reasons you bought your Ultima

reasons you bought your Ultima

Author
Discussion

dal2litrefrogeye

Original Poster:

357 posts

176 months

Sunday 17th March 2013
quotequote all
Storer said:
There is no doubt that everyday cars have become much faster over the years. Had a family friend with a 246 Dino in 1973. A quick car at the time. A Ford Focus hot hatch has more performance today (but not those fab curves)!

An Ultima offers one thing that these mega-turbo-supercharged-VVT-quattro-DSG engined every day mass-produced tin boxes can't.......






Theatre on the road.

We can enjoy driving them but other drivers and passers-by seem to enjoy seeing them too.


Paul
Agree with this , still makes me smile / takes me by suprise when im in traffic and there are people in the same traffic hanging back so the can take phoyos on their camera phones , I love it biggrin

TrevC

36 posts

204 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
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Hi guys,

Why....I've got that damned disease. My parents never drove and stupidly I bought a Dutton kit in 1977 when I was 19 and built it with an 1147cc Spitfire engine, then someone who lived down the road in Earl Shilton who had one as well (Ted Marlow,,,enuff said) stuffed an Essex V6 in his, so I did the same, and that's when I got the disease. Mine was WAY254S, and Ted's URY805S, still remember all that time ago smile So 5 kits from scratch and another 6 nut and bolt restos (and 36 years) later I'm doing a Can-Am. The boring story is that I had a mortality crisis in 2006 and thought "if not now, then probably never" so I thought I'd do the 3 car things I'd like to before I'm plant food, which I now know is not likely yet smile First was a 328GTS, bought a CatD write off and after 1200 hours it won FOC national concours third place in 2008. Great to look at, horrible to drive, but an ambition to own since I was a kid. Second is the Can-Am. I've known Ted as an albeit distant mate for all those 36 years, and I just had to have one. Ready this summer after 800 hours and lots of blown budgets. When mine's done I'll run it for a year or two and do the last, which for me is a replica of the most beautiful car ever made by anyone anywhere ever, the XJ13. It won't go,stop or handle anything like the Ult, but LeMans in that will be magnificent.

If anyone's ever near LE2 just drop round and laugh at my mistakes, I make great tea, but stunningly crap coffee.

All the best

Trev

Edited by TrevC on Wednesday 20th March 15:49

ultiman

347 posts

261 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
I found Ultima at the motor show in 1996 with John Castle on duty for Ultima. I was taken with the looks and potential performance and the fact that this was the nearest road car to a group C racer that could be found for affordable cost. I had always admired the Group C style at Le Mans so worked on the then wife until she was persuaded of the practical nature of the car.
Since receiving the chassis in 97 and getting it on the road in 2001, my Sport has toured most of Europe as well as the obligatory runs to Le Mans.

ultiman

347 posts

261 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
TrevC said:
Hi guys,

".. do the last, which for me is a replica of the most beautiful car ever made by anyone anywhere ever, the XJ13. It won't go,stop or handle anything like the Ult, but LeMans in that will be magnificent.

If anyone's ever near LE2 just drop round and laugh at my mistakes, I make great tea, but stunningly crap coffee.

All the best

Trev

Edited by TrevC on Wednesday 20th March 15:49
I sat in my Ultima behind a replica XJ13 at a filling station in Arnage one year and it was leaking petrol faster than the owner could replenish it. The Ultima still attracted more looks than the jag which was a bit unfair as this thing was perfect (except for the fuel tank of course).

TrevC

36 posts

204 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
ultiman said:
TrevC said:
Hi guys,

".. do the last, which for me is a replica of the most beautiful car ever made by anyone anywhere ever, the XJ13. It won't go,stop or handle anything like the Ult, but LeMans in that will be magnificent.

If anyone's ever near LE2 just drop round and laugh at my mistakes, I make great tea, but stunningly crap coffee.

All the best

Trev

Edited by TrevC on Wednesday 20th March 15:49
I sat in my Ultima behind a replica XJ13 at a filling station in Arnage one year and it was leaking petrol faster than the owner could replenish it. The Ultima still attracted more looks than the jag which was a bit unfair as this thing was perfect (except for the fuel tank of course).
I wonder if my "do the last one" intention will still be true after I've had the Can-Am for a couple of years!!

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
I have always thought the XJ13 a fantastic looking car and with a great sound if fitted with a tuned V12 Jag engine.

However, I suspect high speed stability would be butt clenching and you would need some water proofs to venture to Le Mans.

I hate to say this but I think you would get more use out of a Can Am.



Paul

TrevC

36 posts

204 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
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Hey Paul,

I'm sure you're right, I only want it for the noise and the looks, and the Aussie one uses XJ40 suspension for God's sake. I know Trev of TWR (not THE TWR) is trying to improve it but do I really want to be a guinea pig. Noeek. Do I want the look and the sound. Yes tongue out. Confusion reigns, and I wish it would stop so I can fit the engine in the Can-Am.

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
When you fire up the Can-Am for the first time your thoughts about the XJ13 will subside for quite a while.

You will need big kahuna to use all the performance of the Ultima (especially on the road) but the grunt will become rather addictive.


Paul

TrevC

36 posts

204 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Paul. I've had loads of cars, done 5 kits and 6 restos in my 35 years being terminally diseased as a petrolhead, but despite them all the very best car I've ever had (only for me) is a DC2 Integra I bought new in 1998. It took me 3 months to learn how to drive it, but then you could play tunes with it. The Integrale, 328, Mantula, Elan were all rewarding but never came close. I want something that's bloody hard to master, and I think the Ultima will deliver that in spades. biggrin

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
Trev

We are the same age but our car history has been very different.

