In November of 2024 I took a trip down to Sonoma Raceway to look at a display of GBS Zero kit cars. I was disappointed not to be able to test drive one of the models they had on display but at least I was able to try one on for fit. Very snug but nice in all the right places. Primarily, it helped me decide to order the GT option, which is larger in width and gives a little more room in the footbox around the pedals. I met Richard Hall, who is the prime mover of the Great British Sportscar of Nottingham, England. Also, Paul Barnes, who lives in California and helps with prospective USA buyers. I talked with a few owners who had brought their own car to be part of the display.
In October, Richard had given me a virtual tour of the GBS factory as an introduction. I actually had started the specification process in October and had made a deposit to get the ball rolling.
Fitting the engine and bell housing
I arranged the chassis back onto the furniture dollies and positioned it into the work area so that I had room to maneuver the engine hoist. I assembled the engine with the bell housing after having trimmed a little more off the starter hump opening. I tried to lower the engine into place with the front pulley in place but could not find just the right angle to get it into the bay. As a result, I am looking into a two groove pulley so that it will be a little shorter. Esslinger makes just such an underdrive v-belt pulley with the added advantage of being a little smaller in diameter at 4 inches instead of the stock 6 inches. The good news is that the SVO intake manifold fits into the space like it was engineered for it. I had to remove the oil cooler spigot from the boss on the botton side of the manifold cooling passage but I think I can plug the upper opening and use the lower opening for the spigot. I will have to determine whether I need to use the temperature sensor that was ...

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