Why do GT40 replicas cost so much more than replica AC Cobras?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Oh, and if someone who thinks they really can make a 90% interchangeable GT40 for the same price as a fiberglass cobra, go ahead and try to get funding!!

The "90% interchangeable" is a fallacy. SPF was called on it and their latest literature says 70%.

[cycleguy55]

Worth keeping in mind the GT40 program was to "kick Ferrari's a**", on pretty much a 'cost no object' basis. As such, there was a focus on building to suit racing requirements - light weight, stiff structure and mount points, etc. - which meant monocogue stressed panels and structures, hand fabrication, tons of rivets, etc. This was never intended to a mass-produced vehicle - it was a race car. Translating that to something that could be affordably mass-produced to achieve economies of scale is going to be very difficult, if not impossible - unless the transformation results in a radically different platform (e.g. fiberglass body on a tube frame). For that model, take a look at Factory Five's GTM - very different than either a Cobra replica or a GT40. http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/gtm-...chassiscontent

For that matter, Ford and Shelby stopped making the original Cobras because they couldn't make money on them, and they were pretty simple automobiles. Arguably they could have made the Cobra profitable by switching to fiberglass bodies instead of the hand-hewn aluminum ones, but we'll never know, will we?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

This was never intended to a mass-produced vehicle

But it came close. At one point FAV was given a budget and instructions to "productionize" the GT40 but that decision was reversed with weeks of the go ahead. And the chassis was steel instead of the alloy that Eric Broadley wanted as Ford thought it would be easier to produce in quantity.

Think about it....there could be hundreds of FAV GT40s extant if that had materialized!

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by Paintwerks

I'm curious as to why GT40 replicas cost so much more than Cobra replicas?

Nature of the Beast....

[RodKnock]

Driving a GT40 was kinda like getting an MRI. They stick you in tube and then you hear loud noises.

[DanEC]

So how did the ERA GT-40 compare with the SPF, CAV and other models? From their website it appears the monocoque body is reasonably similar to the originals. It was last advertise at $55k before they ceased taking orders.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by DanEC

So how did the ERA GT-40 compare with the SPF, CAV and other models? From their website it appears the monocoque body is reasonably similar to the originals. It was last advertise at $55k before they ceased taking orders.

The ERA was very nice car and well built. A major difference is the composite roof/spider assembly as compared to the original steel spider as well as being offered as a kit or a roller.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Driving a GT40 was kinda like getting an MRI. They stick you in tube and then you hear loud noises.

I love tubes..............

[TheExtreme]

Good Googly Woogly.....

[1985 CCX]

Didn't we just do this dance with cost of slabside Cobras?

[Dwight]

sure but it's cold outside and we have nothing to do



Dwight

[1985 CCX]

Agreed!
More costly to put steering and Trans mechanism on the right.

[SPF1061]

Originally Posted by Paintwerks

Looking at for sale listings the Superformance 40's are about twice as much as Superformance Cobras.

I get that the 40's have doors, a roof and a transaxle, but essentially they're fundamentally not much different to a Cobra.

I'm curious as to why GT40 replicas cost so much more than Cobra replicas?

Remember this about that the originals that the replicas mimic: one was based on a 1950s traditional design British sports car modified by hotrodders in a garage in California. The other was designed and built from scratch to be the most competitive LeMans race car ever conceived. It used absolutely the latest technology, materials and techniques and the most brilliant design minds available at the time. Cost was literally not a factor or concern. There was NO budget limitation.

I have seen SPF Cobras and GT40s side by side in the build process at Dennis Olthoff's shop many times. It is sort of like looking at horse and buggy technology next to space shuttle technology. To my mind it takes no stretch of the imagination whatsoever to think that one costs twice as much as the other.

[MOTORHEAD]

SPF1061: that's the best, most comprehensive summary to date ! Hadn't considered those facts!!

[Winchester67]

Remember when at 5'5 I got teased in school. Payback time! My Cobra fits me like it was tailor made, and the GT is next on my list! Downright roomy for me....

[Mark IV]

A little more complex than some "Buggy springs and trace chain" as old CS was quoted as saying.....

[RodKnock]

But slightly less complicated than this...

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

But slightly less complicated than this...

It's not Rocket Surgery, it's Brain Science!