Rear View From a GTR?
Discussion
Hi! I do not get a chance to reply much on the forum since I am not technical, but I picked my factory-built GTR up on 15 September and drove it across Europe, putting 1600 miles on it.
I didn't seem to have any problem with the rear view since the mirrors on the GTR cover quite an angle in view. I did find that there is a slight problem when another car is just to the back and in the next lane. Typical blind spot; though by moving my head a bit solved the problem.
Backing up seems OK, but it certainly is not as comfortable as the small rear window on my last sports car.
The problem I have is going forwards into my garage. There is only 10-inches on each side, which is quite a lot, but you sit so low that you are unsure of how close the side panels are. I am thinking about placing guide tracks on the floor.
The biggest problem I have with the GTR (and there have been zero mechanical problems in 1800 miles) is ground clearance. If you have the money, put adjustable front shocks like some of the Porche cars. I will certainly will do this living in Prague.
Sometimes I scrape the front spoiler (I have not splitter) in the most lienient of grades. People stand around and think it silly.
Other than that, this is a great car. No Noble could compete in the exoticness of such a machine. Only the Ford GT90 would be more fun and crowd pleaser!
I didn't seem to have any problem with the rear view since the mirrors on the GTR cover quite an angle in view. I did find that there is a slight problem when another car is just to the back and in the next lane. Typical blind spot; though by moving my head a bit solved the problem.
Backing up seems OK, but it certainly is not as comfortable as the small rear window on my last sports car.
The problem I have is going forwards into my garage. There is only 10-inches on each side, which is quite a lot, but you sit so low that you are unsure of how close the side panels are. I am thinking about placing guide tracks on the floor.
The biggest problem I have with the GTR (and there have been zero mechanical problems in 1800 miles) is ground clearance. If you have the money, put adjustable front shocks like some of the Porche cars. I will certainly will do this living in Prague.
Sometimes I scrape the front spoiler (I have not splitter) in the most lienient of grades. People stand around and think it silly.
Other than that, this is a great car. No Noble could compete in the exoticness of such a machine. Only the Ford GT90 would be more fun and crowd pleaser!
Sorry to change subject as Canam owner but noticed comment on front grounding out. I have experienced this getting into drive due to road camber. When I checked I found it was the frame or Alu which hits the road not the front edge of the fibreglass. I will have to watch that the rivets do not get rubbed off.
Main problem with rear view is rear spoiler in mirrors tends to obsure cars that are stupid enough to come close.
Main problem with rear view is rear spoiler in mirrors tends to obsure cars that are stupid enough to come close.
Sorry to change subject as Canam owner but noticed comment on front grounding out. I have experienced this getting into drive due to road camber. When I checked I found it was the frame or Alu which hits the road not the front edge of the fibreglass. I will have to watch that the rivets do not get rubbed off.
Main problem with rear view is rear spoiler in mirrors tends to obsure cars that are stupid enough to come close.
Main problem with rear view is rear spoiler in mirrors tends to obsure cars that are stupid enough to come close.
jschwartz said:
I was going to mount a video screen and a rear facing camera in the rear body screen. But after driving my GTR 8000 miles in the last 5 months, I found it not neccessary. Mirror work fine.
jeff
I've seen this done on a Mk4. It was quite a neet job. There was an article about it in Ultimatum a couple of years back. You need a camera that can take the adverse conditions in the engine bay. Other than that, it's quite a simple job.
james said:
I've seen this done on a Mk4. It was quite a neet job. There was an article about it in Ultimatum a couple of years back. You need a camera that can take the adverse conditions in the engine bay. Other than that, it's quite a simple job.
James. It could well be my car that you're referring to. I fitted a rear vision camera and dash mounted 5 inch monitor to my Mk4 Sports when I built it, as I too was concerned about the rear visibility. I find it very useful as an aid to reversing and it also doubles up as a substitute interior mirror. If anyone is thinking of doing likewise, do not go for a wide angle lens. Also, you need to install an "industrial" type camera which can stand the heat and vibration. I can dig out the details of my installation if anyone is interested.
Having said all this, I find that my outside mirrors (slightly convex) give a very good view of what's going on behind although the rear wing does tend to get in the way somewhat.
For what it's worth, I'm putting a GTR together at the moment and intend to install a rear vision camera in this one too.
Since this is a multi topic theme, 3 issues
1, l too find the standard mirrors fine with the exception of the typical blind spot but also any car with a blue light on top has the light obscured by the wing. Something of a disadvantage in the UK l think.
2, The splitter on my car rubs on exiting the drive and l have bent the aluminium below the rad but that is all. l once his a pot hole in Turin with such force that it popped the engine cover top catch clean off. Still cant think why.
