Phantom Vortex
Discussion
Perhaps this thread will see an update on what is happening with this model of car now. I had heard that the original moulds were (deliberately?) destroyed. Wouldn't stop someone taking moulds of one of the extant cars though.
Was the problem with the original that it was too expensive?
Was the problem with the original that it was too expensive?
I agree that the car is beautifully designed. I recall that Virago Cars bought the tooling intending to turn the car into a production sports car. http://www.virago-cars.com/ It doesn't look like it is going anywhere, though.
The excellent story of a rebuild of one can be found here: http://www.ricola.co.uk/gtr_begin.htm
The excellent story of a rebuild of one can be found here: http://www.ricola.co.uk/gtr_begin.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There's a bit more to the website now (including price & spec) but am struggling to spot the visual updates - mind you the gallery doesn't actually include any rear views.
There's a bit more to the website now (including price & spec) but am struggling to spot the visual updates - mind you the gallery doesn't actually include any rear views.
Edited by seansverige on Tuesday 24th November 20:15
Throttle Body said:
I agree that the car is beautifully designed. I recall that Virago Cars bought the tooling intending to turn the car into a production sports car. http://www.virago-cars.com/ It doesn't look like it is going anywhere, though.
The excellent story of a rebuild of one can be found here: http://www.ricola.co.uk/gtr_begin.htm
...and that car was advertised on eBay a short while ago; it allegedly sold.The excellent story of a rebuild of one can be found here: http://www.ricola.co.uk/gtr_begin.htm
Found it. See: http://www.vortex-auto.com/index.html
It looks completely unchanged over the original, except that it now accepts a wider range of powertrains. It was originally restricted to the Honda/Rover 2.7.
I think that the restored car was up on Ebay for about £8500, but I don't know what it fetched.
It looks completely unchanged over the original, except that it now accepts a wider range of powertrains. It was originally restricted to the Honda/Rover 2.7.
I think that the restored car was up on Ebay for about £8500, but I don't know what it fetched.
Throttle Body said:
Found it. See: http://www.vortex-auto.com/index.html
It looks completely unchanged over the original, except that it now accepts a wider range of powertrains. It was originally restricted to the Honda/Rover 2.7.
I think that the restored car was up on Ebay for about £8500, but I don't know what it fetched.
Given the build / restoration history, it seemed like a lot of car for the money.It looks completely unchanged over the original, except that it now accepts a wider range of powertrains. It was originally restricted to the Honda/Rover 2.7.
I think that the restored car was up on Ebay for about £8500, but I don't know what it fetched.
Having had a look at the prices etc on the website, I daresay they will attract some customers, but the problem, as I see it, with this car is that by the time you've built it, got it trimmed and painted, you will have spent quite a lot of money. And although you will have a good looking car, and a very user (and even wife) friendly car, is it going to be exciting?
It seems to me that the most popular kit cars are the ones that take some aspect of what they are or what they do, and go to the extreme with it.
It seems to me that the most popular kit cars are the ones that take some aspect of what they are or what they do, and go to the extreme with it.
The kits are now available again after Virago failing to get sufficient financial backing to put them into production. In the meantime Rolls-Royce threatened legal action over the name "Phantom" hence the name change to Vortex. When the kits were originally started the Rover 827 was a readily available donor and with its reliable Honda engine gave 177 bhp - enough for sporting if not exciting performance. Later on the change to Ford V6 gave a nice power boost as the Rover donors started to become harder to find. The Ford donors also gave more choice of wheels etc. plus a more modern dashboard and easier engine upgrades. The development of the car has also continued with electric power steering now an option and redesigned centre consoles etc.
Point of view from an owner: These are not cheap but they are a very comprehensive kit. All the parts (chassis and bodywork) are of a very high quality. At the moment there are about 14 on the road so they are fairly exclusive as well as being one of the best looking cars - kit or production - in my (biased) opinion. Mine is definitely exciting as I have a Honda 3.2l v6 with a turbo set at 12 psi.
Point of view from an owner: These are not cheap but they are a very comprehensive kit. All the parts (chassis and bodywork) are of a very high quality. At the moment there are about 14 on the road so they are fairly exclusive as well as being one of the best looking cars - kit or production - in my (biased) opinion. Mine is definitely exciting as I have a Honda 3.2l v6 with a turbo set at 12 psi.
As Ken has already said, Vortex are still going and with exciting new developments all the time.
The body moulds have never been destroyed not sure where you heard that rumour, the body mould is a very impressive bit of kit, and can be seen on the Ricola website, at the time it actually had my body inside it.
New photos will be coming to the website soon, once the finish on the parts is to a satisfactory standard.
There's a list on the website of the developments that have been doing, and are currently being worked on.
For those that think the kit expensive, it may seem it, but then you need to consider the type of vehicle and the quality of the kit, the car is quite usable day to day, join that with unique and stylish looks, some aspects of which appear to have been copied by many supercar makers, eg. Ascari and Mclaren, you really do have a bargain, especially when you take into account the performance some of the power train options will have.
The black car as seen on the Ricola website, also used to belong to myself and Rich (owner of Ricola) this was sold a few months ago.
The body moulds have never been destroyed not sure where you heard that rumour, the body mould is a very impressive bit of kit, and can be seen on the Ricola website, at the time it actually had my body inside it.
New photos will be coming to the website soon, once the finish on the parts is to a satisfactory standard.
There's a list on the website of the developments that have been doing, and are currently being worked on.
For those that think the kit expensive, it may seem it, but then you need to consider the type of vehicle and the quality of the kit, the car is quite usable day to day, join that with unique and stylish looks, some aspects of which appear to have been copied by many supercar makers, eg. Ascari and Mclaren, you really do have a bargain, especially when you take into account the performance some of the power train options will have.
The black car as seen on the Ricola website, also used to belong to myself and Rich (owner of Ricola) this was sold a few months ago.
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