Not Ranked
The Coupe utilizes a BTR/DANA Hydratrac Diff. This is, I believe an Austrialian piece tht GM uses in their new GTO.
I spent over a week in south Africa with Pete Brock doing the final testing and Critique of our Coupe. I promised to remain silent as to not spoil the indroduction. Seems someone else had a spoiler in mind. This was to be Pete's deal with the press and all the pictures.
As for all you guys second guessing and throwing in your two cents about the wheels and exhaust, rest assured there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. This car is well thought out and proven. Unless your name is Zora Duntov, or Ferdinand Porsche, don't go there, believe me this car works. Ever try to tell Paul Prudhomme the best way to blacken Red fish? Hey Mario, don't you think you should slide that car around the turns more?
After a rigorious 3 days testing and Photo shoot at the Shamwari Game reserve I was honored to sit shotgun with Jimmy Price driving back to the factory in the Coupe. Jimmy recounted his first meeting with Pete Brock, when Pete explained that he had been approached by many about building a Coupe. Pete politely let Jimmy know that he was not willing to put his name on Jimmy's project. To which Jimmy said, "well that's that. I am not prepared to do it without you, so I'm done wih the Coupe. I will not compromise anywhere. This was to be an "ALL or NOTHING" deal, no compromise from start to finish. Without you it's a NOTHING"
Obviously Pete reconsidered, and I am here to tell you, this is a no compromise car. The tire size alone that was dictated by the chassis suspension design of the late Bob Negsted in concert with Pete almost killed the project. Jimmy wanted the original look of the smaller wheels, Bob and Pete demanded it be a 200 MPH car with all the necessary details. The wheels had to be 18", the off-set of the rims was a definate for proper track etc., there was to be no compromise, Bob and Pete agreed "Jimmy, you can do what you like with the looks of the wheels, as long as it is the right size and off-set. Now we need a company to make us a tire in the size we need." The tire issue almost killed the project as it took two years to finalize a tire that would work without compromise. Seems Jimmy said the Series one tires were considered at one time.
I'll not turn this into a book. I just wanted you all to know that there should be no second or third generation Coupes. I know that everything has been thought out and tested to where there is really not much or anything that will be needed to improve or change. I rode through roads that some 4 wheelers should avoid, I rode through a freakin' Monsoon downpour at over 90MPH, and not a drop of water hit the rear hatch. Pete was impressed as he drove alongside us watching how the water trailed of the body. Must be one of those aerodynamic things.
I must admit, I did find one little rattle. It turned out to be the pin on the fire extingusiher! Nothing a little silicone won't stop.
I just received some pics today of my demo car that is being shipped. Red with white stripes. Sorry I don't know how to compress it into a small file to attach.
Doug Reed
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