Dont get me wrong I want my KVA/GTD to be a good driving replica,(arrives tomorrow,at last)
I wast just playing Devil's advocate.
I wast just playing Devil's advocate.
I must agree with Fran. We all can't affoard 50 or 60 grand for a GT40 "replica". I wish I could. Maybe, some day I will, but if Lone Star offers a GT40 replica for under $20,000 I'm going to seriously consider getting one.
Speaking of Lone Star, I spoke to one of the guys from Lone Star the other day and they are making their own chassis and body for their new GT40. It will not be based on a Fiero. They were unable to get the typical KVA molds so they did what I pressume KVA did in the first place. They made their own body. Now, this is a new one. It's different from the one they previously offered. They tell me that it was their goal to make it very accurate. How is this that different from an early KVA? I don't know. Maybe, one of our English forum members can answer?
The down side is they told me they're going to offer the car at first with a V6, from a Cougar. A readily available transaxle being their major concern. I asked them to consider using a Ford Windsor with an Audi transaxle. Conversion bellhousing easily being available. Cross your fingers maybe they'll do just that. Or, at least, offer it as an option.
I'm going to call them in a week or two see how their progress is.
Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong,
Doug
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Doug Barry ]
Speaking of Lone Star, I spoke to one of the guys from Lone Star the other day and they are making their own chassis and body for their new GT40. It will not be based on a Fiero. They were unable to get the typical KVA molds so they did what I pressume KVA did in the first place. They made their own body. Now, this is a new one. It's different from the one they previously offered. They tell me that it was their goal to make it very accurate. How is this that different from an early KVA? I don't know. Maybe, one of our English forum members can answer?
The down side is they told me they're going to offer the car at first with a V6, from a Cougar. A readily available transaxle being their major concern. I asked them to consider using a Ford Windsor with an Audi transaxle. Conversion bellhousing easily being available. Cross your fingers maybe they'll do just that. Or, at least, offer it as an option.
I'm going to call them in a week or two see how their progress is.
Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong,
Doug
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Doug Barry ]
G
Guest
Guest
Doug, KVA stands for Ken Atwell. (not sure about the V, assumed to be a middle name.) Ken was one of the original engineers who was involved with the design and construction of the GT40. Presumably, (and surely beyond much shadow of doubt) Ken either got one of the many sets of molds that were made or splashed a set off of a car. (There is a LOT of variability between individual, original GT40s according to virtually all persons who should know.) I have learned of most of this via hearsay, so I don't want to state things as fact that I don't know to be absolute fact. But I think you will find that, I am not far off the mark.
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Lynn Larsen ]
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Lynn Larsen ]
KVA replica's of the MkIII are a perfect replica of the real car as the moulds are taken aff an original,the MkI KVA cars used the same spider as the MkIII but modified front and rear clamshells,
kva's are the Grandaddy of them all.
I have a MkIII that I am picking up on Monday....I hope
kva's are the Grandaddy of them all.
I have a MkIII that I am picking up on Monday....I hope
Robert Logan
Defunct Manufactuer - Old RF Company
Doud, Lynn,
The V in KVA stands for Vincent which is his middle name.
The moulds were taken of an original car which was at the Ford plant that Ken worked as an engineer in the late '70's. He built his first car I believe for himself with little or no intention of mass manufacture. The first car had an east-west 1600cc. Ford engine out of an Escort and the front suspension was a sub-frame from a Cortina bolted directly into the KVA frame. The moulds were taken straight from the original GT40 which was a Mk I with a MK III nostral. I would guess that most of the 'kits' available around the world have origins that could be traced back to this first car. I am not saying that they are copies as many have been developed in particular the frame but the bodies are similar.
The KVA is still being manufactured (as best as I can make out from pictures and research) although its now being sold under the GT40 NZ banner.
Many other manufactures have developed the car significently and in different directions, I chose the competition route with a very fast and safe road car to contain the best of modern engineering materials and practice. Others have gone different ways with more mass production and less choice while others again have gone for using more doner parts to reduce cost. All these methodoligies are fine and today have produced a thriving GT40 industry with much choice for you the customer.
