Discussion
To be honest, I'd be extremely wary of any kit car that had a 'service history' from a garage. Chances are, this would indicate an owner with no technical knowledge and a car that has received little more than oil and filter changes and a quick check on the brake pad thickness once a year! With this sort of highly specialised car, you're much better off buying from someone who does their own servicing; a good kit car owner will know their car inside out and in addition to routine oil/filter type servicing will replace any suspect component the minute it shows signs of not being perfect.
If you come across an owner who appears not to understand the technicalities of their car or (extremly unlikely with a GT40) takes the attitude that 'it's only a kit car - it's just cheap fun to thrash around and so what if it's not perfect', then don't walk away - run!
So yes, base your opinion on the condition of the car, but almost equally the owner. The sort of guy you want to buy a GT40 replica from will keep you talking about the car for hours, in great technical detail, and will point out the cars shortcomings as well as its good points with complete honesty. He'll probably be assessing you to make sure that his pride and joy is going to someone with the knowledge, ability and commitment to look after it.
Also check through the receipts and MOT's for the car, though. What you want to see, ideally, is evidence not only that the car was originally built to a good specification, but that it has had further expenditure where necessary, since, and that it has been regularly used (if not why? - is it horrible to drive? Does it overheat?).
If you haven't already done so, do a bit of research with the GT40 replica Owner's Clubs and internet forums on what manufacturers to look for and what their known strengths and failings are. I'm not an expert on GT40's, but some kits have a reputation for much better design quality than others... GTD, for example, are generally regarded as one of the best, whereas KVA have a reputation for being a lot more difficult to build to a decent standard and not so great in terms of chassis design and construction quality. Not to say that you shouldn't buy one of the 'lesser' marques, because some builders will spend huge time and effort making a silk purse out of the sow's ear, but more caution would be required in assessing the car.
If you come across an owner who appears not to understand the technicalities of their car or (extremly unlikely with a GT40) takes the attitude that 'it's only a kit car - it's just cheap fun to thrash around and so what if it's not perfect', then don't walk away - run!
So yes, base your opinion on the condition of the car, but almost equally the owner. The sort of guy you want to buy a GT40 replica from will keep you talking about the car for hours, in great technical detail, and will point out the cars shortcomings as well as its good points with complete honesty. He'll probably be assessing you to make sure that his pride and joy is going to someone with the knowledge, ability and commitment to look after it.
Also check through the receipts and MOT's for the car, though. What you want to see, ideally, is evidence not only that the car was originally built to a good specification, but that it has had further expenditure where necessary, since, and that it has been regularly used (if not why? - is it horrible to drive? Does it overheat?).
If you haven't already done so, do a bit of research with the GT40 replica Owner's Clubs and internet forums on what manufacturers to look for and what their known strengths and failings are. I'm not an expert on GT40's, but some kits have a reputation for much better design quality than others... GTD, for example, are generally regarded as one of the best, whereas KVA have a reputation for being a lot more difficult to build to a decent standard and not so great in terms of chassis design and construction quality. Not to say that you shouldn't buy one of the 'lesser' marques, because some builders will spend huge time and effort making a silk purse out of the sow's ear, but more caution would be required in assessing the car.
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