Just curious as to what people believe the top spaceframe chassis is down to the worst and why.
Chassis’ in order BEST TO WORST
- Thread starter falla87
- Start date
Do you mean currently available ?
Currently and discontinued. Obviously the Mk2 MDA chassis is the current GTRacing chassis so still available.
I don't have a dog in this fight, but that's a loaded question - best for what? Ride/handling balance, pure handling, adjustability, maintenance? So many aspects to the question, never mind the bias that each of us brings to the equation. I can tell you that my car (not a GT40) is an absolute bear to work on due to how the packaging is in the engine compartment, but that's also due the presence of oil coolers etc, so it's partially my own doing.
Wasn’t a question I thought to long about, perhaps I should have now you mention the above. What my question should have been is why are the Superformance 40s so expensive? Once finished I believe my current Chassis MDA will be just as good build quality as what they are producing considering the ally work that’s being done at the moment and who it’s being done by. Every nut and bolt stainless and some real one off custom parts that will be true features to the car. Does that mean it will also go for over £100k
Where does the current MDA chassis sit in comparison to the SP? The look very similar in the structural lay out. Sorry for the “dumb” questions however I’m very new to the car and the topic in general.
Some of the reps and recreations I see online for sale are for over £300k.
I guess knowing what chassis are best for resale, what are best for track and racing, most like the original etc.
Ian Anderson
Lifetime Supporter
MDA is a space frame shads is which is then panelled and fiberglass bodywork and cockpit fitted.
A Superformance is a monocoque chassis with a steel roof the same design as the original with fibreglass front and rear clips.
that is the main difference
Ian
A Superformance is a monocoque chassis with a steel roof the same design as the original with fibreglass front and rear clips.
that is the main difference
Ian
Jack, I think you may find the best spaceframe chassis is going to be whichever spaceframe chassis the person you are asking has bought or is planning to buy, even if they are all secretly thinking it's the Southern GT that's the best spaceframe. 
I am no expert but when I was thinking of building a car 12 years ago, I looked at the various chassis available with regards to strength quality, etc. Which one had been developed the most design wise over the last 25 years was also important to me as things had moved on in that time. However, I suppose my opinion was mostly made up by questioning those who made a living out of building and maintaining these cars, also to club members who were owners of various different makes of cars, and being told what they would buy now if they were building another car.
As for the value of your car once finished, a phrase I often see when asked by members on the same subject on many different car forum's and I have to often remind myself of it is, "a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it"
My opinion is with cars like ours, with a limited and I suspect shrinking pool of prospective buyers who want to buy a built car, Combined with concerns over environmental issues, and the knock on effect of bans on the building of petrol cars may have. I would be happy when I come to sell if I could get back what the car cost me to build (not what I have told my wife it cost me to build). If I could make a bit on top of that I would be delighted, (or at least the kids will be as the inheritance will probably benefit them more than me) and it will still be a lot less than £100k.
Just have to hope there are still guys like you with vision to take on a fully built car like you have when the time comes in the future for me to sell.
Regards
Nick
I am no expert but when I was thinking of building a car 12 years ago, I looked at the various chassis available with regards to strength quality, etc. Which one had been developed the most design wise over the last 25 years was also important to me as things had moved on in that time. However, I suppose my opinion was mostly made up by questioning those who made a living out of building and maintaining these cars, also to club members who were owners of various different makes of cars, and being told what they would buy now if they were building another car.
As for the value of your car once finished, a phrase I often see when asked by members on the same subject on many different car forum's and I have to often remind myself of it is, "a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it"
My opinion is with cars like ours, with a limited and I suspect shrinking pool of prospective buyers who want to buy a built car, Combined with concerns over environmental issues, and the knock on effect of bans on the building of petrol cars may have. I would be happy when I come to sell if I could get back what the car cost me to build (not what I have told my wife it cost me to build). If I could make a bit on top of that I would be delighted, (or at least the kids will be as the inheritance will probably benefit them more than me) and it will still be a lot less than £100k.
Just have to hope there are still guys like you with vision to take on a fully built car like you have when the time comes in the future for me to sell.
Regards
Nick
Jack, I think you may find the best spaceframe chassis is going to be whichever spaceframe chassis the person you are asking has bought or is planning to buy, even if they are all secretly thinking it's the Southern GT that's the best spaceframe.
