Lightweight V8 coupes?

[300bhp/ton]

ZackM said:

A modern coupe with any engine that weighs that? I give you the Alfa Romeo 4C. 2000lbs to 2300lbs depending on the version.

And of course the Lotus Exige, Alpine A110 too. You said any engine.

Car like those have rarely had V8’s in unless they are full on LeMans style race cars.

Beside shoving a V8 in any of those plus the bigger gearbox and drivetrain likely required would push the weight up anyway. Albeit still lightweight.

As said. Wishful thinking.....

[300bhp/ton]

ZackM said:

Wiesmann. German Morgans. None of those for sale on pistonheads though. Although there is a different model. For 120K!

C6 ZO6 is a good shout. Still not the car I'm talking about though. It's physically larger. Different behavior. But not a bad shout.

R8? Which one of them is bellow 2900lbs? They are all heavy.

You are coming across rather obtuse. Why does it need to be for sale on PH???

Do you have an actual budget in mind? Are you actually looking to buy? Why must it be a new car?

A Lister Bell with a V8 would probably tick the weight and V8 and new boxes. And maybe some Cobra replicas. There is pretty much nothing else.

[jeremyc]

Gardner Douglas T70. Currently for sale, 7 litre V8, 608bhp, negligible weight. This I can guarantee will re-arrange your internal organs when the throttle is mashed.



Edited to add: about 900Kg.

[ZackM]

cerb4.5lee said:

Without building something yourself you are going to struggle with your requirements I reckon.

Yes, I'm thinking that too.

[ZackM]

Johnniem said:

I think your main problem is that you require a V8 and a more modern car. Small and fast is easy. There are many that will do as you require speed-wise but apart from the 'older' Cerbera, there isn't really anything that ticks all boxes. You have dismissed most offerings (politely, I might add) but I am beginning to think that your ideal car doesn't really exist. How about dropping the number of cylinders to 6?

JM

Yes sure. But I think the V8 is a big part of it. It just wouldn't be the same with a 4-cyl. turbo. Even a 6. I really think the V8 is a big part of it all. NA V8 has a thing of its own.

About dismissing, some of the suggestions might seem like I dismissed but not really. For example the Z06. It is indeed a very good suggestion. But I don't know why, I never fancied a Corvette. They never made me feel anything. The power is there, the performance is there, prices are fair. But still, there is something missing. Am I alone?

But I don't totally dismiss it as it might be the only thing which comes close and comes in budget. Apart from something custom. But it leaves me so cold.

I agree with you. I have been saying all along the car all want probably doesn't exist.

[ZackM]

300bhp/ton said:

Car like those have rarely had V8’s in unless they are full on LeMans style race cars.

Beside shoving a V8 in any of those plus the bigger gearbox and drivetrain likely required would push the weight up anyway. Albeit still lightweight.

As said. Wishful thinking.....

I know. I was just kidding around, as he did say, any engine.

I'm not disagreeing this might be wishful thinking.

Maybe as suggested, if I do something custom. I took a quick look after posting the Brabus SLK and it seems people drop V8s in those little R170s. It seems to be a direct bolt on too as the engine family is the same.

Although the retractable roof doesn't please me at all.

[ZackM]

300bhp/ton said:

You are coming across rather obtuse. Why does it need to be for sale on PH???

Do you have an actual budget in mind? Are you actually looking to buy? Why must it be a new car?

A Lister Bell with a V8 would probably tick the weight and V8 and new boxes. And maybe some Cobra replicas. There is pretty much nothing else.

No, no. It doesn't need to be for sale on PH. I was kidding, implying that it is probably just too rare.

Way above what I would pay too. These types of cars are just not in the radar. Can't afford that.

About budget, honestly I wasn't thinking about this till I drove that TR8.

So I'm not desperately looking for it. I don't have to have it. I would love to and would buy if I can get something I can afford.

For a number things like the GT86, Z06, M3s, V8 Vantages and so on are definitely in an OK price range. Things like the Weissmann are definitely not. I have not set a number. I wanted to look what was out there. But it is feeling could out here.

[ZackM]

jeremyc said:

Gardner Douglas T70. Currently for sale, 7 litre V8, 608bhp, negligible weight. This I can guarantee will re-arrange your internal organs when the throttle is mashed.



Edited to add: about 900Kg.

That is interesting. But 90k no chance.

Is it a replica of some sort or maybe a mix of things? Exterior is appealing. In a different colour could be nice. I don't care for the interior.

[irocfan]

ZackM said:

Yes sure. But I think the V8 is a big part of it. It just wouldn't be the same with a 4-cyl. turbo. Even a 6. I really think the V8 is a big part of it all. NA V8 has a thing of its own.

