How much involvement does your partner have in the GT40?
- Thread starter CraigW
- Start date
My wife gave me THE magazine with lots of different kit cars being reviewed - including the GTD. Then when I decided I might want to build one she took some bingo winnings and sent me to the UK to visit the GTD factory and make a decision. Then she saw me thru complete builds of three complete cars, a partial and a roller. Now she spends our wedding anniversary and Mothers day at the race track with me. You can't get much better than that. She wont drive it and seldom rides in it - shes afraid of it but she loves it. She would however trade it for a Lola T70.
Sounds familiar, actually forgot to mention that I procrastinated a lot over getting GT40. Each time I asked my partner about it, she would indicate that it was a good idea, go for it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just wondering what the pay back will be. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Wendy didn't have to worry about the build of my GTD, as it was in the garage before we ever met. She now has her competition licence and has done the Brighton Speed Trials four times now. Beaten some of the guys too. Not doing much driving now as kids needs her attention but as they get a little older the aim is for Wendy to do more driving. Certainly she enjoys her time behind the wheel but I suspect she would rather it needed less garage time from me. She needs more aggression when driving the car to get better times. It'll come with practice.
But she looks fab in her race overalls!
But she looks fab in her race overalls!
How about starting a poll to see how many wives like the GT-40 and how many dislike it? I'm not so sure that girl friends should be in it because they always change after they get their claws into us. So far it looks like it is a guy thing hands down. Joseph /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Hey Keith, Way back when I was in the Navy I met your future wife. After being out to sea for 30 days she didn't look like that the night before, but she sure did in the morning.
Hey Keith, Way back when I was in the Navy I met your future wife. After being out to sea for 30 days she didn't look like that the night before, but she sure did in the morning.
I have great support from my spouse. We made a deal that the garage is "off limits"
and I promised to become the cook (not a problem for me as I do 50% of the cooking anyway). She is very understanding when dinnertime passes and I'm still in the garage and will occasionally have dinner prepared for me as a surprise. The clincher was that to make the "deal" I redecorated the entire kitchen and purchased all new stainless appliances to her liking. So new granite countertops (45 linear feet) all new appliances and cabinets, tile floors, etc. No complaints to date. She basically said that I deserved the SL-C and I should have it.
and I promised to become the cook (not a problem for me as I do 50% of the cooking anyway). She is very understanding when dinnertime passes and I'm still in the garage and will occasionally have dinner prepared for me as a surprise. The clincher was that to make the "deal" I redecorated the entire kitchen and purchased all new stainless appliances to her liking. So new granite countertops (45 linear feet) all new appliances and cabinets, tile floors, etc. No complaints to date. She basically said that I deserved the SL-C and I should have it.
Dimi Terleckyj
Lifetime Supporter
When I met my new partner after my divorce one of the things she remembered was the story I told her about my ex wife.
I am a skydiving instructor and went to the states for the freefall convention in 95 for 10 days.
When I got back I told my wife that I would be going to the next one in 96 ,to which she replied, if I did she would leave me.
Had a great time in 96.
I don't miss her.
My new partner remembers this story and so when I said I would be building a GT40 she had no complaints and once she saw and sat in a GT40 she loved it as much as I did.
Even to the point if there is an outing for the 40 and we can't off load the kids she comes along in her car with one of the kids just to be part of the event.
She also came down to the garage to watch various parts being made and chose the carpet and leather for the car.
She also wants me to build another one for her.
I have no complaints.
Dimi
I am a skydiving instructor and went to the states for the freefall convention in 95 for 10 days.
When I got back I told my wife that I would be going to the next one in 96 ,to which she replied, if I did she would leave me.
Had a great time in 96.
I don't miss her.
My new partner remembers this story and so when I said I would be building a GT40 she had no complaints and once she saw and sat in a GT40 she loved it as much as I did.
Even to the point if there is an outing for the 40 and we can't off load the kids she comes along in her car with one of the kids just to be part of the event.
She also came down to the garage to watch various parts being made and chose the carpet and leather for the car.
She also wants me to build another one for her.
I have no complaints.
Dimi
Jack Houpe
GT40s Supporter
This is an old tread but a good one.
When someone calls for me on the phone she tells them I am out with the other woman thats a red head. She likes to go for spins but doesn't like the acceleration and when you get past 60 MPH she has a death grip.
When someone calls for me on the phone she tells them I am out with the other woman thats a red head. She likes to go for spins but doesn't like the acceleration and when you get past 60 MPH she has a death grip.
Well... in my case...
Just barely tolerates the GT40. Too loud, too uncomfortable, can't see out when riding in it (she's small, rode in it once, most likely won't again, but may change her mind)
Continuously asks me why I'm continuously working on it.
Why don't you send it back and get it fixed right?
She prefers my Pantera... thinks it is 'prettier' and 'nicer' than the GT40.
Why don't you have your Pantera back yet?
(It's been 'getting painted' now for six years...)
Why don't you sell that other thing and buy another Pantera?
Hates coming to the track because 'all you do is go 'round and 'round all day' and 'it's a guy thing'.
In summary.... tolerates my foibles...
Kirby
Just barely tolerates the GT40. Too loud, too uncomfortable, can't see out when riding in it (she's small, rode in it once, most likely won't again, but may change her mind)
Continuously asks me why I'm continuously working on it.
Why don't you send it back and get it fixed right?
She prefers my Pantera... thinks it is 'prettier' and 'nicer' than the GT40.
