GT250 California Spyder
Mark Dean
sure costs a lot. It's like $20,000+ for a kit, and $40,000+ for a
completed car. How does it perform in braking and handling (acceleration
obviously depends on the drivetrain one picks)? Does it compare to a real
sports car that can be had for 20 to 40k?
Doug2
This is one of my favorite subjects. I own chassis number 17. My car
was the 11th and last kit back in 1987 when the company was known as
MODENA DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT. The company and tooling changed hands a
number times and its current configuration is an improved version of
mine.
I'll start by answering your question first and then get long winded.
The car is very well designed. It is all mustang II suspension based,
very reliabe and available. The power train can be anything you like
but was originally designed for a 289 - 302. I have a 351W in mine. The
quality of the glass work is flawless and the current body fits very
well. It was not a very difficult to build but if you are a novice, be
advised it not the easiest to assemble. You could expect to spend the
better part of 6 months anyway putting it together. But hteend result
is very rewarding.
When finished the car will weigh between 2700 & 2800 lbs. The car will
accelerate and brake as well as the parts that are used. For example,
my car making an estimated 325 hp has turn 1/4 mile times of low 14s,
mid to high 90s through the traps and I was laying back because I had
my son in the car. So, more HP = faster car. Braking is the same, I
have std Mustang II brakes and the car is fine for street and light
autocrossing. Anything more serious requires larger brakes. These items
are not all that much more expensive than stock items when you are
building the car the first time.
Dollars? You better plan on spending $20000, You might be able to build
it cheaper but you will have gone cheap on something. Unless you do
some of the work your self.
Handling, with good shocks, tire, right spring rates, the car is very
compeditive. At last years Replica Challange in NH, I was able to keep
up with and out run/brake a fair number of car, including a few cobras
and Sebrings.
Now I'll get long winded, At last count, to the best of my knowledge,
there are actually three versions of this car available. I'll cover
those as I go along.
One of the most significant events in the cars history was when the
tooling and assets were sold and moved to VA. That company did the slow
turn and burn and went bankrupt. The tooling was then bought by
Comtempory Cobra in NY. They in turn, designed a new chassis to take
Thier Cobra running gear parts, with the exception of the engine which
is a 302 vintage. The body was changed to closer mirror an original. To
the best of my knowledge, that car is not being sold yet.
The car you most likely see is the one still located in Calf. A former
employee and the original designer got back together a few ago and
decided to resurect the car. I was contacted regarding my experiance
with the car. Many conversations were had with the designers regarding
any design flaws or improvments I made to mine. That car, in its
current form is the best. It is still Mustang II based but the chassis
has been refined.
The third car, is rummored to be out of Fla, and is being built on a
limited basis. I understand that the body is a knock off, (copy) of my
body and a copy of my chassis with out the improvments.
John, I'd be more than happy to share more with you if you like.
By the way, I am the author of the HP book, The Car Builders Handbook.
I cover (hopefully) most of the questions the first time assemblier
needs to ask. see my web site at www.kitcarbooks.com
Take care and good luck. Let nme know what you decide.
Doug McCleary
--
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Doug2
I own one (12 years & 55k miles) and have a great deal of info I can
share with you. I short, it is a good design, there have been 3 - 4
versions over the years. The car is very safe (when built properly)and
can be very compeditive (sp) when the right parts are used.
Mark, by the way, I am the author of the HP book, The Car Builders
Handbook. I wrote it to help answer many (hopefully) of the questions
the novice car builder needs to answer.
Visit my site, www.kitcarbooks.com
If there is anything else I can do, you will find an e-mail link there.
Gregg Wade
Doug2
wrote:
> Is there only one GT250 kit out there?
>
Greg,
I believe that is true. The Contemporary car is not available yet (and
may never make it).
Precision Design & Engineering. (760) 740 0230
Doug