Quote:
Originally posted by CSX 4027
Could you compare this car to the others that are available such as the ERA and the CAV as far as chassis originality and why you feel this car is possibly superior to the others. Not to make the thread look like a bashing but since the GT40 is a complex car and few replica's are out there as opposed to the Cobra, I think it would help all understand more about the car.
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[color=royalblue]I'm not going to go into a car "A" is a better one than car "B" direction,,,,,,,,because what is better for one person's needs may not be the best choice for everyone.
It's sort of like asking "which is the best cobra replica?" (which is always a question that makes me cringe.)
My opinion is that there is no "best" cobra out there, because the first thing you need to decide is what you expect from the car you choose....
Therefore, if originality or "period correctness" to the original is your number one goal,,, I suppose a new CSX, Kirkham, Premier, or ERA would be your choice.
If having a car on the road for around $25k is your goal, then you would probably find the FFR or B&B, or Shell Valley are "better" choices for you.
If you are looking for a cobra replica designed first and foremost as a competitive track car,with on board adjustable roll bars,etc, most would agree that the JBL would be the best choice.
This is sort of the catagory the GT40NA will fall into.
Of course, depending on your priorities, compromises have to be made.
For instance, the folks at GT40NA wanted to make the interior more comfortable, and more updated than what the original racing cars had in the sixties.
The result is a more supportive seat than the original and air conditioning, but the drawback is that the seats don't "look" like the originals.
The same type of "compromise" goes for the wheels as well.
In order to clear the large modern braking system on the car, and use the highest available speed rated street tires, 17 inch wheels had to be fitted to the car. They do have the original "halibrand styling", but any purist can see right away that they are definately not original.
The goal at GT40NA was not to make a "spot on" period car, as there are already some fine examples of this being done.
If someone call me and tells me he is looking for a very accurate replica, with all of the "period" features of the original, I will suggest they look at the ERA car as it is a beautiful car, and is probably exactly what he is looking for.
One goal of the GT40NA engineers was to solve some of the very common driveability issues, that alot of GT40 replicas ( and other mid engine sports cars) have.
The big one here is on the cooling system. Alot of mid engine cars have cooling system problems. The guys at GT40NA have their aluminum radiators specially made at C&R racing.
C&R is one of the most respected names in racing radiators, as they supply units to many NASCAR,Indy car & other race teams.
They also happen to be located in Indy,, within minutes of the GT40NA facility.
The radiators are mounted into a carbon fiber rad support along with the a/c condensor, soft hoses are race quality silicone units, and there are air bleeds routed at the rad and from the engine to the resevoir. Twin high speed electric fans are mounted to the custom tabs which are built onto the rad housing.
The air conditioning system also has been set up to run as efficiently as possible. GT40NA mounts the condensor at the front of the radiator where it can be in dircet airflow as the car moves, and also be cooled by the electric fans. It is also possible to fit a larger condensor up in the fornt.
Some companies do not do it this way. They prefer to mount the a/c condensor in the engione compartment. This way costs a little less, because you can only use a small condensor, and you don't have the expense of running hoses all the way to the front.
....but it is not as efficient as having the condensor up front.
Chassis is another example of possible getting into a great debate, as purists would all like to see monocoques as the original cars had.
The GT40NA chassis is a tubeframe with replaceable front & rear subframes in case of crash damage. The use a combination of steel,aluminum, and carbon fiber, inner structure/sub panneling.
Again, here compromises have been made and "originallity" have taken a back seat to other priorities such as foot room, and ease of repairs in case of damage, etc.
The GT40NA priorities/goals are to build a fast, lightwieght, reliable, supercars, with modern conveniences, but the "outward" resemblence of racing cars of the 1960s.
so....that being said, I don't neccassarily think the GT40NA is better or superior to other GT40 replicas currently available,,,,, since (to me) the first thing one should do (when looking into this type of performance vehicle), is decide what will best suit their needs.[color]
Re: Alan
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