Thursday 10th April 2003

Shelsley T2

Graham Bell samples a road and track car made with some unlikely parts

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[alunr]

What an interesting project...

Just need to get this wedding out of the way and clear some garage space.

Just need to know how easy the kit is to make now...

[Pierscoe1]

been following this car since it first emerged onto the kit scene a couple of years back.
It certainly seems like a solid car, and Peter is a really friendly guy who certainly seems to know what he's talking about.

the styling has improved too, although I still think there's a few odd curves here and there.

[james]

Now that looks like a nice car. Performance, handling, and it looks like a real car. Very impressive, especially when it's been designed and built be an enthusiast.

FBS take note. If you're going to build a car and expect it to sell, don't make it look like it was designed by a blind mans guide dog.

[Mark B]

It certainly looks well engineered, but I don't like the styling. Sorry to be different but not a big fan. But heh, that's what kit cars are all about, being different, I just wouldn't spend £14k on one.

I wish the guy luck though.

[Nightmare]

to be fair, i dont think the piccies do it justice.

I was at a track day on the Silverstone GP circuit last year, and the Shelsey was there. Peter (i assume) took me round for some very fast laps...and I was very, very impressed. Aside from outpacing a lot of quick cars (though his driving ability kinda helped there ) the sheer build quality stunned me (honestly it did). I couldn't believe how quiet, refined, squeek and rattle free it was.

If I wasn't as mechanically retarded as I am now...and wasn't failing to stick a 2.8 V6 capri lump into a Ginetta...Id be trying to build one of these for definite!

Also sounds, from what he said at the time, that he tends to offer quite a lot of aid to the people building them....which is useful!

N

[Tony Hall]

Saw it at a show a couple of years ago in its unfinished state. Your right the photos don't do it justice but its still not pretty. Looks like a mashed up MX5 in these photos. Guess it was started when Maestro was still in production thats why it uses those bits but the availability of many of these parts will be limited before long and could make the car obsolete. Could think of a million reasons not to buy one and spend the money elswhere but all credit to Peter for trying. Suppose with the bolt on body bits the shape could be easily changed

[grahambell]

Agree with some of the comments here - it does tend to look better in real life than in photos. Also just mention that part or full builds are available too.

[Alex]

I'm not so keen on the concave bonet, but overall it's much better looking than the FBS Census.

[cjrv8]

The Pix DO NOT do it justice, heres my experience... i drove the T2 an hour after this was tested by Grayham, i thought it was fantastic, if u tell it where to go, the steering is responsive & not twitchy (superb!) it has been setup to be driven 'nicely' if ur rough with it, it does the job, but if you drive smooth it tells you exactly what you need to know, and rewards you for it! Peters knowledge is definatly a bonus. the loading on the steering is emensely sweet, not a sketchy like the lotus.

if you want to be different & noticed, you do your research, i was looking at the lotus (which although they are a fantastic car & lovely n fun to drive, they are '2 a penny') but found the shelsley. For about the same money, i get an everyday usable car & a toy at the same time (and nobody know what it is! )... can't wait to shock & surprise the local Sunday night k**b-cheese racers in the quite knowledge that it probably cost less to build, goes quicker, handles better, costs less to insure & is a very beautifully styled & unique car.

Oh yeah... and i've just ordered mine!
i've got some better photo's if anyone wants them (still doesn't do it justice though!)

[e-mail]
Chris Ranner

[Todge]

As Wellington said when he was presented with a body of men to inspect "Your men look very impresssive but can they fight?". Carrying this analogy forward the Shelsley T2 may not have the styling to suit all but by crikey it is a drivers car. It handles amongst some of the best I have worked with and has a turn of speed which gives you that 'ear to ear' smile which is very difficult to remove. The cabin area is most comfortable with easy access through large practical doors. Most kit cars have very limited space for 'personal extra's' but the Shelsley T2 has good space front and rear. I personnaly like the no straight edge approach to the styling and am unashamed to admit 'I do like soft curves'!. I spotted the car at Donnington 2000 and decided it was THE car to build for me. I have some 10 months of build behind me now and whilst I wanted to be further ahead I am also keen to build a quality car. If anyone wants more info on what it is like to build send me an e-mail to [e-mail]. If your at the Stoneleigh show May 4th and 5th come and have a chat I will be at Peter's stand helping out.