Overpowered, overpriced new cars

[ultrarunner]

If i had $40-50K burning a hole in my pocket, this is what i'd have

BMW 335d. Diesel engine, tons of power, amazing performance and awesome mileage. Best of both worlds.

Rented both the 335 and the 1 series... both were great drives.

 

[Agent Blue]

My Uncle surprised me when he sold his Old GT40... he had two of them at one time and took part of the money to buy the new one.

He said the difference is night and day... the new one is a pleasure to drive and actually has creature comforts and a full Ford extended warranty!

The old one was fun... still remember pulling up to a stop light, revving a little and setting off burglar alarms...

You basically had to slide in and were situated between two large saddle type fuel tanks.

Access to the motor was great because the entire rear section was hinged... used to spend hour sitting on the back wheels dusting and polishing...

Each GT and Cobra is tracked in a registry... it is amazing to see how they have ended up all over the world.

I tried to talk him into putting a TBN decal on the back... no go.

Ultrarunner;
I read where less that 12 original GT40s were built. They would not pass highway safety standards. ( crash tests ) They were not able to be licensed for highway usage. To the info I read the hand built chassis with tube framing had to be checked for cracks after every race event. Several not raced were sold in Canada. I was unable to locate where they ended up.
I don't know how a person could have purchased two of these scarse " race only " vehicles unless they had a desk next to the president of Ford.
Do you have any pictures of these cars your uncle had ? It sure would be an interesting story how he was able to buy them and from what source. Also what price Ford would put on an experimental hand built very low production race only car.

 

[RoyJackson]

Ultrarunner;
.
I don't know how a person could have purchased two of these scarse " race only " vehicles unless they had a desk next to the president of Ford.
Do you have any pictures of these cars your uncle had ? It sure would be an interesting story how he was able to buy them and from what source. Also what price Ford would put on an experimental hand built very low production race only car.

As you probably know, the GT-40's were built by Ford of England and actually sourced out to another company (English, but the name eludes me). They did build a few for street use back in the mid 1960's. I don't know if they were ever street legal in the US though (no bumpers) but crash testing wasn't done in that era nor were emissions tests required.
Also, when they were retired from racing, I'm guessing at least some of the cars were sold to private collectors.
Again, IIRC, there were some kit versions of these cars.

 

[Scooby074]

Rented both the 335 and the 1 series... both were great drives.

Ive heard great things, particularly the M1 and the diesel 335d

 

[ultrarunner]

Ultrarunner;
I read where less that 12 original GT40s were built. They would not pass highway safety standards. ( crash tests ) They were not able to be licensed for highway usage. To the info I read the hand built chassis with tube framing had to be checked for cracks after every race event. Several not raced were sold in Canada. I was unable to locate where they ended up.
I don't know how a person could have purchased two of these scarse " race only " vehicles unless they had a desk next to the president of Ford.
Do you have any pictures of these cars your uncle had ? It sure would be an interesting story how he was able to buy them and from what source. Also what price Ford would put on an experimental hand built very low production race only car.

I've got pictures somewhere... both had California Tags... can't say if they were legal or not... things were much different prior to 1968 and his first car was a 1966 year model.

It was factory built as a "Show" model that was listed for sale in the SCCA magazine back in the early 70's as a Le mans Backup Car... which it wasn't and it ended up costing the owner dearly... GT40 P/1056 November 14, 1966

He would drive and show the car and it was a regular at the San Francisco Auto Show at Moscone Center... he was forced to sell it due to a divorce... and vowed to get another one.

His second one he owned till just a couple of years ago is documented as the last production GT40... GT40 P/1114

I have the GT40 Individual History and Race Record Book that documents both cars by serial number and owners...

On a side note his good friend bought a Shelby 350 for less than $1500 dollars in 1971... he didn't know it at the time that it was Shelby number 1...

It is an interesting and not long read for those interested...

Diablo Valley Mustang Association

You guys would shudder to know that we hauled the GT 40 with a single axle race trailer towed by an 1971 Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon with a 455.

There was a time, during the first gas crisis when you couldn't give away a V-8 car... muscle cars were begging and the hot cars were the Pinto, Vega, Toyota and Datsun... I kid you not!

Some of the great cars I remember driving then were 69 Camaro Indy Pace Convertible, Road Runner with a 6 pack, 340 Dodge Dart with 4 spd and 18,000 miles... sat on the lot for 2 years and finally sold for $1700.