I understand this requirement perfectly

[DoubleD]

Are you based in America?

[ZackM]

DoubleD said:

Are you based in America?

I'm not. Why?

[DoubleD]

ZackM said:

DoubleD said:

Are you based in America?

I'm not. Why?

Ah, I thought you were as you talk in lbs

[ZackM]

DoubleD said:

Ah, I thought you were as you talk in lbs

Probably lazy copying from wikipedia.

[TurboBlue]

Lotus Esprit V8 GT

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...

V8, light, small, 2 seats, around 20 years old, manual, only going to appreciate (if looked after), around £40-60K

[AshVX220]

TurboBlue said:

Lotus Esprit V8 GT

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...

V8, light, small, 2 seats, around 20 years old, manual, only going to appreciate (if looked after), around £40-60K

I was just about to say the same, they still look stunning too!

[Johnniem]

ZackM said:

Johnniem said:

I think your main problem is that you require a V8 and a more modern car. Small and fast is easy. There are many that will do as you require speed-wise but apart from the 'older' Cerbera, there isn't really anything that ticks all boxes. You have dismissed most offerings (politely, I might add) but I am beginning to think that your ideal car doesn't really exist. How about dropping the number of cylinders to 6?

JM

Yes sure. But I think the V8 is a big part of it. It just wouldn't be the same with a 4-cyl. turbo. Even a 6. I really think the V8 is a big part of it all. NA V8 has a thing of its own.

About dismissing, some of the suggestions might seem like I dismissed but not really. For example the Z06. It is indeed a very good suggestion. But I don't know why, I never fancied a Corvette. They never made me feel anything. The power is there, the performance is there, prices are fair. But still, there is something missing. Am I alone?

But I don't totally dismiss it as it might be the only thing which comes close and comes in budget. Apart from something custom. But it leaves me so cold.

I agree with you. I have been saying all along the car all want probably doesn't exist.

Perhaps you could research into the cars that have had an Chevy LS implant (a pal of mine has an LS7 in a Tuscan - that should tick pretty much every one of your boxes - lightweight, modern-ish and 560+ horse powers). There are likely many cars that can have a transplant and be exactly what you want but the I don't think you'll get the full requirements from a stock car.

[ZackM]

The Esprit is nice. I had a 1989 Turbo. It was nice but I don't fancy another one. I'm also in the group thinking the V8 kind of ruined the car. I have driven a few V8s.

All together I don't lust for another Esprit. But if I ever would I think the ultimate Esprit is a Sport 300.

So now I'm starting to consider V8 swaps. Dropping a V8 in something small and light. Engine at front power at the rear.

I'm quite liking the idea of the SLK, as I would like something a bit more refined or classy. By that I mean I don't want the usual LS swap. The thought of a Mercedes V8 or something like that is more what I would like. I want something that allows me to keep it in the family. Meaning engine and car from the same manufacturer. Again reason the SLK is a good option. Also it seems it has been done. So that makes things easier.

Any other suggestions within these parameters that I should consider?

[ZackM]

Johnniem said:

Perhaps you could research into the cars that have had an Chevy LS implant (a pal of mine has an LS7 in a Tuscan - that should tick pretty much every one of your boxes - lightweight, modern-ish and 560+ horse powers). There are likely many cars that can have a transplant and be exactly what you want but the I don't think you'll get the full requirements from a stock car.

Hey, you posted that as I was just posting. Check my reply above.

But cheers for the suggestion. Yes, a swap is now in the cards.

[Johnniem]

ZackM said:

Johnniem said:

Perhaps you could research into the cars that have had an Chevy LS implant (a pal of mine has an LS7 in a Tuscan - that should tick pretty much every one of your boxes - lightweight, modern-ish and 560+ horse powers). There are likely many cars that can have a transplant and be exactly what you want but the I don't think you'll get the full requirements from a stock car.

Hey, you posted that as I was just posting. Check my reply above.

But cheers for the suggestion. Yes, a swap is now in the cards.

Great minds, and all that! Now I'm thinking, does an LS3 slip nicely into a Cayman? Not for me but as a mid-engined car it really could work. Superb balance.

[irocfan]

there seems to be quite a thing for transplanting LS lumps into MX5s as well as RX8s (yes the LS lump is heavier than a rotary - but not by as much as you might imagine).

The advantage of the LS is it is a low engine (not being OHC) so very good for low bonnet lines, I'm sure I read somewhere that they are, however, a little wider than a OHC V8 (happy to stand corrected)