New GT40 MFR in UK
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Simon, MDA (Mark Sibley)is a regular contributor on the forum. Send him an email at [email protected]
His website is MDA GT40
Better yet, Mark, do you have any news you would like to share with us??
[ October 26, 2002: Message edited by: Lynn Larsen ]
His website is MDA GT40
Better yet, Mark, do you have any news you would like to share with us??
[ October 26, 2002: Message edited by: Lynn Larsen ]
Dear Sirs, I have a new website, it is at www.gt40uk.com Thanks Lynn for Offering that I do contribute to this site. i am not just a supplier, I have advised many clients on how to build, register, SVA Test and upgrade their cars. there are not many people that i do not know in this country and abroad through working for GTD for nearly 9 years, then operating my own spares business for the last 8 years. I had two years before that building AC Cobra reps and Lamborghini Countach Reps. I currently have Two GT40's, The Bond car and an MDA Which is under construction. I also have a De Tomaso Pantera Lightweight, Which I hope will be ready to run also next year. I will continue to advise all customers if required, whether they are building GTD or others. GTD are no longer servicing the clients here, I am trying to fill the gap.
To the comments made as for the MDA being a DAX!! NO Way. I would love to find the source of the rumour that must have been by either an ill advised person or possibly a competitor. My body moulds were taken before DAX did theirs. My chassis was formed by an Ex Formula racing outfit. The MDA is accurate. The DAX was taller, And the mouniting points are totally different to the MDA. My chassis does not resemble a GTD either. The are many differences, When the Chassis photo's go up on site everyone will see that. From twenty paces on a side view a GT40 space frame looks much the same a any other, Though Mine will be easily identified from others by what is different. Years of upgrading and development work has gone into our products, Some 16 years actually. To the point where I have been supplying parts service and advise to customers Longer than most. Ive had my ups and downs through the last few years, but I am re-affirming my position in the GT40 world. I have stock that fits most GT40's, I have the skills and the knowledge from being involved from the early days of "Kit cars" through to the modern component built vehicles we all know and love now. I am not getting invloved with anyone else in my business, It is myself and a few loyal, trusted colleagues. there may be some that say Its GTD all over again. No it is not. For the last three years, It has been myself that has been supplying some of the parts that kept GTD going. GTD's lack of customer commitment is not mine. I have alway tried to advise clients to the best of my ability. As far as aI am concerned, there are no suppliers of Space frame chassis & body packages in the UK & Europe anymore. That it why we decided to offer our product and our help and advice to all those wishing to build or are building GT40's ove here. Yes we do make left hand chassis as well as right, They all have adjustable suspension and there are now Standard throw away parts on our products. We have a new facility in the West Country and we will be advertising and promoting our product. Our website is no pretty much ready for now and we look forward to talk to customers old and new.
yours faithfully
Mark Sibley
MDA
To the comments made as for the MDA being a DAX!! NO Way. I would love to find the source of the rumour that must have been by either an ill advised person or possibly a competitor. My body moulds were taken before DAX did theirs. My chassis was formed by an Ex Formula racing outfit. The MDA is accurate. The DAX was taller, And the mouniting points are totally different to the MDA. My chassis does not resemble a GTD either. The are many differences, When the Chassis photo's go up on site everyone will see that. From twenty paces on a side view a GT40 space frame looks much the same a any other, Though Mine will be easily identified from others by what is different. Years of upgrading and development work has gone into our products, Some 16 years actually. To the point where I have been supplying parts service and advise to customers Longer than most. Ive had my ups and downs through the last few years, but I am re-affirming my position in the GT40 world. I have stock that fits most GT40's, I have the skills and the knowledge from being involved from the early days of "Kit cars" through to the modern component built vehicles we all know and love now. I am not getting invloved with anyone else in my business, It is myself and a few loyal, trusted colleagues. there may be some that say Its GTD all over again. No it is not. For the last three years, It has been myself that has been supplying some of the parts that kept GTD going. GTD's lack of customer commitment is not mine. I have alway tried to advise clients to the best of my ability. As far as aI am concerned, there are no suppliers of Space frame chassis & body packages in the UK & Europe anymore. That it why we decided to offer our product and our help and advice to all those wishing to build or are building GT40's ove here. Yes we do make left hand chassis as well as right, They all have adjustable suspension and there are now Standard throw away parts on our products. We have a new facility in the West Country and we will be advertising and promoting our product. Our website is no pretty much ready for now and we look forward to talk to customers old and new.
