turn key replica

[rustyrims]

Like many of you I’ve watched the development of the replica turn key cars a few years. As it stands today 39 companies are authorized to sell turn key replica cars. The final rule from the sema lawsuit is available online. I am very surprised that only one company is building a cobra and two companies are building GT40 replicas. I thought there would be dozens of each. There are some that are still pending approval which takes 90 days or more. The NHTSA website https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/MID/Home/Search586/ lists those that are approved so far. if I don't get it right could someone fix the link.

[Ron61]

Buying a turn key replica is great but check how your state registers them. Here in this republic of California they won't let you register a turn key replica. You have to get the engine and transmission from some other place and then have it installed. That is how the Superformance Cobras are treated anyway.

Ron

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Buying a turn key replica is great but check how your state registers them. Here in this republic of California they won't let you register a turn key replica. You have to get the engine and transmission from some other place and then have it installed. That is how the Superformance Cobras are treated anyway.

Ron

Ron,

This is not a "turnkey car" as has been known in the past. This is a Federal Program with NHTSA and EPA to allow replicas powered by current EPA conforming powertrains. While 39 applications have been approved, how many have you seen available? Most of the "manufacturers" are nowhere near certified production. One of the sticking points is that the vehicle replicated must have been a "production" model, not a "concept, etc." I am surprised the Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari models are approved as any replication of a vehicle from an existing manufacturer must be licensed from that manufacturer. A model from a company that no longer exists is no problem but if you want to do a 53 Corvette you will need the blessing of GM.

[twobjshelbys]

The presence on the list is almost meaningless. How many of any of them have actually entered into manufacturing these vehicles?

The engine also SHALL meet day-of-manufacture emissions standards. At this point in time Ford does NOT have an approved engine for this application. They COULD get the Coyote and its derivatives approved but as of this time they have not done that. This means that today your fully compliant Cobra has a Chevy LS3 in it.

The real stickler is that the cost of infrastructure is HUGE. The manufacturer has to warranty the car at least for emissions. This is an incredible bookkeeping intensive task for which the return is very low. The manufacturer has to keep track of every component used to build the power train. Furthermore, anyone buying a turn key car is not only going to expect a 3 year 36000 mile warranty on the power train but also on the rest of the car. This added overhead is a burden and a hurdle. For this reason I expect most of the cars will remain "kits" (which includes finished rollers.)

The TAM (Total Available Market) is decreasing every year as the older drivers that fell in love with them in the 60s die off. Younger buyers are not replacing them.

It's been a while since this system was approved and so far there has been no press about anyone actually turning it on and actively entering the market place with any kind of car approved for the program.

[rustyrims]

As of 1 month ago in Connecticut if you show up at the motor vehicle department with a certificate of origin for one of these replicas that are on the approved list they will register it. you do not bring the vehicle. I have seen the list of approved engines they are on line. this is a federal program if a state does not comply they risk withholding of federal dollars.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

The presence on the list is almost meaningless. How many of any of them have actually entered into manufacturing these vehicles?

The engine also SHALL meet day-of-manufacture emissions standards. At this point in time Ford does NOT have an approved engine for this application. They COULD get the Coyote and its derivatives approved but as of this time they have not done that. This means that today your fully compliant Cobra has a Chevy LS3 in it.

The real stickler is that the cost of infrastructure is HUGE. The manufacturer has to warranty the car at least for emissions. This is an incredible bookkeeping intensive task for which the return is very low. The manufacturer has to keep track of every component used to build the power train. Furthermore, anyone buying a turn key car is not only going to expect a 3 year 36000 mile warranty on the power train but also on the rest of the car. This added overhead is a burden and a hurdle. For this reason I expect most of the cars will remain "kits" (which includes finished rollers.)

The TAM (Total Available Market) is decreasing every year as the older drivers that fell in love with them in the 60s die off. Younger buyers are not replacing them.

It's been a while since this system was approved and so far there has been no press about anyone actually turning it on and actively entering the market place with any kind of car approved for the program.

No, Ford DOES have compliant powertrains available. They do not sell it over the counter retail but do supply to "OEM"s via Ford Power Products. This misunderstanding has been posted and forwarded many times. Just because the option is not on the Ford Racing crate engine site does not mean it does not exist. Having dealt with FPP in the past I know what they can offer. The AC MK IV had an FPP powertrain as well as several other low volume cars.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

No, Ford DOES have compliant powertrains available. They do not sell it over the counter retail but do supply to "OEM"s via Ford Power Products. This misunderstanding has been posted and forwarded many times. Just because the option is not on the Ford Racing crate engine site does not mean it does not exist. Having dealt with FPP in the past I know what they can offer. The AC MK IV had an FPP powertrain as well as several other low volume cars.

Well then there us something else that is keeping superformance from actually building cars under the program. Last I spoke with lance (5+ years ago) he said he would not do speculative builds so enough orders to trip profit are still waiting...

My point is that you shouldn't expect a sudden presence of turn ket cobras on the market and if someone does pull the trigger they won't be cheap.

I can see catherham doing it though