3, ULTIMAROBERT what are the driving conditions in Prague as l am a bit wary about eastern Europe as an Ultima touring route?
Nick
1, l too find the standard mirrors fine with the exception of the typical blind spot but also any car with a blue light on top has the light obscured by the wing. Something of a disadvantage in the UK l think.
2, The splitter on my car rubs on exiting the drive and l have bent the aluminium below the rad but that is all. l once his a pot hole in Turin with such force that it popped the engine cover top catch clean off. Still cant think why.
3, ULTIMAROBERT what are the driving conditions in Prague as l am a bit wary about eastern Europe as an Ultima touring route?
Nick
The driving conditions in Prague (and most of the Czech Republic) are pretty good. I've driven there many times in various cars, although not my Ultima. The cobbled streets can be a bit interesting, but overall, if you can drive it in London, you'll have no trouble in Prague. Then again, the roads in London can be pretty awful, so that's not saying much 
Top Tip. Don't ever call the Czech Republic Eastern Europe in front of my wife (she's Czech). She gets insulted. If you look on a map, you'll find it located neatly between Germany and Austria. Pretty much in about as central a point in Europe as you could hope for
Top Tip. Don't ever call the Czech Republic Eastern Europe in front of my wife (she's Czech). She gets insulted. If you look on a map, you'll find it located neatly between Germany and Austria. Pretty much in about as central a point in Europe as you could hope for
Well l never knew it was so close. My apologies to your wife. When l last drove from Germany to Austria (in haste l must add as the Police felt the width of an Ultima is insufficient reason to park in a disabled bay) l missed the Czech Republic completely. Either it is very small or further East (dare l say it) than l was. 
l have added the Czech Republic to my list of places to try out. Can you guarentee l wont lose my splitter?
>> Edited by ultiman on Sunday 12th October 17:54
l have added the Czech Republic to my list of places to try out. Can you guarentee l wont lose my splitter?
>> Edited by ultiman on Sunday 12th October 17:54
The Czech Republic has provide me with quite a few nice drives on great winding roads, rolling hills and beautiful scenery.
Unfortuantely, Prague and other large city centres are terrible with their cobble stones. I have scrapped bottom a few times in Prague (a sickening sound) and the other Ultima's here (3 besides mine) have broke splitters a couple of times. Just steer clear of the large city centres.
I drive to South Bohemia near the Austrian boarder where we have a small cottage and have not found much else around Europe that beats the driving experience. Plus, Czech women (21-34) are more car keen than anywhere, with the added benefit that they are the best looking of anywhere (I have travelled most countries). That is why Dian always "prefers" to come on my drives. Not to worry, she loves f-a-s-t and keeps her mouth shut (as if I could hear her anyway)!
We just returned two hours ago from a dash to Heidelberg, Germany, and back -- wiping a few stock Porches on the way. It's great to give them a head start.
No problems with visability from the rear -- even when pulled over by the police(more curious than anything). It just takes getting used to the mirrors.
Dian does bitch because we have to park it a relative's house and take a tram for 15 minutes to my daughter's, 21, (advert) apartment because it will not make it over the canter between road and driveway. I am getting adjustable air shocks, but 15 minutes of tram verses German autobahns?? Come on.
3100 miles in 30-days of owning a GTR. No mechanical problems (and, damn, no Czech women -- Dian's a Brit).
Unfortuantely, Prague and other large city centres are terrible with their cobble stones. I have scrapped bottom a few times in Prague (a sickening sound) and the other Ultima's here (3 besides mine) have broke splitters a couple of times. Just steer clear of the large city centres.
I drive to South Bohemia near the Austrian boarder where we have a small cottage and have not found much else around Europe that beats the driving experience. Plus, Czech women (21-34) are more car keen than anywhere, with the added benefit that they are the best looking of anywhere (I have travelled most countries). That is why Dian always "prefers" to come on my drives. Not to worry, she loves f-a-s-t and keeps her mouth shut (as if I could hear her anyway)!
We just returned two hours ago from a dash to Heidelberg, Germany, and back -- wiping a few stock Porches on the way. It's great to give them a head start.
No problems with visability from the rear -- even when pulled over by the police(more curious than anything). It just takes getting used to the mirrors.
Dian does bitch because we have to park it a relative's house and take a tram for 15 minutes to my daughter's, 21, (advert) apartment because it will not make it over the canter between road and driveway. I am getting adjustable air shocks, but 15 minutes of tram verses German autobahns?? Come on.
3100 miles in 30-days of owning a GTR. No mechanical problems (and, damn, no Czech women -- Dian's a Brit).
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