Gull wing doors!
Discussion
Saw this car at Stoneleigh just after the guy bought it, the workmanship is excellent the previous owner was an engineer who was a perfectionist about detail, think you'll find that the body has been heavily modified, the underside of the panels are just as smooth as the outside! The door mechanism is a work of art and the new owner looks like he has spent shed loads of money on it. I can't remember it having a supercharger on it (not something you miss!) looks like new wheels and interior as well, the air con I was told is climate control to within 5 degrees!!. Believe me this does not look like any other Sport out there.
I don't know the owner or have any connection with this car, just a conversation that lasted about an hour!!!
Graham
I don't know the owner or have any connection with this car, just a conversation that lasted about an hour!!!
Graham
I spoke to Dave the current owner late last year at the Classic Car Show at the NEC. This is the one of the best engineered cars I have ever seen. It was built by an aircraft engineer by the name of Barry Edge. The body work was completely remoulded by Barry! Yes he created a set of moulds just for this car. Dave told me that Barry had a bit of a falling out with Ted, over the Gull wing doors. From what I was told Ted said it could not be done as the body is not strong enough to support the doors mounted this way. The bodywork is a lot thicker than a standard Ultima and strengthened to take the doors. I know what Dave paid for the car and what he has done since, including the supercharger and the interior and in my opinion its worth the money!
You need to see this car up close just to see how amazing it is.
Dave
You need to see this car up close just to see how amazing it is.
Dave
Saw the car parked at Le Mans this year. As a fellow silver Sports owner I had a good sniff around it. It looked fantastic. Of course, probably a bit OTT, even for some silver Sports owners... I took note of the extra ventilation on the back - essential I'd imagine for a 6L supercharged heat pump, and very well executed. Hard to value one-offs like this, just gotta find the right buyer.
I don't think the body work would need beefing up if you have the rollcage, as you could add some bracing off of this to act as reinforcing as well as the anchor points for the hinges. Still I think it's an idea worth considering, but probably not as a retro-fit, so in my case the idea is a bit moot.
Is it just me or do I get the distinct impression that the factory 'falls out' (at least it seems so according to this forum) with anyone who has a good idea and actually puts in the work themselves to see it through? This is exactly the kind of innovation that can only enrich the Ultima brand, and make it more likely that someone will be inspired to take the plunge for themselves. Hopefully some of these ideas will filter through into a future new Ultima design - completely hypothetical of course. (Perhaps just in time for Stig's 3rd build site!)
Is it just me or do I get the distinct impression that the factory 'falls out' (at least it seems so according to this forum) with anyone who has a good idea and actually puts in the work themselves to see it through? This is exactly the kind of innovation that can only enrich the Ultima brand, and make it more likely that someone will be inspired to take the plunge for themselves. Hopefully some of these ideas will filter through into a future new Ultima design - completely hypothetical of course. (Perhaps just in time for Stig's 3rd build site!)
3rd build !!!! OMG - don't tell the wife ! 
The thing is, the factory have produced a product staying true to the ethos of the 'Tamiya Kit' approach. They supply all the parts and therefore know what you get at the end of it.
Now, when it comes to deviating from this formula, it can be done well, but, it can also be done awfully. I have seen (thankfully rarely) an example or two of truly dreadful Ultima builds. When it comes to prospective sales, people are only going to be put off by them, which reflects poorly on what is a quality product, produced by the factory.
The flip side of course, are some exceptional builds that take the standard spec. and push on. But I think this can cause friction as the factory end up getting asked for various bits and bobs from new owners and they have to say 'no, we don't supply/support that'?
The basic formula for an Ultima is proven and trusted. Modifying is very much an individual thing, but to Ted&Co who developed the car, it must be hard seeing other people bu99er about with it I guess.
Still, until the day where Ultimas are only available as factory build (which is unlikely unless some young Russian billionaire offers Ted a permanent vacation deal), it's inevitable.
The thing is, the factory have produced a product staying true to the ethos of the 'Tamiya Kit' approach. They supply all the parts and therefore know what you get at the end of it.
Now, when it comes to deviating from this formula, it can be done well, but, it can also be done awfully. I have seen (thankfully rarely) an example or two of truly dreadful Ultima builds. When it comes to prospective sales, people are only going to be put off by them, which reflects poorly on what is a quality product, produced by the factory.
The flip side of course, are some exceptional builds that take the standard spec. and push on. But I think this can cause friction as the factory end up getting asked for various bits and bobs from new owners and they have to say 'no, we don't supply/support that'?
The basic formula for an Ultima is proven and trusted. Modifying is very much an individual thing, but to Ted&Co who developed the car, it must be hard seeing other people bu99er about with it I guess.
Still, until the day where Ultimas are only available as factory build (which is unlikely unless some young Russian billionaire offers Ted a permanent vacation deal), it's inevitable.
your right with that...the way the doors are going open now is a better solution indeed, the gullwings look great when standing still and both doors open
and when does that happen...only for show, hm...but hey, its a car to drive so doors closed and the effect is gone...hm, ok I'm back on mother earth
the today version it is then
GTRene
and when does that happen...only for show, hm...but hey, its a car to drive so doors closed and the effect is gone...hm, ok I'm back on mother earth the today version it is then GTRene
Hahaha, I guess we've all been having Delorean dreams!
Then again, the Delorean was so under powered that it probably couldn't get to the speed required to rip the doors off! (or you would travel back in time to the moment you were about to lose them!)
Glad to see it's been tested by the factory then, but perhaps a more elaborate locking mechanism (with hooks?) may have solved the problem?! Probably more hassle than it's worth...
Still, I don't bang my head on the current versions, so I'll stick with them!
Then again, the Delorean was so under powered that it probably couldn't get to the speed required to rip the doors off! (or you would travel back in time to the moment you were about to lose them!)
Glad to see it's been tested by the factory then, but perhaps a more elaborate locking mechanism (with hooks?) may have solved the problem?! Probably more hassle than it's worth...
Still, I don't bang my head on the current versions, so I'll stick with them!
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