Market for "old school" supercar?
Discussion
Thinking about what Chris Harris said about how the application of technology did not necessarily make a better car (seen in the video posted in the 458 vs 911 GT3RS thread) - i.e. while the 458 was amazing, the GT3RS was still a joy to drive specifically because it lacked certain tech - is there a market for more high end, say old school supercars, cars like this?
I'm not talking about track day cars for the road like the GT3RS where you can strip out creature comforts etc, but more a step backwards using the lotus "add lightness" school of thougtht but applied to the tech side, just "adding simplicity".
I guess what I have in my head is a modern take on say an F355 which seems to be universally accepted as having fantastic handling, beautiful styling and more than enough power for the road, but critically also not having vast amounts of electronics (no TC, stability control etc, just some ABS and power steering). Just imagine an manual F355 re-engineered nowadays: just as beautiful, but a little lighter and stiffer due to modern materials, with all the little mechanical weak spots now known about the car fixed, the same high revving V8 engine that needs to be worked to get the best (maybe just updated a bit to improve emissions for modern standards). I think you get what I mean. The crucial bit would not be to chase power figures or 'ring times, but a brilliant combo of enough power, sweet handling and Italian style - a Ferrari take on an MX-5 say for 50-70k pounds and branded Maserati so Ferrari doesn't have to sell a "cheap" car.
The closest "mass" produced car to this must be the Evora, but still doesn't quite make it as it has been under endowed in the engine department with a dull toyota V6 and simply doesn't seem to have enough flair or style in my eyes. The closest cars overall must be the PS AutoArt Porsches which I think are a fantastic concept, is there a similar outfit for Ferrari maybe?
Anyway, I've just been thinking out loud as it were, and wondered if anyone (dis)agreed (and why)!
I'm not talking about track day cars for the road like the GT3RS where you can strip out creature comforts etc, but more a step backwards using the lotus "add lightness" school of thougtht but applied to the tech side, just "adding simplicity".
I guess what I have in my head is a modern take on say an F355 which seems to be universally accepted as having fantastic handling, beautiful styling and more than enough power for the road, but critically also not having vast amounts of electronics (no TC, stability control etc, just some ABS and power steering). Just imagine an manual F355 re-engineered nowadays: just as beautiful, but a little lighter and stiffer due to modern materials, with all the little mechanical weak spots now known about the car fixed, the same high revving V8 engine that needs to be worked to get the best (maybe just updated a bit to improve emissions for modern standards). I think you get what I mean. The crucial bit would not be to chase power figures or 'ring times, but a brilliant combo of enough power, sweet handling and Italian style - a Ferrari take on an MX-5 say for 50-70k pounds and branded Maserati so Ferrari doesn't have to sell a "cheap" car.
The closest "mass" produced car to this must be the Evora, but still doesn't quite make it as it has been under endowed in the engine department with a dull toyota V6 and simply doesn't seem to have enough flair or style in my eyes. The closest cars overall must be the PS AutoArt Porsches which I think are a fantastic concept, is there a similar outfit for Ferrari maybe?
Anyway, I've just been thinking out loud as it were, and wondered if anyone (dis)agreed (and why)!
I agree to the sentiment, there are companies that re-engineer jaguars etc. with modern running gear and reworked engines. I could imagine a Countach with the Diablo 6.0l engine in it and power steering together with a modern clutch that didn't require you to have Arnie's left leg to operate.
Caelum Blue said:
I agree to the sentiment, there are companies that re-engineer jaguars etc. with modern running gear and reworked engines. I could imagine a Countach with the Diablo 6.0l engine in it and power steering together with a modern clutch that didn't require you to have Arnie's left leg to operate.
Indeed, some of the things JD Classics do is just breathtaking - as are the prices - but their engineering is first class, as are the results....and they don't just work their magic on Jaguars too - they've worked on everything from hotrods to splitties, including Ferraris too....rubystone said:
Caelum Blue said:
I agree to the sentiment, there are companies that re-engineer jaguars etc. with modern running gear and reworked engines. I could imagine a Countach with the Diablo 6.0l engine in it and power steering together with a modern clutch that didn't require you to have Arnie's left leg to operate.
Indeed, some of the things JD Classics do is just breathtaking - as are the prices - but their engineering is first class, as are the results....and they don't just work their magic on Jaguars too - they've worked on everything from hotrods to splitties, including Ferraris too....
Are Jd Classics the ones who put better brakes, suspension, cooling systems etc in E-types?
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