Purpose of your Ultima

[Alex93]

I just wondered what purpose people have/had for their Ultima's. Do you use it solely for track days? Going to the shops? A long-distance cruiser or a bit of all of these?
Also, what did you choose to have on your car to make it work for it's intended purpose?

Alex

[5paulmv]

Hi Alex I've got mine to be different and cos the engineering on it is so impressive

[Alex93]

5paulmv said:

Hi Alex I've got mine to be different and cos the engineering on it is so impressive

Fair play, so you've stuck your neck out a bit to make it as different as you can? I find it interesting the different views people have and how people customise their cars to make them just how they want. Got to say the engine and exhaust system looks very nice on yours Paul

[5paulmv]

Wish I could say it was my doing it was done by canam Dave

[Alex93]

5paulmv said:

Wish I could say it was my doing it was done by canam Dave

Ah okay! Atleast you're being honest I guess. Still a gorgeous bit of kit regardless!

[5paulmv]

this one is my work

[deadscoob]

No Ultima makes a good long distance cruiser

Reason for mine is it's the closest I felt I could get to the old Le mans cars, gt40s andT70s type. Didn't want a gt40, wanted a t70, no one does a good version of that over here. I like the Gardner Douglas t70 alike, but preferred the Ultima overall.

Built with trackdays in mind with the appropriate mods, and a few cosmetic tweaks to make it look more how I wanted. Drives to blow the cobwebs out and trackdays were my main intention, although only managed 3 trackdays so far in the year.

Interior I wanted simple, but not as simple as std, so more "normal" instruments where they should be, in front of you, indicator stalks etc.

[vipernick]

Mine is a four wheel Motor bike beater..where else do you get big horse power light weight in the super car bracket?

[Alex93]

vipernick said:

Mine is a four wheel Motor bike beater..where else do you get big horse power light weight in the super car bracket?

There's not a great deal that offers the sort of power an Ultima can have with such a relative low weight until you get to Hypercar territory

[Alex93]

deadscoob said:

No Ultima makes a good long distance cruiser

Reason for mine is it's the closest I felt I could get to the old Le mans cars, gt40s andT70s type. Didn't want a gt40, wanted a t70, no one does a good version of that over here. I like the Gardner Douglas t70 alike, but preferred the Ultima overall.

Built with trackdays in mind with the appropriate mods, and a few cosmetic tweaks to make it look more how I wanted. Drives to blow the cobwebs out and trackdays were my main intention, although only managed 3 trackdays so far in the year.

Interior I wanted simple, but not as simple as std, so more "normal" instruments where they should be, in front of you, indicator stalks etc.

I'm pretty new to all this but surely there can be mods made to make it a half-decent cruiser. Granted I reckon the Can-Am may make a better cruiser but maybe softer suspension and a decent but not stupidly powerful engine with good torque figures would make it an okay cruiser?

I agree about the interior and simplicity. If its being built to be drivable then simplicity must be key I guess. Instruments in front of the driver including indicator stalks etc. Sat-nav with radio etc (although i dare say it'd need to be a bloody powerful system to hear it over the engine 12 inch's behind your head)

[deadscoob]

There are things you can do to make them better cruisers, but they'll never be good cruisers unless you dramatically modify them to remove noise and vibration -if you want that you may as well buy a production car.

[356Speedster]

Alex93 said:

I'm pretty new to all this but surely there can be mods made to make it a half-decent cruiser. Granted I reckon the Can-Am may make a better cruiser but maybe softer suspension and a decent but not stupidly powerful engine with good torque figures would make it an okay cruiser?

I agree about the interior and simplicity. If its being built to be drivable then simplicity must be key I guess. Instruments in front of the driver including indicator stalks etc. Sat-nav with radio etc (although i dare say it'd need to be a bloody powerful system to hear it over the engine 12 inch's behind your head)

I guess it depends how hardy you are to start with! Compared to my Atom, the Ultima is a joy to cover long distances in and that’s in Can Am spec with the small aeroscreen. The seat is comfortable, the suspension is compliant (remember it’s adjustable from quite soft to rock hard), the gearing is long (I have a 911 twin turbo 6-speed) and with some sensible interior trimming, it’s a very nice place to sit. My run to Le Mans this yr was extremely pleasant, only a 30min rain storm spoilt it!

I’ve been to the shops in it, driven to work in and generally find excuses to drive it. It’s an occasion. I agree that a highly strung race motor & drivetrain wouldn’t make for much fun on the daily grind, but you can spec an Ultima to really do best of both worlds if that’s what you want. Take all the upgraded suspension / brake bits from the factory, but go with a sensible LS motor (which even in base 420bhp spec would be silly fast on the road), GM ECU, silky Porsche cable change ‘box, add some creature comforts and it’ll cover 99% of the bases.

