Filed under: Sports/GTs, Euro, Earnings/Financials
Noble saved from the brink
Having recently driven a Noble M400 along California's breathtaking Palms to Pines Highway, we know what a fantastic sports car it is. With performance rivaling any Ferrari, Porsche or Lotus we've driven, the car is more than capable of competing head-to-head with the world's finest. If customers are able to get them, that is. The one strike against Noble is that the company doesn't have the heritage of these other marks and perhaps doesn't instill the same confidence of the more established makes in the hearts of potential buyers. Recent rumors of its financial instability haven't helped.
Well, now word has reached us from the UK that some of that financial uncertainty may be a thing of the past, thanks to new backing from 'a dedicated owner who shares my commitment, passion and vision for the future of Noble cars,' said company boss Lee Noble. He vows that with this new cash investment the M15 will go on sale in early 2007.
The anonymous investor replaces David Jones, chairman of high street fashion chain Next. Hinting that this may be a very good thing indeed, Noble added that he had now cleared the firm's debts, allowing final development work on the 455-hp, 180-mph M15 to continue. He expects his newest supercar to be available by next spring at the latest.
[Source: CAR]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Toy Yoda 2:14PM (9/19/2006)
"Lacks the heritage"? I don't know about that. Pagani has no heritage either, and look at the "WOW" factor it has. I think Noble just lacks stylistic flair. If it had that, then just like Pagani, it would be an exotic to lust after. Otherwise it doesn't look any fancier than this kit car by factory five:
http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffrkits/GTM/gallery/gtmgallery.html
But, don't get me wrong. I'd love to have a Noble or a factoryfive car. But, I'd prefer a Pagani.
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DPC car videos 2:30PM (9/19/2006)
I saw the previous generation Noble and was surprised how well it was built.
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Andy 2:38PM (9/19/2006)
Lee Noble is the Colin Chapman of this generation. He has crafted beautiful, lightweight British sports cars that have captured fascination on both sides of the Atlantic. I have been a fan of Noble's since I first laid eyes on the M12. Since then, I have had the fortune of seeing one in my hometown of Laguna Hills blazing along Irvine Center Drive near the Spectrum. At a time when British motoring is seen as foreign-owned, Noble Cars is source of rejuvenation.
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Andy 2:38PM (9/19/2006)
I disagree with the "flair" comment. The Pagani is seen almost universally as hideous, but incredibly fast. Pagani is still tossing out Zonda after Zonda, with no styling improvement. The Zonda's getting stale. Factory Five's kit cars are almost entirely Cobra and Daytona knock-offs.
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Russian billionaire 3:25PM (9/19/2006)
Some russian billionaire or financier who has close relations with financiers in UK and is looting russia and transfering funds to england.
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rwdmtparkingonly 3:26PM (9/19/2006)
The Factory 5 GTM is mid-engined with pretty similar construction to the Nobel and a C5 drivetrain. The Noble is also made by a company that makes Cobra knock-offs, who cares.
http://www.cartorque.co.za/0351.htm - article on the South African company that manufactures Nobles.
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thesawzall 3:33PM (9/19/2006)
The only thing that bugs me about the Noble is the Ford-sourced V6.
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gkz 4:53PM (9/19/2006)
I fully appreciate that this is probably a fantastic car for such a small company, and as a car enthusiast I'm glad companies like this exist... but couldn't they have put just a little more effort into the styling???
Whether or not you like the Pagani's look is personal preference, but at least its looks live up to its price. This thing looks like an old Fiero kit car.
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Marz 9:53PM (9/19/2006)
Some of us like Fords, like me, so it isn't a problem for me.
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