Are you crazy or something?

I didn't go to bed one night and wake up the next day with the dumb idea that I am going to build a car. This is one of those year long conversations that results in waking up and saying, "Yeah, I think I can build a Factory Five GTM super car."

Build a car or buy a car? Of course, it is much easier to buy a car. I had my eye on a Ferrari 355 Spyder. I could probably swing the purchase price, somewhere between $45,000 and $65,000. I did not have qualms about purchasing a used sports car. I already had purchased a Corvette C5 Convertible and a Porsche Boxster 986. The prospect of digging into the car and mapping out modifications did not daunt me. However, the idea of a $10,000 engine out service every 3 years gave me pause.

I can come up with space for one more sports car. My preference is a Ferrari, however, my wallet is not quite up to the task of Ferrari maintenance. So if not a Ferrari, what kind of car compliments a Corvette and a Boxster. It has to handle like a Boxster, roar like the Corvette and have the Ferrari's wow factor. The performance specs for the GTM are as follows:

• 0 - 60 in 3.0 seconds
• 0 - 100 in 6.6 seconds
• 1/4 mile in 11.0 seconds @ 132 mph
• Curb weight 2350 lbs
• Corvette suspension
• LS Series engines
• Either a Porsche G50 or Mendeola transaxle
• 245/40/18 front tires
• 335/30/18 rear tires
• Z06 Big Brakes
• Koni coil over shocks

The GTM looks fast and drives fast. It is exotic and fits the current definition for a super car.

So it begins.