Discussion
there's write ups in the August eds of both WKC and KC (well, i bought them in July) - for the sake of saying IMHO, they're not in the same category as a Tiger - more a Sunday afternoon cruise car. Better than the original accoring to the mags (but who believes them anyway?).
best stick to your own impressions, cos I (note the capitalisation) wouldn't touch one with a big, sturdy stick
best stick to your own impressions, cos I (note the capitalisation) wouldn't touch one with a big, sturdy stick
I too, liked the look of the C type. Maybe it's an age thing, I am growing tired of the rawness of my Cobra.
One thing I always like to do before I take the plunge in areas like this, and spend my hard-earned, is to think about the eventual resale value.
Does anyone have a "feel" for the market in these cars? I certainly have not seen many at the various shows.Is that because there is no resale market, or just because this type of replica (at an affordable price) has only recently become available?
>> Edited by CR427 on Friday 10th September 16:58
>> Edited by CR427 on Friday 10th September 16:59
One thing I always like to do before I take the plunge in areas like this, and spend my hard-earned, is to think about the eventual resale value.
Does anyone have a "feel" for the market in these cars? I certainly have not seen many at the various shows.Is that because there is no resale market, or just because this type of replica (at an affordable price) has only recently become available?
>> Edited by CR427 on Friday 10th September 16:58
>> Edited by CR427 on Friday 10th September 16:59
I've seen several C type replicas on the auction sales listings, dealer ads and classifieds in the classic car mags. I think it's safe top say that a reasonably authentic (ie. correct looking, with Jaguar engine & running gear), well-built car is significantly more valuable than an equivalent Cobra replica.
Martin - that is interesting.
Are you saying that the C type replicas cross over between the kit-car and Classic markets?
I have seen all-ally C type replicas that are beautiful, but £££s.
What I am looking at is a GRP-bodied version. Are they equally "acceptable" in the classics market-place?
I understand the kit market, rather lost in the "proper" classics area.
Are you saying that the C type replicas cross over between the kit-car and Classic markets?
I have seen all-ally C type replicas that are beautiful, but £££s.
What I am looking at is a GRP-bodied version. Are they equally "acceptable" in the classics market-place?
I understand the kit market, rather lost in the "proper" classics area.
Tested the Realm for totalkitcar magazine and it drives as well as it looks. Very different to drive to a modern Seven type car, but very enjoyable.
And like Martin S says, good quality C-Type replicas (of which a well built Realm would be one) always seem to have high price tags in the classic car mags, so shouldn't be hard to shift when the time comes.
And like Martin S says, good quality C-Type replicas (of which a well built Realm would be one) always seem to have high price tags in the classic car mags, so shouldn't be hard to shift when the time comes.
CR427 said:
Martin - that is interesting.
Are you saying that the C type replicas cross over between the kit-car and Classic markets?
I have seen all-ally C type replicas that are beautiful, but £££s.
What I am looking at is a GRP-bodied version. Are they equally "acceptable" in the classics market-place?
I understand the kit market, rather lost in the "proper" classics area.
Yes, they seem to cross over into the classic market - certainly more so than Cobras and even D-type replicas. Ads for C-type replicas are relatively common in magazines like Classic and Sportscar. The all-alloy Proteus replicas make big money (£50+ in some cases), but a decent Realm ought to be able to fetch over £20K.
People accept that genuine C-types are beyond almost everyone's reach as a road car and that replicas can do the same job for a lot less money. Obviously, there will be a significant premium on alloy cars, but there are plenty of people out there who are realitic enough to realise that glass fibre is more practical (alloy dents very easily), and can look just as good.
I haven't seen the Realm C-type (the old RAM D-types were very nice cars), but I'd have thought they would be OK provided the Louvres have been done in ally. You simply can't replicate louvres in GRP without the result looking very naff indeed, and there are a lot of Louvres on a C-type!
This is all very interesting, and increasing my knowledge - for which, many thanks.
Next question - does anyone know anything about the folks behind "Realm"? I guess this is the next step for me - learn about the kit producers.
A web search seems to show some linkage between them and "Heritage". Anyone know more about this?
Was there a "Heritage" C type replica? I have found one or two advertised as such.
Next question - does anyone know anything about the folks behind "Realm"? I guess this is the next step for me - learn about the kit producers.
A web search seems to show some linkage between them and "Heritage". Anyone know more about this?
Was there a "Heritage" C type replica? I have found one or two advertised as such.
Don't know much about the company, no, but I must admit that would be my concern.
As far as I know (somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this, please), Realm is at least the third incarnation of a company that has previously operated, and presumably been made insolvent, as LR Roadsters and RAM Automotive. The pictures of the XKSS of the company website even still have the name RAM printed on them.
THe quality of the product when I saw it several years ago (exhibited as RAM at a kit car show) was fine, but it does make one wonder why they don't have a higher profile in the market.
Having said all that, I think the earlier companies may have had their fingers burnt in the Cobra market - too many manufacturers chasing a limited number of customers, perhaps?
As far as I know (somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this, please), Realm is at least the third incarnation of a company that has previously operated, and presumably been made insolvent, as LR Roadsters and RAM Automotive. The pictures of the XKSS of the company website even still have the name RAM printed on them.
THe quality of the product when I saw it several years ago (exhibited as RAM at a kit car show) was fine, but it does make one wonder why they don't have a higher profile in the market.
Having said all that, I think the earlier companies may have had their fingers burnt in the Cobra market - too many manufacturers chasing a limited number of customers, perhaps?
Methinks an escrow account might be of use.
One thing I can't afford is a lost deposit for kits/parts that don't arrive, and there has been too much of that over the years in this market for my taste.
Out of interst, I also stumbled over the "Nostalgia" replica. It looks more expensive than the Realm item, anyone have any feedback on this?
>> Edited by cr427 on Sunday 12th September 21:31
One thing I can't afford is a lost deposit for kits/parts that don't arrive, and there has been too much of that over the years in this market for my taste.
Out of interst, I also stumbled over the "Nostalgia" replica. It looks more expensive than the Realm item, anyone have any feedback on this?
>> Edited by cr427 on Sunday 12th September 21:31
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff