RCR Visit, March 2013

[Chuck]

Business took me north, so stopped by and visited Fran.

The new facility is coming along nicely. Very impressive and so much more room than the current facility. Note the picture of the soon to be shop area. A reproduction of a vintage Ford flat bed truck is well under way. RCR continues to diversify.

The new facility will have a much enlarged shop area, but also multiple offices, show room and display areas. A soon-to-be destination vacation location for car guys.

 

[Chuck]

An LMP was in the late stages of assembly. This is a stunning vehicle. Strictly a track car, with impressive details. Like mirror image suspension pieces, left to right, so fewer spares need be carried to the track. Or assemblies that can be removed in sections, to speed replacement if needed.

 

[Justin]

Looks like the LMP is progressing very well. And the D type appears again in the background!

Thanks for the pics.

 

[Pat]

Those are great pictures of the LMP. That is a work of art. Almost makes me not want to beat it up on the track. No, it's built to embarrass cars costing four times as much so that's what I'm going to do!!

 

[Chuck]

Another goodie: sequential gear box.

When we last visited, the Apex was a clay mockup. It is now a fiberglass shell.

 

[Pat]

Is that the sequential going in the 01?

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Its just a fallback solution in case the Sadev race boxes are much later than they are currently...

Thats an Elite BTW.

 

[Pat]

Can I have it if the Sadev's arrive on time?

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

It may become available for sale...wont work in an LMP though..:lipsrsealed:

 

[Pat]

I know but I'll find something to put it in!! Maybe a repowered LS powered SLC.. Humm.. Or do you think it could be adapted to a diesel of some sort?

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

LOL...

 

[Chuck]

A gorgeous D Type body shell, in British Racing Green, was the first thing that greeted us when entering the shop area. The proportions look very good. Nice quality gel coat finish.

Fran took time to give me good overview of the plans for this car. Like the original, virtually all of the visible interior will be aluminum. Solid axle in the rear with flat shaped trailing arms like the original. Front suspension control arms from a Jag. Raise the front clip and the resemblance to the original should be apparent. Louver inserts on the hood fabricated from aluminum. Option of a tail fin or not (the non fin shown in the pics). It will be set up for a Jag straight six and a Tremec transmission. Right hand drive only. Wheelbase 90" as on the original. Shooting for a target weight of 2000 pounds; close to the original. Pedals hang rather than floor mounted, like the original. Dunlop style wheels have been sourced which are nice reproductions.

 

[Ricardo Montalvo]

An LMP was in the late stages of assembly. This is a stunning vehicle. Strictly a track car, with impressive details. Like mirror image suspension pieces, left to right, so fewer spares need be carried to the track. Or assemblies that can be removed in sections, to speed replacement if needed.

I see room for a passenger and baby seat. How about it Fran?

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

If you have a baby I will make a seat for it.....hows that?

 

[Doc Kaler]

Difficult to find baby-size 6 point harness, full-face helmet and drivers suit though......

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Could put a Go-pro on the baby like the new TV commercial too.....

 

[Ricardo Montalvo]

Touche.

The Go-pro commercials are great.

 

[Justin]

Thanks for the D type pics! Beautiful!

 

[Mesa]

I just watched the Jaguar edition of Victory By Design and now I am an "expert" on the cars A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....so is this the long nose version of the D type?

 

[Justin]

Yes. Long nose.