After reading a few of the recent threads I wanted to share how we made our decision. I am a mechanical engineer with a reasonable automotive background. As such I must first state I do did not see any engineering from any manufacturer that would disqualify any product. Mostly it is somebody took a differnet approach and/or had diferent priorities. It is up to the individual to decide what is important and the find the manufacturer that performs those items best at the best value.
I began my search for a GT40 was just after watching the 1966 LeMans race, but things like growing up and school put it on hold. I did get a model (still have it) a couple of years later and fell in love with the "bundel of snakes". Fast forward to late 1990's. I seriously begin to look for a replica because the real thing is well beyond what I can afford. Not many available, at least I can not find much information other than H-M (more than real thing) and some company in New England. Again I put search on hold to start a new business. Fast forward to 2002 I went into my dealer and there was a poster of a GT40. I immediatly went home and hit google - GT40 and found this, actually the original, forum. I learned my dream was real. At the same time my son announced he wanted to become an automotive engineering and learn to REALY drive. So after a conversation with you know (if you are married) who we are off to the races.
This forum helped us look up a number of sources, ie:
ERA - great car and site downloaded their manual, very good design and excelent engineering. I was put off with delivery timing and cost of ZF transaxel.
GTD - This was initially my first choice. The design appeared very well thought out, interior was excelent and attention to detail (clip latching, interior). While I did get some response I was a little concerned. Base upon the information from the guys who had GTD's I was prepared to go to the UK to look at them.
CAV Space Frame - This looked like my solution, based upon the GTD, with improvements, built by a solid company and a great value. Got a copy of their CD and was ready to go, but they did not sell "kits" only turn key minus.
Tornado - Contacted them and they were very responsive, great value, but thought the interior was not up to the standard I was looking for, and we would still need to source a number of items.
DRB - About this time we had an opertunity to see Bill Bayard's DRB. Great car, very good value. The fit and finish was first rate. Based upon a turn key minus and value this was the first rate. But like CAV the DRB appeared best to be bought as a turn key minus, as a kit there were still a number of parts that needed to be sourced.
GT40 Replication New Zealand - to me this was the low cost alternative. Apeared to be solid but I wanted something other than fiberglass for interior panels and was willing to spend a bit more for more upscale product. Again all the bits were not included in the kit.
CAV Mono - A very good looking car and very well built. Interior is excelent, but I found I would have designed a couple of the sub systems diferently, ie the rear clip is supported off a suspension attachment point, coolent lines run on exterior of front. The biggest issue was for it did not fit OUR needs it was not available as a kit.
RF40 - This is what we bought. The main reason was the Delux Kit was complete - like the models you built when younger - add glue and paint. As with anything you compromise - while the basic comonents and engineeering are first rate there are things that I think others do difernetly that I like, ie I like the latching method off the rear clip used by GTD/CAV; aluminium finish at the front base of the spider used by others. But these were minor and could be retro-fitted. The basic product had solid engineering and the interior was the most finished and very high quality. It was also available as a complete kit with a manual. All things concidered this was BEST for US.
Others have diferent needs (or wants) than we did so they make different decisions. Their decision is not wrong nor is our decision right for everyone.
As we work through the build I must admit that there are times I think I should have bought the turn-key minus, but then we work through the problem (a call is usually required)and forget about the turn-key minus. Robert took care of our two major concerns the panels (they did them) and fitting the body - he came up with a great solution. Gordon, Robert and memebers of this forum have been a great help, especially Hershal. But the nice thing is that almost everyone, no matter which manufacturer or which kit someone is building, appears ready to help any of us persue the dream of the GT40.
Sorry to be so long.
I began my search for a GT40 was just after watching the 1966 LeMans race, but things like growing up and school put it on hold. I did get a model (still have it) a couple of years later and fell in love with the "bundel of snakes". Fast forward to late 1990's. I seriously begin to look for a replica because the real thing is well beyond what I can afford. Not many available, at least I can not find much information other than H-M (more than real thing) and some company in New England. Again I put search on hold to start a new business. Fast forward to 2002 I went into my dealer and there was a poster of a GT40. I immediatly went home and hit google - GT40 and found this, actually the original, forum. I learned my dream was real. At the same time my son announced he wanted to become an automotive engineering and learn to REALY drive. So after a conversation with you know (if you are married) who we are off to the races.
This forum helped us look up a number of sources, ie:
ERA - great car and site downloaded their manual, very good design and excelent engineering. I was put off with delivery timing and cost of ZF transaxel.
GTD - This was initially my first choice. The design appeared very well thought out, interior was excelent and attention to detail (clip latching, interior). While I did get some response I was a little concerned. Base upon the information from the guys who had GTD's I was prepared to go to the UK to look at them.
CAV Space Frame - This looked like my solution, based upon the GTD, with improvements, built by a solid company and a great value. Got a copy of their CD and was ready to go, but they did not sell "kits" only turn key minus.
Tornado - Contacted them and they were very responsive, great value, but thought the interior was not up to the standard I was looking for, and we would still need to source a number of items.
DRB - About this time we had an opertunity to see Bill Bayard's DRB. Great car, very good value. The fit and finish was first rate. Based upon a turn key minus and value this was the first rate. But like CAV the DRB appeared best to be bought as a turn key minus, as a kit there were still a number of parts that needed to be sourced.
GT40 Replication New Zealand - to me this was the low cost alternative. Apeared to be solid but I wanted something other than fiberglass for interior panels and was willing to spend a bit more for more upscale product. Again all the bits were not included in the kit.
CAV Mono - A very good looking car and very well built. Interior is excelent, but I found I would have designed a couple of the sub systems diferently, ie the rear clip is supported off a suspension attachment point, coolent lines run on exterior of front. The biggest issue was for it did not fit OUR needs it was not available as a kit.
RF40 - This is what we bought. The main reason was the Delux Kit was complete - like the models you built when younger - add glue and paint. As with anything you compromise - while the basic comonents and engineeering are first rate there are things that I think others do difernetly that I like, ie I like the latching method off the rear clip used by GTD/CAV; aluminium finish at the front base of the spider used by others. But these were minor and could be retro-fitted. The basic product had solid engineering and the interior was the most finished and very high quality. It was also available as a complete kit with a manual. All things concidered this was BEST for US.
Others have diferent needs (or wants) than we did so they make different decisions. Their decision is not wrong nor is our decision right for everyone.
As we work through the build I must admit that there are times I think I should have bought the turn-key minus, but then we work through the problem (a call is usually required)and forget about the turn-key minus. Robert took care of our two major concerns the panels (they did them) and fitting the body - he came up with a great solution. Gordon, Robert and memebers of this forum have been a great help, especially Hershal. But the nice thing is that almost everyone, no matter which manufacturer or which kit someone is building, appears ready to help any of us persue the dream of the GT40.
Sorry to be so long.