GT40 Ownership suprises

[TJ Fowler]

Edit: sorry about misspelling "surprise" in the title.

What are all of the things a potential GT40 owner may NOT have thought about before he/she takes the plunge?

By that I mean (but not limited to):

(1) How do you insure a GT40 replica?
(2) What does it cost to insure a GT40 replica?
(3) Do these cars require special maintenance that a non-owner might not anticipate?
(4) Are there parts needed that are especially hard to find/made of unobtanium?
(5) Will an owner need any special tools to keep/maintain/work on his/her GT40?
(6) is there anythign specific to my region/climate that I need to account for (hot Arkansas summers, cold Arkansas winters, etc.)?

Basically, I would appreciate it ya'll posting up anything that surprised you after you bought your GT40 that you wish you had known before buying. I doubt anything would cool my desire for a GT40, I just want to have all my ducks in a row so my real world garage is ready to accept my childhood dream car.

Again, thanks in advance!!!

 

[Cliff Beer]

Hi TJ, here's one or two that might be surprising...

1. Add 15-20 minutes to any trip requiring a stop in the middle for gas or supplies, etc.....be ready for a lot of questions from other folks and be ready for some goofy questions like "how much?" or "how fast" in addition to more informed questions....always be diplomatic and polite (this sometimes takes some time).

2. First time you pull up to a ticket booth for a parking garage, or a toll booth for a roadway you'll realize somethings is missing....

3. Getting the car jacked up for maintenance is a pain. A good 2-post or 4-post lift is very helpful.

4. Be ready to get wet if you drive in the rain. It's not a murcielago or a 911TT. Performance in snow is actually quite good given the light weight and weight distribution although race slicks can be a problem.

That's just a few..... Overall, can't beat it, so go for it!

 

[Steve C]

TJ,

Don't mean to be rude here but, if you need to ask these question you're in trouble already.

Cliff is being nice with his accurate description of the "ownership benefits" the onlookers will lavish and kiddingly accounts the "enviormental" issues but, truth is:

1) Registration and Insurance can be difficult. Depends on your state. In order to not be restricted as to mileage and where/how traveled I chose to work with my state and register as a "replica", insured as a regular car for full replacement value and can drive anywhere, any distance and anytime.
2) For me because I wanted insured for replacement value costs more than some of my exotics but, that is part of ownership
3)Maintenance...Most of us enjoy the "maintenance" and yes there is constant attention needed (after all they are really race cars on the street). It is my belief that anyone owning these cars should have a good understanding of at least maintenance, some basic troubleshooting ability and want to either get their hands dirty cuz it's fun or have a deep wallet.
4)Parts can be what you find at the Autozone store or if you get a more accurate reproduction will require dealer only parts.
5)Most tools any backyard mechanic should have but, depending on how deep you get there could be some special tools
6)Only buy a car with A/C and a heater (my SPF heater and A/C work great).

BOTTOM line...If you are new to this and not sure of yourself buy ONLY from a dealer who really understands these cars and can set them up properly not a storefront...Regardless of how good you are buying from a dealer with lots of build experience, a passion for these cars and a support network will make the ownership experience a much more pleasurable one.

Hope I haven't turned you off because I love my car (Superformance P2125 MK11 with 427 FE...see lots of pics and posts in the SPF forum here) but, to be happy you need to know what you're getting into and how to get into it.

Of course if you are like many here and able to build your own I apologize but, I was responding as if you had little experience.

Hope I have helped and not hurt but, I believe it is best to be open and honest when these questions are asked.

Regards, Steve P2125

PS: EDITED ..Just read some of your previous posts (should have before I wrote) and realize you are a "Car Guyt" so lots of what I wrote above won't apply.
Looks as though you have already talked with Jack so I expect you know just about everything already.
If you want send me a PM with your PH # and I'll be happy to discuss my SPF experience (like Jack I pretty well know every nut and bolt on the car)

 

[TJ Fowler]

No offense taken.

Just some background on me: I crewed for a Super Stock C drag car all through high school. I regularly autocrossed a Viper ACR in college and I have been campaigning a shifter kart for the last 5 years or so. I am currently restoring a vintage race bike, so I can turn a wrench. However, I am by no means a talented mechanic. I daily drive a Honda S2000, so I understand that a pure sports car will lack some creature comforts. I just dont know what to expect from a GT40 (they arent exactly common in Arkansas, so it isnt like Ive sat in a bunch of them).

I apologize if my questions are elementary, I am just trying to learn as much as I can about GT40s and GT40 ownership before I take the biggest financial plunge of my life. I am still pretty young, and it will be a big financial commitment for me.

