Rick,
I think I might have mudded the waters talking about the T45 box. It's an early car - no. 44 - fitted with an upgraded 5.0L (AFR’s etc), not a 4.6. I have a T45 sitting in my garage – hence my thoughts about adapting it to fit the 5.0L.
On the face of it, fitting a 6-speed is probably an unnecessary luxury. However, unless I’m mistaken (please correct me if I’m wrong) the price of a T56 includes the bellhousing, whereas the T5 doesn’t. Therefore, based on Summit prices, the actual cost of a T5 is $1,150 plus $190 for the bellhousing. Add in the cost of a lower ratio diff, say $470 (£250) and total expenditure would be in the region of $1,810. Price of a T56 - $2,090. So for an additional $280 I’d get an extra gear and less work - or is my logic flawed?
I’m intrigued as to where the car was going/been when you saw it crated up in Sept 99. I purchased it 6 months later from Duncan Hamilton, only days after he received it from the factory, with just 2,300 miles on the clock. According to documents supplied with the car it was exhibited at the 95 Detroit Motor Show, although I have my doubts. With your obvious knowledge of the comings and goings at the factory are you able to confirm it was.
Unfortunately, before leaving the factory the hood was removed, so I accepted the car with the only remaining hardtop. High on my wish list is to get one made, but without access to a set of frames as a pattern it’s nigh on impossible. Anyone know of a written-off Brooklands Ace with a salvageable hood?
Max