... just couldn't give away anything with a V8 with gas doubling in price to .70 cents a gallon!

 

[KansasFarmer]

No Hyundai with 428 hp will beat any version of the new vette. The Grand Sport version of the new vette is probably the best sports car buy of the last 100 years. Super car handling and add another $5k of extra goodies and no one could touch you.

Remember, our economy runs on selling things that make money. Just selling economy cars by an American car company would be mean low or no profitability.

 

[Scooby074]

I've got pictures somewhere... both had California Tags... can't say if they were legal or not... things were much different prior to 1968 and his first car was a 1966 year model.

It was factory built as a "Show" model that was listed for sale in the SCCA magazine back in the early 70's as a Le mans Backup Car... which it wasn't and it ended up costing the owner dearly... GT40 P/1056 November 14, 1966

He would drive and show the car and it was a regular at the San Francisco Auto Show at Moscone Center... he was forced to sell it due to a divorce... and vowed to get another one.

His second one he owned till just a couple of years ago is documented as the last production GT40... GT40 P/1114

I have the GT40 Individual History and Race Record Book that documents both cars by serial number and owners...

On a side note his good friend bought a Shelby 350 for less than $1500 dollars in 1971... he didn't know it at the time that it was Shelby number 1...

It is an interesting and not long read for those interested...

Diablo Valley Mustang Association

You guys would shudder to know that we hauled the GT 40 with a single axle race trailer towed by an 1971 Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon with a 455.

There was a time, during the first gas crisis when you couldn't give away a V-8 car... muscle cars were begging and the hot cars were the Pinto, Vega, Toyota and Datsun... I kid you not!

Some of the great cars I remember driving then were 69 Camaro Indy Pace Convertible, Road Runner with a 6 pack, 340 Dodge Dart with 4 spd and 18,000 miles... sat on the lot for 2 years and finally sold for $1700.

I could go on with the regular cars like mustangs and firebirds... just couldn't give away anything with a V8

Fascinating.A family connection to such a rare car. :thumbsup:

As close as ive ever came was in Montreal. I was at the Ford dealer picking up some parts for a broken down F350, 1000 kms from home... And there it was a new FordGT. I was in awe. Velvet ropes and all. I have to say it was much smaller than i expected.

 

[ultrarunner]

Fascinating.A family connection to such a rare car. :thumbsup:

As close as ive ever came was in Montreal. I was at the Ford dealer picking up some parts for a broken down F350, 1000 kms from home... And there it was a new FordGT. I was in awe. Velvet ropes and all. I have to say it was much smaller than i expected.

The First Generation was even smaller... the "40" comes from the height if I remember correctly...

Have to say the one draw back as a daily driver is parking... you really need to take two spaces because the doors need to be fully open to get in and out...

The First Generation were so low... just a few inches that almost any obstruction is an obstacle... driveway curb cuts, potholes and the dreaded speed bump might as well be the Great Wall of China... because you were not getting to the other side.

One of the shows we had to bring 2x8 planks to put down to get enough height to go over the threshold... I think the GT40 was the only car that needed the assist.

On a side note... several years ago, Jay Leno's wife convinced him to take a family trip to Europe... he doesn't normally travel and was not too enthused... till his wife said Autobahn and no Speed Limits!

Jay had a brand new Corvette and wrote an account that said he had the best time... toured car makers, drove the Nurburgring and stuff like that... Mavis said she has learned to incorporate cars into to anything she wants to do to get an a quick yes from Jay...

With all the cars my Uncle owns and has owned... you would never know it... he drives an old 72 Ford Pickup 99% of the time...

I guess the answer to the thread is the right new muscle car may actually prove very economical... especially since many have actually appreciated over time.

 

[lilranch2001]

Some of the guys on here comment on the over priced, over powered cars, and then go out and buy the Cadillac of tractors to plow snow.......

I was out plowing it with my plain jane Bobcat last night, and sort of enjoyed it
A little chilly but refreshing

:thumbsup:

 

[JDgreen227]

Some of the guys on here comment on the over priced, over powered cars, and then go out and buy the Cadillac of tractors to plow snow.......

I was out plowing it with my plain jane Bobcat last night, and sort of enjoyed it
A little chilly but refreshing

:thumbsup:

OP here, I paid only 20 grand for my 4210 with attachments and I would rather have three of them than one flashy, overpriced, 60 grand Shelby.