Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Trip to Stonleigh ...

I think that a 'poverty' model Ultima with a max of around 500 bhp per ton would be more than enough PaulJ, doesn't an LS3 have about 440 bhp so that sounds like the ticket with 930 kg. More when we've had the factory visit...

Brian, I am feeling a bit green at your possible investment. About 12 years ago I had the funds and had arranged to meet a chap who had an Ultima GTR for sale. It had a 650bhp blueprinted engine, Porsche gearbox, full FIA approved race brakes, and fire system, was then set up with a lovely interior and air con, but easy to change to race. The chap who owned it had driven it at Le Mans (not racing) and had achieved 210 MPH down Mulsanne. It was in a lovely midnight blue metallic with white stripe. The car was built by the factory and fully documented, and had only done 6k miles. Unfortunately noticed it on the computer and when I said I was thinking of purchasing threatened cutting all ties with me if it turned up on the drive , mainly she said because she new I probably go racing in it.

She did say recently that she no longer minded what I did with my pot, and I have noticed one or two GTRs around just within my reach, but it would bye bye Morgan.

Ultimatas can't really be thought of as a kit car, yes you can buy all the bits from them and build one, but to be honest they are a truly pucker piece of seriously well engineered race car. They would not be put to shame in endurance racing or even at Le Mans for that matter.

If thinking of them as a kit car then they are at the top end of the scale.
There are a few companies who I consider at that level.
The Ultima is a supercar and a stunning bit of kit.
A lot of people consider kit cars as cobbled together by someone in a garage/shed.
True to a certain extent at thelower end.
However the top end cars are stunning and so well developed.
The replica cars from the good companies look so good to.
Some lovely Jag replicas to be had.
Not the rebodied MX5 ones that look like a Ferrari though!
The major numbers of kits seem to be Cobras or Sevens. The end product seems to vary widely from company to company and skill/attention to detail of the builder.
Stoneleigh is a good place to go to see the full spectrum, and also the companies who supply components.
A good day out in fact.
Maybe next year.

As you may know Adrian, Crunchie and I co-own our track day car which is a Westfield FW400. On speaking to our respective Head Offices', we now have capital approval to invest in a new Ultima. However, we have agreed that the FW400 will be sold as it then becomes superfluous to our needs.

Early days as yet, but will know more after our factory visit. Much as we would love to build it, I guess we will go for a factory build as part of the cost comes back if and when you sell with them fetching £10 to £20k more than self-build. Quite excited about the prospect and agree with your comments too Sospan.

No I did not know you and Chunkie had a Westfield, good car for hill climbs.

If you get an Ultima I must come a see you at a track day, or race

I thought you were in charge, just goes to show you're as hen pecked as the rest of us

I agree with you Aeroman re factory build Ultima.
For that performance level the factory will guarantee a good job and the residual value higher.
I think they will be able to customise any options for you too.
Will they let you sign the car a la Morgan?
Will it be road legal or just race spec?
Will you do a Chunky style build diary for us?
Now... The important question...can I have a drive?

I think Aeroman is referring to me; Crunchie Gears.

I thing on a twisty circuits the Westfield FW 400 May be quicker! It has a similar bhp per tonne but so light it is a very able tool. Our FW has more power, dry sump and is lighter than when factory built it.

The issue on trackdays is that Supercars do not let you past!

And, more to the point can you arrange to have the chassis made of wood so you'll feel at home?

The Westfield is all carbon fibre. No wood in sight