Why did you decide to build a GT40?

[Bill D]

Many people ask me why I want to build a GT40 when I already have a Cobra Roadster that is truly beautiful. For me, it's the lines of the car, it's rich racing legacy, and it's exotic looks. I would like to hear from others. What sparked you to build/own one?

Thanks
Bill D
Los Angeles, CA, USA

 

[Neal]

Funny, I chose a similar path. Sold the Cobra, built a 40.

Historic significance
Challenge of the build
Knockout looks
Uniqueness
Mid-engine layout
Irrational Exuberance.
This darn forum!

This time build a Cobra, keep the 40!

 

[Tim Kay]

Closest thing to pure sex. It's the most beautiful thing in the room and doesn't have all the emotional, complicated baggage. Just keep 'er filled with high grade petrol and you can ride her till your hearts content /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hmm, is there something in that above statement that indicates why I'm single?

 

[Bill Musarra]

I had wanted to build a mid engine car for yearssssss. Had designed a body, chassis, and suspension myself over 20 years ago(nowhere as good as what is being done today). Somehow I missed the GT40 until about 5-6 years ago when I stumbled onto the English forums and the KVAs. I knew all the advantages but could not find what I wanted and finally settled on the 85 Lotus Esprit. Then I found the GT40, and I haven't looked back since. The Internet in general, the manufacturers, and this forum in particular has expanded the knowledge base about building, engieering and support, 10,000 fold. Without it, I probably would have given up and bought one already built, hoping to never break it.

Bill

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

For all the reasons in the previous post's, but the catalyst
was I took delivery of a Jaguar, which my lovely wife called "an old mans car" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif.So I went straight out and paid the deposit on the GT40.Something that can never be referred to as an old mans car, whatever the age of the driver /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Best thing I ever did. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

"BLING" is the number #1 reason.

2nd,
Because it came in as a kit, so I can do what ever I wanted to do with it (boom box and all). If 94 Viper or 67 Corvette came in as a kit, I probably would have done those.
Could not care less about Lemans, shelby, ford Vs chevy Vs dodge, etc.

7 years ago, I would take my Cobra out and people would freak out. Now, they are dime a 12. Few years from now, it will be the same with all the 40s. Don't get me wrong, they both still have lots of bling /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Tim Kay]

[ QUOTE ]
Cobra.....Now, they are dime a 12. Few years from now, it will be the same with all the 40s


[/ QUOTE ]

I believe the entry price for the GT40 is prohibitive for them to become a 'dime a 12'.

More important, I simply hope that's not the case. Faili, we'll celebrate with you if you turn out to be wrong /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Also, look at what's available in kit's today. Anyone that went to Carlisle can certainly attest to all the new and established manufacturers competing for a relatively small niche customer. Does anyone know if Cobra sales have dropped off for this reason? I suspect yes.

On the other hand, for the very same reason I don't believe these cars will gain value. They will depreciate just like any other car. At least I know my GT40's going to look like she was "rode hard a put away wet" by the time I get ready to sell 'er /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'll probably have to give it away /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mike_starling]

In college I was fortunate enough to pit steward at the Daytona Continental 24 hour race during the Ford-Ferrari wars. Fell in love with the Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and GT 40.

Have an nice non-donor build FFR Cobra with a Coast Industries 347 stroker that has plenty of gitty-up ;>) Very exciting to drive.

The GT40 is just a level or two of bling better and had a reputation of handling much better than the Cobra. When I got the chance to acquire a GT40 kit at a price I could afford, the temptation was simply too great!

I'll be most pleased to have both in the garage.

 

I built 2 Cobras,one small block,one FE big block.Now these are getting old hat.Need more of a challenge,something you don't see at every cruise you go to.Always loved the look.

 

[Lynn Larsen]

Well I was hooked on cars at an early age having started racing 1/4 midgets in northern California at the age of 4 (same year I started kindergarten ~'56.) My Dad was always turning wrenches for some stock car or another and we went to the stock car races nearly every Saturday night and raced 1/4 midgets on Sunday afternoons.

I got hooked into the Daytona 24 hours just a bit after you Mike: I went to high school in central Florida and started going to the 24 Hours when I got my drivers license around '67. There were still a few Ford GTs running then, but the big rivalry was between the Porsche 917s and the Ferrari 512s. I have wanted to build a mid engine car ever since then having sent off for my 1st info packet for the Amante GT in '69 (found most of the material just before I bought the Sabre.) When I reached the point that it became feasible, I considered others, but the GT40 seemed to most well thought out, reasonably engineered and doable. Like others have mentioned, Cobras seemed to be too common and I wanted something that would allow me to not to meet myself going down the road (and it isn't mid engined.) The Fiero based cars were just too kludgy or were all show and no go.