I agree with column stalks and an instrument pack infront of the steering wheel. Sat Nav / radio is easy to do (you don’t have to go the full Car PC route like I did, LOL!) and even with an aeroscreen & no roof, I have no problems hearing it when cruising.

Ultimately, these cars can be tailored to do whatever you want and unless you spend your life on track, they can do pootling round town, cruising, hooning & still be good fun on a track day very easily.

[UltimaCH]

^

[Alex93]

356Speedster said:

I guess it depends how hardy you are to start with! Compared to my Atom, the Ultima is a joy to cover long distances in and that’s in Can Am spec with the small aeroscreen. The seat is comfortable, the suspension is compliant (remember it’s adjustable from quite soft to rock hard), the gearing is long (I have a 911 twin turbo 6-speed) and with some sensible interior trimming, it’s a very nice place to sit. My run to Le Mans this yr was extremely pleasant, only a 30min rain storm spoilt it!

I’ve been to the shops in it, driven to work in and generally find excuses to drive it. It’s an occasion. I agree that a highly strung race motor & drivetrain wouldn’t make for much fun on the daily grind, but you can spec an Ultima to really do best of both worlds if that’s what you want. Take all the upgraded suspension / brake bits from the factory, but go with a sensible LS motor (which even in base 420bhp spec would be silly fast on the road), GM ECU, silky Porsche cable change ‘box, add some creature comforts and it’ll cover 99% of the bases.

I agree with column stalks and an instrument pack infront of the steering wheel. Sat Nav / radio is easy to do (you don’t have to go the full Car PC route like I did, LOL!) and even with an aeroscreen & no roof, I have no problems hearing it when cruising.

Ultimately, these cars can be tailored to do whatever you want and unless you spend your life on track, they can do pootling round town, cruising, hooning & still be good fun on a track day very easily.

Yeah exactly it can be what you want it to be.
Me and my brother have only just started our GTR but I think we're setting out with the intention of it being an occasional track day car when the weather is allowing. Mixed with the occasional long-distance run maybe once a year to Spain or wherever and was just curious what people had done to tailor there cars for similar functions

[deadscoob]

I obviously have a different interpretation of a long distance cruiser then lol.

If I need to go on a long journey, I wouldn't choose the ultima over the BM.

If I wanted to go on a journey for a bit of excitement, I'd take the Ultima of course.

I'd happily drive mine to the alps, but the long distance motorway parts of the drive probably wouldn't make me change my list of good long distance cruisers to include an Ultima.

[Ult-Jim]

For me it is to explore, learn and experience every aspect of motoring. I have a Caterham R500 and have sampled club shows and blats, track days and a tour through the alps (followed by a long motorway run back to the UK ) From this I have discovered that mountain blats in my free time in South France fit the bill for my lifestyle and enjoyment right now and so that is my plan for that car next year.

With the Ultima it will be the same with sampling everything I can possibly do within the contraints of a 2 months on and 2 months off job and all my other toys and interests and budget. This year I have been learning to run and live with the car, going to car shows and meets such as PH Sunday service, Wilton House and Ace Café. Next year I plan to do more touring, with a Petrol Head Nirvana Welsh Weekender trip already booked for next May and may be a European tour in September as well. A Vmax event is also on my wish list. Already I am sensing that I will complete a track day in the Ultima a lot quicker than I did in the Caterham. I am very keen to join in on an Ultima organized Track day next year. Perhaps Silverstone F1 circuit. April / May or September / October when I am free

With a right hand gear shift I have plenty of leg room for cruising. However I have found the seat to be a little hard while motorway cruising and so will look to adding some removable cushioning of some sort.

[Storer]

I am clocking up the miles on my GTR, In the 18 months she has been back on the road the total is now over 6000 miles.

I do quite a few 120 to 180 mile round trips but also did Le Mans this year (1200miles). You just need to break the journey to stretch your legs. You will need to refuel (quite often) and take a leak, have a coffee. Long trips are doable but I can't say they are a comfortable trip, but they are an experience and that is what you will remember!

An Ultima must venture onto a track once in it's lifetime (or yours) as it is another of those experiences. I need to do it again, as soon as mine is fixed.

They are fine to collect a bottle of wine or loaf of bread but if you are thinking about doing the weekly shop, unless you are fasting for at least 5 days in 7 then the daily driver might be a better bet.

An Ultima is a car you either really want or you don't. If you want a vehicle for a long distance jaunt in some level of comfort then I would not start with an Ultima.

All my opinion of course and I am an old git.


Paul

[UltimaCH]

For an old git like me, I compliment you on the number of miles you have racked up, together with the long journeys you do. I think other owners should follow your example. We only live once....

[deadscoob]

Agree re track Paul. I think it's such a shame owners don't take them on track. As long as they're set up properly, they're such good fun.
Only 3500 in a year for me, will try and keep up with you next year

[inetd]

track days, switched to Holley carburetor