Any plans for a updated body on the SLC?
- Thread starter Turbohips
- Start date
It wouldn't surprise me if Fran had something in the works but I think with all the different aftermarket options for louvers, wings, and cf parts I doubt they will.
Bruce,
there have been many body related items that have become available
Street tail
three different aero packages
fender louvers
two mirror styles
two rear wing options
two window options
Le Mans body options...
carbon options for street and race packages
...not to mention interior tub packages.
I don't know of any other company in this genre that offers quite as much for one model....
Not to mention we build 16 other models of car too.....
there have been many body related items that have become available
Street tail
three different aero packages
fender louvers
two mirror styles
two rear wing options
two window options
Le Mans body options...
carbon options for street and race packages
...not to mention interior tub packages.
I don't know of any other company in this genre that offers quite as much for one model....
Not to mention we build 16 other models of car too.....
I can tell you without a doubt that the body design and mould process is the most expensive and time consuming part of any design...its also totally subjective and not guaranteed to sell....big risk and big $$$$$...
The GT40 is 50 years old and Ford didn't change it too much with the GT....hhmm
The GT40 is 50 years old and Ford didn't change it too much with the GT....hhmm
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It's been updated twice- once with the street tail, and once with the LeMans.
Three versions- all of which are still available- is much more than any other outwardly similar car, I think.
Three versions- all of which are still available- is much more than any other outwardly similar car, I think.
What's this Lemans version you guys are talking about? Someone car to post a few pics?
Three different aero packages???
Three different aero packages???
The Ford GT's exterior didn't change much from the original GT40, but it DID change... Unfortunately for Fran, the fact that 99% of all automotive exteriors get redesigned on a regular basis is ALSO market driven (I'd say that a typical model redesign happens every 3 to ... every 8 years, with exceptions on either side of that range depending on the manufacturer...). Yes, It is expensive, yes it is subjective, but yes, it is also expected.
To Fran's point, though, how many people outside of some of us on this forum would ever look at this car and say, "Ohh, that car is out of style, old school, and needs a redesign, or at least an update."??? Very Few!...
PLUS, the SL-C's body was computer designed (at least computer tested using CFD), i.e. actually engineered to cut through the wind. Why drastically redesign something that is already so inherently ... slippery!
With all of that said, I do wish that the SL-C could come standard with bigger side engine bay scoops, bigger/taller front fender vents, brake vents underneath the turn signals in the headlights, and an F-50-esque rear wing, perhaps even using most of the same optional Selig S1223 high lift low Reynolds number airfoil. It would look something like this:
Yes, bigger scoops usually equals more drag, and therefore that may not be ideal on a race track, but I think it would look awesome on the street, which is where I plan on using my future SL-C, except for some occasional track days (dont mind the terrible photo-chopping skills):
What would also rock, is something like the new Davidson Racing 18 car:
I agree with Bruce, it is still a very cool car, but it may be time for a small facelift...
Here's a LeMans for reference, there's always the search button...:
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/rcr-forum-rcr40-slc-p4-mkiv/37015-any-pictures-slc-lemans.html
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/rcr-forum-rcr40-slc-p4-mkiv/33521-superlite-le-mans.html
To Fran's point, though, how many people outside of some of us on this forum would ever look at this car and say, "Ohh, that car is out of style, old school, and needs a redesign, or at least an update."??? Very Few!...
PLUS, the SL-C's body was computer designed (at least computer tested using CFD), i.e. actually engineered to cut through the wind. Why drastically redesign something that is already so inherently ... slippery!
With all of that said, I do wish that the SL-C could come standard with bigger side engine bay scoops, bigger/taller front fender vents, brake vents underneath the turn signals in the headlights, and an F-50-esque rear wing, perhaps even using most of the same optional Selig S1223 high lift low Reynolds number airfoil. It would look something like this:
Yes, bigger scoops usually equals more drag, and therefore that may not be ideal on a race track, but I think it would look awesome on the street, which is where I plan on using my future SL-C, except for some occasional track days (dont mind the terrible photo-chopping skills):
What would also rock, is something like the new Davidson Racing 18 car:
I agree with Bruce, it is still a very cool car, but it may be time for a small facelift...
Here's a LeMans for reference, there's always the search button...:
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/rcr-forum-rcr40-slc-p4-mkiv/37015-any-pictures-slc-lemans.html
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/rcr-forum-rcr40-slc-p4-mkiv/33521-superlite-le-mans.html
Kyle,
I have a pretty intimate knowledge of the GT40 and the GT , the differences are less that you may think....
When you can put your money where your keyboard is you can make YOUR SLC whatever you want....:laugh:
In the tens of thousands of emails I have answered about the SLC only a half dozen have ever talked about a rear spoiler like a Fezza...(bloody awful imho..the F50 is a real Guppy) ...so if we had designed the SLC like that we would have been out of business many years ago...especially whilst waiting for people to save their hard earned to buy one.
Keep in mind that many guys spend multiple years saving their extra cash to buy a project car like an SLC....changing it every five minutes like an OEM will do us no good at all.
Keep dreaming but most of all keep saving your extra cash so one day you can show us all what your dream SLC looks like in your garage...:thumbsup:
The SLC works and does very well on track and on the street...this is not by accident.
I spent three years and a lot of blood , sweat , tears and hard cash putting this car together....The changes in body parts and extra options we have done is far more aggressive than the GT40/GT ...so I think we are pretty safe ....
Kyle have you seen an SLC in the flesh?....
Our new cars vehicles will be just as game changing as the SLC is ...but they will not be a rebodied SLC's...
Here's a Le Mans BTW...factory car assembled by one of our approved builders....Hcraftcustoms. in Georgia...this car will be at Charlotte...its almost finished but will be displayed as a WIP.
