There's a lot of rumour about another revival of the Broadspeed GT and it's not just coming from the UK. In fact I believe more Broadspeeds than ever are being replicated at the moment. There is Nathan Wilson's car in Australia, hand built in steel from a standard Mini. Nathan has now made a fiberglass mould from the car and plans to make a body from it in carbon.
Over in Germany, a company named Broadspeedclassics says it can make replica roofs as well (click here). This while in Belgium a man with similar plans teamed up with well-known Sebring replica manufacturer Archer's Garage. There is, however, no news from them so far. This while another project in the UK accelerates rapidly. One original car is being restored to its former glory, while a mould was taken from it and used to replicate more roofs. I have seen some very promising pictures of these roofs and the moulding but unfortunately cannot publish these as yet.
Next, a Downton GT is being restored and appears to become baby blue rather then the two-tone silver and blue it was. The coming season may have a surprise or two for the fan of the GT.
For quite a few more Broadspeed replicas click here and here
Over in Germany, a company named Broadspeedclassics says it can make replica roofs as well (click here). This while in Belgium a man with similar plans teamed up with well-known Sebring replica manufacturer Archer's Garage. There is, however, no news from them so far. This while another project in the UK accelerates rapidly. One original car is being restored to its former glory, while a mould was taken from it and used to replicate more roofs. I have seen some very promising pictures of these roofs and the moulding but unfortunately cannot publish these as yet.
Next, a Downton GT is being restored and appears to become baby blue rather then the two-tone silver and blue it was. The coming season may have a surprise or two for the fan of the GT.
For quite a few more Broadspeed replicas click here and here
That's one way to make a moulding! Nathan Wilson plans to build his car in carbon
Picture courtesy Nathan Wilson
Picture used on German website in fact originates from Australian based Downton GT
Picture courtesy broadspeedclassics.tripod.com
The Downton GT was built in the mid-1990s - this one is currently being restored
Pictyure courtesy dep-o.co.uk
Jeroen
ReplyDeleteNo surprise for this "fan of the GT" regarding the rumours of ALL these Broadspeed GT replicas & lets remember that this is no "revival of the Broadspeed GT" but instead just a swarm of replicas. Hardly surprising as the Broadspeed GT has to be the number1 mini derivative.
I take it you're talking about 285DOB the ex Baines/Mickleburgh GT when you say "One original car is being returned to it's former glory" as there's rumours about this car returning from Japan & having a replica mould taken from it & as you have "seen some very promising pictures of these roofs" it would also be great to see pics of the car as returned from Japan in PreResto condition.
Chris Wooden
broadspeedgt@hotmail.co.uk
Chris, I don't write these stories for you alone. There are a lot of people enjoying them, or so I understand, and if I make a mistake I am happy to amend it (hang on, there's one below). If you want me to stop writing about things Broadspeed GT related please let me know personally.
DeleteThe picture on the German website is one of a set that shows the build of the Bernie Hines car that started with one of the two roofs the Mickelenburg brothers made. In the folder of the Downton GT there is no picture of the roofsection.
ReplyDeleteNext i don't know why but the car in baby blue (or is it grey) is the one "Downton GT" Symbol mini company ever made and it has lookeed like this;
http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~spares/downton-gt.htm
Amended now, thank you. And, yes, that is the same car.
DeleteJeroen, Would still like to see PreResto pics of the "original car" being restored
ReplyDeleteChris Wooden
broadspeedgt@hotmail.co.uk
Me too!
DeleteIf there are more replica than original Broadspeeds on the road, then I guess it's logical that the replicas will crop up more often
ReplyDelete