O.K. O.K, enough already, the car in question belongs to me, I'm Lee's father and if anybody has a right to chuck stones at MDA's windows it's me but before I do that let me tell something about Lee. He is a time served qualified engineer with excellent knowledge regarding auto-electrics and hydraulics, he also has the ability to see solutions rather than problems and considers the glass to be always half full, qualities that I envy and admire in anybody. I'm telling you these things just to advise you of the fact that he knows what he's taking about. When I considered the possibility of a GT40 I made sure Lee would be on board regarding the project. We chased a few part builds but always seemed to get pipped at the post, the thought of a new kit started to firm up, the problem was how do I get it passed 'she who must be obeyed'. I can only assume that all that planets were in complete alignment and the moon was a very agreeable shade blue because I got the o.k. to spend a chunk of our savings [so really, all this is her fault!]. Anyway, we did our home work and it came down to Tornado or MDA, mainly due to budget, delivery for a Tornado was at that time was almost a year, Mark[MDA] quoted sixteen weeks. The MDA package was also very flexible which allowed us to add or remove parts and we finally agreed on what I thought was an excellent compromise, the deposit was then duly despatched to Exeter. It was now late summer, which meant that even with a few delays I should have it before Xmas. Unexpectedly some extra cash became available so we added items to the package, mainly things that would speed up the build, we had envisaged sourcing a lot of the parts ourselves so buying off the shelf would cut down on some of the leg work, I was also assured that delivery would not be affected, great! nothing can possibly go wrong.
Waiting time was agony, afterall I had dreamed of owning a GT40 since my late teens [read my first post], ever since that soggy morning in Slough I've banged on about the GT to anybody that will listen. Pre-build hysteria was utilised by cleaning out the garage, buying and polishing tools and generally getting ready. Contact with MDA was kept to minimum during this time but whenever we did phone Mark always had time for a chat and everything appeared to be hunky-dory. When delivery was due I made contact with Mark to make arrangements and to let him know that I had secured the services of a driver, 4x4 and trailer but then it became apparent that there were problems, it would not be ready, in the far distance I could just about hear the faintest sound of alarm bells ringing. Weeks turned into months, I was given such a vast selection of excuses, only Mark and MDA know what exactly happened to cause such delays and I had to accept what I was being told. I finally took delivery just before Easter. Lee was waiting to help off load when we arrived back from Exeter, he remarked that it looked a little odd as we pushed it into the garage, I wasn't going to argue, after a round trip of nearly thirteen hours [including a breakdown]I was just a little frazzled. From here on things just got worse!
The first big issue concerns the ally panels, these were added to speed up the build, we had ordered a complete set inners and outters. Some fitted o.k. others were iffy and there were some that were beyond belief. Over the next few weeks Mark gently made us aware that the suspension attached to our chassis did actually belong to a Lola and could he have it back please!, that's why Lee said it looked a little odd, those alarm bells are now getting quite loud now. Emails and phone calls were exchanged over the ensuing weeks, some were really quite acid in their content. It became clear that we had indeed reached impasse. I locked the garage doors and didn't go near the car for weeks, this was quite a depressing time for me and I did consider that perhaps I was expecting to much from a kit car. Could all those stories be true about the early GTD/KVA kits when after buying your body and chassis you are also given the address of your nearest scrap-yard where you will find all the parts required, but that was thirty years ago, things must have improved since then! All this was not helping, my relationship with Mark and MDA remained cold. Something had to be done, so I asked for a complete refund which I really didn't want because it meant that I had given up, Mark was understandably reluctant to do this and in a strange way I was o.k. with that because it would mean something would have to give. The relationship began to thaw after Mark offered to deliver, in person, an exchange set of panels and swop the Lola suspension for the GT. The garage doors were flung open to receive this new air of hope and expectancy, oh, by the way Mark this floor pan you sold me, can't quite get it to fit, [MARK]....er...er.. that's because it belongs to a Lola as well! Will somebody please turn those bloody alarms off!!
Mark, true to his word did indeed turn up a few weeks later along with panels, suspension and apologies. We had a heart to heart over acup of tea and a chocolate hob-knob, he's a very likable fellow and passionate when it comes to GT40's. The exchange was made and after a few hours he went on his merry way, but I still wasn't convinced about some of the panels.
The next big problem was the steering rack, Lee has already posted a photo of that, the whole lot had to be chopped out and rehung. the pedal box was designed to fit over or under the two rails it did neither, this also had to be chopped and re-welded in it's correct position. there's other stuff which I can't be bothered with right now.
It gives me no pleasure writing this post, criticism in whatever form is hard to take and can sting a bit, we all like to be told we're doing a good job. I remember asking Mark why am I having so much trouble, I don't think I got an answer.
Somebody suggested that I must have had one of the very first chassis made, that's o.k. somebody has got to have the first one but it also implies that it's possibly inferior to the second, third and so on. We have all heard of the widget made on Monday morning, it does not conform therefore it won't fit, is that what I have sitting on axle stands in my garage? so come on MDA tell all, spill the beans.
My car will be built, eventually but it seems to be despite MDA and I don't know why? and I find that so frustrating. To all the guys who have taken delivery of their MDA's and are satisfied, great I'm pleased for you and power to your elbows good sirs[I've got no idea what the hell that's supposed to mean]. I'm now in my mid fifties and its getting late so I must get a jolly on and get this thing built and on the road. It's my wish to drive my GT along the road where I first saw them all those years ago and I'll take a detour onto Banbury avenue where the FAV factory was, maybe still is!
In a way I'm glad the cat's out of the bag so to speak, I've kept a lid on it for some time which in a way created a bit of a dilemma. I dreaded having a phone from anybody who was thinking about buying an MDA and wanted my advice, and despite everything I did feel some allegiance towards Mark and MDA but if I didn't speak the truth as I saw it, would I then be a liar? luckily that call never came. In time I'm sure Mark will iron out all the problems, maybe he's already done it. I still think the MDA has got good potential and I suppose I must believe it because I recently purchased full s/s exhaust system from MDA.
Well I've had my moan and no I don't feel any better for it, but perhaps some positives can be taken from my experiences, I would like to think so.
Regards
LorryT