Scratch built GT40 finally running
Discussion
. The things dreams are made off. And great to see you enjoying it. Building a GT40 kit is on the list, once the kids are a little older and can help.
Came across this thread this morning, and fully intended to read the first page and then skip to the 17th to see the final result. But, I couldn't cheat and had to read all 17 pages. What an incredible story and what a spectacular build of one of the most beautiful automotive designs ever! You have fabricated a monumental achievement. And your patience is nothing short of unbelievable. My Pantera took over 4 years to restore and modify what was already a very good specimen, and I was losing my mind waiting for it to come back to me. The car is beautiful, enjoy it in good health, and have fun! And as for the smile on the young boy's face after going for a ride, who wouldn't be giggling ear to ear after such a ride? But, more importantly, you'll have instilled an appreciation of such cars and helped introduce a new generation of aficionados to classic cars. Whenever I take my Pantera to car events, I invite every parent who has their young children with them to put their kids into the driver's seat and take pictures as my part in passing the love of great classics into the future generations.
Again, congratulations on a spectacular build.
Again, congratulations on a spectacular build.
|https://thumbsnap.com/FxIav6XG[/url]Took part in a charity event a couple of weeks back where patients in palliative care were given the opportunity to go for a spin in a variety of exotic cars, vintage cars, trucks, race cares, motorcycles, and even a helicopter. Very rewarding day.
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[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/66E92tjr[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/AugEwH5d[/url]Well deserved! This is a fantastic example of kiwi ingecunning at its finest. The prep work, research and part sourcing really paid off, very impressive assemblage. I too only just discovered this thread and enjoyed reading through in one go, makes it seem easy!
A fine piece of work by classic car developments, but the credit goes to you for the vision and tenacity to persevere throughout the time it takes to get this done - a rare quality.
I am inspired to keep plugging away at my project if the results can be a fraction of what you have achieved.
What tips would you have for someone starting a similar journey?
Got a couple of specific questions for you in regards to LVVTA certification;
1) What sort of internal fuel tank structure was used for baffling? Can you remember the gauge and grade of aluminium sheet that was used in the construction and what sort of fatigue crack precautions were planned?
2) What was the specific reason for the motorsport authority card requirement, is it only the harnesses?
3) Is the front glazing laminated and was it NZ sourced? Glassshape in Warkworth no longer do automotive so I am up a bit of creek with front glazing in NZ currently.
Thanks again for continuing to share what I am sure is your pride and joy (and legacy!)
A fine piece of work by classic car developments, but the credit goes to you for the vision and tenacity to persevere throughout the time it takes to get this done - a rare quality.
I am inspired to keep plugging away at my project if the results can be a fraction of what you have achieved.
What tips would you have for someone starting a similar journey?
Got a couple of specific questions for you in regards to LVVTA certification;
1) What sort of internal fuel tank structure was used for baffling? Can you remember the gauge and grade of aluminium sheet that was used in the construction and what sort of fatigue crack precautions were planned?
2) What was the specific reason for the motorsport authority card requirement, is it only the harnesses?
3) Is the front glazing laminated and was it NZ sourced? Glassshape in Warkworth no longer do automotive so I am up a bit of creek with front glazing in NZ currently.
Thanks again for continuing to share what I am sure is your pride and joy (and legacy!)
Edited by F1natic on Wednesday 18th March 07:17
F1natic said:
Well deserved! This is a fantastic example of kiwi ingecunning at its finest. The prep work, research and part sourcing really paid off, very impressive assemblage. I too only just discovered this thread and enjoyed reading through in one go, makes it seem easy!
Thank you for the kind words F1natic. Much appreciated.Tips? Decide on a route you want to pursue and stick to it (e.g. is originality important? If not, what compromises are you willing to make? What drive-train are you going with? What induction? and so on). Be prepared for things to take much longer than you anticipated and cost way more than you originally budgeted.
Get a really good and clued up vehicle certifier on-board as soon as possible.
I assume you are in NZ, so make yourself familiar with all the relevant LVVTA literature and supply the LVVTA Tech guys all possible drawings, photos, calculations, etc. that they could likely need. By doing the above my certification process was relatively painless and pretty much all sorted before the car was mobile. Then it was a reasonably quick timeframe (6 weeks) for actual checking by the certifier and LTNZ.
Other questions:
1) Fuel tanks are packed with foam. Still get a bit of surge however. If doing it again I would likely install a more effective baffle system. I don’t recall the gauge off the top of my head but it was reasonably heavy. The tanks are well strapped in and are separated from the sponson ribs by thin rubber membrane to avoid electrolytic reaction and provide a little cushioning. All inlets and outlets are by flexible rubber couplings, so hopefully fatigue will not be an issue.
2) The authority card covers 4-point harness, plastic side windows, adjustable brake bias, and hydraulic handbrake (I have gone the original route with this – i.e. the handbrake lever merely pulls the footbrake pedal down).
3) I sourced my windscreen from Dan White in the US. His pattern matches the original shape very closely. Other manufacturers do offer windscreens (Tornado, RCR etc.) but you need to check that they will fit your application. I believe an outfit in Australia does GT40 screens as well, and also Pilkington in the UK.
Hope that helps.
Having resisted the temptation to take the 40 to the supermarket during lockdown I was keen to see if 7 weeks of inactivity had adversely affected the battery. Apparently not. After a few turns to get enough fuel through the system she was good to go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZaCcgNSuA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZaCcgNSuA
Stunning day here yesterday, so I took friend of my daughter for a spin. I think she was impressed (oh, and in case you are wondering about the change of user name, change of computer and email address is responsible). Just clocked up 3000 miles and heading off on biggest adventure yet (almost 1200 miles) next week.
Superb photo, don't be shy post more, I for one will never get tired of admiring it.
Have you been into Rod Tempero's workshop? If you are on a road trip and passing through Oamaru might be worth a call. A visit to his place is on my checklist when I do my South Island shakedown run in a few years.
Have you been into Rod Tempero's workshop? If you are on a road trip and passing through Oamaru might be worth a call. A visit to his place is on my checklist when I do my South Island shakedown run in a few years.
Edited by F1natic on Tuesday 8th September 04:56
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