Truth be known, if I hadn't lost me medical, I would have probably built an airplane, but since I couldn't legally be pilot in command, I went back to the original idea of the mid engine sports car. The rest, as they say, is history. Even with all the hassles, blood, sweat and tears that have gone into getting this car to the point it is, setting in the garage as I type, I am glad I did it and I find it quite satisfying to have accomplished it.

Regards,
Lynn

 

I lusted over the Cobras ever since I saw them on TV back in the early 1960s. Then about 14 years ago I went to a shop to see an original Cobra. When I walked in there was an original white GT-40 with blue stripes with a # 2 on it. After getting over the shock of actually seeing one and talking the ears off the English mechanic that had worked on it I hardly even looked at the Cobra. Then to my suprise the mechanic asked me if I wanted to take a ride in it. Wow !! Well he took me around the parking lot at the top speed of about 10 mph. To say the least I never thought about a Cobra again. 12 years later after searching and looking and learning everything I could about the 40 I finally talked to Bob Lacey and the rest is history. I have CAV #8. Best thing I ever did. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Joseph
PS: There is no other car with bling like a GT-40 !!!!

 

[Tommy]

the 66 427 has no roof and that 850 double pumper HOlley drinks petrol. i guess you could say it's petrolholic.
the 68 gt40 has ac,dvd and a roof, thus it's my everday driver.

the 90 Mustang GT vert gets sold this summer. had fun in Nashville, won an award but time to move on

 

[Howard Jones]

1. Everybody in Calif has already built a cobra.

2. Several good years in the market.

3. I hate corvettes.

4. The ass end looks latin.

5. The front end looks like it will eat you.

6. I needed something to take my mind off a job I hate.

7. The motor is in the correct place.

8. It has the correct number of seats.

9. Too old to ride motorcycles anymore.

10. Wife said I could.

 

[Chris Kouba]

[ QUOTE ]
6. I needed something to take my mind off a job I hate.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen brother. This is the void this forum currently fills for me until I can fill my garage with hardware.

 

[David Tickle]

Here's a reply from across the water! Having just celebrated my 50th birthday (including enough noise to annoy the local police), I was suffering from mid age crisis! Work had got a little boring, so a project was called for.
I had previously thought of restoring a Lotus Europa, but couldn't find one. So now, the idea of a kit car crossed my mind. Lotus 7 type????? No if I was going to build a car, there was only one.
In the 60's and 70's, British television showed the Le Mans race live on the sports programs. When the GT40's were winning, I had just become interested in motorsport and I could see the cars at the British circuits such as Oulton Park (my local), Silverstone and Brands Hatch.
So for my project, there was only one choice. After an insufficient amount of research, I bought a part built one. The rest of the story is only blood, sweat, curses and tears, but we all know about that don't we!

Regards
Dave Tickle

 

[Craig White]

[ QUOTE ]
Funny, I chose a similar path. Sold the Cobra, built a 40.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same thing here...except found a complete GT40 that was in need of a rebuild. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We've had at least 4 other members of our local Cobra club move from Cobras to GT40s.

 

[John W]

I have already built a Caterham 7, have done the Porsche thing, and was looking for another track biased car to build.
I felt the need for a muscle car rather than a nimble lightweight and the shortlist was to restore a Panterra, or build an Ultima or a GT40. The wife preferred the look of the GT40 (and so did I), so decision made /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'd been keeping an eye on the GTD kits since the eary 90s, but never had the space or spare cash to do anything about it, until now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Paul]

Loved the shape of the car since I saw them on the TV racing and stood next to one at Lord Monty's place as a teenager blew me away. Had to build one when I go the chance.

 

[Peter Delaney]

I think that the GT40 is the definition of the perfect mid-engine sports car design. There have been hundreds of variants since the 60's, but they are all based on the GT40 theme, one way or the other - just changes in character lines & other decorative bits - none of which (IMHO) look as good as the original.

The design has stood the test of time - how many other 40 year old cars look like they just rolled out of the show-room as the latest offering from one of the "exotic" manufacturers, or have been closely replicated and offered by a major player as their ultimate sports car of today ?

(Not that I might be just a tiny bit biased) !!!

Kind Regards,

Peter D.

 

[ChrisL]

There is absolutely no logical reason in the world that I can think of for building the GT40. It is absolute madness. It is totally impractical and serves no useful purpose whatever.

Now the illogical reasons for building it are…
1)It just takes my breath away each time I open the garage door
2)There is (almost) nothing more exciting than the anticipation as you slip into that seat.
3)The engine sits just inches behind your rear
4)The sound of that engine is music to my ears
5)The butterflies fly every time I put the pedal to the metal
6)It puts the broadest grin on children’s faces (including big children like me)

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif