The American Revolution notwithstanding, through more than two centuries the British have never loosened their powerful influence on American life, business, finance, psyche, and maybe even our raw genetic memory. In their own low key way, Brits go about controlling a huge amount of US and Canadian real estate, corporate interests, pop culture and entertainment, and keep living their own inimitable version of the good life on both sides of the pond. And while we in the US may not look on with envy, exactly, there's no question that we do look on. Just like ordinary conversation sounds so much more compelling in a British accent, English automobiles, like the Sebring International collection, have that undeniable charisma that whispers character, an aura of history, and class. Americans hanker after that, whether they admit it or not.
In the States we don't hear the word Sebring linked with the UK that often but we really should. When you think about it, it's not so odd to have a UK sports car named after an American Le Mans Series race; The Twelve Hours of Sebring will be running for the 57th time in Sebring Florida next March, and is America's oldest and most prestigious sports car endurance race, ranking among the best-known sports car competitions in the world. In the spirit of world class sports cars, any one of the stunning Sebring International models, manufactured in lovely green-hilled Cambridgeshire, England, would be a tastefully distinctive way to drop around $75,000 US and have a sports car that looks the price and more. Even more valuable, a Sebring sports car is unusual - now there's a rare commodity for upscale US city streets!
Sebring Models Bring Timeless Charisma to Many Lifestyles
Sebring International is a family-owned business; since 1994 they have brought their vision of the now timeless 60's sports car design --in both kit car and factory built mode--to new millennium life from their headquarters at Three Holes, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire (don't you just love that name!). I'd love to take a trip to this beautiful area of England, and Sebring enthusiastically invites their customers to come tour their factory, stay a while, and watch their car being built.
Sebring International's range of classically styled sports cars make a statement that is unique in today's mass production world. What Sebring has done for the discerning driver, British, Expat, North American, or anyone who demands high performance with classic high style, is design a distinctive model to suit the individual and how he is going to drive.
Each of the models, SX, TMX, MXR, and ZX, have the signature Sebring look, but are tailored to fit specific customer life and driving styles. They range from the relaxed pleasures of elegant but sporty daily driving, to the more head-turning, lower-to-the-ground rumbly and growly roadhugging experiences, all the way to a model recommended only for dedicated club racing.
The Sebring cars, kit or turnkey, do not target the economy, lowcost market, although they are experts at helping kit builders work through affordable solutions to their ultimate top quality product. Whether you order factory-built or plan to have your Sebring assembled from kit components--either by yourself or with the assistance of a trusted kit builder shop--Sebring model prices are commensurate with the level of a luxury, high-end performance sports car, although Sebring owners (who have their own web site) will argue that you get way more value for your pound or dollar with your Sebring than you get with most luxury brands. (Still another share from the owner site says the Sebrings are not "petrol" guzzlers.) Basic kit pack versions range in price from about $8-$10K; factory built models will run in the range of $70,000-$80,000 all depending on the many options available. I don't personally know how UK to North America shipping arrangements work to a T, but it's certainly done all the time, and friends who have done it tell me it's well worth the cost to get something special over here.
And now, the Sebring models, SX, TMX, MXR, and ZX; quite an unmatched selection in handcrafted auto building, I think. You must go to www.sebringinternational.co.uk to see detailed specs and more beautiful photos. I was supposed to just discuss one model, the ZX, but because I'm very cautionary about it, I'm going to review all of them and save the ZX for last.
The SX is elegantly graceful and captures the ageless 60's, classically handsome artistocratic look that epitomizes the true British sports car. Select space age vinyl interior or luxury leather option, with wood elements and instrument panel choices. You can have V6 or V8 engines, and a hard top option is available. The SX is for that rakish playboy gentleman of any age who wants to thrill the girls but not scare them when squiring them about.
The TMX has a lower, more aggressive stance, with flared wheel arches. TMX sports a racier performance look and feel for those individuals who must stand out from the crowd; advanced chassis with twin rails along the entire body, high laid glass reinforced polyester resin body, soft top or hard top option. Walnut or Burr Elm with high-end leather complete a cockpit design that is sensuous and comfortable. Then there are a variety of engine choices for whether you want to be all talk, or intend to show some stuff when the pedal is to the floor. Choose between the Nissan 2.8 6-cylinder, Ford 2.9 V6, Rover V8 with 5-speed or automatic gearbox, and then there's the Chevrolet V8, 350hp of sheer muscle. Contingent on your engine selection in the TMX, you'll have a gray area (no pun intended), but here's where you may need to start drawing the line in passenger companions: no mothers, mother-in-laws, grandmothers or passenger ladies depending on, well, Depends, need to be riding in your TMX, MXR, and certainly not the ZX.
The MXR ups the performance ante and stouter detail still another level. According to Sebring, the MXR is "not for the faint-hearted." It has all the interior luxury and toughened component features of the TMX, and a few more hard-edge bells and whistles that the more aggressive driver will recognize and want. Again you have the choice between the Ford 2.9 V6 inj, Rover V8 with 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox and the Chevrolet V8, and you can no doubt guess what the most selected MXR engines are. While the MXR basic kit and factory build is price-comparable to the TMX, optional feature choices popular to the MXR will probably bump the price on up there a little.
The ZX! And my editor, James Martell, will probably slap my hands, but I'll say it! Don't even think about ordering a ZX unless you know exactly where you're going to go with it and have already been there many times and come home safely. Yes, it's "road legal." Yes, Sebring builds in control for the up to 500bhp, delivered from a choice of V8 engines and backed up by a slick 5 or 6 speed gearbox. And yes of course the ZX has been expressly engineered with a plethora of handling features, special brakes and a ton of safety assists to match its power. But, even though the ZX is not the most expensive of the Sebrings you'd be better off to pass this model up unless you know where you can take it and enjoy beating your friends on club racing days on a regular basis in North America.
If you do know how to enjoy a British club racing car like the Sebring ZX -or any of these lovely UK racing cars available--here in the US and Canada, I'd like to hear from you, as the UK has so many wonderful speedy cars and I've often wondered how statesiders fare with them once they get them over here. Keep in touch!