I am no expert but when I was thinking of building a car 12 years ago, I looked at the various chassis available with regards to strength quality, etc. Which one had been developed the most design wise over the last 25 years was also important to me as things had moved on in that time. However, I suppose my opinion was mostly made up by questioning those who made a living out of building and maintaining these cars, also to club members who were owners of various different makes of cars, and being told what they would buy now if they were building another car.
As for the value of your car once finished, a phrase I often see when asked by members on the same subject on many different car forum's and I have to often remind myself of it is, "a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it"
My opinion is with cars like ours, with a limited and I suspect shrinking pool of prospective buyers who want to buy a built car, Combined with concerns over environmental issues, and the knock on effect of bans on the building of petrol cars may have. I would be happy when I come to sell if I could get back what the car cost me to build (not what I have told my wife it cost me to build). If I could make a bit on top of that I would be delighted, (or at least the kids will be as the inheritance will probably benefit them more than me) and it will still be a lot less than £100k.
Just have to hope there are still guys like you with vision to take on a fully built car like you have when the time comes in the future for me to sell.
Regards
Nick
Thanks Nick. I completely agree, especially when it comes to telling the wife how much it cost
I was after a MDA or a SGT I think where I went wrong is I was daunted by the thought of a complete build. In reality I would have been better off doing exactly that. Not only would it have saved me a lot of money but a lot of time also. With this I am taking it apart, fixing the absolute shambles of a f**k up the previous owner made. The only thing keeping me going on this and not throwing it to the side and buying a kit is the money I paid for it. Luckily it has some great parts, the motor is definitely a strong point.
I think in total the build is going to cost me £80k I could have done it cheaper however the aluminium work is going to take it from a “kit car” to something that looks like someone has really thought about it. Especially with the monocoque style seats being built in. Still debating on the aluminium dash. The two things that are costing a decent amount are the paint job and aluminium. The rest I am doing myself.
Im not building the car to sell, I’d like it to be passed down to my little boy like my father did to me with his Lotus 7 when he died. Hopefully those two cars can stay in the family for generations to come.
I guess what would be best for us all is that with the new laws on fuels etc is that they don’t allow any new builds but they do allow the current vehicles to remain on the street. Over time they will be written off and left to rot meaning ours should skyrocket to a couple of hundred thousand!! Wishful thinking? Definitely, however there is a possibility. Do you have a thread on here with images of your car?
Mike Pass
Supporter
Hi Jack,
This thread may be of interest to you
Cheers
Mike
This thread may be of interest to you
Monocoque on ebay
A curious monocoque being offered for sale by a guy that "doesn't know anything about it". thoughts on this one??? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-GT40-Monocoque-chassis-and-bodywork/193204251524?hash=item2cfbdeeb84:g:sqQAAOSwLQhdybXv
www.gt40s.com
Mike
I looked at this when I purchased my space frame. My concern was finding the parts to complete the build.
Almost wishing I had done it now and just had the missing parts machined and fabricated.
Hi Jack,Thanks Nick. I completely agree, especially when it comes to telling the wife how much it cost
I was after a MDA or a SGT I think where I went wrong is I was daunted by the thought of a complete build. In reality I would have been better off doing exactly that. Not only would it have saved me a lot of money but a lot of time also. With this I am taking it apart, fixing the absolute shambles of a f**k up the previous owner made. The only thing keeping me going on this and not throwing it to the side and buying a kit is the money I paid for it. Luckily it has some great parts, the motor is definitely a strong point.
I think in total the build is going to cost me £80k I could have done it cheaper however the aluminium work is going to take it from a “kit car” to something that looks like someone has really thought about it. Especially with the monocoque style seats being built in. Still debating on the aluminium dash. The two things that are costing a decent amount are the paint job and aluminium. The rest I am doing myself.
Im not building the car to sell, I’d like it to be passed down to my little boy like my father did to me with his Lotus 7 when he died. Hopefully those two cars can stay in the family for generations to come.
I guess what would be best for us all is that with the new laws on fuels etc is that they don’t allow any new builds but they do allow the current vehicles to remain on the street. Over time they will be written off and left to rot meaning ours should skyrocket to a couple of hundred thousand!! Wishful thinking? Definitely, however there is a possibility. Do you have a thread on here with images of your car?
I do have a thread here, https://www.gt40s.com/threads/southerngt-no6.25085/ .