I hope this openness by the majority of manufacturers continues and I for one am very happy with this FORUM and its ability to inform the customer of the reputable and not so reputable manufacturers of both kits and their associated parts. Long may it continue.
GT40's are my passion and I have researched the originals and all the 'kits' for more than two decades now. I hope that the information above is correct, I trust it is.
Best wishes,
Robert
The V in KVA stands for Vincent which is his middle name.
The moulds were taken of an original car which was at the Ford plant that Ken worked as an engineer in the late '70's. He built his first car I believe for himself with little or no intention of mass manufacture. The first car had an east-west 1600cc. Ford engine out of an Escort and the front suspension was a sub-frame from a Cortina bolted directly into the KVA frame. The moulds were taken straight from the original GT40 which was a Mk I with a MK III nostral. I would guess that most of the 'kits' available around the world have origins that could be traced back to this first car. I am not saying that they are copies as many have been developed in particular the frame but the bodies are similar.
The KVA is still being manufactured (as best as I can make out from pictures and research) although its now being sold under the GT40 NZ banner.
Many other manufactures have developed the car significently and in different directions, I chose the competition route with a very fast and safe road car to contain the best of modern engineering materials and practice. Others have gone different ways with more mass production and less choice while others again have gone for using more doner parts to reduce cost. All these methodoligies are fine and today have produced a thriving GT40 industry with much choice for you the customer.
I hope this openness by the majority of manufacturers continues and I for one am very happy with this FORUM and its ability to inform the customer of the reputable and not so reputable manufacturers of both kits and their associated parts. Long may it continue.
GT40's are my passion and I have researched the originals and all the 'kits' for more than two decades now. I hope that the information above is correct, I trust it is.
Best wishes,
Robert
Kens original car is a MKIII and is for sale in England at the moment complete with spare panels and moulds,still complete with its escort engine
I think that this confirms his ORIGINAL car for himself was a MkIII.
goto the replica cars for sale at http://www.gt40club.clara.net/
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Fran Hall ]
I think that this confirms his ORIGINAL car for himself was a MkIII.
goto the replica cars for sale at http://www.gt40club.clara.net/
[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Fran Hall ]
John, I have built 5 GTD40 and obviously have some prejudice. I have never had a client who was unhappy with the quality, looks or fun to be had with their GT40 replica. I am no longer in the business of supplying or building cars. Now I just drive my 40 and have fun. My personal car has about 10,000 miles on the clock and has been a good road car when used as such. It has also done about 6000 track miles at numerous Cobra club events at Willow Springs. The advise you are getting about cost is excellent. You will be hard pressed to complete a good car to road and track readiness for less than 50 to 60 Thousand dollars. GTD Supercars has been going thru some struggles and I have no idea what will happen to them. If I were spending my money again I would look at the CAV stainless monocoque as the best value on the market, providing you don't want to do the build your self. If you want to do your own build and money is unimportant to you, by all means look at the very expensive ERA package. If you want a good car when you are done look seriously at Robert Logan's Roaring Fortyies car now that he is selling kits and has a US dealer taking care of the hassles of shipping,customs etc. If you pay attention to Logan/Levy comments on the forum you will notice a passion and knowledge beyond most. If money is a serious obstacle then look at GT Replicas or DRB Australia and check out what Mark Sibley and GTDRacing are each doing in the UK. Again, if it was my monet I would be looking at CAV or Roaring Forties. Good luck and enjoy your project!
Hi
What comes to KVA, I can further comment, that all later replicas, like GTD and others, later evolved from that. There is also at least two different mk 1 models, what means KVA had a continuous development. Reputation of first generation KVA´s left some space for improvement, but certainly 2nd generation is still to be considered the best of them all.
What comes to KVA, I can further comment, that all later replicas, like GTD and others, later evolved from that. There is also at least two different mk 1 models, what means KVA had a continuous development. Reputation of first generation KVA´s left some space for improvement, but certainly 2nd generation is still to be considered the best of them all.
Fran, your comments about the forum being for all 40 enthusiasts is correct. Maybe the new Lone Star will be a replica 40. The old one is a fiberglass kit car not a replica 40. Also your comment about real 40 owners looking on CAV, GTD, RF etc. as cheap immatations could not be more mistaken! Car lovers respect good cars - even good replicas. I have been fortunate enough to have several real 40 owners make very nice comments about my car and it is appreciated.
