For $117,000, This Lighweight Lucra Looks Lovely

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2016 Bold Ride LLC.

 

Posted by Andrew T. Maness 

 

                               

                                         

While the mainstream automotive marketplace certainly offers the widest variety of vehicles in history, there are some people who still can’t find what they’re looking for on even the largest of lots. For those that want something truly special, there’s always the option of going with a handbuilt machine from a small company; that’s where this Lucra LC470 comes in.

 

The southern California-based shop exclusively builds ultra lightweight roadsters with a venerable GM LS V8 stuffed under the hood. And if that sounds like a recipe for fun—you’re right, it is. The current LC470 gets a 6.3-liter LS3 standard, but a 7.0-liter LS7 is offered as well, you know, in case you want 505 horsepower on tap in your 2,000 pound car.

A single piece carbon fiber body covers a 4-inch laser cut tubular steel chassis, and the weight savings continue by using carbon fiber in many other areas, including the syncros, and interior panels. This particular example for sale on eBay has the “R package”, which includes all available performance options. However, it was never raced, only used as a demo during Monterey Car Week, and in other promotional applications.

Even though it’s a hand built car, it’s not completely devoid of creature comforts as some of the other machines in the market are. This LC470 has heated seats, electronic door buttons, and an electronic trunk release, which might not seem like a big deal, until you consider all the extra weight those options add, and then reckon with the fact that this thing still weighs just 2,000 pounds.

Although the design of the car is more or less a hodgepodge of famous classics, it still manages not to look completely derivative. How things have been tucked and tweaked give the LC470 a look all it’s own, even with the clear nods to the Jaguar E-Type and Ferrari 250 GTO.

Unlike those cars, though, the LC470 can be had for a somewhat reasonable amount. They go for about $125,000 new, but this one has a buy it now price of $117,900, and just 1,800 miles on the clock. It’s not a crazy bargain, but considering the power to weight ratio, and the fact that 55% of the car’s weight sits over the rear wheels, I’d say the asking price is on par for the amount of entertainment provided.