My GT40NZ, first pics

[Alan Vanhollebeke]

Well, It arrived last Wednesday.

I've been really pleased with everything so far and the quality is better than I expected.

I have already(test) mounted the engine/trans and all the calipers.
Going to install the pedals, master cyls and brakelines next.

Have a slight issue with distributor clearance, but believe I have found a solution.

anyways, here are the pics of it right after removing the protective plastic/tape, and rolling it inot my work space.
http://members19.clubphoto.com/alain.../guest-1.phtml

[wicked fast]

So,

when do we get to cruise over and see it ???

Cheers,
Bill Cook
Mid-America Cobra Club

[petek]

Alain,

How is the fit an finish of the body panels? Did your paint guy give you an idea on how much $$ to finish and paint?

Also, is the area under the front window plumbed for defrost?

[Alan Vanhollebeke]

Well, I've actually had to schedule "tours" by group.
I have a bunch of SCCA people coming over tomorrow because the is a race in town.

I think I told Doug Taylor that Saturday the 7th would be good for the KC cobra gang.

Then I have a bunch of guys from the Nebraska porsche club coming to see it on father's day.

Pete, the same paint guy who did my cobra looked at the GT40 and he won't even put the two bodies on the same planet!
The GT40 body is far superior to the FFR I had.

First of all,,,,there are NO-NONE-ZERO visible seams, yeah that's right.....I won't have to pay for a buttload of labor jacking with ANY seams on this one!

Oh,,,and all of the body panels actually "line up" with each other. (wow, what a concept!)

All of the areas that might incurr damage from rocks has been lined with coremat,

the front & rear sections are completely undercoated underneath,

all of the edges are smooth & finished,,(except for a little finish work at the door tops so you can get a perfect fit)

the roof is double walled & pre wired for a dome light, and textured from underneath to "simulate" a vinyl grain

The dash has eyeball duct locations and two defrost duct locations in the top

the hinges work great and are infinately adjustable

there are water drip rails on everything

the door hinges are also very well done and closely resemble the originals

The body guy told me that it is ready to be blocked, then fit the top edges of the doors, block it again, check for pinholes, make sure all edges are finished nicely, block again, then start shooting it ,,,,,or something like that. (I have no patience for paintwork myself)

[petek]

Too cool! I'm going to have to block out some time and head on over to see it! (The only problem is that I think the first free weekend I've got is in September!)

[Dirt Cowboy]

Alain,

That is too sweet. Is the interior fibreglas tubbed or aluminium paneled? How was the cost vs. the RF-40? Too cool.

Greg

[Alan Vanhollebeke]

Mine has a fiberglass interior tub,,,but is the last one to be done that way. All of the new ones are getting full aluminum interior panels along with some other little changes, (like 2 inch engine drop). My car was the "test mule" (sort of) for the eveolution/updating of the car so it has some of the new stuff but not all of it.

I looked at all of the GT40 replicas, and found the NZ car gave me the most for my money.

A few reasons why I chose it.

#1 the chassis, comes standard with rollbar concealed in the firewall, gusetted everywhere, all through bolts are sleeved, etc.

#2, the body. You just have to see it in person!

#3 the alum work. all permanent panels already rivited in place with countersunk aircraft quality rivits! All inspection panels, nut serted. full belly pan

#4 powder painted chassis and all suspension pieces standard

#5 side windows, flush "pop out" windows are a awork of art

#6 suspension, all koni coil overs & heims throughout

#7 uses dual master cyls and racing brake calipers

#8 comes with radiator, fuel tanks, etc,,,and all other parts neede to finish are easy to source anywhere (instead of being forced to buy almost every item from them)

there's more, but I need to get to work.

[trularin]

First, please let me say... awsome!!!!!!!!!!!

There are a few cars around that just do it for people, 1970 superbird, 1966 cobra and a GT40.

I do not want to pry, but what did that run you? And, where can we get one?

[Alan Vanhollebeke]

Well, the kit & all the included pieces was in the mid 30s,,,but then there's the shipping,customs, etc charges to the my door from New Zealand, which added about another 5k.

I,ll send you a private message with the details.

[Alan Vanhollebeke]

Hey, Dirt,
e-mail me for some better pics of it. I need to get them up on my clubphoto page, but am having probs uploading them.