I arrive at the hangar at 7:30AM; three ULTIMAs are already positioned in the big hangar.
BigAl1 has trailered his car from Toronto Canada, and since his car is approximately at the same state of build progress as mine, I am very interested in examining it closely. The workmanship on his car is excellent. We have also been in regular email communication during our respective builds so I am eager to meet him in person. BigAl1 is BIG or rather very tall at 6' 8" he dwarfs the very low ULTIMA as well as the rest of us. He assures me that he fits nicely in the cockpit and all he had to do was to lower the footrest depression a further 1" to make his feet comfortable.
The webMaster having arrived very late Friday night is still not at the hangar but his metallic blue (very similar to the BMW M3 "Estoril Blue) car is stunning. He is literally a few days away from finishing the build. We examine his engine compartment which is equipped with a turbocharged Gen III engine - it will likely make 700+HP, we surmise.
His cockpit is clad in a lot of custom made subtle blue tinted Carbon Fiber. Very nice looking indeed, the tint complements the cars blue exterior but is so subtle that one almost thinks that the exterior color is somehow causing the blue tint as a reflection. He is inundated with questions, when he arrives a few minutes later.
The third car is also stunning (in black) and belongs to our host, USAGTRMAN; the workmanship on this car is unbelievable. Built by aircraft technicians, as evidenced by the level of quality and attention to detail. The interior is a mixture of carbon fiber, Alcontara and plush jet black German carpet. The Carbon fiber panels are all secured by black anodized rivets - all very understated, elegant and sedate. This car is also very close to being complete.
The Gen I engine is topped by the REVERIE Carbon fiber airbox - a very expensive piece but almost a thematic necessity in this car. The factory stainless steel exhaust looks like expensive tasteful jewelry in the midst of all this beautiful workmanship. The swirl pot and other aluminum factory pieces have also been carefully polished and couldn't look better in this gleaming compartment.
A short time later Jeff Schwartz joins the group which has now grown to include BUILDER from Reno, Chris and Joe from Pennsylvania, Ed and his son from Illinois as well as a number of other people either already owners or potential owners interested in purchasing an ULTIMA.
Jeff's car is the only drivable ULTIMA at the hangar and he graciously gives everybody a short but "very memorable" ride. Jeff is an ex IMSA racer with superb driving skills so a ride with him quickly demonstrates the car's prowess and convinces at least two potential buyers to become committed buyers.
Jeff is single-handedly the best marketer of the ULTIMA in the USA, having attended numerous shows, competitions and Hot Rod rides, as a result he has been instrumental in garnering more print and media attention for the ULTIMA than anyone else.
The ULTIMA is an amazing product but it can only establish a presence in North America if more people are exposed to it.
Jeff's (yellow) car is also very well put together - digital Nordskogg gauges, Gen III LS6 engine, custom exhaust and a Spartan interior as befits a true racer's car.
Ed and his son have trailered their CANAM to the event and since they are also Illinois residents did not have as far to drive. Their partially finished CANAM provides another welcome build data point for the participants. The car is at a slightly lesser stage of development than BigAl1's, however it is equipped with the GETRAG gear shift cables which is an option that a lot of potential owners are considering. Ed also provides a lot of information on the car because of the knowledge base he acquired through his prior association with ULTIMA. We eagerly tap into this great knowledge base.
I get to know all of the participants and I am struck by the warmth and enthusiasm of all these people. We have hovered around each car and conversed all day without stopping. Time seemed to have slowly melted away and the conversations carry on until about 9:30PM when we collectively decide to go out to eat.
We end up at an almost deserted but nice Pizza establishment - it is almost 10:00PM by the time we get there after all and most restaurant kitchens are on the verge of closing. Some of us are leaving early on Sunday morning so we say our goodbyes and wish them well on their respective journeys.
