KIT DESIGN CONTEST- REBODY AN MX5 OR MR2
Discussion
grahambell said:
fuoriserie said:
Oh great, yet another kit form not-quite-lookalike, when what the industry could really do with is more GOOD original design!
In a past thread we had stylists moaning that kit car companies wouldn't pay to use them and I challenged them to put their money where their mouths were and try making a car themselves rather than always expecting the engineers to do it.
Well seems to me that designing a body kit would be the ideal way to do it as you've no chassis or suspension worries and all the main dimensions are already fixed.
Reckon there must be a demand for something along the lines of the Finale - i.e. exotic but original styling - to suit a Mk2 MR2. Veranti is OK but styling bit bland (well it does rather resemble a Boxster
). Sure you do something that looks every bit as exotic as a Ferrari with having to resort to doing yet another fake F355... Plenty of low cost base cars, potentially big international market (UK, US and Japan at least).
So, anybody want to give it a go?
I will give it a go, and hope all the other guys will too, and create a few body shapes for the Mazda Mx5 and the Toyota mr2 mk.2
I guess we could create a coupe for the Mazda and roadster for the Toyota, or viceversa, but any design sketch or rendering will do.
So please join the thread and sketch your best ideas, and let's have fun and show kitcar manufacturers what we can do with these 2 cars....
Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 14th July 22:11
A new kit body conversion for the Toyota mr2
www.totalkitcar.com/tkc_article_1179.php
and photo gallery
www.ridecars.com/gallery.php
www.totalkitcar.com/tkc_article_1179.php
and photo gallery
www.ridecars.com/gallery.php
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 17th July 11:05
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 17th July 11:12
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 17th July 11:13
These are fast rough sketches, just to get the topic going, for a more aggressive coupe body conversion based on the Toyota mr2 .
I took these images from the PH classifieds, and want to thank the owner for his great artistic eye and car.
The idea is to shorten the rear overhang, and add a few fiberglass panels to hide the rear 3/4 glass., redesign the front bumper with a different front opening, bigger side air intakes and wheel arches.
I would call this a mild body conversion, without major changes apart from the rear shortening .
I will show a rear 3/4 view of the car , hopefully by tomorrow...
Let me know what you think of this first attempt, but I guess you could design so many different shapes over this platform.
I took these images from the PH classifieds, and want to thank the owner for his great artistic eye and car.
The idea is to shorten the rear overhang, and add a few fiberglass panels to hide the rear 3/4 glass., redesign the front bumper with a different front opening, bigger side air intakes and wheel arches.
I would call this a mild body conversion, without major changes apart from the rear shortening .
I will show a rear 3/4 view of the car , hopefully by tomorrow...
Let me know what you think of this first attempt, but I guess you could design so many different shapes over this platform.
Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 18th July 17:00
g32turbo said:
Really can't see the point. The MR2 is a good looking sportscar in its own right. If you want to spend your time doing something really useful, try making a Wagon R look good.
I see your point, but this thread was born from thie following :
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=30&t=274610&h=0
The point was to create a cheaper kitcar body conversion , using an existing platform like the Mr2 or mazda mx5.
This should hopefully create a new and cheaper niche in the kitcar industry, while having more unique designs, but utilising an existing car and available technology.
I believe the Wagon R is interesting little car and in dire need of a styling update, but I can hardly see it been taken by the kitcar Industry as your next sportscar design update....but if you think it useful, let me know what body conversion do you envision for the Wagon R, I will gladly show you a few rough sketches, time permitting offcourse!
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 20th July 11:18
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 20th July 11:19
[quote=g32turbo I can see no logical reason for spending money turning a good looking sportscar into an equally good looking sportscar unless on the grounds of individuality. However if its individuality you'd sell your designs on then the market would be severely limited as the more kits you sell, the less exclusive they become.
[/quote]
Fair enough, and I agree with you on the above comment, that was discussed at length in past threads, ( read Kitcar Outlook or the Crisis threads) .
read :
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=5&f=30&t=177552&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=7&f=30&t=180769&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=3&f=30&t=257644&h=0
The problem is that if the Kitcar industry wants to evolve and expand, it needs to cater to a younger crowd, that is a little less skilled or has less time in building from the ground up a regular kitcar.