yours faithfully
Mark Sibley
MDA
Hello again, That should have read, there are NO standard throw away parts on our products. That is to say We do not supply hub carriers that bend on cornering, or brakes that are not suitable for road let alone track use, or items that we know over years of developing and upgrading our products DO not work and we supply those that do. I hope this clarifies our standing and that all can see we have the customers interests at heart.
AS soon as the chassis photo's are available i will post them up on site for all to see how our products differ from others.
Best regards
Mark Sibley
MDA
AS soon as the chassis photo's are available i will post them up on site for all to see how our products differ from others.
Best regards
Mark Sibley
MDA
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MDA:
As far as aI am concerned, there are no suppliers of Space frame chassis & body packages in the UK & Europe anymore.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think that Tornado is offering tubular space frame chassis and body packages, also there is a German site that offers GT40.
Anyway, Mark, I wish you good luck on your project.
Regards,
Javier
As far as aI am concerned, there are no suppliers of Space frame chassis & body packages in the UK & Europe anymore.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think that Tornado is offering tubular space frame chassis and body packages, also there is a German site that offers GT40.
Anyway, Mark, I wish you good luck on your project.
Regards,
Javier
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Hello,
regarding the 'bendy uprights' that MDA might be referring to, this only occurred to my car after heavy competition use at hillclimbs and circuits and whilst using slicks, which in turn obviously load the components far more than road use ever would.
For general on road use they are perfectly adequate.
Roy Smart
regarding the 'bendy uprights' that MDA might be referring to, this only occurred to my car after heavy competition use at hillclimbs and circuits and whilst using slicks, which in turn obviously load the components far more than road use ever would.
For general on road use they are perfectly adequate.
Roy Smart
Hello Roy and all, I just refered to the uprights as an example to the fact that our car has had the natural progression of elimenating the obvious flaws that have been surfacing after racing and product longivety.
Due to the comments of a lot of guys doing any kind of track use, the standard brakes supplied with most GT's were totally inadequate. The spindles are fine for road use, and were the main choice of kit car manufacturers overall. The cortina unit has been used by everyone at one time or another. what I am saying is that we have developed those items out of our products. You will now only find parts that work engineered into our chassis. Im sorry to say "others" left the same old parts in thier chassis for years. They had ample opprotunity to change them and develop the car, and chose not to. Time for change.
Regards the Tornado, I dont think they have supplied a GT body chassis unit for years. I maybe wrong, but customers do not normally say there is not contact from a supplier unless there really is no contact.
As for the outfit in Germany, Ive never heard or seen them before. So I cant comment there. All I was trying to point out is, ive been doing this for 16 years and Im not going anywhere. If you need GT bits in the UK or Europe, in fact anywhere else, we are open for business.
regards
Mark Sibley
Due to the comments of a lot of guys doing any kind of track use, the standard brakes supplied with most GT's were totally inadequate. The spindles are fine for road use, and were the main choice of kit car manufacturers overall. The cortina unit has been used by everyone at one time or another. what I am saying is that we have developed those items out of our products. You will now only find parts that work engineered into our chassis. Im sorry to say "others" left the same old parts in thier chassis for years. They had ample opprotunity to change them and develop the car, and chose not to. Time for change.
Regards the Tornado, I dont think they have supplied a GT body chassis unit for years. I maybe wrong, but customers do not normally say there is not contact from a supplier unless there really is no contact.
As for the outfit in Germany, Ive never heard or seen them before. So I cant comment there. All I was trying to point out is, ive been doing this for 16 years and Im not going anywhere. If you need GT bits in the UK or Europe, in fact anywhere else, we are open for business.
regards
Mark Sibley
Mark
I am absolutely shocked at some of the remarks you have made on the forum with reference to Tornado Sports cars not supplying GT40 body chassis units.
