Your Story - before & after Ultima
Discussion
I love your Ultimas. They are firmly in my dream car wish list. Other toys which keep me daydreaming include the Lola / GD T70, 427 Cobra, Factory Five Racing track tuned Daytona Cobra, to more sensible ideas. Those would include dreams such as a tribute: 993 GT2, or 964 RS with a supercharger, or perhaps "just" a factory spec ZO6 C6, Viper, Donkervoort or GT3.
So... What did you step out of before buying your Ultima? Is this the end of the rainbow for you?
Alternatively, what annoys you about Ultima ownership? What made you move on, if you did? If so, what are you in now?
Tell your story guys...
So... What did you step out of before buying your Ultima? Is this the end of the rainbow for you?
Alternatively, what annoys you about Ultima ownership? What made you move on, if you did? If so, what are you in now?
Tell your story guys...
I can honestly say I love my Ultima.
I've kept it longer than most of the vehicles I have owned (11 years).
I have had all sorts of mainstream sports, Porsche Turbo, Ferrari 430 etc.
I had a Noble M400 which was a hoot and a Lotus Exige with an Audi lump pushing >450BHP(Licence shredding car).
To be honest the Ultima can never be an everyday driver but it is among the fastest/quickest most enjoyable cars I have had the pleasure of driving.
I've kept it longer than most of the vehicles I have owned (11 years).
I have had all sorts of mainstream sports, Porsche Turbo, Ferrari 430 etc.
I had a Noble M400 which was a hoot and a Lotus Exige with an Audi lump pushing >450BHP(Licence shredding car).
To be honest the Ultima can never be an everyday driver but it is among the fastest/quickest most enjoyable cars I have had the pleasure of driving.
I'm with Steve #1 is the build and the satisfaction of doing it right. Then the hoot of driving what years ago would have been a competitive Can Am or sports racer car on the street. I also enjoy the community online with my British friends and here in California with our small group.
Here's my recent history:
Marcos LM500 coupe - the first wide-bodied Marcos built as a prototype for Andy Purvis who was racing the marque at the time. Rover based 5 litre V8 tuned by NCK to give circa 320 bhp. Great noise and driving position - very suspect build quality and suspension geometry.
Noble M12 GTO 3R - twin turbo V6 3 litre running increased boost and set up on a rolling road to give 412 bhp. Fantastic car which I should have kept - in the real world as fast as an Ultima - terrible gear change and turning circle.
TVR Tuscan Mk 1 with 4 litres straight six engine. Practical with a great interior but too many electrical/electronic glitches, unsupportive seats and very twitchy handling even with a full geometry set up and front wheel spacers.
Ultima GTR with 6.3L SBC. Always wanted one but sold earlier this year after a major engine issue - snapped cam shaft caused I think by a previous owner not servicing the engine before/after track days. Charles Dunn fitted a new 'long engine' from American Speed. As EVO magazine used to say "makes every dual carriage way feel like the Mulsanne". Very impractical and the worst seats of any car I've ever had but huge performance from the 570 bhp engine - too much really for the road.
And now? We're both in our 70's and I've gone all 'pipe and slippers' with an F Type Jag. As fast as I need on the road - comfortable and easy to take away for the weekend.
Marcos LM500 coupe - the first wide-bodied Marcos built as a prototype for Andy Purvis who was racing the marque at the time. Rover based 5 litre V8 tuned by NCK to give circa 320 bhp. Great noise and driving position - very suspect build quality and suspension geometry.
Noble M12 GTO 3R - twin turbo V6 3 litre running increased boost and set up on a rolling road to give 412 bhp. Fantastic car which I should have kept - in the real world as fast as an Ultima - terrible gear change and turning circle.
TVR Tuscan Mk 1 with 4 litres straight six engine. Practical with a great interior but too many electrical/electronic glitches, unsupportive seats and very twitchy handling even with a full geometry set up and front wheel spacers.
Ultima GTR with 6.3L SBC. Always wanted one but sold earlier this year after a major engine issue - snapped cam shaft caused I think by a previous owner not servicing the engine before/after track days. Charles Dunn fitted a new 'long engine' from American Speed. As EVO magazine used to say "makes every dual carriage way feel like the Mulsanne". Very impractical and the worst seats of any car I've ever had but huge performance from the 570 bhp engine - too much really for the road.
And now? We're both in our 70's and I've gone all 'pipe and slippers' with an F Type Jag. As fast as I need on the road - comfortable and easy to take away for the weekend.
Kubevoid said:
Great info so far. Great post BobE! Looks like lots of fun history there.
The interesting thing is after running these cars for around 18 years in total if you discount the loss of interest in the monies tied up them the cost has been zero. Even with the very expensive engine problem on the Ultima....All have appreciated more than their running costs - I suspect that’s going to change with the F type!
If there would be an 'Ultima lite' e.g. light weight 4 cylinder (NA, free revving) based base model geared towards extreme fun on the road I'd be able to answer your question.
The current design geared towards mild to savagely monstrous engines is awesome but just too much for me.
The current design geared towards mild to savagely monstrous engines is awesome but just too much for me.
Edited by Nerdherder on Tuesday 8th October 11:41
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff