In addition to its outrageous looks, the Ultima GTR is ridiculously fast. Although it’s considered a kit car, it’s a very high-end product that is difficult to replicate for less than $100,000 (based on some owners’ calculations after their build is complete). This example is a 2004 build licensed as a 1970 model and is powered by a beefy Dart 401 small block engine with numerous upgrades. The Ultima features a six-speed manual from a 996-chassis Porsche 911 and is listed here on eBay with one bid to $65,000 and no reserve.
I’ve always loved the looks of the Ultima, as unlike most kit cars, it seems as if the manufacturer got the proportions dialed-in just right. Many Ultimas are built for track-day events and you can see why; it practically looks like it belongs on a team that competes at LeMan and Sebring on an annual basis. The gullwing doors, huge alloy wheels, rear spoiler, and gigantic brake cooling inlets are all hallmarks of a serious track car, and in this case, none of those elements are present for style points. It is a highly functional race car, albeit one you can comfortably drive to and from the track.
The cabin is surprisingly upscale for a kit-based build meant for the track. You’ve got plenty of gauges, a navigation screen, a clean three-spoke steering wheel, and two nicely-bolstered bucket seats. What you may not realize just by looking at it is that the Ultima truly is a supercar in every sense of the word. In 2006, it was crowned the fastest-production car in the world. I do not know which motor it was equipped with when it achieved this fete, but it seems like all of the have some variation of a high-performance American V8 under the hood. In almost every case, the Ultima routinely takes down supercars that cost far more to buy and maintain.
The 401 features a Scat crankshaft, Oliver rods, JE pistons, Holley fuel injection, and an Electromotive direct-fire computer. It comes with a limited-slip differential and the engine has less than 1,000 miles on it. If it sold at the current bid price, there is no way you could get close to the price of the kit and the work that has been completed thus far. Hell, it features keyless entry and a Pioneer stereo, so it really does have it all. If you’re looking for a track car that will excoriate nearly all comers and be dirt cheap to maintain compared to a Ferrari or Porsche with similar performance, look no further.
These weight 2100 lbs. Scorching performance. No BS like traction control, ABS, ESC, etc. You better have skills if you want to pilot one of these. A few nuts have equipped these with 1000+ hp engines…including a well-known 1750 hp one.
Wow, make mine a convertible please
A street legal can-am car with a/c. I’m not really seeing a downside here.
There are kit cars and then there are Kit Cars. This is a well engineered kit with tons of power and no nannies, it will not suffer fools or poseurs. I like it.
These are beautiful, too. Most kit cars I’ve seen, even the good ones, suffer from a lack of attention to detail in fit/proportions. Although they were (are?) sold as a kit, I tend to think of them as a race car sold in unassembled form. I can’t count the number of times I’ve daydreamed about building one of these with a modern aluminum Chev. If only the lottery gods were to smile upon me once…
I have to admit it I have been anti kit car for most of my life but with that said this one looks amazing and acceptable in almost every way. I would love to drive it and really see it and check out if it really as beautiful as it looks. It sure looks nice!
IT REALLY IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT LOOKS. A fellow in South Africa built one and fitted it with a Supercharged Alfa Romeo V6 engine. It was the fastest car in SA for a number of years and in fact I think it broke the land speed record of the time although I can’t confirm that. It was so well built that it also won Concours prizes for best car on show. Mind you it was built by a doctor so it figures that he knew how to put things together properly.
A DRIVERS car. Although we appreciate the “Safety Nannies” when we absolutely need them on the street, a car like this is an honest drivers car, demanding the driver listen, feel, and sense the intimate moves as they dance the Asphalt Dance..it makes you a better driver, whereas IMHO our safety technologies take away a little more of the demand to pay attention when we’re behind the wheel each time a new feature is incorporated.
Beings that most of us can’t afford a incredulous beauty like this hot dancer, we should all have an occasional reminder session in, say, a ‘68 MGB..
But then it’s obvious I’m preaching to the choir here at BF in saying so!
Don’t cry if I die, just bury me in the wreckage!
When I was 19 I test drove a brand new Pantera. To make a long story short, when we got back to the Lincoln/Mercury dealership the salesman asked me what I thought.
I said that “I’m 19 years old and if I want to see 20, I better not buy this car.”
Same thing with this, with a couple of caveats: if you could actually get me into it, and out of it, and I survived the test drive, if I want to live to see 72, I better not buy this car.
This car is the ultimate drivers car. If you aren’t able to pay attention all the time it will hurt you. If you are not a racer then this is too much for many people.
Personally I wanted one. Still do. Perfect handling, high speed stability, power al the time and to me is the best car you can buy for any thing you wanted to do, like track day’s. Want it- need it. Best wishes for whom ever buys this beautiful car.
Sweet!! Ends tonight.
A hot car like this one would be a “Ticket Trap”, because every
police department would be stopping it. This is a typical lead foot special, every driver would be trying to see how fast they could go.
Back in the day Most cops that I knew would stop it just to see what it is! More than a few gearheads out there in patrol cars/bikes.
When Lotus had an affair with Ferrari. Nice hotshot.
Is the body made of fibreglass or metal?
It reminds me to this yellow car the car thief ‘Mandrian Pace’
purloin a ‘Manta’ in his first movie gone in 60 seconds.
The early cars were fibreglass with gel coat but now they have Kevlar bodywork I believe.
I have just found a picture of the South African Ultima from my previous comment with the Doctor owner standing by the car.
Sold $66,601, 3 bids.
Be GREAT here in Deutschland on Der autobahn – it’d need only euro side marker lights cuz it’s a 1970 registered model old timer status