GKD Legend:CKC Guide 2009
12/10/10
08:05
Page 48
GKD Legend & Legend Six
FOR MANY YEARS, Ford donor cars have been the staple of the kit car industry. But most front engine, rear-wheel-drive cars that bear a blue oval have been consigned to the scrap heap – and that’s why GKD Sports Cars has looked elsewhere for a donor for its Lotus Seven inspired Legend. And the chosen candidate is the BMW 3-series (E36/E46). The correct drivetrain layout isn’t the only reason to commend the BMW donor; GKD points to a number of other benefits. There’s a lot of interchangeability between BMW parts, meaning it’s easy to upgrade to performance parts. It also means that any donor from 1991 to 2006 will fit the Legend. Donor cars start from £200 and parts prices are low too – in some cases, cheaper than equivalent Sierra components. Backing up the prestige underpinnings are high quality kit components that are offered at competitive prices. For that reason the Legend is surprsingly affordable. Opt for GKD’s Chassis Pack or Starter Pack as your starting point, and it would be possible to get a car complete and on the road from just £5000. Alternatively, the Comprehensive Pack (at £7995) provides everything you need to build the car save for the parts that come from the BMW donor. GKD has recently introduced the Legend Six which can accommodate the silky straight six engine fitted to top end BMW 3-series donors. GKD is currently working on a major restyling work of its Evolution, which is also BMW 3-series based. Watch this space.
SPECIFICATION CHASSIS: Tubular steel spaceframe with a choice of roll-over bars. BODYWORK: GRP nose, scuttle and wings. Rest of body is aluminium supplied laser cut and ready to fit. DONOR CAR: Any BMW 3-series (E36/E46) produced between 1991 and 2006. ENGINE OPTIONS: A wide range of car and bike engines can be accommodated with standard fitments being: Legend – Any four-cylinder BMW 3-series petrol engine. Legend Six – Any six-cylinder BMW 3-series engine. SUSPENSION: Front – Double wishbones, coil-over dampers, fabricated uprights, BMW hubs. Rear – Double wishbones, coil-over dampers, fabricated uprights, BMW bearings and flanges. STEERING: Rack and pinion. BRAKES: Discs all-round. KIT PRICE: Legend – Starter Pack (all parts that can only be sourced from GKD Sports Cars) £3450, Comprehensive Pack (almost everything to complete a car except a BMW donor) £7995. Turnkey £10,995 (customer supplies donor). Legend Six – Starter Pack (all parts that can only be sourced from GKD Sports Cars) £3995. Comprehensive Pack (almost everything to complete a car except a BMW donor) £9295. Turnkey £12,295 (customer supplies donor). BUDGET BUILD COST: Legend – From £5000. Legend Six – From £6500.
SUMMARY – Using the BMW 3-series as a donor for a Seven-inspired roadster is a brilliant innovation. But like all the best ideas, it’s also a simple one: readily available quality components make their own argument.
Recycling a BMW 3-series
GKD Sports Cars, 17 Firmin Avenue, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4RD T: 08709 104108 E: info@gkdsportscars.com W: www.gkdsportscars.com
THE COMPLETE KIT CAR GUIDE 2011
www.completekitcar.co.uk
89