I have a pretty intimate knowledge of the GT40 and the GT , the differences are less that you may think....
When you can put your money where your keyboard is you can make YOUR SLC whatever you want....:laugh:
In the tens of thousands of emails I have answered about the SLC only a half dozen have ever talked about a rear spoiler like a Fezza...(bloody awful imho..the F50 is a real Guppy) ...so if we had designed the SLC like that we would have been out of business many years ago...especially whilst waiting for people to save their hard earned to buy one.
Keep in mind that many guys spend multiple years saving their extra cash to buy a project car like an SLC....changing it every five minutes like an OEM will do us no good at all.
Keep dreaming but most of all keep saving your extra cash so one day you can show us all what your dream SLC looks like in your garage...:thumbsup:
The SLC works and does very well on track and on the street...this is not by accident.
I spent three years and a lot of blood , sweat , tears and hard cash putting this car together....The changes in body parts and extra options we have done is far more aggressive than the GT40/GT ...so I think we are pretty safe ....
Kyle have you seen an SLC in the flesh?....
Our new cars vehicles will be just as game changing as the SLC is ...but they will not be a rebodied SLC's...
Here's a Le Mans BTW...factory car assembled by one of our approved builders....Hcraftcustoms. in Georgia...this car will be at Charlotte...its almost finished but will be displayed as a WIP.
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Fran, considering the number of surprise bombshells you have dropped on us in the last year (and the many that you have alluded to), I'm assuming you still have many more projects in the works. I know you won't give details but do you have anything else in the works on par with the SLC (ie supercar, original design, non-replica)?
EDIT: ^^^^^^Wow, that Le Mans is gorgeous!!
nope...many super projects but I never call my projects Supercars... way too glib and and overused term..also very bragged...
yes it is isn't it....its a real "super" sportscar...
yes it is isn't it....its a real "super" sportscar...
Ooo, sounds like I've ruffled some Fran feathers... I apologize for my keyboard antics causing so much frustration! 
I'll tone it down a little.
When I can put my money where my keyboard is, I WILL make MY SLC whatever I want!... That's one of the greatest things about the car, really!... I will keep dreaming and saving. I will own one some day. My first step towards that will be graduating mechanical engineering school next year...
I have not yet seen an SLC in person yet, and I do also understand that pictures really do not do the car justice. And in light of that I hearby recant my previous "small facelift" suggestion, at least until I see one in person.
I am very excited for the companies future cars. if the comming cars are anything like the current ones, they are sure to be some of the best looking and best performance per dollar vehicles that money can buy!
And, we'll have to agree to disagree on the "Fezza", I love it
I'll tone it down a little.When I can put my money where my keyboard is, I WILL make MY SLC whatever I want!... That's one of the greatest things about the car, really!... I will keep dreaming and saving. I will own one some day. My first step towards that will be graduating mechanical engineering school next year...
I have not yet seen an SLC in person yet, and I do also understand that pictures really do not do the car justice. And in light of that I hearby recant my previous "small facelift" suggestion, at least until I see one in person.
I am very excited for the companies future cars. if the comming cars are anything like the current ones, they are sure to be some of the best looking and best performance per dollar vehicles that money can buy!
And, we'll have to agree to disagree on the "Fezza", I love it
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You better not say anything to the boys at Bugatti or Pagoni...
A few points:
-F50 wing is hideous!!! Totally 90s style, right where it needs to stay...
-There are quite a few options that will make a plain Jane SLC look bland compared to one with the full aero package, carbon bits, etc.
-Fran has made minor changes throughout the years to make the build process easier for us. Cars can be completed "by the book" faster than other kits' door installations. That's the commitment and $$$$$$ he puts into these cars.
-If you owned one already for the last 5 years, then I'd understand changing some things around.
EDIT: On "paper", the SLC doesn't look that appealing. In fact, I liked the FF GTM until I saw both in person. The SLC is beautiful in person. Jewelry!!! (Just wait until you see the billet suspension and perfect TIG welds on the monocoque chassis for the first time.) GTM? I won't go there...
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No feathers ruffled...I have fur...being stuck in the six month winters of Michigan will do that to a man..
Things need to be put into perspective..until you have seen one or more SLC in the flesh you cannot get the real feel for the car....
The Fezza F50 is still bloody awful...now the P4/5 that's a different story..
Things need to be put into perspective..until you have seen one or more SLC in the flesh you cannot get the real feel for the car....
The Fezza F50 is still bloody awful...now the P4/5 that's a different story..
:laugh:
What's the best way to come see some of these "super" sportscars in the flesh? I'm starting to think you don't want me to buy your products after the unreturned emails/pms about shop visits :lipsrsealed:
Matt...call the shop if you want to come by...Vicki can schedule a visit ..you don't need to talk with me.
I have a pretty aggressive email spam filter as I have enough Viagra to last me ten lifetimes....
I have a pretty aggressive email spam filter as I have enough Viagra to last me ten lifetimes....
Looks like I'll be seeing you in June then
A buddy of mine is studying transportation design at Art Center, has met Jason Castriota on multiple occasions, and gotten intimate tours of most all of the Pininfarina cars. Words cannot describe my jealousy. So much more than meets the eye with the P4/5. Love the exhaust and its function in active aero
Jims car is just awesome...one of my all time favorites...which includes the E type, Mk2 Jag, Muira, Stratos, O37 and GT40 is saying something in my personal book.
But I guess as the P4/5 is a few years old its time for a rebody and a spoiler.......whistle whistle...
But I guess as the P4/5 is a few years old its time for a rebody and a spoiler.......whistle whistle...
This isn't a mass produced product like a corvette that needs to be re-styled every few years.
Heck, i don't think the ultima design has been updated since its inception?