Bud,
my comments are not meant to offend,and I apologise if I did,not everyone veiws repilcas as flattery some people I have had dealings with look down their noses at very nice cars in their own right,I have no problem with replica anything as long as the spirit of enthusiasm and love for the item is apparent.
Which obviously we all have as we are on this forum sharing our experiences.
Long live the Gt40
my comments are not meant to offend,and I apologise if I did,not everyone veiws repilcas as flattery some people I have had dealings with look down their noses at very nice cars in their own right,I have no problem with replica anything as long as the spirit of enthusiasm and love for the item is apparent.
Which obviously we all have as we are on this forum sharing our experiences.
Long live the Gt40
Ian, Sacramento. Now that I am retired I am home a lot. However I just had shoulder surgery and can't enjoy driving the 40 for a couple of months. Anytime you want to come down just e mail me <[email protected]> and I will give you directions.
Ian you can e mail me at yahoo.com - Iam known as [email protected] Hope to hear from you soon.
[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: 40bud ]
[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: 40bud ]
Fran, no offense taken. I just thought that people should know that a lot of the owners of original Cobras and GT40's do appreciate good cars and only get huffy when they run across those who try to pawn of there cars as originals. At least my experiences have all been positive and I have spent a fair amount of time doing car shows and running at open track events here in Calif.
Bud,
I never got a chance to get in touch with you
when you were still doing business with GTD,
but I was quite impressed with Rick Merz's
car, and the guys at GTD spoke highly of you.
Also, David Harris has some good things to
say about you as well.
Would it be possible to come down to Livermore
some time and see your personal GTD? I would
love to get to know you better, sounds as
though your advice would be golden.
Hoping to purchase an RF kit (either complete
or rolling chassis) in the very near future.
Thanks,
Ian
I never got a chance to get in touch with you
when you were still doing business with GTD,
but I was quite impressed with Rick Merz's
car, and the guys at GTD spoke highly of you.
Also, David Harris has some good things to
say about you as well.
Would it be possible to come down to Livermore
some time and see your personal GTD? I would
love to get to know you better, sounds as
though your advice would be golden.
Hoping to purchase an RF kit (either complete
or rolling chassis) in the very near future.
Thanks,
Ian
Hi Bud, I hope the Shoulder heals fast. Hows it going with you? Thanks for the Link with Dave harris, I think he should have some details by now. I will E mail details as soon as the new chassis picks come back. I Have moved house and Business premises and have had a pretty tough time getting back on track, but getting there now.
If you go on the MGM Offical James Bond website, there is a downloadable Teaser trailer of the new movie. It has a great pic of my car and this enormous explosion. I cant seem to get a still pic of it to print or save, maybe copywright protected. Enjoy!
I'll E mail you soon, all the very to you
Mark Sibley
If you go on the MGM Offical James Bond website, there is a downloadable Teaser trailer of the new movie. It has a great pic of my car and this enormous explosion. I cant seem to get a still pic of it to print or save, maybe copywright protected. Enjoy!
I'll E mail you soon, all the very to you
Mark Sibley
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fran Hall:
KVA replica's of the MkIII are a perfect replica of the real car as the moulds are taken aff an original,the MkI KVA cars used the same spider as the MkIII but modified front and rear clamshells,
kva's are the Grandaddy of them all.
I have a MkIII that I am picking up on Monday....I hope<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I remembering reading somewhere that KVA had taking the molds from an original MkIII. The spider, doors and from the rear windo forward on the rear hatch is accurate, but the rear hatch aft of the wheel well and the fron of the car is not accurate. Is this right?
Doug
KVA replica's of the MkIII are a perfect replica of the real car as the moulds are taken aff an original,the MkI KVA cars used the same spider as the MkIII but modified front and rear clamshells,
kva's are the Grandaddy of them all.
I have a MkIII that I am picking up on Monday....I hope<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I remembering reading somewhere that KVA had taking the molds from an original MkIII. The spider, doors and from the rear windo forward on the rear hatch is accurate, but the rear hatch aft of the wheel well and the fron of the car is not accurate. Is this right?
Doug
