New commuter wagon - GTM Libra
Discussion
Picked her up this morning, have been out most of today getting to know each other.
Didn't use more than half throttle or over 4k revs, although I have a feeling performance will be adequate. Chuffed to bits!
A little teaser for now, more to follow tomorrow assuming the rain holds off as forecast:
Didn't use more than half throttle or over 4k revs, although I have a feeling performance will be adequate. Chuffed to bits!
A little teaser for now, more to follow tomorrow assuming the rain holds off as forecast:
It's a fairly modern kit, GTM had been going for decades (not sure about the Cox, but I know they have a fair old history) but we're bought up by the owners of Westfield a while ago where things seem to have died a death.
It's a Fibreglass monocoque chassis (very, very stiff torsionally), and they were the first to mid mount the Rover K series - originally the 1.4. It seems even Lotus popped down to look it over when they were looking to design the original Elise...
This one has a 1.8 VVC out of the top (I think!) MGF, the engine had done less than 2k before being installed here. Build was finished and put on the road in 2005,since then she's done an average of 1k a year.
However, in many ways they are much more practical as a daily than an Elise (which I really hankered for, however as I've been driving hire cars through my old employer for the last two years, I couldn't get insured for the mileage I need). A decent sized boot, massive parcel shelf behind the seats, and very well judged suspension.
Now for the kicker - I'll be doing an average of 25k a year in her, commuting from my home village to Southampton every day. As it's so light, I should easily see over 40mpg, yet the performance is there when I want it.
Hope that's answered the initial queries, I'll post up lots tomorrow (weather depending) showing some of the clever little bits that made me want it so bad...
As an aside, there's an essentially new one (750 miles covered) in the classifieds for less than 10 grand...
I'm starting to think it is for some people the thinking man's Elise - something supported by a very old review on here: http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...
It's a Fibreglass monocoque chassis (very, very stiff torsionally), and they were the first to mid mount the Rover K series - originally the 1.4. It seems even Lotus popped down to look it over when they were looking to design the original Elise...
This one has a 1.8 VVC out of the top (I think!) MGF, the engine had done less than 2k before being installed here. Build was finished and put on the road in 2005,since then she's done an average of 1k a year.
However, in many ways they are much more practical as a daily than an Elise (which I really hankered for, however as I've been driving hire cars through my old employer for the last two years, I couldn't get insured for the mileage I need). A decent sized boot, massive parcel shelf behind the seats, and very well judged suspension.
Now for the kicker - I'll be doing an average of 25k a year in her, commuting from my home village to Southampton every day. As it's so light, I should easily see over 40mpg, yet the performance is there when I want it.
Hope that's answered the initial queries, I'll post up lots tomorrow (weather depending) showing some of the clever little bits that made me want it so bad...
As an aside, there's an essentially new one (750 miles covered) in the classifieds for less than 10 grand...
I'm starting to think it is for some people the thinking man's Elise - something supported by a very old review on here: http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...
bassett said:
I do like these but have to say that sounds ambitious mileage in a year for a kit car. Mine (7 based car) feels like it has a different issue each time i drive it
I know exactly where you're coming from, however these were designed from the outset to be approachable as an everyday car. Lots of little things (plus some of the major decisions) add up to what I hope will be a slightly raucous, yet perfectly happy daily. There are quite a few chaps on the owners club who have out some serious mileage in one - as well as those for whom it's a pure toy. We shall see, if necessary I'll get a lease on a Zanussi appliance for the daily shlep, but I'm hoping that won't be necessary.
Access to mechanicals looks to be ridiculously good - yes having clam fixings on show looks a little more amateurish compared to more mainstream stuff, but a few minutes undoing a few easily accessed (and non corroded) bolts and each end opens right up for pretty much full access to everything.
Had a 2003 1.6 one of these, factory built. Owned for 4 years and did just over 80k, it was my only car so did the motorway commute and camping trips!
Really really miss it, but it found some diesel one day and did a few spins before ending in a hedge. A chap on here then re-built it but it then sadly after about 6 months got side swiped by a bus! It's not resurfaced again yet....
Will for ever be my best ever car.
You should be able to do the millage if you do lots of maintenance. Or if that's not your thing I presume the OC have told you about this place, http://www.talonsportscars.com/contactus.php the person who runs this place built most of my old car.
