Owners comments on McRae Spyders of NZ

Hi,

Here in the UK were very short on 550 kit manufacturers. I'm currently just finishing a Banham 550 Spyder that is a fairly low cost, loose replica. In thas the car is 13" longer as it's build on a modified monocoque floorpan. The only other suppliers here are Martin & Walker but there not supplying kits only turnkey 904gts cars and the Chamonix as a turnkey again. I'd like any owners opinions on the McRae Spyder kits and car with respect to performance, quality company etc. If there favourable I want to import a kit into the UK for myself. This makes sense as there RHD, Subaru powered so I can use the 280bhp turbo motor etc.

Any help will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Andy

Andy

The kits are very true to the actual original, items in the original that the copy was taken off have been corrected (such as differences in height of the guards from left to right side of the car).
The fibreglass is well prepared , the chassis is chromemolly and is powder coated and structurally correct.
Graeme will do alterations and will help the buyer so as to get a product that they desire - small modifications from stock VW gear thru to 914/911 etc.

You may not know that Graeme MCrae is a former formulae 5000/indy car constructor / driver and has won "rookie of the year" at daytona, not to mention various UK/European and New Zealand/Australian titles.

He is a very capable engineer, and it shows in his workmanship.

Regards
Garth

You are mostly correct. Graham McRae is a 14 times gran prix F-5000 champion and he designed, built and campegned three cars of his own design and to various championships, including the Indy 500 Rookie of the year in 1973 driving a Gurney-Westlake Eagle. Besides that he's one hell of a guy.

Jim Weatherford

(Message Edited 3/14/2003 5:09:40 PM)

I have a Martin & Walker 550 Spyder which was ordered in kit form from him less than 2 years ago. I believe that Barry Martin will still produce kits given the right persuation. Having wanted one for more years that I can to remember, I am very pleased with the qualirty and the final product. I also know of another M&W kit in progress, let me know if you are interested.

Hi Andy, As Trevor says, Barry at Martin and Walker is still producing kits as far as I know. I take delivery of mine in 3 weeks! I know he's busy with a couple of 904s so perhaps they've cut back production - I did initially start talking to him about supplying my kit about 2 years ago - so perhaps I was one of the last?
Good luck