Ultimate replica

[john]

Is this a resurrection of the Gartrac project from 30 years ago. They produced 2 chassis but they didn't sell easily because the price differential to an original car was too small; that's not the case now though.

I don't think the shell is from Gartrac, Colin.
More probably sourced in Italy, or elsewhere in Europe?

[Guy Mayers]

It's possible, but not certain/confirmed, that the car will be at Stoneleigh this year.

The usual Hawk cars display tower will be in place with a small amendment. There will be a fully staffed and equipped machine gun nest on the top just in case anyone gets beyond the minefield and barbed wire that will be surrounding it. Doubters are encouraged to bring their own magnets and request a demonstration from authorised personnel.

Guy

[StruanR]

It's an obsession for some of us, the Stratos always turns heads, but when you have one you start to notice the details.
Four stud wheels looked wrong, so we went to five stud.
Right hand drive is a giveaway, LHD better.
And of course, the Dino engine is what we remember, singing down those stages in Wales, Ypres and others....
It's a journey, how near can you get?
Struan

[NoCorseChris]

For the obsessed, surely the only acceptable goal is a genuine car, no? Anything else, including the no doubt accurate latest offering from Gerry is still ‘just’ a replica, no matter how faithful it is.

[Longtimefan]

And a replica or a kit car will always be that, even a so called "Original" was a 'Kit Car', it just happened to be assembled by an organisation that also produced general production cars. So in my opinion, ours have an authenticity of their own, just happen to be manufactured 50 years or so later.

[NoCorseChris]

The originals were homolgation specials, not kit cars. They were indeed ‘bitsas’ in many ways of course, but then lots of cars are.

A decent replica is a decent replica and should be recognised and applauded for what it is, I agree.

[ProtoTipo]

They were indeed ‘bitsas’ in many ways of course, but then lots of cars are.

I know that Lotus' always have been, but the Elise S1 is a classic case:
SAAB 9-3 centre brake lamp
Metro hub flanges
MGF engine/box
Corsa B column and stalks
Peugeot 106 dash switches
Chevette/Kadett C suspension ball joints etc. etc.

[Normb666]

What we mustn't get into here is the "this is right and that's wrong" argument. The whole point of the Strat rep scene that's developed over the years is that there isn't a right or wrong way to build your car, including how far you go in replicating the original. For me it has to be RHD cos I won't be going abroad (most likely), and I embrace the modern brakes and aircon, etc offered by LB. I don't understand the LHD thing, unless you do a lot of kerb-crawling , but if that's what you want, go for it. Same with it having to be an Alfa motor. So long as the looks are right, i.e. it could have been produced in the factory, I'm happy. Others will have their own list of must-haves on a Strat rep. Gerry's steel-tubbed offering is/will be a fabulous thing, but not for me ta. I've no doubt he'll sell loads to those who demand total authenticity, but that doesn't make it either superior or inferior to his own current offering, nor the LB. I think it's great that there's another option, and more power to his elbow, and indeed any other bits that get involved in Strat construction

[LPH_UK]

The originals were homolgation specials, not kit cars. They were indeed ‘bitsas’ in many ways of course, but then lots of cars are.

A decent replica is a decent replica and should be recognised and applauded for what it is, I agree.

Isn't the term for (near) exact replicas 'toolroom recreations' these days? Or summat.

[Stratie.fr]

I don't think the shell is from Gartrac, Colin.
More probably sourced in Italy, or elsewhere in Europe?

The monocoque steel chassis is coming from Italy and the Dino engine from Germany through France with some friend’s help!