New member from Surrey UK

[James P]

Hi All,

I am just messaging to say hello from Surrey in the UK. I am a longtime lurker on this forum, but having reached a certain age in life, at some point in the foreseeable future I will hopefully have the means and time to commit to building something worthy of comparison to the amazing works I have seen on here. Living in Surrey, my two local carmakers are GMA and McLaren so its quite common to see exotica on the roads...P1's MP12C, 750S, T50 etc...

Originally I was set on building a GT40 replica, as it was my late father's favourite car, and I may still do this. Lately I have become more interested in something a little more extreme, and am giving consideration to an SLC. Given I am in the UK, there is a relative glut of cheaper European engines to choose from, but I have seen that shoehorning a V10 into the SLC chassis requires some work to get it to fit, but I would lean towards an Audi V10/Graziano MT as the engine and gearbox should go together easily at least.

I'll make good use of the search function before asking any questions!

 

[Ian Anderson]

Welcome to the forum. There is a reasonably active group of Surrey gt40 Enthusiasts what meet monthly. Have a look at the enthusiasts site for details

SLC is nice but check on windscreen as in order to get IVA you need it rated correctly
Also not sure if front lights are at legal heights for the UK

 

[Brian Kissel]

Welcome to GT40's James. I believe RCR has built a chassis that has accommodated a Audi V10. As you say, the search function is your friend. There are a ton of talented builders on this forum, and they are very helpful.
Enjoy the forum.

Regards Brian

 

[James P]

Thanks for the replies, both.

Its been a long time since I have been on a car forum - its been nearly 20 years since I sold my Supra and I don't even know if MKIVSUPRA.NET is still running (just checked... it is).

 

[James P]

Welcome to the forum. There is a reasonably active group of Surrey gt40 Enthusiasts what meet monthly. Have a look at the enthusiasts site for details

SLC is nice but check on windscreen as in order to get IVA you need it rated correctly
Also not sure if front lights are at legal heights for the UK

Thanks for the advice - I didn't know about the windscreen or the lights, but that's why I need to do my homework...

 

[Steve Dean]

Hi James,
Welcome to the forum. Whilst I agree that the SLC looks very desirable, before you even think about one you need to study the current IVA manual and make sure you fully comprehend what it would take to get it through the very comprehensive 4-5 hour long test. Ian Anderson has already pointed out a few things and there will be many more. Fran Hall at RCR/SLC can be helpful but the car is not targeted at the UK market. Also be very mindful that you don't have much time left. It will be 2027 before you get started and that leaves you only 3 years to build it, address all the issues, get it through IVA and registered before 2030. In practical terms that gives you around 2 years, unless you can devote a considerable amount of time to the build.
I've not heard of anyone who has got one through the current IVA ....... any input would welcome.
Best regards
Steve.

 

[Brian Kissel]

Very good information Steve. Thank You for posting.

Regards Brian

 

[James P]

Hi James,
Welcome to the forum. Whilst I agree that the SLC looks very desirable, before you even think about one you need to study the current IVA manual and make sure you fully comprehend what it would take to get it through the very comprehensive 4-5 hour long test. Ian Anderson has already pointed out a few things and there will be many more. Fran Hall at RCR/SLC can be helpful but the car is not targeted at the UK market. Also be very mindful that you don't have much time left. It will be 2027 before you get started and that leaves you only 3 years to build it, address all the issues, get it through IVA and registered before 2030. In practical terms that gives you around 2 years, unless you can devote a considerable amount of time to the build.
I've not heard of anyone who has got one through the current IVA ....... any input would welcome.
Best regards
Steve.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your sensible (sobering) assessment of the job of getting a road legal UK registered SL-C. I was going to ask at some point if anyone had got one road legal in the UK as yet but it appears that the answer may be no.

Therefore if I do get one through the IVA, then it would (at present) be completely unique on UK roads...

On the point of 2030/timings I was under the impression that it related to new vehicles only, and this was determined by the the age of the engine not the car itself? i.e. if you had a 1960's original ford block, then the date of the vehicle was set as such and it would be registered on a plate from that year... so if I were to build an SL-C, and put an Audi V10 in it, and had the V5 of the original donor vehicle, then its is in effect not a 'new' car as the engine is from an old car....

Am I wrong on this point?

 

[Mike Pass]

The emissions required at IVA depends on the age of the block. e.g. .Pre 1975 the requirement is "no visible smoke" which is why pre '75 engine blocks are in demand. A modern engine would need to meet modern emissions levels and fuel injection and cats would be essential. Further - the levels set at IVA will stay with the car for every future MoT test. Any emission level can be achieved but some are easier and cheaper than others!
The window issue can be done. The windows have to be E marked. You can get E marked plastic windows but the windscreen for practical purposes would need to be glass. There are companies who do one off screens if you can't get a suitable screen from Fran. You are only really allowed one major used component which is usually the engine for cost reasons. The rest is a matter of making sure that you tick all the IVA boxes. The guys at the VOSA centres don't want to fail your car - indeed they are very helpful in my experience but they have boxes which must be ticked. Also if your car fails on certain items then only these are checked at the retest.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Mike Pass]

When your car passes IVA then you will be given a modern date reg number. However you can change the reg number. You can change to an older number but not a newer one.

