This might have been discussed to death, but I was wondering if you guys could give me pointers. I have been looking at GT40 kits, and so far I have seen the RCR offer three levels of kits; Active Power offers a kit and additional parts at an extra cost. My idea is to buy a kit that I can build myself; I will buy parts as I go. RCR offers three levels of kits; which one would you recommend? Is it a better idea to get the base kit and acquire parts as I go? I feel that their basic kit is a tad barebones; is this an option for people that are trying to find their own parts at a lower price? Also, the Active Power option seems to be more affordable, but Steve Arden no longer owns the company, and what bugs me the most is that their website hasn’t been updated for a long time. Has anybody worked with the new owners recently? If there is tread that answers these questions please delete it. Thank you!
What kit to get
- Thread starter Gt40fan-ags
- Start date
Randy Folsom
Supporter
I bought the RCR Deluxe Plus. I expect to use almost all the provided parts and sub assemblies. So far the only item I won’t use is the hand brake since I plan to use an electric parking brake.
My thinking is that the other kits from RCR are for those that have a very specific build plan such as a track car and want for example a higher capacity cooling system, or they are building a tribute car and plan to use period correct parts. In both cases, the cost is likely higher. These kits can never be truly accurate since the original cars were hand built from formed steel panels. Most kits are tube and panel while the RCR is aluminum. You might also want to consider how long it takes from order to delivery. I don’t know how long other kits take, but RCR is typically a year. Longer if RCR is asked to do things like the +2 flares, body alignment, etc.
With all that said, I am very impressed with the RCR kit. The craftsmanship is really nice and I am enjoying the build. Hope this helps.
My thinking is that the other kits from RCR are for those that have a very specific build plan such as a track car and want for example a higher capacity cooling system, or they are building a tribute car and plan to use period correct parts. In both cases, the cost is likely higher. These kits can never be truly accurate since the original cars were hand built from formed steel panels. Most kits are tube and panel while the RCR is aluminum. You might also want to consider how long it takes from order to delivery. I don’t know how long other kits take, but RCR is typically a year. Longer if RCR is asked to do things like the +2 flares, body alignment, etc.
With all that said, I am very impressed with the RCR kit. The craftsmanship is really nice and I am enjoying the build. Hope this helps.
you probably need to tell everyone which part of the world you live in
Bill Kearley
Supporter
Your skill level should play a big part in your choice. See my PM
Davidmgbv8
Supporter
By one done!
I’m in the US in Georgia; I should have mentioned that before! About buying it built; back in 2006 or something like that I saw a replica for sale on eBay; and back then prices were way way lower…to bad I was a broke student then. I kinda want to build my own; it makes it more satisfying to me. I need something to have as goal other than the daily grind of life.
Randy Folsom
Supporter
Andres,
I have experienced buying a partially completed kit car (FFR Mk3 Roadster). I would never do that again unless I knew the builder or they had a really well documented build log. Same for buying a completed car. Personally, the build process is why I bought an RCR kit in the first place. The one down side is the delivery wait time, but that just gives you plenty of time to review build logs (which you absolutely need to do) and to develop skills like welding.
Cheers, Randy
I have experienced buying a partially completed kit car (FFR Mk3 Roadster). I would never do that again unless I knew the builder or they had a really well documented build log. Same for buying a completed car. Personally, the build process is why I bought an RCR kit in the first place. The one down side is the delivery wait time, but that just gives you plenty of time to review build logs (which you absolutely need to do) and to develop skills like welding.
Cheers, Randy
Bill Kearley
Supporter
Randy Folsom
Supporter
Bill,
It looks great. Mine is sidelined while I work on the RCR40. I only bought it because I was going stir crazy waiting for delivery. I thought I could finish it in a few months, but I couldn’t resist fixing issues making it better
So now it waits until the RCR40 is done. I am going to try to spend a few days a month on it so I don’t lose track of what needs to be done. Cheers, Randy