I have to admit a long time ago I did form the opinion I will have to wait to sell my car until I have either popped my clogs, or am to dotty to worry about someone publicly asking "what the hell was he thinking here" if they ever had to take anything apart.
Reason being I am a perfectionist like you, but unfortunately don't have the required skills to achieve perfection.
It is not the best I have seen, but is in not the worst either, it does "look right" to me, the public l like it, and it's mine. Thanks to Mike Pass above there is even evidance it flys Even got me a free £1 air freshener the last time I filled up with petrol, what more could you ask for
Should of added someone of your calibre should have no qualms about doing a full build if I can do it anyone can. Although I am lucky enough to also have the help and support of an amazing bunch of people in the North West GT40 Enthusiasts Club section. Doing it the way you have is also I think going to be a lot quicker. Mine is not the best I have seen or the worst, it does look right to me, the public seem to like it, and it's mine. I also forgot prices for things have gone up a lot in the 12 years it has taken me to build, so if I was doing it now it would be a lot nearer to the cost of building yours. I would definitely want fuel injection like you and that doesn't come cheap.
When finished will you be planning on taking yours to the Jersey International Motoring Festival, I would love to take mine on holiday to Jersey at some point and combine it with the festival. Might be the only way I can get my wife in it. She doesn't travel light but I have what I think is a cunning plan for that. As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.
Nick
I also forgot prices for things have gone up a lot in the 12 years it has taken me to build, so if I was doing it now it would be a lot nearer to the cost of building yours. I would definitely want fuel injection like you and that doesn't come cheap. When finished will you be planning on taking yours to the Jersey International Motoring Festival, I would love to take mine on holiday to Jersey at some point and combine it with the festival. Might be the only way I can get my wife in it. She doesn't travel light but I have what I think is a cunning plan for that. As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.
Nick
I can tell you that they weren't always this expensive. I think what they have done is to continue to find a market at a continually rising price. I bought in when they first started and got one of the first batch made. The price back then for the complete and painted roller was some $65k US. I had mine built by Olthoff with the fairly standard Roush 427SR and RBT package for $100k all in delivered. Granted, that was some 14 years ago now, but inflation doesn't account for all of it.
Hi NickShould of added someone of your calibre should have no qualms about doing a full build if I can do it anyone can. Although I am lucky enough to also have the help and support of an amazing bunch of people in the North West GT40 Enthusiasts Club section. Doing it the way you have is also I think going to be a lot quicker. Mine is not the best I have seen or the worst, it does look right to me, the public seem to like it, and it's mine.
When finished will you be planning on taking yours to the Jersey International Motoring Festival, I would love to take mine on holiday to Jersey at some point and combine it with the festival. Might be the only way I can get my wife in it. She doesn't travel light but I have what I think is a cunning plan for that. As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.
Nick
in some respect I thought it would be quicker however because I have had to fully strip the car, repair the chassis, paint the chassis and now start to build the car up a lot of time has been wasted there. As I am also making all the ally panels from scratch and there is no laser cutting being done it’s a very slow process. Although I am fortunate enough to spend most of my day doing this.
I am keen to take the car to the Jersey show when complete. If you do then let me know as I’d be keen to meet.
I plan to take it to La Mans Classic should it be finished in time.
Love the crane exit from the back garden!
Cheers
Jack,
My advice is even if you don't finish it in time get yourself to Classic Le Mans, only been to the last 2 wished I had gone to others before. Like everything it is getting more commercialised but still amazing. Organised chaos to perfection as only the French can do, but where else can you get passed by an Austin A35 followed by a GT40 while walking down a street
Nick
Timewise I think you've absolutely made the right decision, a 12 month waiting time for a chassis could dampen the enthusiasm of the most die hard want to be builder.
I bought a built car and have just undertaken phase 1 of the make over / tidy up of the previous builder but in the end it will be nut and bolt stripped and colour change as you have done
I bought a built car and have just undertaken phase 1 of the make over / tidy up of the previous builder but in the end it will be nut and bolt stripped and colour change as you have done
Glenn M
Supporter
but where else can you get passed by an Austin A35 followed by a GT40
Nick
In my garage Nick!
I was already in awe, it has just gone up to a Spinal Tap 11, love it
Howard Jones
Supporter
I've built two cars and have taken 20 years to do it. Here's some free advice. If you are under 50 build it. If you are over 50 buy it. The old guys know what I mean………………….
