Ultima changes?
Discussion
I have some wonderings about upcoming changes to the Ultima and would be very happy of someone would try to answer them.
1. How has the Ultima Factory done in the past with changes to the Ultima? Do they come as a surprise or are they advertised in advance?
2. Do the changes to the Ultima come at a specific time? In "regular" cars (like Ford, Toyota, Volvo...) the big changes almost always comes in the last two quarters of the year. Therefore it´s easy to speak about year models... like if I say I own a 2002 Ford Focus, then you would know what spec it is. Does the Ultima Factory work anything like this?
3. Do you know if any big changes are to come within the next couple of years? Is there maybe a list somewhere on the upcoming changes?
The reason why I´m so interested in this is that I´m going to buy an Ultima (GTR) in late 2005 or 2006. And when I´m having this amount of "foresight" I might as well try to buy the kit at the "best time".
I know that my English shamefully bad, though I´m working to correct it. But as I´m aware of the shortcomings I must urge you to please ask me to rephrase my questions rather then just leave them because of them being impossible to understand :-).
Regards
Anders
1. How has the Ultima Factory done in the past with changes to the Ultima? Do they come as a surprise or are they advertised in advance?
2. Do the changes to the Ultima come at a specific time? In "regular" cars (like Ford, Toyota, Volvo...) the big changes almost always comes in the last two quarters of the year. Therefore it´s easy to speak about year models... like if I say I own a 2002 Ford Focus, then you would know what spec it is. Does the Ultima Factory work anything like this?
3. Do you know if any big changes are to come within the next couple of years? Is there maybe a list somewhere on the upcoming changes?
The reason why I´m so interested in this is that I´m going to buy an Ultima (GTR) in late 2005 or 2006. And when I´m having this amount of "foresight" I might as well try to buy the kit at the "best time".
I know that my English shamefully bad, though I´m working to correct it. But as I´m aware of the shortcomings I must urge you to please ask me to rephrase my questions rather then just leave them because of them being impossible to understand :-).
Regards
Anders
Anders,
The cars are being developed continuously, but most of the changes are to smaller components.
In terms of a complete re-design, this happens infrequently, maybe once every 10 years but there's no set rule. The current styling of the GTR and Can-Am has a good 5 years+ life in it (well, I think so at least) so you'll not end up with an 'out of date' looking model if you wait until 2005/06.
If a new car was to be developed, I doubt whether the factory would advertise the fact until it was ready (but no doubt rumours would appear pretty rapidly), you can't blame them from protecting sales of the outgoing model after all. I'm unsure as to how the Sport to GTR transition went, other than the fact that they were both available side-by-side for a time (still are in fact), but everyone opted for the newer GTR when it became available.
So in short answer to your question, I'd say that the current models have a good 5+ years left in them.
If it ain't broke....
The cars are being developed continuously, but most of the changes are to smaller components.
In terms of a complete re-design, this happens infrequently, maybe once every 10 years but there's no set rule. The current styling of the GTR and Can-Am has a good 5 years+ life in it (well, I think so at least) so you'll not end up with an 'out of date' looking model if you wait until 2005/06.
If a new car was to be developed, I doubt whether the factory would advertise the fact until it was ready (but no doubt rumours would appear pretty rapidly), you can't blame them from protecting sales of the outgoing model after all. I'm unsure as to how the Sport to GTR transition went, other than the fact that they were both available side-by-side for a time (still are in fact), but everyone opted for the newer GTR when it became available.
So in short answer to your question, I'd say that the current models have a good 5+ years left in them.
If it ain't broke....
But then again, we could always look to make the changes ourselves.
Main thing for me would be the lights. This is something I looking at doing once the car is complete. See attached:
[url]www.clark.mike.btinternet.co.uk/Ultima/Images/MikesUltimaGTRa.jpg[/url]
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
Main thing for me would be the lights. This is something I looking at doing once the car is complete. See attached:
[url]www.clark.mike.btinternet.co.uk/Ultima/Images/MikesUltimaGTRa.jpg[/url]
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
jaso said:
I know that my English shamefully bad, though I´m working to correct it. But as I´m aware of the shortcomings I must urge you to please ask me to rephrase my questions rather then just leave them because of them being impossible to understand :-).
