The T70 Spyder
Building a convincing replica of a period masterpiece needn't mean that you have to stick with period levels of handling and comfort. Gardner Douglas's magnificent GD427 is a perfect example, with cult Sixties styling but a chassis and suspension package fixed firmly in the 21st Century. The company's latest model - the sensational T70 Spyder - offers an equally enticing blend of period detail and state of the art underpinnings.

The original Lola T70 from which the new car takes its inspiration was a 1960s racing icon that dominated the American Can-Am Series for much of that decade. Monstrous Chevrolet V8 power was par for the course in this muscle-bound championship, but the T70 combined it with sublime looks and a chassis and suspension package that ran rings round the opposition. On famous circuits such as Indianapolis and Daytona and with drivers such as John Surtees and Dan Gurney at the helm it must have been a sensational sight and sound!

Today's Gardner Douglas T70 Spyder offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy the dramatic styling of the original machine with standards of ride and handling which put most modern supercars to shame.

Gripping Performance
Stand back for a second and admire the overtly muscular lines, then open the driver's door and slide into the race inspired cockpit with its purposeful aluminium panelling and wraparound aeroscreen. Twist the ignition, press the starter button and 5.7-litres of pure American thunder awakes behind you...
The ride is encouragingly supple for such a track-inspired machine, making it equally at home on small back roads as it is on the open circuit. The steering isn't compromised by the weight of a front-mounted engine or the sense-numbing 'creature comfort' of power steering - precise, direct and reassuringly full of feel, it's a tactile delight. And then there's the power...

Even in relatively standard tune, the 350ci Chevrolet engine delivers thumping performance in the lightweight GDT70, accompanied by an aural assault that only comes from multi cylinders and big capacity. The T70's mid-engined configuration ensures that all the power is transmitted to the tarmac with the minimum of fuss - traction is superb.

Running through a Porsche transaxle (Hewland in full race applications), the right-hand sill-mounted gear shift is utterly precise. For those more used to a conventionally located central gear change it's a dramatic part of the T70's appeal.

While experiencing the GDT70's ultimate capabilities is best left to the safety of a race circuit or professionally organised track day, the car's more rounded nature makes it equally at home on public roads. The supple ride soaks up all that today's typically poor surfaces can throw at it while the big V8 engine is equally at home lazing about at 1500revs as it is tearing around at 6000rpm. All in all, it's the perfect combination to ensure you get the very best out of a GDT70 whether it's on the race circuit of road.

Keys To Success
There are several key elements which we feel make the Gardner Douglas T70 so exceptional...

Racing Heritage - Gardner Douglas has gone out of its way to prove its engineering capability by campaigning a GD427 in the hugely exciting BRSCC Retro Sports and GT Championship. Winning the Championship in 1996 and 1997, the company returned to the track in 2001 and, with the new Lightweight GD427, once again took top honours. It's this vast wealth of high-tech competition knowledge that Gardner Douglas brings to the new T70.

Chassis - Not only is the new T70 chassis as rigid, strong and light as you might expect, but the design incorporates vital safety features to give you maximum peace of mind. As well as front and rear crash resistance, the T70 has fully triangulated side pontoons which offer superb side impact protection. A steel panelled front bulkhead provides exceptional object intrusion resistance. A single foam-filled fuel cell also offers increased resistance to puncture and subsequent ignition. The roll-over bar is fully triangulated and cross-braced to meet current race regulations.

Suspension - Taking full advantage of the company's racing heritage, Gardner Douglas has designed a bespoke suspension package for the T70 that not only performs perfectly on the track, but also offers exceptional road manners. With a compliant and responsive set-up it means you can get the best out of the car, whatever your aspirations.

Not just a replica - With the GD427, Gardner Douglas wasn't happy to produce just another replica. Much the same approach has been taken with the T70. From the chassis upwards, the company has looked at what was best for the car rather than what was already on the market and, as such, the new GDT70 has many unique features that go to make it a thoroughly modern sports car despite its classic appearance.

A Day At The Races
Track days - When it comes to fully exploiting the GDT70 Spyder we'd recommend you look towards a professionally organised track day. These events are held all over the UK at race circuits and other venues. They're the perfect way to test both your own skills and those of the car in comparative safety.

Circuit racing - The car is eligible for a number of race series, including the BRDC Sports and Racing GT Challenge, Northern GT Series and Castle Combe GT Series.

Hillclimbs & Sprints - These are another way of using your car in competition and the T70 is once again perfectly placed to be extremely competitive. Sprinting and hill climbing is a considerably more affordable way of using your car in 'anger'.

For information on any of these motorsport options contact the factory and we'll put you in touch with the relevant organising body.

Factory Specification
The following specification is for what we'd term a semi-competition car and there are a number of alternative options available to customers looking for either a road car or full race machine. As always, we'd be delighted to discuss your requirements, however humble or exotic!

Chassis: Fully triangulated spaceframe panelled in NS4 aluminium
Bodywork: Pre-coloured GRP panels available, in standard or high performance materials
Front suspension: GD cast alloy uprights using lower wishbones and upper rocking wishbones operating inboard horizontally mounted coil-over dampers
Rear suspension: GD cast alloy uprights using upper wishbones and rocking lower wishbones operating inboard coil-over damper units
Brakes: AP 4-pot calipers with 12" ventilated discs all round
Wheels/tyres: GD 3-piece alloy wheel with unique fan centres for additional brake cooling. 245x45 R17 front tyres, 274x45 R17 rear tyres
Engine options: Chevrolet V8 in all it various guises plus other small block V8 units
Oil control: Baffled wet sump or dry sump system for track use
Gearbox options: Porsche G50 or Audi transaxle for road use. Hewland transaxle for race applications
Steering: GD steering rack. 2.5 turns lock-to-lock
Cooling: Front mounted alloy radiator, twin cooling fans
Fuel tank: 10-gallon foam filled alloy tank
Dimensions: Length: 158.5". Width: 68.5". Wheelbase: 94.5"
Weight: From 800kgs

Prices
As with all Gardner Douglas products, we're happy to supply the GDT70 Spyder either in component form for home construction or in various stages of completion up to and including a fully road-registered, turnkey car.
While each individual item can be purchased separately, we can also supply a number of bundled packages to aid the completion process, including suspension, cooling, lighting and electrical packs which include everything needed to complete that specific area of the build. For more specific pricing information view the T70 Price List.

Options and Extras
Because of the T70's obvious track potential there are a large number of options and upgrades for suspension and braking components. Gardner Douglas is happy to discuss with you any specific requirements in these instances and advise on the best solutions.
Finally, after your car has been completed Gardner Douglas offers a number of additional services including suspension set-up, SVA compliance checks etc. See our @ Your Service section for more info.