Just back from visiting GMA at Dunsfold, what a place! They have just started building T50s and are hoping to start deliveries to the lucky few in late August/early September. This is the final assembly shop but at the moment it houses the show cars; T50S, T50, T33, and the T33 Spyder.
View attachment 116345
A partially fitted out tub.
View attachment 116346
The front suspension is just lovely.
View attachment 116347
Gav’s outer panels in Tartan Red.
View attachment 116348
Perhaps the ultimate N/A V12 engine. A true work of art; it revs to 12,100 and has been designed, and built, by Cosworth to last more than 100k miles before any major work is needed. The big silver thing on the right (front) of the engine is the Integrated Drive Starter/Generator. That removes the need for any external drive/accessory belts. Nerd fact; from the central axis of the crank to the bottom of the engine is 71mm. Another one; at full chat, it throws out 130 decibels.
View attachment 116349
A very light con rod.
View attachment 116350
The timing gears.
View attachment 116351
The rear mounted ‘meat grinder’ that keeps the under air boundary layer attached to the steep rear venturis, which lowers the car and improves downforce. The curved blades reduce the electric power required to drive it, and the serrated trailing edge reduces the substantial amount of noise produced by the fan, which is probably the most controversial feature.
View attachment 116352
My taxi wasn’t bad either!
View attachment 116353
All in all, it was a very pleasant day out. Dario Franchetti is going to be comparing the red F1 and the red T50 in early September. Gordon Murray has already blagged a drive in the F1 to ‘refresh his memory‘(!) and I’ll give you the inside story as to what happens on the day. Watch this space…….