Comparison of GT 40 Kits

[Matt Erieg]

I'm a newbie here and searched for a thread comparing the various kits, but didn't find one. I'm just finishing a build of a cobra replica and already thinking of my next project. I enjoy the build (probably more than the finsihed product), so I'm not interested in a turnkey or TK minus. By the same token, I wouldn't want a kit that involves extensive fabrication.
I'd appreciate all comments comparing the various kits (e.g., completness, build manual, accuracy, etc.). Obviously, RCR is high on my list thus far.
Thanks in advance.
Matt

 

[Craig White]

Matt, welcome to the forum. You are a man of great taste. You would be more than welcome to visit the RCR factory in Michigan.

You've certainly come to the right place for advice. I'll let others here chime in with their opinions and advice.

If you are lucky enough you might be able to find a gracious GT40 replica owner/builder local to you. Or better still a club with some GT40 owners.

Certainly sounds like you know exactly what you want. Good luck with your search.

 

[Rob]

Welcome Matt....
This is a contentious query you toss out. It's been done before....
The bottom line.....most all will say the car they have is the best to buy. I'd suggest reviewing build threads, as these are good for your assessment of quality, and those that are the same as the one you buy are excellent reference for you.

I personally am just finishing an RCR build. To me they are the most appealing. The quality of the body panels, chassis and billet ali suspension were the selling points.

I too have built a couple cobras, and was quite disappointed with the fiberglass quality, so body panel quality was pretty high on my list.

 

[chuck smith]

pretty much 3 choices; RCR-Monocoque; CAV (in kit form,most are bought as turn key minus) SS Monocoque, Tornado-space frame. add ERA to the list also- steel Mono. All seem to look great upon completion

 

[Matt Erieg]

Thanks for the replies. I know better than to ask which kit is best and the melee to follow, though it does make for a long threads and entertaining reading :laugh:. That's specifically why I asked for comments comparing the various kits. I would like to hear the reasons why you chose the kit you did.

Rob weighed in that it was the quality of the body panels, chassis and billet alum suspension that sold him on RCR.

Chuck, what drew you to CAV? Add did you build it or was it TK minus?

I'm comfortable with all aspects of the build, except building the motor and body work. I'll buy a crate motor (probably SBF, though not completely sure) and have body work and paint done by someone who is far more skilled in this area than I could ever hope to be as a weekend builder.
Anybody else weigh in with opinions? All opinions will be welcome.
Matt

 

[Andy Sheldon]

Chuck

Just for your information before the end of the year we will also have a Carbon Fibre Monocoque available.

Thanks

Andy

 

[chuck smith]

I knew that was in the works Andy , but I did not want to jump the gun.

Matt, my car was actually a turn key, purchased from a forum member. so I can only speak from a finished product standpoint. If I am not mistaken, much of the body work is done on the kit CAVs and it is just a matter of putting the car together. That may be making it sound more simple than it really is, maybe Ian will chime in on that.

 

[Dean Lampe]

I went with the RCR for a lot oreasons but some of the big ones where the quality of the little things like the 6 pot brakes and big rotors, stainless brake lines, comfortable leather seats, suspension adjustability, and the beautiful aluminum chassis (I had mine polished:shocked. It is really a very high quality product. I would say on my list of cons would be the fact that the chassis is not as accurate as the ERA. I would love to see an aluminum copy of the exact chassis shape of the original. As I have posted in the past, the RCR is capable of very precise chassis tuning. That was very important to me. Don't trust the advertising, look at the numbers. If they don't have the numbers then how do they know it is right?

In the end I think it comes down to final assembly by the builder. All of the kits can be built to a high standard and you will be happy. We would be happy to have you join the RCR family.

 

[EGLITOM]

Hi Matt

I choosed RCR out of the following reasons.

Highly exact chassis ( see in my build log suspension alignment).
Aluminium monocoque master craftsman welded. When it arrives at your place you are already 2 months ahead of every tube frame chassis which need panelling.
Fully adjustable heim jointed suspension with beautifull CNC crafted parts. Very good suspension geometry ( i measured the rear bump steer together with dean on his car and it was almost neglectible).
The basic chassis has a very orginal shape ( if the are painted dark they look almost like an original).
The body panel quality is superb. Due to the complexity of the GT40 body it takes some time in aligning them, but once you found it, it fits perfect.
On top of it the RCR body is a copy of an original, not a copy of a replica like so many other kits out there. You will notice no visible difference from the outside view if an RCR stand besides a original car.
THere is a buildmanual which is comprehensive and helpful and continiously developed.
Additionaly the company is US based and has a solid engineering and from my perspective business background.

TOM