Do you not read any of the UK kit car mags?
Have you not seen our advets?
Do you not read the GT40 Enthusiasts club magazine?
You are skating on thin ice.
We have supplied GT40 replica body chassis units plus the parts required to complete them since 1989 and continue to do so.
For somebody who has such an extensive knowledge of the GT40 replica scene as indicated by your posts you do not seem to know much at all.
I will contact you by telephone to discuss the legal implications.
Andy
I am absolutely shocked at some of the remarks you have made on the forum with reference to Tornado Sports cars not supplying GT40 body chassis units.
Do you not read any of the UK kit car mags?
Have you not seen our advets?
Do you not read the GT40 Enthusiasts club magazine?
You are skating on thin ice.
We have supplied GT40 replica body chassis units plus the parts required to complete them since 1989 and continue to do so.
For somebody who has such an extensive knowledge of the GT40 replica scene as indicated by your posts you do not seem to know much at all.
I will contact you by telephone to discuss the legal implications.
Andy
Andy, You may well throw words around, however I was merely reinterating what has been said amonst prospective customers. I was told that when asked for Body chassis units a while ago, you were reported in saying "Im too busy at present, Come back in September" If you did not say that, then the customer was wrong not me. Thats the trouble with this business, everyone says things that sometimes dont have any eliments of truth about them. Hence the comment that was made about my car being a DAX copy. There are always those that like to stir the mud to see where it goes. If you are supplying body chassis units, then my information is wrong. You may advertise, as I do. I was told you were so busy in your new car , that you hadn't the time to supply Forties. If that is also not true, then that again was bad information. I didn't set out to offend but merely give an objective point of view. As both a customer and a manufacturer. There are many comments made on this forum and off. This is a small and fickle market place to be in. There is no room for back biting, yet it happens all the time. Like i said, I didn't set out to offend anyone, But if you took it as offence, thats up to you. Next time I will ring you myself to find out the truth, not relying on others for information. There is nothing slanderous in my statement and if you wish to discuss this matter further, I can visit you if you wish.
Mark Sibley
Mark Sibley
Andy, Again, If you read my comment it says I think you had not supplied a body chassis unit and that I may be wrong. That means what it says. Thats the whole purpose of the forum, an open chat session where people can ask, report, discuss and debate. If my comments were unfounded, then its up to someone to correct me. Not threaten with legal action. This is still a free country, at present. If you are very much still in business, then I am corrected. Although I am not appologizing as my comments were not ment to offend. I did not demean your product or your name.
As I Said above, I did not intend to cause offence. I have said this publicly on this forum as I have nothing to hide.
Best of luck with your new car, I hear that it is a good product. About time soneone did a wide bodied seven version for all us that are too big to get in them.
Mark Sibley
As I Said above, I did not intend to cause offence. I have said this publicly on this forum as I have nothing to hide.
Best of luck with your new car, I hear that it is a good product. About time soneone did a wide bodied seven version for all us that are too big to get in them.
Mark Sibley
Dear All, I have Phoned Andy Sheldon to talk to him directly regards the above debate. Andy is still alive and well and still very much in business. It goes to show you cant believe all you hear. Andy is producing the Tornado and the Raptor. I have posted this to say that I may have made a comment that was unfounded above. "That Tornado may not have supplied a GT40 for some time". This is incorrect. I have set the record straight. My second hand information was incorrect. That will teach me to have the facts direct from the source in future.
Andy and I have discussed this and there are no problems between us. Like I said before, this is a fickle market place and there is no room for falling out. Andy is now aware that i had responded to a comment made by another guy and that it wasnt meant as an affront to Tornado, but just a debate topic.
Thanks to Ron, we have sorted this issue out and thank you for your help and patience in this matter.
all the very best
Mark Sibley
Andy and I have discussed this and there are no problems between us. Like I said before, this is a fickle market place and there is no room for falling out. Andy is now aware that i had responded to a comment made by another guy and that it wasnt meant as an affront to Tornado, but just a debate topic.
