Highlights
- One of only 23 Spectre R42s produced in the 1990s
- Showing under 15,000 miles from new
- Factory built with each car taking 2,000 hours to complete
- 4.9L V8 engine with very rare optional 6-speed Getrag transaxle
- Highspec including Öhlins suspension, AP Racing brakes, and OZ Racing wheels
- MOT valid to July 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
There’s rare and obscure, and then there’s the R42. It was developed in the 1990s by Ray Christopher, boss of GT Developments (GTD), a well-regarded specialist in GT40 recreations. His vision was for a modern update of the original GT40 that would be more civilised and better suited to road use. The new car was infused with the know-how from GTD’s GT40 recreations and featured an aluminium and honeycomb composite chassis with fibreglass body. Inside the cabin was luxurious with leather and wood trim.
Things, as they often do with couture supercar projects, did not quite go to plan. GTD went bust before the project reached fruition and the assets were bought by Spectre Motors Inc, led by 34-year-old former GTD Scandinavian sales agent Anders Hildebrand. Poduction following just four months later with each car reportedly taking 2,000 hrs to complete. Despite quickly establishing an inaugural European and USA dealership network, Spectre realised it was losing money on every car and just 23 were built (some sources claim 29). The R42 had a starring role in a film called RPM and featured in Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit.
This car is one of the last built, a 1997 registered example fitted with a larger 4.9L Ford 32V fuel injected V8 engine. It also has the rare 6spd Getrag transaxle gearbox, which was an option from new. The odometer and MOT records suggest that the sub-15,000 miles displayed on the odometer may be correct, but this isn’t verified.
Painted metallic green with white racing stripes and roundels and OZ Racing gold alloys, this R42 is arresting. The eagle-eyed will spot Ohlins suspension and AP Racing brakes amongst the array of high end features. There are a few cosmetic points to note but there is the reassurance of an advisory-free MOT valid to July 2026. Here’s a chance to drive one of the rarest and most unusual home-grown supercars of recent years.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st June 1997
- Previously yellow which was changed in January 2014
- Four registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since November 2016
- Factory handbooks
- V5C
- VIN number GTD4201202001RC97
- Registered as a GTD but built by Spectre
- One of a limited run of 23 factory-built examples
- MOT valid to 7th July 2026 with no advisories
- 14,793 miles showing on MOT and 14,983 miles showing in photos
- Six digit odometer and MOT records support mileage but mileage is not verified
The Condition
- Repainted in metallic green around 12 years ago
- Paintwork shows some scuffs and delamination in photos
- Fibreglass body as shown in photos
- Aluminium and honeycomb composite chassis with no structural advisories on MOT
- White racing stripes and roundels with ‘40’ numbering nod to GT40 cars
- OZ Racing five spoke alloys with gold centres in good general condition
- Beige leather interior with Wilton carpet, OMP harnesses and veneered dashboard
- Classic-style white faced dials
- Michelin Pilot Sport tyres fitted: 335-section rears and 225-section fronts
The Mechanics
- 4,942cc Ford V8 32-valve quad-cam fuel-injected Cobra engine with variable inlets
- Rare optional 6-speed Getrag transaxle gearbox
- Mid-engine layout with composite chassis
- Öhlins suspension
- AP Racing brakes
- OZ Racing alloy wheels
- 0-60 mph in 4-4.5secs
- No advisories on MOT
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