However, this has been my dream since I was young, I have worked very hard/sacrificed for a long time to make it a reality. Im not in a position to buy just yet, but plan to be in a year or so. I just want to learn as much as I can before that time comes. That is why I am asking these questions.

 

[Julian]

You just touched on something very valid there.....sitting in a GT40.

As you don't say what make of replica you are considering and intended use, be aware that there are subtle differences between brands. My biggest surprise when my GT40 arrived was..... I didn't fit, at 6 foot tall I had to crick my neck just to drive. I have since modified it a little to make it more comfortable, but wearing a helmet for track days and still being in full control is still out of the question. I sat in a CAV and it was a World of difference, I could have driven that with a helmet and no Gurney bubble.

As mentioned previously check your local State laws on registration requirements, that can't be stressed enough, although I imagine bureaucracy hasn't got too deep in Arkansas yet....

Insurance is subjective, dependent on age, driving record, agreed value, miles driven, zip code etc. Assuming you don't want a daily driver then FWIW I pay $580 a year with a $1K deductible on a Collector policy. It is loaded up in comparison to my Pantera's as it is considered a kit car by the insurers.

Maintenance is again subjective depending on the level of build and sophistication, but for most I think they represent a much easier car to work on than any modern daily driver without all the uneccessary computer clutter. Lift the clamshell and everything is accessible to start with.

Climate wise let’s face it you're gonna sweat in summer and freeze in winter, but if you want real creature comforts then you'd be better with the S2000.

Good luck,

 

[Cliff Beer]

TJ, incidentally, there are a few guys here on the forum who are in Arkansas - if you hang out here for a while you'll get a sense for who they are, and who is a likely candidate for perhaps allowing you to check out their GT40 and maybe even give you a spin. One guy, first name Jack, is a particularly interesting and knowledgable fellow in Arkansas. Needless to say, bring a 12-pack of good quality beer, be sincere and use a super diplomatic approach and you might just have yourself a ride and an insider's tour.

Until you get right up to one, and get behind the wheel, it's pretty difficult to describe the experience. Sort of like somebody telling you how it feels to jump out of a perfectly good plane with a bit of parachute material strapped to your back....

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Best described as lots of fun in limited doses...wouldn't want to go thousands of miles in one, but a week touring in the spring on a vintage rally? close to heaven IMHO.

 

[Ian Anderson]

Parking is a problem

You park and someone parks close - you cannot get back into the car as the roof opens with the door and needs to open 90 degrees

Lost of idiots taking pictures on phone cameras and "swapping" lanes without realising they are doing it

Lots of people asking to sit in it


Ian

 

[Jack Houpe]

TJ, incidentally, there are a few guys here on the forum who are in Arkansas - if you hang out here for a while you'll get a sense for who they are, and who is a likely candidate for perhaps allowing you to check out their GT40 and maybe even give you a spin. One guy, first name Jack, is a particularly interesting and knowledgable fellow in Arkansas. Needless to say, bring a 12-pack of good quality beer, be sincere and use a super diplomatic approach and you might just have yourself a ride and an insider's tour.

Until you get right up to one, and get behind the wheel, it's pretty difficult to describe the experience. Sort of like somebody telling you how it feels to jump out of a perfectly good plane with a bit of parachute material strapped to your back....

Cliff is right, you just need to drive one, I extend that offer. As far as registration, you forget we live in AR, life is easy here, takes all of 15 minutes at the Revenue office. You will have to write the check for sales tax and visit the assessor. As far as insurance, you only have a couple choices, collector car insurance or just plan old liability with all the options checked, non insured, under insured and higher liability limits. Lets face it, if your racing in a race your not insured, if your racing on the street, your more than likely going to be facing a guy with your job title. I just have liability on my car its $68 every 6 months. I also carry the same amount on my other cars except my daily driver.

Only special tools that you will need on a car like mine is the rear wheel bearing puller and putter back in tools.

AC is better in my GT40 than all the rest of my exotic cars till you stop and let it heat sink, then it takes much longer to cool down. A Lexus AC it is not.

You can buy almost everything you need to work on one at AutoZone but parts for the transaxle.

Cliff is right about the questions when you stop, he forgot one. "What kind of mileage do you get?" I usually shock the sh-- out of them when I say almost 20 MPG.

I have a question for you. How big a boy are you? Weight and height have a lot to do with what car manufacture will work better. SPF is tight for anyone over 6 and over 230 lbs.

