On 2/10/2011 3:59 PM, Geoff wrote:
> The thing I don't understand about replica's is when they cost nearly
> as much as buying the real thing. I mean, when this was new, what did
> a reasonably driver go for? I've seen some really nice replica's of
> cars like the Porsche 550 and the original GT40's, and those I can
> actually understand, I mean, I'll NEVER be able to afford a real one,
> and the replica's can be very nicely put together. But for a car that
> remains relatively affordable...I don't get it.
>
> I disagree with the premise that a replica can't have provenience. It
> won't be of the same luster as an original, but if I were shopping for
> a 550 replica, I'd certainly place a Beck replica higher on the list
> than another. That's certainly some type of provenience. I just
> wish "kit cars" didn't have the stigma they do. I saw a Factory Five
> Shelby Coupe and FF GTM recently at an event. Those were impressively
> built and engineered cars. I think they've had as much attention, or
> more, paid to them than our Mg's did when new...
>
> All of that said, I'll bet an MGB based, chevy powered TF replica
> would be a wild ride.
The Victor, in good tune, is a wild ride without the Chevy engine.
The TF has tiny drum brakes and a wee little engine. I never owned a TF, but I
did drive a 1949 TC for a while and it was a clattery, tin-toy car. I loved it,
but it had serious safety issues. For instance, the brake slave cylinders had
seals that used a tiny metal daisy to hold them in shape. Just one "petal" of
one seal broke and there were no brakes at all, a really bad design.
The Victor is all MGB, brakes, suspension, drive-train and all. It's a great
improvement on the original TF. The fiberglass body won't rust. My Victor has a
45 pound solid brass grill. A nice TF is worth around $9,000 to $15,000, but
there are hundreds, if not thousands of them still on the road. I have heard
estimates that there are less than 20 Victor turn-key cars still driving.
Nobody seems to know what happened to the kit-Victors. The estimator for my
insurance company valued my car at over $50,000 a few year ago. He said he
based it mostly on rarity and availability.
My Victor sold for $16,000 in 1981, when you could get a concourse TF for less.
I would much rather drive the Victor than a TF.
-Rocky Frisco
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