Photography Courtesy Seymour Enterprises
SCCA GT-classic cars, traditionally, have worn contemporary bodywork over a tube chassis. That plan, theoretically, would allow drivers to update an outgoing model to the new one–or even switch from one brand’s engine and fiberglass to another.
New Camaro out, for example? No need to throw away all that development work.
Joe Llauget must have missed that memo, as several years ago he asked noted tube frame constructor Tommy Riggins to build something a bit different.
Instead of the traditional Camaro or Mustang panels, Riggins’s tube-frame, GT1-class creation wore a skin based on a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint coupe.
Inside, though, it was all modern race car gear, including a Roush Yates small-block making 820 horsepower backed by a Jerico five-speed box. Riggins built two of these cars, and we featured the other car made in GRM.
This one, the first one built, is currently for sale. Contact the seller for pricing.
Tube-frame silhouette cars like this made sense when they were based on a contemporary car for an active series. They make no sense at all in this context. If you asked me to identify what car it was originally, the only clue I would have is the tail lights. Kinda. why base a modern style race car on a vintage one if you can't even tell what it it when you're done? All I see is a fiberglass blob.
In reply to msterbeau :
I don't think it's any more "misshapen" than the Camaro and Mustang Trans-Am cars from that time period. I look at it and see a neat falcon GT-1 car.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
No, but when Ford Or Chevy developed a 1988 ______ into a 1988 SCCA Trans Am car or IMSA GTO car it made some sense from a business/marketing standpoint. Developing a 1960's Falcon in 2009 is a passion project and only something one would do if that original car was recognizable. Which it isn't.
David S. Wallens said:FWIW, I love cars like this–and this:
This is much better, in my opinion. Same basic idea but I know exactly what this is (supposed to be).
In reply to msterbeau :
Asa multi-time Falcon owner, it's instantly recognizeable to me. To people who never saw a Falcon before, even a stock one wouldn't be recognizeable. So it's kind of a moot point. it's a cool concept that instantly makes it unique among a sea of all-the-same race cars.
Though, as a street car, this one is my favorite (and a lot of subtle stuff going on here under the skin)
In reply to Chris_V :
I like your Falcon.Still looks like a first body style one.The front of the tube frame one just doesn't look like a Falcon
That Falcon is pretty rad.
msterbeau said:Tube-frame silhouette cars like this made sense when they were based on a contemporary car for an active series. They make no sense at all in this context. If you asked me to identify what car it was originally, the only clue I would have is the tail lights. Kinda. why base a modern style race car on a vintage one if you can't even tell what it it when you're done? All I see is a fiberglass blob.
Can you show me on the doll where the superfalcon hurt you?
Dude this thing is awesome. I kind of love that they didn't build it as a marketing exercise, they just built it to be cool.
JG Pasterjak said:msterbeau said:Tube-frame silhouette cars like this made sense when they were based on a contemporary car for an active series. They make no sense at all in this context. If you asked me to identify what car it was originally, the only clue I would have is the tail lights. Kinda. why base a modern style race car on a vintage one if you can't even tell what it it when you're done? All I see is a fiberglass blob.
Can you show me on the doll where the superfalcon hurt you?
Dude this thing is awesome. I kind of love that they didn't build it as a marketing exercise, they just built it to be cool.
Meh. Fiberglass blob.
If I'm going to spend a large wad of cash making a crazy, vintage-inspired thing, this is where I'm headed:
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