheels.

You win, and my car is not for rent after all.

-Bob Woods

 

[Sam Watson]

Bob, I estimate it will be roadable sometime around early Sep ... barring unforseens. Or "unknown unknowns" to quote Secy Rumsfeld .. Here's a pic of the wheels .. they are 15" BRM replicas, polished alum rim and gray painted spokes.

Sam

 

[Dr. Bob Woods]

Sam,

Just stunning. Our cars will be quite similar. I'm now looking at September at best myself. Do you have a picture of the dash and interior?

-Bob

 

[Sam Watson]

Sam,

Just stunning. Our cars will be quite similar. I'm now looking at September at best myself. Do you have a picture of the dash and interior?

-Bob

No interior photos of this car. You can get an idea from another CAV that is on the web:
http://cobracountry.com/GT40s-forsale/harris-GT40-backdraft/harris-cockpit-3b-1332x760.jpg

Sam