GT-40 Kit Car Completed at BCR

We at BRC sometimes take on strange and non-racing related projects, especially for good customers and interesting challenges.

About 18 months ago, we were contacted by a long-time customer, asking if we would take on assembling and building a Ford GT-40 replica car from South African manufacturer CAV. Not having much interest in old cars, I had to look up the car and its history. Seemed intriguing. This was prior to the release of “Ford vs. Ferrari”!

About 14 month ago a huge transport container showed up, with a chassis, body panels and thousands of parts all bubble-wrapped. Friend and previous BCR employee Martin Lee took on as lead on the project, and we spent the first 2 weeks of the build unwrapping and cataloguing parts.

As we learnt, the driveline, brakes and tires had to be supplied locally. We chose a fuel injected 331 cubic inch small block Ford, and Porsche 5-speed transaxle. The brakes are Wilwood, and we secured a set of period correct appearing Avon tires.

Unlike race cars, street cars have glass, air conditioning, heater, carpet, glass and other creature comforts. There were many days and weeks of frustration, but at the end we are really proud of building this super cool looking machine.

Hand-off was last Friday at Calabogie Motorsports Park, where after an expert tune and chassis dyno, the car took to the track for its maiden voyage. It sounded awesome and looked remarkably quick! It stood out among its far more advanced modern peers, the latest GT-40 and the Mark 2 version.

Thanks to our customer for trusting us with this project, and to my friend Martin for masterminding the build.