Why do GT40 replicas cost so much more than replica AC Cobras?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Whether it is $60K better is up to the buyer BUT you can't compare production costs of the RCR with the SPF. Lets look at these items:

1) Roof- SPF; double wall steel stamped in matched metal dies on a 600 ton press. RCR; Fiberglass made in a mold. I know RCR does first class glass work but I assure I can make hundreds of FRP molds for the cost of a metal stamping die.

2) Chassis- SPF is coated steel that is laser cut, some pieces are stamped to shape, other are rolled, press brake formed, etc. Steel is then placed in a jig and spot welded, mig welded and gas welded to form. RCR is flat aluminum CNC cut to shape, jigged and welded.

Uprights- SPF are cast alloy and then machined. RCR are CNC machined. Casting patterns are not cheap.

There is no "economy of scale" for either manufacturer, 2-6 cars per month don't provide any real savings. And while the wage scale in port Elizabeth may not equal the UAW, it is nowhere as cheap as you may think. Plus the 30 plus paid holidays, etc. and there is less savings than you might expect.

And also in that $60K difference remember the SPF is a roller.....painted, trimmed and fully assembled. Brakes are bled, the wiring is all done, etc. And you get the exhaust, the A/C, the wheels, etc. So the real cost difference is much less. How much does a good quality paint job cost?

Again, taking NOTHING away from RCR. I know Fran and they make a nice car. It comes down to what you want and if you want to build it.

Don't get me wrong, if I were in the market, then I'd buy the SPF. It's the better GT40 replica for me, because it's better made and properly shaped compared to its competitors. But I just think $60,000 buys you a lot of assembly, parts, labor, paint, etc., if someone desired an RCR.

Ultimately, a GT40 replica was not for me because it's just too confining and gave a me a claustrophobic feel that I didn't like.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Fran don't offer a roller for $42k. It is a kit - that rolls around. You still have to assemble the car - SPF -> Drivetrain in and you're done. Same with CAV.

It's like you build a car with one hand (writing a check) or with both hands...

I can afford one, but prefer both.hehe

Thanks Pete. I knew that, but somehow forgot that the $42,000 didn't include assembly and paint.

Now that makes the SPF GT40 roller cheap!

[RodKnock]

Driving a GT40 was kinda like getting an MRI. They stick you in tube and then you hear loud noises.

[DanEC]

So how did the ERA GT-40 compare with the SPF, CAV and other models? From their website it appears the monocoque body is reasonably similar to the originals. It was last advertise at $55k before they ceased taking orders.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by DanEC

So how did the ERA GT-40 compare with the SPF, CAV and other models? From their website it appears the monocoque body is reasonably similar to the originals. It was last advertise at $55k before they ceased taking orders.

The ERA was very nice car and well built. A major difference is the composite roof/spider assembly as compared to the original steel spider as well as being offered as a kit or a roller.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Driving a GT40 was kinda like getting an MRI. They stick you in tube and then you hear loud noises.

I love tubes..............

[TheExtreme]

Good Googly Woogly.....

[buddyg]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Fran don't offer a roller for $42k. It is a kit - that rolls around. You still have to assemble the car - SPF -> Drivetrain in and you're done. Same with CAV.

It's like you build a car with one hand (writing a check) or with both hands...

I can afford one, but prefer both.hehe

More pics please!

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by buddyg

More pics please!

OK...Oh, did you want pics of THAT car?

[Dwight]

[Dwight]

[1985 CCX]

Didn't we just do this dance with cost of slabside Cobras?

[Dwight]

sure but it's cold outside and we have nothing to do



Dwight

[1985 CCX]

Agreed!
More costly to put steering and Trans mechanism on the right.

[trularin]

I figured I might add to this.

Fran will ship you parts - not a roller for the $42k. There is an element of fun visiting his shop as there are some serious vehicles there.

When I compared the superformance with the RCR, the RCR is and was a better GT40. My opinion. The saleman will now do the hard sell after this post, that is fine...he will express his opinion and he gets money when you buy.

Take the 42K and add 18K for engine, 13K for ZF trans. Then, there is the "stuff that makes it work".

Depending on what you want, just keep adding on dollars. Dwight got a deal on his trans. And if you want Porsch racing, it is more like 22k for the trans.

So, these items give you an idea.

Tru

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by trularin

When I compared the superformance with the RCR, the RCR is and was a better GT40. My opinion. The saleman will now do the hard sell after this post, that is fine...he will express his opinion and he gets money when you buy.

I assume I am the "salesman" you refer to? I agree, the RCR was the better car in "your opinion" for YOU. I defy you or anyone to find where I have denigrated another product (with the exception of scam builders)

I was not aware that my posts are seen as "hard sell"...I rather thought they were just opinionated comments and presentations of information.

And are you telling me Fran does not get paid when you purchase his product? That seems to be a new business paradigm I am not familiar with.

[Jaydee]

The GT40 must be my second favorite car in the world, but one, I can't afford it, I'm to tall and I would also feel a little claustrophobic in one. What about if you could just buy the whole shell, put some nice wheels on it, no real suspension or engine etc. And then you could just use it to look at and go broom broom. Or push it out onto your front lawn and make the whole neighborhood jealous.
JD

[cobrakiwi]

If I had the funds one of those spf gt40's would be heading home here, not because it's a spf but for me the way the car is built. What a work of art!

[SPF1061]

Originally Posted by Paintwerks

Looking at for sale listings the Superformance 40's are about twice as much as Superformance Cobras.

I get that the 40's have doors, a roof and a transaxle, but essentially they're fundamentally not much different to a Cobra.

I'm curious as to why GT40 replicas cost so much more than Cobra replicas?

Remember this about that the originals that the replicas mimic: one was based on a 1950s traditional design British sports car modified by hotrodders in a garage in California. The other was designed and built from scratch to be the most competitive LeMans race car ever conceived. It used absolutely the latest technology, materials and techniques and the most brilliant design minds available at the time. Cost was literally not a factor or concern. There was NO budget limitation.

I have seen SPF Cobras and GT40s side by side in the build process at Dennis Olthoff's shop many times. It is sort of like looking at horse and buggy technology next to space shuttle technology. To my mind it takes no stretch of the imagination whatsoever to think that one costs twice as much as the other.

[MOTORHEAD]

SPF1061: that's the best, most comprehensive summary to date ! Hadn't considered those facts!!