Ultima GTR or GT40?

Ultima GTR or GT40?

Author
Discussion

johnnygriff

Original Poster:

33 posts

144 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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After a ten year break, I've finally decided to take the plunge - either another Ultima or a GT40 replica. Has anyone on the forum owned both?
I was thinking an LS3 Ultima, whilst GT40 would be a GTD or KVA with quad carb Ford.

Thanks

Johnny

F.C.

3,897 posts

208 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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johnnygriff said:

After a ten year break, I've finally decided to take the plunge - either another Ultima or a GT40 replica. Has anyone on the forum owned both?
I was thinking an LS3 Ultima, whilst GT40 would be a GTD or KVA with quad carb Ford.

Thanks

Johnny
Based on your choice of GT40 replica then a GTR.
However if you consider CAV GT40 or Superformance GT40 that for me would be a different matter.
CAV and Superformance with Monocoque chassis are sublime.

In reality the GTR would be easier to live with but I guess "We" don't look too closely at the practicalities of such creations.


johnnygriff

Original Poster:

33 posts

144 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
quotequote all
Yes, I agree about CAV and Superformance, which would probably be my outright choice. However, trawling current classifieds, CAV GT40s are currently around £80k which is beyond my budget and quite a lot more than a LS3 Ultima, hence the comparison with a GTD/KVA.

barriejames

896 posts

179 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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80k quite a lot more than an lS3 Ultima? build yourself with the best bits you wont see much change from that (if any) And I had the same choice but didn't want a replica anything so went for the Ult, as it's not a copy of another car

MKnight702

3,109 posts

214 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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I looked at a couple of GT40s before I decided on the GTR. The chassis design on the ones I saw looked, to my untrained eye, somewhat lacking. The interior space was not as generous as the GTR and the engine is very old tech.

An alternative that I really liked is the GD T70 especially the Moda. Look up the video of the T70 vs the McLaren Linky from Autocar

johnnygriff

Original Poster:

33 posts

144 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
quotequote all
I'm thinking about a used LS3 Ultima, I see there's one in the classifieds for £42k. The GD T70 looks great in the video but I suspect it would cost a tad more than that? Otherwise one GT40 which had caught my eye was this one:
http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2016-03...
It didn't sell.

JoulesCanAm

328 posts

186 months

Monday 14th March 2016
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Like everything you need to start on an even playing field, assuming quality builds and best parts in each. I am fortunate enough to own an Ultima CanAm and an ERA MK1 wide body GT40, both no expense spared top quality builds. The reason I have both is I find they are very different experiences. Prior to the ERA I had an Integrity GT40 (a KVA Type C with mid 80's Corvette suspension and brakes). I have to say I was bitterly disappointed with the KVA fit and form and road handling left a lot to be desired. I came to the conclusion I could never get it to where I would be happy, so it was replaced with the ERA.

The Ultima (even though mine is an SBC based all aluminum 427CI bare bones build) I would argue is a far superior driving and handling car to any GT40, which if true to form is still a 60's design but it's just the damn sexiest car I've ever seen and still gives me chills every time I sit in and fire it up. But then again neither are really daily drivers, for that I have a Pantera and if I had to make a choice the Pantera would still be in the garage long after the others have gone.

Julian

johnnygriff

Original Poster:

33 posts

144 months

Monday 14th March 2016
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Julian, that's a great choice of cars! You have summed it up perfectly there. The GT40 is a great looking car but I think I'd still prefer an Ultima. The problem is I live in France and an Ultima is very difficult/expensive to register. I could buy and try for registration, and if no luck then sell on. I hadn't thought about a Pantera.....values on those appear to have soared but an early '72/74 appears a possibility and there would be no registration issues. Which model have you?
Johnny

JoulesCanAm

328 posts

186 months

Tuesday 15th March 2016
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Johnny,

I have '74L and an '81 GT5, the later wide body cars have soared in value, but a decent early Pantera can still be had for a reasonable budget and in most countries import duties are minimal due to age. The sky's the limit for what you want from it performance wise. Let me know if you decide to go that way, I know quite a few folks in Europe that are active in importing from the US and I could always help source a candidate car over here.

We meet up every other year for a leisurely tour of France culminating at Le Mans Classic.

Julian

johnnygriff

Original Poster:

33 posts

144 months

Tuesday 15th March 2016
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Thanks Julian, I'm going to go for another Ultima initially. I really enjoyed my last one. However, may take you up on that offer as thinking a couple of carefully selected classic cars will earn no less than savings in the bank, currently.

I live by Nogaro near the Pyrenees - pm me if you're passing by, always good to share a glass of wine with fellow enthusiasts.

Johnny

V8Dom

3,546 posts

202 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2016
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johnnygriff said:
Julian, that's a great choice of cars! You have summed it up perfectly there. The GT40 is a great looking car but I think I'd still prefer an Ultima. The problem is I live in France and an Ultima is very difficult/expensive to register. I could buy and try for registration, and if no luck then sell on. I hadn't thought about a Pantera.....values on those appear to have soared but an early '72/74 appears a possibility and there would be no registration issues. Which model have you?
Johnny
buy a used uk car and reg costs are cheaper