 

[James P]

The emissions required at IVA depends on the age of the block. e.g. .Pre 1975 the requirement is "no visible smoke" which is why pre '75 engine blocks are in demand. A modern engine would need to meet modern emissions levels and fuel injection and cats would be essential. Further - the levels set at IVA will stay with the car for every future MoT test. Any emission level can be achieved but some are easier and cheaper than others!
The window issue can be done. The windows have to be E marked. You can get E marked plastic windows but the windscreen for practical purposes would need to be glass. There are companies who do one off screens if you can't get a suitable screen from Fran. You are only really allowed one major used component which is usually the engine for cost reasons. The rest is a matter of making sure that you tick all the IVA boxes. The guys at the VOSA centres don't want to fail your car - indeed they are very helpful in my experience but they have boxes which must be ticked. Also if your car fails on certain items then only these are checked at the retest.
Cheers
Mike

Thanks for your comments and input, Mike

I was aware of the ability to register a newer vehicle on an older plate, but as the SL-c is modern I would no be fussed about it but I can see why a GT40 replica owner would consider doing this.

I was presuming that a modern euro 5+ engine which could go in an SLC build would, by virtue of being modern, pass emissions without issue (yes I concede an exhaust with cats, emission-sensitive tuning/ECU etc. would clearly be required)

What I need to find my way through (before ordering anything!) is what the discrepancies between the SL-C kit as supplied for the US market and the requirements of the IVA are... and ideally avoid ordering the parts which aren't suitable for the UK to avoid adding unnecessary cost.

Thanks for your comments about the VOSA centres, I always presumed taking a vehicle for an IVA was a bit like entering a kangaroo court having read countless stories of failures...

 

[Ian Anderson]

Front lights for one USA and Europe drive on the right of the road we drive on the left
The dipping beam needs to cut off correctly so the lights do not dazzle the oncoming cars.

Ian

 

[Ian Anderson]

Tyres need to be e marked not USA spec the test centre did not like my BF Goodrich

All lights need to have the specific E marks

Seat belts need to be push button release not turn to release

Etc

Ian

 

[James P]

Front lights for one USA and Europe drive on the right of the road we drive on the left
The dipping beam needs to cut off correctly so the lights do not dazzle the oncoming cars.

Ian

I see, I think I got confused looking at the actual headlight unit height from the road and more than/less than 850mm height. Yes the cut off needs to be different of course for RHD.

Re: tyres, not the end of the world, if vehicle needs to roll but if I could omit from an order that would save wastage (or just practice burnouts?! once IVA'd) I was aware, if I recall tyres supplied to USA are OK for USA/Australia market but not UK.

I would probably go with locally sourced seats and belts to save costs and again, make sure they are push-button.

Wow - what a list of things to be aware of so far...

 

[Kayp]

Welcome

 

[Adrian Starling]

Hi James, I live in Surrey and have a 2024 Tornado un started Gt40 MK1 full build spec’d as Gulf 1076 with extras such as period head lamps (Marchal), brake lights(SEV Marchal - French), driver ID lights (Spitfire), lower driver lights (Marchal) with engine of choice (1987 302 Windsor or 1968 302 SBF Real Steel 302 spec’d motors) and Lee Dawson full MK1 wide body - £90k (depending on engine choice) or
a current mot’d KCC GT40 with a rolling chassis (GT Forte complete with all suspension and aluminium panels as an extra ) and rear MK1 clip thrown in - £53k
I will be listing both options next week with pictures to conform to the rules of our forum. Kind regards, Adrian

 

[Neil]

Does anyone use a Boss 302 in their GT40? The one with the metal O-ring head gaskets.

 

[James P]

I see, I think I got confused looking at the actual headlight unit height from the road and more than/less than 850mm height. Yes the cut off needs to be different of course for RHD.

Re: tyres, not the end of the world, if vehicle needs to roll but if I could omit from an order that would save wastage (or just practice burnouts?! once IVA'd) I was aware, if I recall tyres supplied to USA are OK for USA/Australia market but not UK.

I would probably go with locally sourced seats and belts to save costs and again, make sure they are push-button.

Wow - what a list of things to be aware of so far...

I was looking at the spec list, and the SLC is offered left or right hand drive, I didn't check the really small print, but would need to check if that includes the headlamp aim or just the dash...