Been to a few local car drive-ins with my SPF and get asked the question all the time, “is it real?” The draw to this car is amazing to say the least. Anyway, my answer to date is… this car was not built in the 1960’s, but a continuation about as close as you can get with the same parts, chassis construction and continuing serial number format as a 60’s built car, the only currently build unit that can legally be called a 40. Am I out of line here? I guess I could be a wise a.s and just say “ of course it’s real, you can see it, can’t you?” Any other SPF owners have a better line to shorten the conversation with such inquiring minds?
How best to answer the question?
- Thread starter kram350
- Start date
There's so many ways to respond to the ubiquitous question, "Is it real?" 
In the moment I think, fundamentally it's clear they believe it might be - and that's a compliment for you to enjoy.
And there's not a single right / wrong answer.
It's up to "you" to analyse in a split second what they wanting to hear - how deep they want to go.
Mostly the question comes over as a positive, a genuine enquiry and want to know more.
Very occasionally, it clearly comes across as a put down - in the UK some want to hear you say, "It's a kit car".
Mostly I say, " The 60's cars were Ford GT40's and there is still an active license to build "GT40's - but clearly Ford didn't sell "Ford".
Or I swap the "real" for "original" and then go on to share my personal understanding of "original" - my interpretation being an original is a "60's" GT40 built in the 1960's (Caveat - I know this isn't strictly true but it gets the conversation going)
It's then for yourself to decide how to follow through.
After a number, quite a number of, "Is it real?'" I got the hang of working out where the conversation was going and I get real pleasure out of the sharing.
And to stay on the positive as you have found yourself it is mostly guys wanting to build on their knowledge.
For me, it's been an unexpected bonus to spend time with the ones that want to talk, share and know more.
You've probably heard already,
"It's the best car here".
"You've made my day".
"Thanks so much for bringing it out and not just keeping locked away in a garage".
I've had, "It's the best car here" at the Goodwood Members Meeting - Goodwood Revival - Spa Classic and as you say the draw is off the scale given the calibre of other cars it's parked up with.
Not very well put, but I hope this gives you a bit of a frame for what to say when getting your GT40 out there.
Mine's a SGT by the way.
In the moment I think, fundamentally it's clear they believe it might be - and that's a compliment for you to enjoy.
And there's not a single right / wrong answer.
It's up to "you" to analyse in a split second what they wanting to hear - how deep they want to go.
Mostly the question comes over as a positive, a genuine enquiry and want to know more.
Very occasionally, it clearly comes across as a put down - in the UK some want to hear you say, "It's a kit car".
Mostly I say, " The 60's cars were Ford GT40's and there is still an active license to build "GT40's - but clearly Ford didn't sell "Ford".
Or I swap the "real" for "original" and then go on to share my personal understanding of "original" - my interpretation being an original is a "60's" GT40 built in the 1960's (Caveat - I know this isn't strictly true but it gets the conversation going)
It's then for yourself to decide how to follow through.
After a number, quite a number of, "Is it real?'" I got the hang of working out where the conversation was going and I get real pleasure out of the sharing.
And to stay on the positive as you have found yourself it is mostly guys wanting to build on their knowledge.
For me, it's been an unexpected bonus to spend time with the ones that want to talk, share and know more.
You've probably heard already,
"It's the best car here".
"You've made my day".
"Thanks so much for bringing it out and not just keeping locked away in a garage".
I've had, "It's the best car here" at the Goodwood Members Meeting - Goodwood Revival - Spa Classic and as you say the draw is off the scale given the calibre of other cars it's parked up with.
Not very well put, but I hope this gives you a bit of a frame for what to say when getting your GT40 out there.
Mine's a SGT by the way.
Just an afterthought -
I try to avoid the word "continuation" at the beginning
In my experience very few understand it's meaning or pretend they do, and if they say they don't things start getting complicated
It's generally only those with a decent race car knowledge base that picks up the word in its proper sense and that definitely is a small minority.
I try to avoid the word "continuation" at the beginning
In my experience very few understand it's meaning or pretend they do, and if they say they don't things start getting complicated
It's generally only those with a decent race car knowledge base that picks up the word in its proper sense and that definitely is a small minority.
Ian Anderson
Lifetime Supporter
I used to reply that it is a current period replica of the 1960’s cars. That I wish it was original but at £5m and up not many originals are ever driven on the road and this one gets regular exercise.
Sometimes I say, "If it's original it would be in a museum or someone's collection".
Again not strictly true because UK Ford gets its Ford GT40 out on the road regularly.
Or, there were only ever 5 Gulf Ford GT40's built and now there's only 789 left. (Hope the 5 is correct).
Only one Gold Ford GT40 built and how many left now, JP?
Attachments
I use "No, it's a hologram" and watch them wander away dazed.......
good question. I thought for a long time then made a sign. not knowing how to word it I just guessed. good or bad it seemed to help a little.
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Perhaps add something like "Assembled in 2020 by owner" or "Built 2020" to the sign?
A pretty car is a pretty car. But for someone who is excited to see a GT40 in person for the first time, I think it's good to explain its origins.
When I bring my car to cruise nights, the top comments are
- Is it real?
- When I was a kid, I built the models
- I never expected to see one of these in person
- How much is it worth? (my usual reply is "I couldn't afford to buy one now")
Dave Hood
Lifetime Supporter
Hi Mark. I've owned my SPF MKI since 2011. The most common question I get is whether it's a "kit car." Of course, I hate that question. What I've always told people is that the Superformance GT40's are factory produced in South Africa under license from the trademark owner of GT40. The Superformance GT40 is a recreation production car, and is the only GT40 today that can be officially listed on the GT40 registry along with the original production cars. Only about 100 or so original GT40's were produced in the 1960's, and most of the surviving GT40's are either in museums or used in historic racing.
Randy Folsom
Supporter
My response is:
Of course it’s not an Original. Those cost millions. This one only cost me about as much as a house.
That usually makes them realize it’s not some cheap knock off. Then I explain that the originals did over 200 mph on the Mulsanne straight, but this one is faster
Of course it’s not an Original. Those cost millions. This one only cost me about as much as a house.
That usually makes them realize it’s not some cheap knock off. Then I explain that the originals did over 200 mph on the Mulsanne straight, but this one is faster