Why don't you have your Pantera back yet?
(It's been 'getting painted' now for six years...)
Why don't you sell that other thing and buy another Pantera?
Hates coming to the track because 'all you do is go 'round and 'round all day' and 'it's a guy thing'.
In summary.... tolerates my foibles...
Kirby
Jack Houpe
GT40s Supporter
Dang Kirby, why don't buy her a car seat. 
Jim Rosenthal
Supporter
Malcolm, you should post us a photo of Wendy and the GT40...
Jim Rosenthal
Supporter
My GT40 project, which has been going on nearly ten years, has outlasted more girlfriends than I care to think about. The good news is that quite a bit more has been spent on the car than on any of them, or all of them together, by a long chalk. Don't even ask me about the boat and the Kirkham. So I'll have something to show for it, at the end of the build process, which hopefully will be this year.
The GT40 has never looked good enough to show anyone, so far. But the Kirkham, all polished out- THAT'S a crumpet magnet, for certain.
The GT40 has never looked good enough to show anyone, so far. But the Kirkham, all polished out- THAT'S a crumpet magnet, for certain.
It's been 20 years and in all of that time, my dear bride said no to only one car. We see good examples of the '68 shelby convertable that I could have had for $20,000 years ago and I don't twitch quite so much. She has been very very supportive of my car hobby and being a track instructor which takes time. She and the kids do come and visit at the track, but always is my number one cheer leader! I can have whatever I want if I can "make it work". She too can have whatever she would want, we just want to make eachother happy!
Craig,
My wife has not flinched at the automobiles I've brought home over 39 years. Last year, she did ask about the GT500 after I bought her a white SHELBY GT two weeks earlier. She thinks that the addition of a gauge pac and SGT/SC strips had something to do with the exhaust being louder. "Yes dear we need to know what the Vacum/Boost of the engine is doing." However in December, when she first saw the MkII in the garage hiding behind the black GT500, her first words were "It is beautiful".
Some new cars she doesn't notice until it is up in the air on a lift. "I don't remember that blue Mustang" she says. She doesn't drive the Cobra and doesn't know how to start the GT40. She did drive the Pantera and Porsche's. When I was in Vietnam, she drove our Yellow Dodge Charger R/T with a 440ci, 4speed & Track Pac. Not bad for a woman who weights 105 pounds. Oh did I mention she painted the outside of my new garage. Now this building has a 21 foot ceiling on the top floor and the lower level has a 10 foot ceiling. I did move and hold the 24' and 32' ladders for her. Did I mention She loves to paint?
My wife has not flinched at the automobiles I've brought home over 39 years. Last year, she did ask about the GT500 after I bought her a white SHELBY GT two weeks earlier. She thinks that the addition of a gauge pac and SGT/SC strips had something to do with the exhaust being louder. "Yes dear we need to know what the Vacum/Boost of the engine is doing." However in December, when she first saw the MkII in the garage hiding behind the black GT500, her first words were "It is beautiful".
Some new cars she doesn't notice until it is up in the air on a lift. "I don't remember that blue Mustang" she says. She doesn't drive the Cobra and doesn't know how to start the GT40. She did drive the Pantera and Porsche's. When I was in Vietnam, she drove our Yellow Dodge Charger R/T with a 440ci, 4speed & Track Pac. Not bad for a woman who weights 105 pounds. Oh did I mention she painted the outside of my new garage. Now this building has a 21 foot ceiling on the top floor and the lower level has a 10 foot ceiling. I did move and hold the 24' and 32' ladders for her. Did I mention She loves to paint?
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
Jim,
"The GT40 has never looked good enough to show anyone" no....no...no.... your GT pics and build was one of the major inspirations for me to start my 10+ year build.... im about 3 years in and havent even got the chassis yet..... although it should be with me this year.
As for the girlfriend..... I was commited to the build before I met her so it was a case of..."Im building this car.... if your with me then you are with the car..." she isnt complaining and if she did I would trade her in for a new one.....
Andy
"The GT40 has never looked good enough to show anyone" no....no...no.... your GT pics and build was one of the major inspirations for me to start my 10+ year build.... im about 3 years in and havent even got the chassis yet..... although it should be with me this year.
As for the girlfriend..... I was commited to the build before I met her so it was a case of..."Im building this car.... if your with me then you are with the car..." she isnt complaining and if she did I would trade her in for a new one.....
Andy
Jim,
I thought I was near to holding the record on build time with 6+ years, but I am not even close to you. How have you stood it. Early on in the build, my wife would join me in the basement while I worked on it. Never helping, just talking and asking questions. Now she only comes to the basement to get to the freezer! It gets me nervous thinking it will be a couple of months (if lucky) and mine will be finished. But then, they really never are, are they. Just to drive it will be enough. I learned that teenagers and a budget go in different directions. My wife told me about 8 months ago to go ahead and finish it(she wants to ride in it too).
Bill
I thought I was near to holding the record on build time with 6+ years, but I am not even close to you. How have you stood it. Early on in the build, my wife would join me in the basement while I worked on it. Never helping, just talking and asking questions. Now she only comes to the basement to get to the freezer! It gets me nervous thinking it will be a couple of months (if lucky) and mine will be finished. But then, they really never are, are they. Just to drive it will be enough. I learned that teenagers and a budget go in different directions. My wife told me about 8 months ago to go ahead and finish it(she wants to ride in it too).
Bill
