GKD Sports Cars
| GKD Evolution | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GKD Sports Cars |
| Production | 2006 - on |
| Assembly | Kent, England |
| Designer | Peter Lathrope and Richard Ashby |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Roadster coupe |
| Body style | 2-door convertible coupe |
| Layout | FR (Front Engine / RWD) |
| Platform | Fabricated chassis and double wishbone suspension using BMW E36/E46 donnor items |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Various, including: Nissan RB, Cosworth, BMW Straight 6, Rover V8 |
| Transmission | Various |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 750 kg (1,653 lb)-850 kg (1,874 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ginetta G27 |
| GKD Legend | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GKD Sports Cars |
| Production | 2008 - on |
| Assembly | Kent, England |
| Designer | Peter Lathrope |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Roadster |
| Body style | seven |
| Layout | FR (Front engine / RWD) |
| Platform | Fabricated chassis and double wishbone suspension using BMW E36/E46 donnor items |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | BMW 4 cylinder engines |
| Transmission | BMW |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 585 kg (1,290 lb)-620 kg (1,367 lb) |
GKD Sports Cars is a small volume car manufacturer based in Maidstone, in Kent. GKD Sports Cars produce 2 models, the GKD Evolution and the GKD Legend.
History
GKD Sports Cars was founded in 2006 when company MD Peter Lathrope purchased the Ginetta G27 project. The car was then modified to improve aerodynamics and styling. The company has proved to the industry the quality of its products by winning car of the year 2006 with the EVOLUTION.
In 2008 the company launched two new models, with the EVOLUTION being upgraded to use BMW 3 Series (E36/E46) running gear and then launching a new model, the GKD LEGEND at the Exeter Kit Car Show in November. This received a very warm welcome with the press and public, as both cars are the first mainstream kit cars to use BMW 3 Series E36/E46 running gear.
Services
As well as supplying and building the EVOLUTION and the LEGEND, GKD can also supply Racelogic traction control, alloy wheels and tuning parts. GKD Sports Cars can also complete part build projects and put cars in for the IVA test. With their vast road car experience they will also tune and complete engine conversions for BMW road cars.
Because of the EVOLUTION's background, GKD launched the world's first production hard top for the Ginetta G27. GKD can also supply upgrades and parts for the Ginetta G27.
Awards and press comments
The car was awarded car of the year 2006 from Which Kit Car magazine. This included winning 5 out of 7 categories in the competition.[citation needed]
"From the specification, the EVOLUTION comes across as an out and out performance car which, of course, it is but it's also practical".[citation needed]
"It’s a logical switch in our view". Steve Hole totalkitcar magazine