The Ultima Can-Am: A Thinking Man's Supercar

In the formidable tradition of British motorsports, the respected house of Ultima Sports Ltd. recently rolled out what may be the most smashing and versatile supercar yet in their stellar 25-year history: the Ultima Can-Am.   International media types were clambering over one another to get in and get their ears peeled back in a Can-Am ride as the Leicester, England supercar company introduced their newest kit car earlier this year.  A sleek and gorgeous performance auto, described by one ardent media correspondent as looking “as if it’s going 200mph standing still,” the Ultima Can-Am is also—dare I say it?—remarkably practical! 

Mind-blowing performance is certainly built in, with power provided by a mid-mounted Chevrolet V8 Corvette engine mated to a Porsche transaxle.  With standard 300hp tune it’s enough to jet the Can-Am from 0-60mph in 4 seconds, before achieving a top speed of, well, let’s just say it’s way more than adequate, even for the Autobahn.  And the Can-Am offers optional LHD, along with a host of other standard USA regulations-compliant and driveability features that will make it road-handling perfection for cross-country travel in the United States, although not (legally, at least) to the level of exquisite terror available in a Can-Am on the Autobahn.

Hand-Built-- For You, Or By You

As now and future king of affordable and roadworthy super kit cars, the Ultima Can-Am can be ordered from the UK complete and hand-built for you by the renowned Ted and Richard Marlow and the other chaps at the Hinckley factory. But as the Marlow boys say, the quintessential Ultima kit car customer wants "intimate knowledge" of his dream car by fastening on every component, nut-by-nut, bolt-by-bolt.

And even I could do it!  According to the Ultima Sports Ltd. build info, the Can-Am is designed to be built by someone with only basic automotive knowledge and an elementary tool kit!  It makes me want to dust off the glossy pink tool kit I received for Christmas two years ago and get my husband to order up. I'd love to drive up to the supermarket (there is a cargo option), or the country club, while all eyes pop out and every jaw drops.  But, I'm fantasizing. The Ultima Can-Am is actually perfect for those more sophisticated male auto nuts of any age who want to make the locals stop and stare as they drive hither and yon, willy and nilly, in a car with the sensational appearance, heart and soul of a world-class racing machine--one that they built in their own garage!