Which replica company?

350ZNV · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 03:07 PM

I am starting research on getting a GT40 replica and I wanted to ask the experts opinions on which companies make a good, accurate replica. I would prefer just to buy it complete or rolling chassis. Thanks in advance for any help.

LMH · #2 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 04:44 PM

I've been looking for a little while now at the different manufacturers, preparing for the day when I will buy one. Won't be for a while I'm sure!

Anyway, the two I like are RCR and Roaring Forties with a slight lean towards RCR IMO.
Larry

http://www.race-car-replicas.com/main.html
http://www.roaringforties.com.au/

JoeLafives · #3 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 04:59 PM

ERA's are excellent and here's one on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...QQcmdZViewItem

Hydramada · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 04:59 PM

Might be worth your time to check out this:

http://www.superformance.com/GT.aspx

Happy hunting!

350ZNV · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 05:29 PM

Those all look great. Man, I really need to start saving lol. The Superformance one intrigues me as we already have and love their Cobra kit. Thanks everybody!

JCoop · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 09:50 AM

Like you, I have a SPF Cobra and awed at the quality and fit. I'm sure their GT40 replicar is just as nice; however, I'm really partial to the Mk I lines. I'm still baffled why they went for the Mk III..
Having said that, I also have a CAV GT and I think it is the closest to the original build. I love it, and I'm in the process of upgrading the suspension and installing a set of Webers. But comparing the build quality; particularly the paint job, it's a notch below that of the SPF. Not sure about the current crop coming out of AutoFutura; maybe it's a hundred times beter since my roller rolled out 5 years ago.

JWheaton · #7 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 12:14 PM

Check to make sure that Roaring Forties is still in business.

Have not seen Superformance GT40.

Have seen CAV GT40 - Very nice

Have seen ERA GT40........AWESOME....they have also been producing them for good amount of time and have expertise. They are also coming out with a Spyder option. Which if you like an open road feeling would make it that much more enjoyable (although not original)

Virgule · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 01:29 PM

So many of them seem to be coming out of South Africa.

chipperb · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 06:28 PM

Roaring Forties is OUT OF BUSINESS and have a LOT of depoits from buyers who are suing. See GT40.com. cb

LMH · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 07:41 PM

Holy Cow! I just read some postings over there. This is the first I've heard about it and it sounds like a mess. Feel bad for those who put their money down.

350znv, Chip is right, looks like Roaring Forties is now defunct.
Larry

350ZNV · #11 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 08:58 PM

Well thats definately good to know lol.

chipperb · #12 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 10:48 PM

The only real players out there now is RCR (Race Car Replicas-Fran Hall), Superformance :Turn key minus(Mark IV to start I believe): You can have the engine installed but sold by another source to get around D.O.T. and EPA regs., ERA, CAV (who went throught some reorganization about a year back and had some issues with early production cars, but with a beautiful stainless steel monocoque chassis, and Tornado, the original GT40 replica builder out of England (kits).

There have been other situations like the Roaring Fourties: A guy out of Columbus OH that was going to build reps and never quite got into production.

There probably will be one more builder out of the midwest that will be providing kits.

There are at least 2 sets of complete molds around for 40 bodies, and there is at least one supplyer of 40 windshields.

I have been building a 40 for a 4 years now and hope to have it completed by the end of May o6.

They are my all time favorite cars. cb

WV66AC · #13 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 04:24 AM

I read somewhere that the South African government offers lucrative tax incentives for a vehicle manufacturer to set up and export. There are other SA companies besides the Cobra manufacturers such as SPF, Backdraft, Shamrock etc. as well.

chipperb · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 07:51 AM

That is what I heard as well. A Superformance dealer told me that the prep and paintwork would cost a fortune to have done here in the US. That is why the SA builders can offer such quality cars at such reasonable prices.

ERA is in Connecticut, so you can imagine their overhead including labor.

A friend of mine had a family owned steel manufacturing business in MA. He moved some of the operation to SC and the rest (?) to Canada because of hi overhead in MA including labor. cb

ZOERA-SC7XX · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 12:34 PM

I have an ERA 427 Cobra that is nearly complete and I visit ERA quite often (I live fifteen minutes away). Their GT40's and MKII's are incredible...they are available in left or right hand drive and can use 289/351 style engines or FE big blocks. If you are interested in a GT40, you owe it to yourself to visit ERA in New Britain, CT. before you decide. They also have just about the best customer service/support in the industry and the company is very solvent, so no problem with the above issues. Check their website and have a look for yourself.

chipperb · #16 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 01:01 PM

Great company, great products, great reputation!

JCoop · #17 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 02:54 PM

The new CAV GT is absolutely gorgeous...and pretty accurate as well. There have been many upgrades since the early cars (up to chassis #60?) and continually being improved by the new company: AutoFutura. Check out their new website:
http://www.cav.co.za/

The West coast distribution is nicely covered, and the East coast is currently being looked at. I believe there are links at the site. Check out www.gt40s.com as well. very informative and fun gt40 discussion goes on there.

chipperb · #18 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 03:02 PM

To build, or not to build, that is the question.

Turn keys built by others, or by a factory can be a great value. Have bought all four of my replicas "completed" and still takes time to maintain them (What do you do when you are finished? You are NEVER finished)

Building one can be challenging, as I have learned. 4 years and a lot of re-engineering. And this was on a partial. completed "production" GT40 with the work being done by someone else!

rlearp · #19 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 05:27 PM

That is correct, RF is out of business and entered into liquidation today. There are numerous threads about it over on www.gt40s.com, here is the one I posted that started discussion back in March. I just forgot to post over here, but I should have.

http://www.gt40s.com/ubbthreads/show...0/page/0#76501

All I can say is what a mess.

Ron

Jim Holden · #20 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 11:28 AM

JWheaton:

The ERA Sypder, but for the fact that the first one is left hand drive, is as close as the elves at ERA's R&D shop can make it to the MKII Spyder that won Sebring in 66' with Miles/Ruby.

See Exoto's model at; http://www02.exoto.com/Collectibles/...ryRLG19048.asp.

At some point following the race the car was crushed and buried rather than pay duty or ship the car back to England.

Jim