By using an existing platform, and modyfing the shape with a new body, maybe you could have the interest of mr2 owners who would like something more individual than, just continue adding on spolers, wings and scoops.
This would be a new body shape on the same car.
It's just an idea that quite a few manufacturers have started pursuing, but I'm sure it won't be the only one.
Just a way to get in and potentially expand the existing kitcar niche, going through a restructuring process.
This is just one of various ideas we have been discussing of late, and the coupe seven was discussed in past threads( see Kitcar design), maybe a mini Ultima wasn't considered.
You could create an original and interesting coupe out of a Mx5, maybe looking like a Jaguar F-type ?
[/quote]
Fair enough, and I agree with you on the above comment, that was discussed at length in past threads, ( read Kitcar Outlook or the Crisis threads) .
read :
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=5&f=30&t=177552&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=7&f=30&t=180769&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=3&f=30&t=257644&h=0
The problem is that if the Kitcar industry wants to evolve and expand, it needs to cater to a younger crowd, that is a little less skilled or has less time in building from the ground up a regular kitcar.
By using an existing platform, and modyfing the shape with a new body, maybe you could have the interest of mr2 owners who would like something more individual than, just continue adding on spolers, wings and scoops.
This would be a new body shape on the same car.
It's just an idea that quite a few manufacturers have started pursuing, but I'm sure it won't be the only one.
Just a way to get in and potentially expand the existing kitcar niche, going through a restructuring process.
This is just one of various ideas we have been discussing of late, and the coupe seven was discussed in past threads( see Kitcar design), maybe a mini Ultima wasn't considered.
You could create an original and interesting coupe out of a Mx5, maybe looking like a Jaguar F-type ?
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 20th July 15:20
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 20th July 15:21
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 20th July 15:24
[quote=smashOf course I'm being very tongue in cheek above but I must admit to not being able to follow your thinking at all on this one. Rebodying is just the kitcar industry coming full circle from the boom in the 70's where you had choice from loads of different whacky (wobbly!) bodyshells as long as they were mated to a veedub floorpan. The most likely reason for this 'homecoming' I suspect is SVA and it's potential avoidance through rebodying. To build an authentic cobra now takes pretty much 2 completely separate builds, one for SVA then the post SVA rebuild to reinstate all those lovely non compound radius parts, dangerous spinners etc. etc.! MR2's are cheap plentiful, but still agile and tunable in turbo guise by todays standards - why not ditch the dated clothes and have something altogether more exciting?
You don't throw the bed out just because you've still got chintz covers on it!
keep up the designs!! Love the half louvre rear btw
Thanks for your comments..
Ok...I will show more rough sketches, but I thought there was going to be a little more interest on this subject, and as you pointed out the industry as whole is coming full circle.
Big name design studios have come around once more as in the 60's, to bespoke or custom made one-off cars, Just look at the latest Zagatos. for Aston Martin and the new 575 GTZ with a Ferrari 575 chassis platform.
Bertone did a one-off, the Aston Martin Jet over a Vanquish platform.
Pininfarina has rebodied the ENZO with the new Ferrari P4/5.
check for images :
www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2830
Zagato is adamant to follow this route because he says, that limited production manufacturing cost are so high that it's not cost effective for small sportscar manufacturing companies. Impending legislation from the European Union and so forth will stiffle small outfits, so bespoke is the only way for design studios that still have small manufacturing facilities.
From now on ,they will be developing more bespoke cars over existing platforms, and expect to see more one-off's over Maserati. Alfa Romeo. Aston Martin, Ferrari and other exotic platforms. with a new and unique body made for rich customers worlwide.
The kitcar industry could well serve the same niche, at the lower end of the market as it has for the last 50 years, and now it's time to change again perspective.......
Why can't we rebody an Mr2 for the cash strapped masses? we can use modern and tested technology with a more unique design, without the price tag of Pininfarina !!