I wouldn't put yourself down; Your english is perfect!
mclark said:
But then again, we could always look to make the changes ourselves.
Main thing for me would be the lights. This is something I looking at doing once the car is complete. See attached:
[url]www.clark.mike.btinternet.co.uk/Ultima/Images/MikesUltimaGTRa.jpg[/url]
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
Nice bit of photoshopping Mike!
Amazing how a fairly small change dramatically alters the look of the front. Really like the look of those lamps.
mclark said:
Main thing for me would be the lights.
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
I have to agree with you on that one, the 'headlights' of a sports car are for me one of it's more defining featurs... I mean, I can't imagine a Porsche without the bug eyed look... and it's really one area when you can notice the difference in a Kit and a true Exotic.
The current lights are functional, but to me, the wrong shape, given the curvy wings that the GTR has at the front...
Perhaps we could have a competition for the best looking headlight designs ;-) (opens can of worms) and then we could maybe get a few custom made... since I intend to paint mine anyway, I don't mind a bit of body reworking...
plus the factory gets a bit of free R&D as well...
just my £0.02
Pete
Good idea Pete.
If people want to suggest lights to try, I'll get my nephew to do the dirty work.
FYI these lights are from a Gallardo and I think are a perfect fit (cosmetically).
I have thought about waiting until I've run the car for a few months, then buying a new front canopy to supply to a body shop/fibreglass specialist to attempt which ever light mods I decide upon.
If people want to suggest lights to try, I'll get my nephew to do the dirty work.
FYI these lights are from a Gallardo and I think are a perfect fit (cosmetically).
I have thought about waiting until I've run the car for a few months, then buying a new front canopy to supply to a body shop/fibreglass specialist to attempt which ever light mods I decide upon.
If you're looking for a glass specialist, I have found a guy near me who is Lloyds registered, does work for Maranello, used to lay up GT40 bodies for Vic Elford. He's doing a job for me so I'll let you know how it turns out.
He did mention that the Ult body was one of the best he's seen.
He did mention that the Ult body was one of the best he's seen.
mclark said:
But then again, we could always look to make the changes ourselves.
Main thing for me would be the lights. This is something I looking at doing once the car is complete. See attached:
[url]www.clark.mike.btinternet.co.uk/Ultima/Images/MikesUltimaGTRa.jpg[/url]
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
Wow, this is right on!
I like a lot of you apparently think the front light assembly is a bit dated or "kit carish" if you will. While the rear is fairly stylish. I would like to put in the flatter eye style common to many modern sports cars right now. Don't think it would be a hugely difficult mod, and the results as you have shown with the Gallardo are fairly stunning! Thanks.
peterpsg said:
Main thing for me would be the lights.
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
I have to agree with you on that one, the 'headlights' of a sports car are for me one of it's more defining featurs... I mean, I can't imagine a Porsche without the bug eyed look... and it's really one area when you can notice the difference in a Kit and a true Exotic.
The current lights are functional, but to me, the wrong shape, given the curvy wings that the GTR has at the front...
Perhaps we could have a competition for the best looking headlight designs ;-) (opens can of worms) and then we could maybe get a few custom made... since I intend to paint mine anyway, I don't mind a bit of body reworking...
plus the factory gets a bit of free R&D as well...
just my £0.02
Pete
I think it is a great idea,..though the factory guys are probably thinking ..OH sh*t!.... Anyway, would the intention be to completely design a new headlight system or "steal" a design from one of the existing marques? I guess if you're putting in a chevy engine, and porsche transaxle, a lamborghini headlight isn't much of a leap. I'm an engineer with some CAD ability and access to pretty high end 3D modeling, can mold fiberglass, etc. Hmmm...OK question..with the kit is the current headlight assembly a unit - or can the existing light systems be positioned anyway you want into a new sealed box?
308tr6 said:
mclark said:
Main thing for me would be the lights.
