Classic Replica Classics.

Just catching up on some post proccessing, and trying a new script I found and modified.

Two cars from the 2004 "Best Auto Show".


A lovely GT40 replica, made localy and Rover V8 powered:

Now THAT'S a combo I would never have thought of.
This sounds interesting. Do you know any of the specs on that Rover engine?
And the Cobras? Gotta LUV EM! NICE shots, BTW.
-Bruce

Wonderful cars, beautifully photographed, especially #2

Ballen Photo wrote:
Now THAT'S a combo I would never have thought of.

Real loooong story!
I know the guy who made them ("interesting" fellow). Basicly he was living in the UK and got access to some orginal GT40 body shells in the 70s. He made copys of them and shipped them back here to NZ.
He then used his limited engineering skills to design and build a chassis, given the easy avliablity and low cost of the Rover V8 he decieded to design the rear of the chassis around it and the common Renult 5sp transaxle.
There are a few ford and chevy V8 powered cars around, but they are require some modification to the chassis to get the engine to sit in the right place.
Of note, the moulds and chassis jigs were all sold about 4 years ago, and much more qualified person is now building new turn key and kit based cars.
(thats the short version )

The Rover V8s make about 150hp in stock form, and are good for 200hp with easy modifications. They are a 3.5l unit, orginaly designed by Buick.


The cobras were fantastic to see all lined up, and even more spectacular to see on the track.

This was the first real event I had taken the then new A80 to, it had a shakedown at newyears/xmas and this was its first real outing.
Unforunatly the sun was high and harsh, and most of the shots have lots of blown out highlights, or badly underexposed shadows, or both

Interesting story, and I had no idea that the Rover V8 was designed by Buick.
Thanks for posting this.
-Bruce

Good idea on the 2nd shot!

Thank you

I actualy have a whole pile of great shots of the cars, but the sun and clutter means lots of blown backgrounds and over exposed highlights around the cars. Hence shooting the reflection

It is a problem & I usually BS with the guys & just get a few "grab shots" while I'm waiting for better light.
Seen this?
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=70290

Deffinitly read it!
Im a big fan of your work, especialy the photoshop cut outs you do.

Unforunatly it was one of those events where if I had waited everyone would have left before the light improved.
It was literaly middle of the summer here, and all the cars were in a small, hill top paddock area at the local race track. And, they were all constantly coming and going, often out to race on the track.

Fortunatly I have since aquired an ND4 filter, my A80 is limited to how much light it can handle, it won't stop down anymore than F8, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000th. In strong light finding the right exposure can be tricky.
Iv had some success with the filter though I just need more practice, its able to cut down 2-3stops of light, letting me work at around F5.6, or at F8 with slower shutter speeds where the camera seems to handle birght light a little better.

I know what you mean! Hang in there & take a look at this. Maybe you can find a 2-day event where they'll be there late, or overnight.
http://www.nhra.com/

PhotosGuy wrote:
. Maybe you can find a 2-day event where they'll be there late, or overnight.
http://www.nhra.com/

LOL! I would love to make it to an NHRA event, unforunatly I don't think I will find any of these to shoot there

I'd just glanced at Akarana & thought it said Alabama! So I guess you'd have a long drive after all!