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.

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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

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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

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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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BEFORE YOU BUY

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