Monday 23rd May 2011

PH Carpool: Spectre R45

A proud PHer presents the only road-going example on the, er... road

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PHer Mark Roonan (aka inspectre) tells us a bit about an extremely rare piece of British kit - one of a pair of 4.6 litre Ford V8 powered Spectre R45s - that's parked in his garage:

*****

PHer Mark Roonan - Spectre owner

"I have always had a soft spot for something a bit different (Fiat Multipla, Triumph Dolomite etc...) and visited the Spectre factory at a time when they were considering selling-on their family jewels. Having had a good look round the R45 and admiring the well-proportioned, mid-engine layout with ample rear,I shimmied my way into the driver's seat. Honestly, once seated in inside it felt so fabulously good I did not want to get out. Alright, alright, too many kebab and burger van visits may have played their part too...

"Once out on the road a factory test drive proved to be every bit as intriguing, and a thrash around Milton Keynes sealed the deal. So later on that week I was booted and suited pleading, and with the bank manager that I had a cracking investment opportunity. Luckily for me he knew nothing about cars, but had enough fashion sense to agree that yellow was a great colour choice for a man with a ginger mullet.

"The Spectre R45 was launched by Desmond Llewellyn, better known as 'Q' from James Bond, at the London Motor show in 1997 as a design study to test the reaction from customers and press. The response was good enough to encourage Spectre to go ahead with development of the follow-up to the R42, with a simple design brief; to create a lighter, sleeker, more aerodynamic and powerful successor. After the 1997 Motor Show the plan was for a full production R45 to be ready for the 1998 Motor Show, however in the meantime Spectre fell into bankruptcy in late 1997...

"In time Spectre was rescued, but only two R45's were ever built, the original Motor Show car and the later and presently only road going example here, which was developed through a number of prototype stages to re-engineer the concept using all new parts including a full carbon fibre body and a development programme to tune the ride, handling and performance. In 2003 the R45 project was put on hold (the economics suggested that the target price of £90,000 would not be profitable) and this R45 was retained to benchmark further prototype supercars until 2009, when it was sold direct from the factory.

"So what I got for the bank's money was a very high standard, sorted, unique motor, but one in the fine tradition of fettling and playing around with has been honed over the last couple of years (shout out to Southway Automotive PHers 'Paul.B' and 'Steve_D'), with the addition of new sturdier doors and working a/c and ventilation system - the latter as a result of the improved sealing on the doors creating a new furnace like ambience. I do like the idea of open top motoring though..."

(Pictures by AndWhyNot and missjkr)

[300bhp/ton]

Nice looking car. What motor does it run, guessing if it's 4.6 litres then that's either a Rover or a Ford modular?

What's the smoke in this pic though??

[300bhp/ton]

pigpog said:

Interesting car, great photos

Not sure I like the Photoshopped ones. Each to their own and all and if they where paintings fine. But I rather like my pics to look real.

I do like the car though and the colour.

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

PHer Mark Roonan (aka inspectre) tells us a bit about an extremely rare piece of British kit - one of a pair of 4.6 litre Ford V8 powered Spectre R45s - that's parked in his garage

Scan reading.... lol

[300bhp/ton]

silversixx said:

300bhp/ton said:

Nice looking car. What motor does it run, guessing if it's 4.6 litres then that's either a Rover or a Ford modular?

What's the smoke in this pic though??

My guess is that the 'smoke' has been 'shopped on their for some reason - could be wrong. That or it's steam from head gasket failure

lol, I was thinking more engine oil fire...

[300bhp/ton]

TommyBuoy said:

It's a different looking car, but I like it. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about the spec though - power, weight etc?

Are the rear lights borrowed from something else ( another fine British tradition )?

Many small scale car makers will use light units from other sources, even the famed McLaren F1 does

[300bhp/ton]

Turbocharger said:

I quite like the photos - they look like 'real' camera effects rather than Photoshop. The headline picture is a long exposure roadside shot - but how was the car lit?

I'm willing to bet that those pics have somewhat, been fiddled with.

[300bhp/ton]

Roberty said:

I would have fiddled further and removed the god awful looking car!

eh? Why be so hostile and rude about someones car?

And I reckon a trip to the eye clinic might be in order if you think it looks awful.

[300bhp/ton]

959er said:

GTD started this "project" to try and broaden their horizons beyond a not too bad GT40 kit car business. It's sometimes best to stick to what you know, as dillusions of grandeur quite often lead to bankruptcy ... 90 grand for a kit car, that must have been some session in the pub!

So its a kit car, and I'm sorry to anyone who thinks its something special, but thats what it looks like, and thats what it is. At least the GTD40 was pretty good when properly built (driven a factory one years ago, wouldn't own one), and it copied a good car to start with ... and even Ford managed to screw that up somehow !!

Curious, but on a more rational level. What exactly don't you like about it? I think looks are a little too subjective to be the sole decider on price.

[300bhp/ton]

959er said:

Its a kit car, its ugly, and I don't subscribe to the "take a chance on it" school of motoring. Theres nothing irrational about it, I've had Jensens, Lotus's, Bristols, pre Ford AM's ... you name it, they're all bitsas and often let you down. I'm quite happy to get the tools out as I used to work in motor sport (properly), but when I spend 90k +, I just want to drive it - that's why I drive a 911 Turbo (997) ... sorry to all the non-believers, but I've done the Italian thing time and again - never again, even with VW back-up.
Irrational? ... I don't think so, buying this for more than £200 is irrational .... and I'd love to find a bank manager like that next time I need some money.
Its a kit car, end of story.

Actually I was hoping you'd be able to tell me it doesn't drive very well, or there was some technical issue about it. Whereas in fact all you've done is reply in a fantastically irrational manner.

In short you seem to be saying = "I hate kit cars, I consider this one, therefore I hate it"

[300bhp/ton]

marson said:

what a stinker, theres a reason they dont make cars any more (there crap)

Wow, are you the kind of person who tells fat people they are fat, short people they are short?

You must be a real riot to be out with....