To get the small-block in the confines of the chassis, a 7.5-inch race sump and short water pump setup was the order of the day. Bolted to a Porsche G50 gearbox, drive is provided to the rear wheels by dedicated driveshafts. To finish her off, Ultima's custom stainless steel exhaust system was positioned atop the transaxle.
Build time was around the 1,000-hour mark, but other builders have completed cars in half this time. My fanatical approach to everything explains the additional time invested.
Dean said, "I cannot praise this kit enough. The quality of the components is sensational, assembly is straightforward, and the occasional shortage is replaced within a couple of days."
Ultima's range of cars have been designed specifically to meet amateur build requirements in the States. The differences to the UK specification are as follows:
* Left-hand drive conversion* Gear-lever positioned centrally* Headlamps switched to left-hand-side driving* Reversing lights integrated into rearlight system* Wiper mechanism altered to rest wiper on right-hand side* Instrument binnacle altered to point towards left-hand-drive position* Optional high-level brake light (required in some states)* Optional catalytic converters (required in some states)
Dean added, "On the road, this car is simply sensational. Fourth gear will catapult you from 50 to about 110 mph in an instant. As for standstill to 60 mph, we are talking mid-fours. This is the ultimate beast that drives like a beauty."
Ultima's Ted Marlowe has said that the Ultima is not a racer but a road car, and they have gone to considerable lengths to assure U.S. customers that it can be road registered. Ultima's strategy has been to have all Ultima cars built to the exceptionally high factory specifications it provides. Ultima can and does supply every single part, bracket, nut, bolt, and washer in their assembly kits, though Rosen deviated from the standard with his own upgrades and mods. Ultima provides the standard, a standard that Nigel Dean adhered to, but it is up to the buyer/builder to reach those high benchmarks or seek his own. We hope this look at both cars gives you readers food for your Ultima thoughts.