Car is ready for collection...
After what seems like an age the final week of waiting has arrived, as on
Saturday 13th March I collect my GTR from the factory. Word from the factory has
been good as no additional work has needed to be carried out (hopefully that
means we made a pretty good job of it). All work has now been completed (they've
even managed to sort out the mess I made of the windscreen!). The car was
registered yesterday and has had its first few miles of freedom in the safe (I
hope!) hands of Richard. Ted has also promised to give the car the 'T.E.D stamp
of approval' (hope it passes!).
On the weekend I hope to get around to another update of Saturdays events,
although I may be otherwise engaged (hehehehhehe!), until then...
On Saturday 13th March 2004 I became an Ultima GTR Owner (once again words fail)...
After a couple of false starts we (myself, wife & parents) made the journey to Ultima to collect the now completed GTR from the factory. We arrived at the factory around 11:45am and the car was nowhere to be seen outside (good as the weather was a little inclement to say the least). Inside the factory the car was in pole position waiting to be driven out. To say the car looked good would be a massive understatement, it was hard to believe that after some 18 months this awesome piece of machinery was actually mine (well almost). A quick inspection of the main jobs (windscreen & side vents) revealed that the Ultima boys had done a truly superb job. The windscreen that we had cocked up previously was now faultless and looked excellent. The fit of the side vents was also damn good and I am very glad that this was an option we had decided to fit. After looking around the car further it became evident that Ultima had really looked after this car while they had it and all the work was second to none (THANKS Guys!). After some much needed coffee (Black!) and a good chat to Ted it was time and I was nervous to say the least...
After a little familiarisation the 6.3 litre 520 bhp V8 was brought to life and it was time for the off, embarrassingly I think I stalled it about three time just getting it out of the factory (bloody wimp!). Once we were outside with the final thanks and goodbyes over with we set off (SLOWLY!). After a couple of miles we were up onto the M69 and I was already getting into the swing of things, the car is far, far easier to drive than I even thought it would be. Around 20 miles later and I have now become the happiest man on the planet, this car is truly awesome (honestly!), I would have never thought that it would of been this good, and we built it (using those Ultima parts of course). The reaction of other drives/passengers is simply fantastic; one guy found it necessary to get out of the passenger window to show his appreciation and another almost drove in to the car in front of him!
Around 2ish we returned home to put the car away as the weather was worsening once again. With the GTR now tucked away in the garage (with is cover, thanks Annette) I now finally have some time to tell all about my experience, but one again there no words...
The GTR is simply PERFECT, one of the best days of my life (THANKS DAD!).
More updates next week...