My weekend to remember.

[Dave Bilyk]

This is the story of the weekend I purchased and returned with my DAX GT40. Now I'm keenly aware that this is no great achievement on my part. Because unlike the Benton brothers, who built this car, and all you guys out there putting their heart and soul into building their dream car, I cant claim to have that kind of dedication. But just to own and drive this car means a lot to me. How much more it must mean to to those of you who have, or soon will have built their 40's. So while you take a rest from building and browse this excellent forum, here is a small diversionary tale.

I had seen enough pictures to convince me that the car was definitely worth looking at. I decided that I would go down to view her. Not only that, I would take the optimistic view and have everything in place to enable returning with her. Insurance quotes were obtained, with immediate cover only a phone call away.
I was now a man on a mission, so one way flight tickets seemed in order, and if the deal fell apart I could always return in a hire car or find another cheap flight back. The flight cost was £15 plus tax, almost as good as being paid to fly down. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Richard, the seller organised a pickup at the airport, so that my partner, June and I had an easy and relaxing journey down.
Now it is many years since I last saw a GT40 in the flesh, and as soon as I saw the car I realised that it had been many years too long. There was no escaping its beauty and presence, and the one thing which I wasn't sure about, the colour, became right. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As I am tall at 6ft 1", with very long legs, the very first question was 'do I fit?' so following the customary GT40 entry and exit induction course, (you all know it well) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I slowly clambered in. This was the first moment I felt real excitement as I slid into the seat, and closed the door. Hand over the head, just enough room for my helmet, feet on the pedals, need to move the pedals forward an inch, but they are Tilton adjustables - wow - no problem. Relax back in the seat and take a breath, a familiar leather smell, just like my long departed XK150, yes, I like this car on a personal level already. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Having had a look around the car, and beneath the panels, there was nothing to detract from what was a well put together car. Nothing but a little surface rust on exhaust and some steel brackets, but the chassis, body and all components in excellent order.
Next, test drive

 

[Dave Bilyk]

And so to the Test Drive. The 302 bellowed into life with no fuss and sounded the way it should, i.e sent a tingle up my spine. My first ride in a GT40 reminded me of my first ride in a 'powerful' sports car, an Austin Healey 3000, it was something utterly different. I saw the Healey close to my home, so went to see it. The owner was not really mechanically minded, but did know how to drive the car. I helped him check out the SU carbs, and he took me for a drive. That experience was awesome, I remember him fighting the steering under heavy braking on the drum brakes, the sound, everything, when I got out of the car my legs were like jelly. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif A picture of the car below in b&w, the colour was a sort of pale gold. I don't remember the name of the colour..
The GT40 test drive was more sedate, but on the road as a passenger, I had time to take in the way the chassis felt, a comfortable but firm ride, no rattles or squeaks, or mechanical noises. This was getting even better. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Then time for me to drive. The clutch had apparently been uprated, and my observation was 'My Subaru clutch feels like a lorry clutch, but this feels like two!!' /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif The brake and clutch pedals need to go more than an inch forward, and the accelerator pedal further as it is higher than the brake, but I have no difficulty driving. No real opportunity to explore handling, brake balance may need moving rearwards, but everything works well. Performance, not scary, suggests that this is a standard engine, probably not for too much longer though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Returning to the owners confirmed that I need to build up my left leg muscles, as waiting for the driveway gate to open, the clutch started to feel heavy, but in trying to find an unfamiliar neutral, I realised that I couldn't hold it any longer, so for safety I cut the engine before releasing the clutch. A close run thing, almost embarrassed myself there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif That was due to the pedals being too close, and as a result my leg not straight enough to cope with the strong clutch. As I restarted and drove through the gate and up the drive I was entirely happy with the whole experience and ready to do a deal.
We had already discussed the 'zone of comfort' price range, so all that really remained was a light hearted discussion to meet in the middle and the customary shaking of hands.
The conclusion of the deal would however need to wait until monday when the banks were open. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Dave Bilyk]

So what do you do on a Sunday when you are going to pick up your GT40 replica the next day, and you are waiting as patiently as a cat on a hot tin roof? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Best plan is to find another one to have a look at. To the rescue Stephen Barker, who lives about 1 hours drive from my parents home where I was staying the night, and was very obliging, allowing me to come to see his KVA. So June and I set off in the hire car for the Yorkshire Dales, the scenery was beautiful, and we stopped to take in the view on the way.
Now Stephen had arranged a meeting place because his place was not easy to find. Not only was it not easy to find, I thought I was going to need oxygen, it was so high up! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif With a breathtaking view of the area, his house is nestled high up on the side of a hill. His super KVA sits in a heated garage with plenty working space, among other things I loved the sumptuous magnolia leather interior. The drive he took me in the car was testament to the work he had put into the setup, the roads up there are narrow, twisty and bumpy, but the confidence with which the car could be driven was evident, and I was again reminded of that long remembered ride in the Austin Healey 3000.
So a most enjoyable day in the company of Stephen and his wife, and many thanks to them for their Yorkshire hospitality and for keeping me sane by occupying my day /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I do have some video for you Stephen, and must get round to processing it soon! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Congratulations Dave, welcome to the club. May your journey be a long and pleasant one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dave Bilyk]

Thanks Pete, nice sentiment, only been here for 3 months now, great forum, great people.
regards
Dave