Thanks to Ron, we have sorted this issue out and thank you for your help and patience in this matter.
all the very best
Mark Sibley
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Andrew,
I think you are misjudging the situation completely. I do not think anyone has said their product is any better than anyone else just availability of kits or spare parts.
One thing is certain though --- the various suppliers are responding and hopefully people will now have a choice as to who they want to deal with.
All our 40s are so very different and so are the drivers and their ability to build or drive.
Let,s not spoil the whole thing by creating a " Mines better than yours" scenario.
Regards to all you diverse 40 owners.
GTA.
I think you are misjudging the situation completely. I do not think anyone has said their product is any better than anyone else just availability of kits or spare parts.
One thing is certain though --- the various suppliers are responding and hopefully people will now have a choice as to who they want to deal with.
All our 40s are so very different and so are the drivers and their ability to build or drive.
Let,s not spoil the whole thing by creating a " Mines better than yours" scenario.
Regards to all you diverse 40 owners.
GTA.
I've had a phone call from a chap who runs a well known serios race team in the UK who has a driver who wants to run a replica GT40 in a race series next year.
He asked me which manufacturer to approach to buy a kit from which he could develop a car.
I gave him phone numbers of others who I though were best to advise him, but if any manufacturer out there is interested then just contact me and I'll put you in touch!!
Chris Edwards, Secretary, GT40 Enthusiasts Club
He asked me which manufacturer to approach to buy a kit from which he could develop a car.
I gave him phone numbers of others who I though were best to advise him, but if any manufacturer out there is interested then just contact me and I'll put you in touch!!
Chris Edwards, Secretary, GT40 Enthusiasts Club
Andrew
Like GTA says its not a case of mine is better than yours. We simply wanted to clear up the rumours about the Tornado TS40 not being available anymore which is not true.
Our 40 replica has been in full production by the same company since 1989. Thats 13 years of continuous, un interupted production. No other 40 manufacturer in the world has a better record. It speaks for itself.
Andy
Like GTA says its not a case of mine is better than yours. We simply wanted to clear up the rumours about the Tornado TS40 not being available anymore which is not true.
Our 40 replica has been in full production by the same company since 1989. Thats 13 years of continuous, un interupted production. No other 40 manufacturer in the world has a better record. It speaks for itself.
Andy
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This is an interesting thread!
Let's put all the claims and counter claims to the test. The GTD40 Car Club will provide a GTD 40 for a comparative road test against a Tornado, MDA and any other GT 40 replicas manufacturers or owners want to put forward.
We have race proven drivers, GPS data recording equipment and access to a test track. We promise unbiased journalism (i.e. the GTD will not necessarily win) and will publish the results in our well known quarterly Club magazine and on our website at www.gtd40club.co.uk
If we get enough response from owners of Safirs, ERAs, KVAs, CAVs etc. I will try to get one of the International magazines to run it. They recently did something similar in "Classic Cars" on real and replica Cobras.
Mike and Andy, if you believe in your product as much as you are saying, please reply on this Forum with some dates when you will have a car available. A specification would be appreciated so that we can match the GTD as closely as possible from the many cars we have available to us.
I can't wait to hear from you both.
Andrew Fordyce. Secretary GTD 40 Car Club.
Let's put all the claims and counter claims to the test. The GTD40 Car Club will provide a GTD 40 for a comparative road test against a Tornado, MDA and any other GT 40 replicas manufacturers or owners want to put forward.
We have race proven drivers, GPS data recording equipment and access to a test track. We promise unbiased journalism (i.e. the GTD will not necessarily win) and will publish the results in our well known quarterly Club magazine and on our website at www.gtd40club.co.uk
If we get enough response from owners of Safirs, ERAs, KVAs, CAVs etc. I will try to get one of the International magazines to run it. They recently did something similar in "Classic Cars" on real and replica Cobras.
Mike and Andy, if you believe in your product as much as you are saying, please reply on this Forum with some dates when you will have a car available. A specification would be appreciated so that we can match the GTD as closely as possible from the many cars we have available to us.
I can't wait to hear from you both.
Andrew Fordyce. Secretary GTD 40 Car Club.
