DRB Gt40 #64

albanycobra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 05:45 AM

Hi Guys
Haven't posted much in this side of the forum but as my DRB GT40
is due to arrive at my house on Wednesday

I thought I might start
by saying "Hello". I ordered the basic kit which has taken approx 6 months
to receive. Anyway looking forward to catching up with you Guys and Gals.

rlearp · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 08:45 AM

There is a really nice build thread that Pete did on one of these, and I think he posts here from time to time. But, he'd be too modest to post it. Here is a link to it:

http://www.gt40s.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12130

Pete covers the build from head to toe, and there are some other DRB build threads around as well. Nice car, hope that you'll enjoy the construction!!!

Ron

FUNFER2 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 11:58 AM

Albanycobra- Hello, welcome and........ I'm frickin jealous ! hehe!
I just commented on a different post that I would love a build a GT-40 (preferable a RCR) but can't afford the price of apx/ 65-75k, by the time I would finish it to my specifications . Please keep me/us up-dated with photo's & info.

Have fun ! (ya lucky bastard)

Kev

albanycobra · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2006, 05:36 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome Kevin.
I've posted a few pics of my kit in my gallery aswell.
Will try to update as much as I can.

FUNFER2 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2006, 10:26 AM

I've been researching GT-40's for a relatively short time. Question, how did you decide on DRB ?
Thanks,

albanycobra · #6 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 07:05 AM

Kevin I Basically choose DRB because they are an Australian
owned small company. Their product is probably middle of the line
and the kit is available as a very basic kit. The features I really like
about the DRB are as follows
1- It uses a Corvette C4 front suspension set-up ( Very nice looking & alloy)
2- This is the major item, the body work is set on the chassis. DRB do all
the panel gaps /hang all the panels. I spent weeks trying to get my Cobra
looking reasonable.
3- The price was right in my budget range.
4- Peter Ranson sent me plenty of pics of the car when they were building it.

I received the car today, Unloaded and am now ready to start the build.
Hoping to fit motor/trans tomorrow night.

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 10:48 AM

Are you from Albany Washington or Australia ? I looked up DBR on the web. I see they have two dealers in the USA. Is the frame/chassis really under $19,000 ? I'm now reading a BDR owners build web-site. His name is "Lee" I assume you've seen this site ? Just to let you know..........I'll be asking MANY questions.

albanycobra · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2006, 10:34 PM

I'm from Australia. I have seen Lee's site and it is true about the price.
DRB do freight around the world. I know there are plenty in the states
and a few in the UK. RCR would be my choice if I had the funds.
If you're interested Mike Dozier from the US is selling his DRB, It is
halfway completed and not to badly priced. Let me know if you want
his contact details.

FUNFER2 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 12:31 AM

I believe I've heard of Mike, which one is his ? Is it the right side drive ?
What do you like more about thr RCR over the DRB, the chassis, body ect..... ?

albanycobra · #10 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 06:09 AM

Hi Ron
I am a member of GT40s.com, excellent website and well run.

Kevin - If I could go back in time I would buy an RCR. The finish
of Frans cars is awsome and the alloy tub is to die for.
The DRB's are cheap and I suppose I'm coming to terms
with the old saying 'You pay for what you get'. Mikes
car is RHD I think, You'll find him on GT40s.com.

FUNFER2 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 10:34 AM

I agree, from what I've seen in photo's and and heard from owners, Frans is the cream of the crop but, the DRB's do look very nice. I wouldn't be to humble to have one in my garage, for sure. What don't you like about it so far ?
A question about the aluminum tub of Frans & others. How do you keep it from oxidizing ? I've seen one guy on gt40 applied a black coating on the bottom. It would be a shame to cover up such beautiful craftsmanship !

FUNFER2 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 10:48 AM

I agree, from what I've seen in photo's and and heard from owners, Frans is the cream of the crop but, the DRB's do look very nice. I wouldn't be to humble to have one in my garage, for sure. What don't you like about it so far ?
A question about the aluminum tub of Frans & others. How do you keep it from oxidizing ? I've seen one guy on gt40 applied a black coating on the bottom. It would be a shame to cover up such beautiful craftsmanship !

rlearp · #13 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albanycobra

Hi Ron
I am a member of GT40s.com, excellent website and well run.

Thanks, I appreciate the compliments with the web site.

RE: ally finish, I plan to leave the RCR Lola uncovered per a race car. I don't want to cover up the aluminum monocoque as I like that raw look, plus, it looks nice. I'm not worried about corrison, but, I think one would be well-served to scotch brite it from time to time if you want to keep it looking healthy. You could also apply a clear finish to it I suppose.

Mike has the DRB for sale on GT40s.com and I think it is right hand drive. Cannot rmember the price, but it is easy to find.

mn12 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 11:51 AM

I suppose if you really wanted to protect the aluminum and have it look good you could have the tub anodyzed

FUNFER2 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 03:55 PM

Those two ideas are good ones. I did think about clear coating since I'm a painter and adding a flex agent to the mix. Does anodizing products come in a clear ?

rlearp · #16 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:01 PM

Anodizing is a type of electrochemical process where the surface is oxidized and then typically dyed a color (I think, can't remember a lot about it when I read about it years ago). I'd imagine it'd require a vat of some sort to immerse the target into and it'd be available in clear.

I think someone powdercoated his RCR chassis recently if I recall correctly. It was in one of the build threads on the forum, look in the Builder's Area if you want more info. Anodizing would be pretty cool and IIRC increases the hardness of the metal somewhat, which may or may not be useful, not sure.

Ron

FUNFER2 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:15 PM

I'll look through the build area & see if I can find the topic. I may also ask Fran. He's the man !
Thank you Ron.

400TT · #18 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:41 PM

Saw your GT40 being built at the factory. Now comes the fun part.

Yeah, the RCR is a work of art. But makes me a little nervous that Fran does not have a factory completed car to test with and for that matter there are no completed cars. They could be fantastic out of the box, but it's certainly a risk. Hey, but I love what Fran is doing.

I'm a big believer in development. And DRB has been heavy into club racing for years. Given just about any given weekend you will see DRB GT40's on the track here. And Peter Ransom with his factory demonstrator is there in the thick of things. Same goes for their Cobra's. Peter was even out at the drags a few weeks back giving his GT40 a good run. He has also performed a few return trips in his GT40 to Melbourne(3500km's) for events. He has always provided fantastic assistance to me and his enthusiasm for the breed is infectious. He even holds monthly BBQ's for owners and is an active member of both local GT40 & Cobra car clubs.

That's why I own a DRB GT40.

Pantera1889 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Those two ideas are good ones. I did think about clear coating since I'm a painter and adding a flex agent to the mix. Does anodizing products come in a clear ?

The RCR car on GT40s that was powdercoated was mine. I originally planned to anodize it but found it impossible to find a place that had a vat big enough to do the entire chassis at once.One of them said that they could do half then turn it and do the other half.He said that there may be a discolored stripe where the two halves meet.I didn't want this so I had the entire tub powdercoated.It turned out GREAT! I a VERY glad I did it.I hated to cover up the beautiful aluminum but I didn't want to have to maintain the bare aluminum.It was very economical also.

Ron

FUNFER2 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:58 PM

Like I said, Id have no problem owning a DRB. Customer care ect. is a must. Not saying Fran wouldn't either. This is a problem I've encountered with Lone Star Cobra's.

Ron- what........no pics ???
E-mail me all you have !
I would love to see yours. (or anyones) LOL !