 

[Terry Oxandale]

An obvious one, but I'm throwing it out there anyway is the long and low overhang will bite if you're not paying strict attention. Even that will not be enough to avoid the occasional tire carcass in the middle of the lane on the Interstate, at dusk, vehicles on both sides, and you run out of time, room, and ideas.

 

[TJ Fowler]

Cliff is right, you just need to drive one, I extend that offer.

Congratulations, you have just insured that i get no work done today as I dream about actually driving a GT40.

That is an extremely generous offer. I am very grateful. That said, how about we just plan on me looking at the car first. After we meet, if you feel comfortable, we can discuss a ride/drive. Ill buy lunch either way.

Im actually going to be in NWA Arkansas this weekend. Ill PM you my cell number and we can see if a get together is possible.

Thanks again Jack, you have been incredible in my short time on this forum.

I have a question for you. How big a boy are you? Weight and height have a lot to do with what car manufacture will work better. SPF is tight for anyone over 6 and over 230 lbs.

Im a little guy. 5'9" and about 150 lbs. It sucked when I didnt make the football team; however, the ability to own/drive cool sports cars in my later years more than makes up for it.

 

[Malcolm]

The biggest surprise I ever heard people mention (this has not happened to me yet!) is when the rear clip flies open at 100mph because it wasn't properly fixed down. That has surprised eveyone it happened to without a doubt!

 

[TJ Fowler]

The biggest surprise I ever heard people mention (this has not happened to me yet!) is when the rear clip flies open at 100mph because it wasn't properly fixed down. That has surprised eveyone it happened to without a doubt!

That would be a crappy surprise.

I dated a girl in high school that drove a C4 corvette. Like most C4s, it had a targa top. Imagine my "surprise" when we were on the interstate and the car rapidly went from coupe to convertible... and then the cars behind us attempted to dodge the flying piece of steel and plexiglass.

Miraculously, the plexi top did not break. It was scratched to hell, but still fit. She was a bit more careful about latching the top properly from then on.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

We fitted NASCAR type hood pins to the rear clip for just that reason. They aren't as pretty, but with all the expense of bodywork for the whole car, I don't want anything coming loose.

Don't SPF cars already have safety catches like those? Seems to me that I've seen them in photos. In any case, they are not difficult to add to any existing car.

 

[Jim Craik]

Jim,

Yes, SPF cars have the two side latches and one center hood pin.

 

[Simon]

If you drive it at night, you'll get blinded by every flaming car coming towards you!
Simon

 

[Brett James-McCall]

If you are not too worried about authenticity, try and look for some more modern mirrors (electric) that have a larger glass area. It will help you see cars on your inside, especially as you can't really look over you shoulder.

I am planning to fit Chrysler Crossfire mirrors on my build.

Brett

 

[Jack Houpe]

If you are not too worried about authenticity, try and look for some more modern mirrors (electric) that have a larger glass area. It will help you see cars on your inside, especially as you can't really look over you shoulder.

I am planning to fit Chrysler Crossfire mirrors on my build.

Brett

I would like to see picture of that Brett went completed.

Yes, getting in and out is difficult, but if I was only 30 years younger it wouldn't be.

Yes, I have forgot to pin the rear deck and latch it on both side while my mind was programing EFI and found out at 30 MPH it becomes a wonderful speed break. At the cost of $1100, it never happened again, I find myself double checking, the second check is because of my age. Its easy to open door and feel for the pin in slot.

Night vision is tough, same in my other low riding cars. Rear vision is not good but better than a Countach, back up cameras work great. I also find my eyeballs vibrate and lose focus during hard acceleration. I think this is age and blood pressure related or maybe because my glasses fell off.

Young people in love the car, when you tell them its from the mid 60s they look at you like your crazy then realize from the looks of you that its probably true. Mike Trusty and myself took a tour in our cars 20 years ago, I was in one of my Lamborghini's and a beautiful hot young woman walked up to my car while the door was open and said "I will do anything for a ride in this car" I swallowed hard and said quietly, "You have to get my wife out of the other side". True story. So a GT40 will get you in trouble too even if your not looking for it.

Tires are expensive, I had to sell a piece of real-estate for my Avon's.

 

[Jim Craik]

As far as forgetting to re-install the hood pin, I have found that if I keep the pin in my hand until the clip is open and then put it in back in its place I cant close the clip without removing it.....

 

[David Morton]

Take the steering wheel off, hang the pins in the centre of the steering shaft. If you have a Lemo plug that contols a 12v solenoid kill switch as part of the steering wheel centre, removing the steering wheel will suffice. It becomes sort of obvious you don't have a steering wheel.