Really really miss it, but it found some diesel one day and did a few spins before ending in a hedge. A chap on here then re-built it but it then sadly after about 6 months got side swiped by a bus! It's not resurfaced again yet....
Will for ever be my best ever car.
You should be able to do the millage if you do lots of maintenance. Or if that's not your thing I presume the OC have told you about this place, http://www.talonsportscars.com/contactus.php the person who runs this place built most of my old car.
Nice, I'm not completely mad then!
Had an 'interesting' interlude at the petrol station today - spent five minutes figuring out how to open the fuel cap (it had been left unlocked so I inadvertently locked it then tried to get it open!). Then was checking out a lovely 928 porker when the nozzle clicked. However, by that point I estimate the best part of a litre of super unleaded had overflowed...
Loads of blue roll and a quick chat with the station attendant meant things seemed fine - until I went to the garden centre and noticed a puddle when I pulled away - a very smelly puddle...
Doesn't seem to be a leak, but it really doesn't like being overfilled - lesson learnt.
Missus is getting used to it (she wasn't happy having a 40m hose reel on her lap on the way home), was very nice giving it some welly on the dual carriageway - acceleration is rather brisk!
Visibility is superb now I've got used to it, rattles are isolated to a couple of trim screws so easily fixed, although the dash squeaks where different Fibreglass mouldings rub against each other. Job for spring I think.
Weather is closing in here on the South Coast - next weekend will be a minor detailing session so will have to delay detailed pics until then...
Had an 'interesting' interlude at the petrol station today - spent five minutes figuring out how to open the fuel cap (it had been left unlocked so I inadvertently locked it then tried to get it open!). Then was checking out a lovely 928 porker when the nozzle clicked. However, by that point I estimate the best part of a litre of super unleaded had overflowed...
Loads of blue roll and a quick chat with the station attendant meant things seemed fine - until I went to the garden centre and noticed a puddle when I pulled away - a very smelly puddle...
Doesn't seem to be a leak, but it really doesn't like being overfilled - lesson learnt.
Missus is getting used to it (she wasn't happy having a 40m hose reel on her lap on the way home), was very nice giving it some welly on the dual carriageway - acceleration is rather brisk!
Visibility is superb now I've got used to it, rattles are isolated to a couple of trim screws so easily fixed, although the dash squeaks where different Fibreglass mouldings rub against each other. Job for spring I think.
Weather is closing in here on the South Coast - next weekend will be a minor detailing session so will have to delay detailed pics until then...
Break in the rain and the missus was threatening housework, so found a job to do.
First thing, clam open:
Really easy, six bolts all easily accessible.
Then the issue was revealed - split cold air feed hose:
Quick open of the jubilee, cut off the split end, refit and retighten.
Sorted:
Had a quick look over the rear suspension, quite an unusual design. Twin trailing arms mounted to the rear of the monocoque, then a really long Gaz coil over mounted up at the top of the bulkhead. Gives a really compliant ride, yet can be stiffened up as appropriate. Dampers will be cleaned off next week then coated in ACF50 as there are no rear inner arches - everything is open under the clam. Picture of the rear setup from above:
Then the heavens opened again, so quickly refitted the clam (quite a strong gas strut to hold against whilst getting the first fixing in) and dashed inside.
First thing, clam open:
Really easy, six bolts all easily accessible.
Then the issue was revealed - split cold air feed hose:
Quick open of the jubilee, cut off the split end, refit and retighten.
Sorted:
Had a quick look over the rear suspension, quite an unusual design. Twin trailing arms mounted to the rear of the monocoque, then a really long Gaz coil over mounted up at the top of the bulkhead. Gives a really compliant ride, yet can be stiffened up as appropriate. Dampers will be cleaned off next week then coated in ACF50 as there are no rear inner arches - everything is open under the clam. Picture of the rear setup from above:
Then the heavens opened again, so quickly refitted the clam (quite a strong gas strut to hold against whilst getting the first fixing in) and dashed inside.
Hoonigan said:
Cracking car, I'll have to keep an eye out for you in the mornings, I drive Chichester to Fareham every day in a white insignia with ladders on the roof 
Cheers. Give me a wave (what's the standard PH greeting - crossed arms, fists at shoulders and inane grin?!) if you see me. Your build looks stunning - always willing to help out on such beautiful things so just shout via PM. I have an Exoto GT40 model that's incredible in its detail - my 6yo lad keeps asking to play with it...
Sam
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