I was just checking out Archies kit on his site, and was just wondering why is the nose so far off the ground, as compared to the origional and rebody gt40s out there? Anywho, first to give a correct answer gets a cookie
(ARCHIES)
(ORIGIONAL)

I think its because Archie's is a MK1, and has the original nose. The later GT40s had lower noses.

Both of these are mk1 cars, notice the doorframes.

[This message has been edited by Zaptoman (edited 01-23-2005).]

Yeah.. that's the one thing i don't really like about that kit... i guess it might be a design requirement to get the correct hood slope.

Well, for one thing, since it doesn't need a ton of clearance for street driving, I'd say that race GT-40 is at least 4 or 5 inches lower to the ground. The wheels are tucked right up into the fenders.

quote Originally posted by FieroBUZZ: Well, for one thing, since it doesn't need a ton of clearance for street driving, I'd say that race GT-40 is at least 4 or 5 inches lower to the ground. The wheels are tucked right up into the fenders.

Correct, Also the race car pictured above is a Mark I b, On the Original Mark I (which is what mine is) nose ended at the forward end of the headlight covers. On the b version the nose was extended to about 2" beyond the headlight covers.

If you go to the Ford Historical photos, http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/media_gallery.asp?gallery=HISTORICAL_PHOTO the 2nd picture down on the left is an original Mark I.

See how the headlight covers come all the way down to the point of the nose.

This is what the "b" nose looked like

The rest of the bodies doors etc. were the same.

Hope this helps

Archie

[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 01-23-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Zaptoman: I was just checking out Archies kit on his site, and was just wondering why is the nose so far off the ground, as compared to the origional and rebody gt40s out there? Anywho, first to give a correct answer gets a cookie (ARCHIES) (ORIGIONAL)

yeah thats what i always wondered, the real ones it seems the front nose height is level with the rest of the body whereas Archies is way off the ground. Otherwise it is the most correct looking kit ive seen so-far, especially for the fiero

------------------

+ an 88 Capirce 9C1 Police Package
--Adam--
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed

Okay, thanks for the info.Though I do think the Mark 1b looks alot cooler, your kit is definately sweet, and its also alot more affordable than the reproductions that companies like GT40 North America make.

[This message has been edited by Zaptoman (edited 01-24-2005).]

and a nose job is nothing a good fiberman can't change

Im sure that using stock Fiero suspension has quite a bit to do with it too. Now if you used different control arms and coil overs all around, you could drop it like that. My kit was as low as original and the floor drug over speed bumps all the time. They also didnt use low profile tires.

Now Roger, you are just doing that. You know darn well we can't see that blue car in your pictures!!!! You just shouldn't mix the two if you want us to concentrate!
Mike

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: [

Hmmm... Very nice car and beautiful metallic blue color!

Luba

Incidentally, the Mk I wasn't called the Mk I until there was a MkII. The Ford GT40 of 1964 had a shorter nose with louvered air exits on the hood and no airdam. There was also no spoiler on the car, and lift problems at the Mulsanne Straight required changes to both the nose and tail. For '65 Sebring, a pair of scoops were added under the chin, and a hood was placed over the air intakes next to the rear window. Ford also experimented with a "LeMans Nose" that was even longer then the nose that became the definitive GT40 nose. There were also a couple of different "hoods" depending on the placement of the mandated spare tire (see for example, the Alan Mann GT40s.)

PM Sent.

------------------
Dowdian
Chopped up, broken down, bashed in 88 GT that I love dearly.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Im sure that using stock Fiero suspension has quite a bit to do with it too. Now if you used different control arms and coil overs all around, you could drop it like that. My kit was as low as original and the floor drug over speed bumps all the time. They also didnt use low profile tires.

My GT40 already has tubular "A" arms & Coil-overs all the way around & they are cranked down just a hair above the lowest point. The original GT40 was 40.75" to the top of the roof. My car is 40.5" as it sits in these pictures. So the car is low enough. If some don't like the nose on the car then that's fine with me. Back in the '60's a low profile tire was a 60 series & a big wheel was a 15". That's what theu used on the GT40 back then. My current GT40 has 50 series tires on 15" Halibrand replica wheels. These wheels are also available in 17" & that is what I'm using on my next GT40.

These molds came off of an actual Mark I (the only thing we changed was to add the scoops in the hood). If the nose of a Mark Ib was available, then I'd see to it that a mold was pulled off of it, but it's not, so I didn't. It isn't like you find one of these on every street corner.

The new FordGT that is out now is some 18" longer & 4" taller than my car & any of the 60's Mark I's or Mark II's. So if you don't like the original nose like I have on my GT40 then maybe you'll like the nose we are currently working on ........... this is a replica of the new Ford GT nose. ......

GT40 doors opened just like this.....

Just in caes you were interested.

Archie

------------------

quote Originally posted by Archie: maybe you'll like the nose we are currently working on ........... this is a replica of the new Ford GT nose. ...... Archie

I like it !! want to make one for me? I'm Curious as to how you developed a mold from a GT so fast however. You must have found a new friend in Mo-town .

quote Originally posted by Russ544: I like it !! want to make one for me? I'm Curious as to how you developed a mold from a GT so fast however. You must have found a new friend in Mo-town .

We sculpted it from pictures and drawings.

I plan to make one with the same colors as my Mark I. Then I can have my car go both ways.

Sure we can make one for you.

Archie

[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 01-25-2005).]

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Im sure that using stock Fiero suspension has quite a bit to do with it too. Now if you used different control arms and coil overs all around, you could drop it like that. My kit was as low as original and the floor drug over speed bumps all the time. They also didnt use low profile tires.

I want one.... Very very nice... I always liked how these looked, I like the color of this one as well.

Btw do the top need to be chopped or can it stay in stock form? Welp off to archies site to check this out.

[This message has been edited by 86fieroEarl (edited 01-25-2005).]

Dont get me wrong, Archie, I like yours fine. Its a bargain for the price. I think the ASSP (?) one just looks awkward usually because it uses the stock roof and glass from Fiero. It just looks to high, making it also look too short. I didnt know you made your own suspension, thought you used a Fiero cradle and strut towers modified and a stock front 'K' member and rack. My roof was just under 40 inches from the ground up (girls waist) and you had to scrunch down to keep your head from hitting the ceiling. Just one reason I did let it go after doing so much work.

If I'm not mistaken, the blue Ford GT replica in the photos is a Fiberfab Avenger (although it may be a Valkerie, which was a mid-engine Chevy powered version.) If someone tells me how to post a photo on this site, I'll send a picture of the Kellison GT40K that I built a couple of decades ago.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: thought you used a Fiero cradle and strut towers modified and a stock front 'K' member and rack.

I do use all that stuff, plus RCC Tubular "A" arms & coil-overs.

Archie

The blue one is mine and is an Avenger that I modified quite a bit. I changed the hood vent to the later style for one thing, extended the rear some for an 82 Porsche 911 engine with the old 60s style Webers. It sat on a box tube frame with all Porsche 911 brakes, 356 front suspension and steering, and 5 spd.

------------------

http://my.core.com/~ferrari1/MyPhotos
http://groups.msn.com/RogersCarPhotos