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
I have to agree with you on that one, the 'headlights' of a sports car are for me one of it's more defining featurs... I mean, I can't imagine a Porsche without the bug eyed look... and it's really one area when you can notice the difference in a Kit and a true Exotic.
The current lights are functional, but to me, the wrong shape, given the curvy wings that the GTR has at the front...
Perhaps we could have a competition for the best looking headlight designs ;-) (opens can of worms) and then we could maybe get a few custom made... since I intend to paint mine anyway, I don't mind a bit of body reworking...
plus the factory gets a bit of free R&D as well...
just my £0.02
Pete
I think it is a great idea,..though the factory guys are probably thinking ..OH sh*t!.... Anyway, would the intention be to completely design a new headlight system or "steal" a design from one of the existing marques? I guess if you're putting in a chevy engine, and porsche transaxle, a lamborghini headlight isn't much of a leap. I'm an engineer with some CAD ability and access to pretty high end 3D modeling, can mold fiberglass, etc. Hmmm...OK question..with the kit is the current headlight assembly a unit - or can the existing light systems be positioned anyway you want into a new sealed box?
lol - one thing I can guarantee is that the factory aren't thinking "...OH sh*t"
But you'd have to know Ted to understand why. The lights would have to be SVA compliant (and maybe BS approved?) so you'd either mount the lamp units into a custom made 'pod' (which is how the existing ones are made) or, use a lamp/lens combination from a mainstream manufacturer - like the lambo. Morgan do just this with the new Beetle lights for example.
In 'theory', there's nothing to stop you modifying the light pods to look like whatever you like, providing they comply with the SVA regs. But once again, the more 'individual' you make the car in this respect (don't get me wrong, I really like Mike's mock-up), the greater the possibility of limiting its appeal to future owners.
mclark said:
But then again, we could always look to make the changes ourselves.
Main thing for me would be the lights. This is something I looking at doing once the car is complete. See attached:
[url]www.clark.mike.btinternet.co.uk/Ultima/Images/MikesUltimaGTRa.jpg[/url]
Not sure of the 5 years+ left in the car mind you. From the rear maybe yes but the front......
I agree that it gives the car a whole new look, one that I must admit I like, those other 100% Ultima fans will probably take offense too.
These are also similar to Nissan 350Z, wonder if the curve of both cars fronts are close enough to graph the headlight assy. from one to the other.
One of the things I hear about and don't like on the Ultima lights is the misting or fogging of the lights since they are not fully sealed. This is one solution to prevent that. But as others have pointed out, would reaquire that you paint the whole car to accomplish.
I would assume the factory would like to keep a fairly cohesive look to their car and not have everyone chopping it up to put in their favorite headlight. Though from the builds I have seen there appears to be a pretty strong quality of builders and sense of style with the mods that are being done. Maybe the factory would consider a headlight mod package and sponsor a design contest to achieve that result. Winner would get a contract to produce the system to the factory, or a free car kit,..coffee mug maybe??.
>> Edited by 308tr6 on Wednesday 12th January 17:21
>> Edited by 308tr6 on Wednesday 12th January 17:21
My idea was to find a mainstream light cluster and then get someone to graft them onto the car.
It may well take some some skilled glass guy to do it but hey it's worth a try.
I may just get my nephew to try the following units to see how they fair:
New Beetle
New Porsche (997)
Porsche (996)
Nissan 350z (Thanks GTR4me)
>> Edited by mclark on Wednesday 12th January 17:19
It may well take some some skilled glass guy to do it but hey it's worth a try.
I may just get my nephew to try the following units to see how they fair:
New Beetle
New Porsche (997)
Porsche (996)
Nissan 350z (Thanks GTR4me)
>> Edited by mclark on Wednesday 12th January 17:19
mclark said:
My idea was to find a mainstream light cluster and then get someone to graft them onto the car.
It may well take some some skilled glass guy to do it but hey it's worth a try.
I may just get my nephew to try the following units to see how they fair:
New Beetle
New Porsche (997)
Porsche (996)
Nissan 350z (Thanks GTR4me)
So if you own any of these cars..you might want to park it in the garage tonight!
>> Edited by mclark on Wednesday 12th January 17:19
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