Gents
There is room in this industry for all "quality" suppliers. What we consumers would like to know is what
distinguishes one product (in this case
a very expensive toy) from another.
It's a fair question to ask.
An independent evaluation would be a real
neat thing. Several years ago Kit Car
magazine did a comparison between (3)
different GT40 replicas, offering the pros
and the cons of each. It didn't rank these
kits in any order...just pointed out the
differences that might be important to
a very diverse buying public.
Unfortunately Kit Car has now developed
a case of not wanting to offend anyone,
so don't look for any comparison tests
any time soon from them.
I also get the sense that most manufacturers
are hesitant to participate in any kind of head to head comparison for fear that the evaluation may not be "fair" to them.
My response to them is they should already know their products pros and cons and be prepared to share that info. Otherwise don't
complain about "fairness" and "honesty".
Andrew, good luck...you'll need it.
MikeD
There is room in this industry for all "quality" suppliers. What we consumers would like to know is what
distinguishes one product (in this case
a very expensive toy) from another.
It's a fair question to ask.
An independent evaluation would be a real
neat thing. Several years ago Kit Car
magazine did a comparison between (3)
different GT40 replicas, offering the pros
and the cons of each. It didn't rank these
kits in any order...just pointed out the
differences that might be important to
a very diverse buying public.
Unfortunately Kit Car has now developed
a case of not wanting to offend anyone,
so don't look for any comparison tests
any time soon from them.
I also get the sense that most manufacturers
are hesitant to participate in any kind of head to head comparison for fear that the evaluation may not be "fair" to them.
My response to them is they should already know their products pros and cons and be prepared to share that info. Otherwise don't
complain about "fairness" and "honesty".
Andrew, good luck...you'll need it.
MikeD
Ron Earp
Admin
Actually, I kind of like the idea of a test. Unfortunately, the determination of which test critera would be critical.
Some cars make better road cars than others. Some are more faithful replications of the original than others. Some are better track cars than others.
An "All Conclusive" test could be generated to rank each one where appropriate - just like a "Car and Driver" test with performance, comfort, looks, originality, etc. all given appropriate scores.
Now, each manufactuer would have to send a car in whatever trim they'd like with whichever motor they feel appropriate. So, CAV, ERA, RF, Tornado, MDA, and GT Supercars etc. could all provide examples. But should these be current production GT40 replicas? If so, then GTDs are out since I'm assuming they are not made anymore (no offense to GTD cars or the club, just not really sure what is going on there). If not limited to current productions then do we use Safirs, GTDs, etc. and anything else we can find, even though not available?
Neat concept. Good luck in pulling it off. My guess is manufacturers are not going to agree to a time, place, or format. Now, if one of them would stand up and lead the way we'd be off to a good start in this subset of the replica industry.
Or, let me make it easy - each manufacturer just send me a car here in North Carolina and Lynn and I will test'em out for you and let you know who won!
Ron
[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: Ron Earp ]
Some cars make better road cars than others. Some are more faithful replications of the original than others. Some are better track cars than others.
An "All Conclusive" test could be generated to rank each one where appropriate - just like a "Car and Driver" test with performance, comfort, looks, originality, etc. all given appropriate scores.
Now, each manufactuer would have to send a car in whatever trim they'd like with whichever motor they feel appropriate. So, CAV, ERA, RF, Tornado, MDA, and GT Supercars etc. could all provide examples. But should these be current production GT40 replicas? If so, then GTDs are out since I'm assuming they are not made anymore (no offense to GTD cars or the club, just not really sure what is going on there). If not limited to current productions then do we use Safirs, GTDs, etc. and anything else we can find, even though not available?
Neat concept. Good luck in pulling it off. My guess is manufacturers are not going to agree to a time, place, or format. Now, if one of them would stand up and lead the way we'd be off to a good start in this subset of the replica industry.
Or, let me make it easy - each manufacturer just send me a car here in North Carolina and Lynn and I will test'em out for you and let you know who won!
Ron
[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: Ron Earp ]
They can only be tested at Goodwood, on the same track that the original cars were tested, which is still exactly the same today. Frank