I wanted to do the kit car thing but family and work commitments got in the way in my case. Up until a few years ago my cars had to have at least 4 seats and be usable every day. School fees ate the car fund!!! Starting my own business also delayed things for a while.

Down to one at school now so time to spend some on me......... I could have gone down the s/h Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston route but the challenge of building my own car reared it's head again. OK, so mine is a rebuild but it felt like a build.

These cars have massive performance but they are also a responsibility as they are entertainment for other road users/pedestrians so you need to be prepared for the questions, photos, etc.

I can't say I enjoy it, but if it brightens other people's lives like it does mine then that's a bonus.


Paul































vincegail

2,456 posts

154 months

Wednesday 20th March 2013
quotequote all
Storer said:
These cars have massive performance but they are also a responsibility as they are entertainment for other road users/pedestrians so you need to be prepared for the questions, photos, etc.

I can't say I enjoy it, but if it brightens other people's lives like it does mine then that's a bonus.
It certainly brightened up my life when I saw this beauty on Houx campsite at Le Mans in 2011. The owner was more than happy to answer my questions, and open the bonnet and the engine-cover so I could get a good look at everything. And I want to thank a lot for that!

This car is not for the shy!



Edited by vincegail on Wednesday 20th March 22:34

N3x

3 posts

116 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
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Having spent years working out the ideal car for part 2 of my midlife crisis (part one was a Buell 1149 v twin - a real beast!) it was clear that it had to be a real drivers car, with a v8. After being tempted by a vx220 v8 conversion, it finally dawned on me that an Ultima was the answer - it's not much bigger but with a dirty great Chevy v8 in the back. After a short but legendary experience with Ted around the factory, the seeds were sown for an LS7 can am daily driver. Still doing the research on spec and options and keen to hear from anyone in or near leicester who's done it or doing it. Saving up so not in a rush...

F.C.

3,896 posts

207 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
N3x said:
Having spent years working out the ideal car for part 2 of my midlife crisis (part one was a Buell 1149 v twin - a real beast!) it was clear that it had to be a real drivers car, with a v8. After being tempted by a vx220 v8 conversion, it finally dawned on me that an Ultima was the answer - it's not much bigger but with a dirty great Chevy v8 in the back. After a short but legendary experience with Ted around the factory, the seeds were sown for an LS7 can am daily driver. Still doing the research on spec and options and keen to hear from anyone in or near leicester who's done it or doing it. Saving up so not in a rush...
Can Am daily driver......roflroflrofl
You'd better be madder than a box of frogs to live up to that challenge.

N3x

3 posts

116 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
and heres me thinking ultimas were quite sensible as supercars go! ted said the factory demo canam was his daily driver for 8 years...

Bart 124

527 posts

188 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
Old topic resurrected!

I bought mine around a month and a half ago having been to the Bournemouth Wheels festival with my Noble and getting utterly absorbed into the whole scene. Having chatted to a few people there I explained that I had been looking originally at the GTR & M12 GTO back last year and decided to go with the Noble for the (slightly) better day to day running.

However - I always wanted one, so fresh from the show and itching to own something 'a little different' I went to view one.

I now have both!

ROWDYRENAULT

1,270 posts

213 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
In no particular order Handling, acceleration, uniqueness, cost versus performance, satisfaction of building, comradeship with like minded folks who don't really care what your bank statement says. All exceeded by the Ultima product, factory support and this web site. Thanks for the last one guys. Lee

rix

2,776 posts

189 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
This is now my car of current obsession since seeing a red 61 plate '730 in London recently (anyone?), it was absolutely glorious! I'm currently a Monaro driver so know the appeal of the LS lumps, and see the ultima as the pinnical of their application. Love the styling, the performance, and the fact that they are relatively affordable in comparison to the italian alternatives.

One day!!

Corsair613

260 posts

121 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
ROWDYRENAULT said:
In no particular order Handling, acceleration, uniqueness, cost versus performance, satisfaction of building, comradeship with like minded folks who don't really care what your bank statement says. All exceeded by the Ultima product, factory support and this web site. Thanks for the last one guys. Lee
What he said.

My GTR has been on order since April and is due to ship next week, so I'm only just getting started on this adventure, but Lee has pretty much nailed my feelings on the matter.

Ken

F.C.

3,896 posts

207 months

Thursday 31st July 2014
quotequote all
F.C. said:
N3x said:
Having spent years working out the ideal car for part 2 of my midlife crisis (part one was a Buell 1149 v twin - a real beast!) it was clear that it had to be a real drivers car, with a v8. After being tempted by a vx220 v8 conversion, it finally dawned on me that an Ultima was the answer - it's not much bigger but with a dirty great Chevy v8 in the back. After a short but legendary experience with Ted around the factory, the seeds were sown for an LS7 can am daily driver. Still doing the research on spec and options and keen to hear from anyone in or near leicester who's done it or doing it. Saving up so not in a rush...
Can Am daily driver......roflroflrofl
You'd better be madder than a box of frogs to live up to that challenge.
Joking aside apart from the obvious no roof, I can't imagine driving one as a daily commute or the like,
I had an M400 Noble which is definitely more user friendly and was still a bit of an event/pfaff to drive daily.

N3x

3 posts

116 months

Friday 1st August 2014
quotequote all
Yeah....you're probably right.....Ted said the roof's designed to be watertight at 200...I am a bit mad tho' as i used to commute on the Buell with the suit under all the kit, and that was a faff! With an LS engine i figured it would be reliable once it was sorted and not too uneconomical on a long commute, and loadsa fun! Anyway i'd have to use the wife's car for the shopping. Incidentally, what's the M400 like as a daily driver in terms of reliability and running costs? and as you have both, which would you say is the better driver's car?