Just give me a few more ideas, and I will try to sketch them over the Mr2 an Mx5 platform........who knows, maybe someone is eccentric enough to have a bespoke new suit made just for them
You don't throw the bed out just because you've still got chintz covers on it!
keep up the designs!!
Love the half louvre rear btw Edited by smash on Thursday 20th July 17:16
[/quote] Thanks for your comments..
Ok...I will show more rough sketches, but I thought there was going to be a little more interest on this subject, and as you pointed out the industry as whole is coming full circle.
Big name design studios have come around once more as in the 60's, to bespoke or custom made one-off cars, Just look at the latest Zagatos. for Aston Martin and the new 575 GTZ with a Ferrari 575 chassis platform.
Bertone did a one-off, the Aston Martin Jet over a Vanquish platform.
Pininfarina has rebodied the ENZO with the new Ferrari P4/5.
check for images :
www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2830
Zagato is adamant to follow this route because he says, that limited production manufacturing cost are so high that it's not cost effective for small sportscar manufacturing companies. Impending legislation from the European Union and so forth will stiffle small outfits, so bespoke is the only way for design studios that still have small manufacturing facilities.
From now on ,they will be developing more bespoke cars over existing platforms, and expect to see more one-off's over Maserati. Alfa Romeo. Aston Martin, Ferrari and other exotic platforms. with a new and unique body made for rich customers worlwide.
The kitcar industry could well serve the same niche, at the lower end of the market as it has for the last 50 years, and now it's time to change again perspective.......
Why can't we rebody an Mr2 for the cash strapped masses? we can use modern and tested technology with a more unique design, without the price tag of Pininfarina !!
Just give me a few more ideas, and I will try to sketch them over the Mr2 an Mx5 platform........who knows, maybe someone is eccentric enough to have a bespoke new suit made just for them
Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 21st July 09:14
Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 21st July 09:16
smash said:
OK - well G32Turbo suggested something GT track style in the Ultima vein (can you make a flat windscreen look more curved through optical illusion?) Maybe something more 60's GT like a Chevron?
Personally would love to see something a bit Pantera Junior-ish, you know shallow nose and big arse!! Maybe something a bit Murci Junior-ish as well. We know from the 355 replicas that you can successfully get some extra girth on the back end of the MR2 so that might be fun to play with?
Personally would love to see something a bit Pantera Junior-ish, you know shallow nose and big arse!! Maybe something a bit Murci Junior-ish as well. We know from the 355 replicas that you can successfully get some extra girth on the back end of the MR2 so that might be fun to play with?
Yes I like the Pantera idea a lot, and what about the Mangusta? , for the Murcielago you would have the windscreen not being as cab-forward and not as raked.
The same problem with the Ultima, not as curved, so we have to stick with existing hard points as winscreen rake and curvature.
Will sketch some fast roughs and see what you all think......
grahambell said:
[quote=fuoriserie]really
The body kit approach generally means adding rather than subracting. As smash says, the F355 kits show how you can easily increase the width of an MR2, but reducing overhangs can be a no-no due to structural chassis members.
For your information, I can tell you that there's one such at the front of an MR2, plus there's at least upper level stiffening at the back. On the other hand, Toyota designed to car so they could make it as a convertible (only sold in Japan I think) so you can cut the roof off without the body going floppy.
Think the most realistic approach is that used by the F355 fakes - use the standard mountings for wings, bonnet and nose at the front plus the engine cover and boot at the back and bond over-panels to the doors and rear wings and tail.
Similar appraoch is used on Fiero based kits like the Finale and Belaro, which even use standard mountings for door skins and rear wings as the Fiero's plastic panels are all bolted on.
Admittedly this approach limits what you can do a bit as windscreen rake and overall proportions etc are all fixed, but it would make manufacture a realistic proposition.
The body kit approach generally means adding rather than subracting. As smash says, the F355 kits show how you can easily increase the width of an MR2, but reducing overhangs can be a no-no due to structural chassis members.
For your information, I can tell you that there's one such at the front of an MR2, plus there's at least upper level stiffening at the back. On the other hand, Toyota designed to car so they could make it as a convertible (only sold in Japan I think) so you can cut the roof off without the body going floppy.
Think the most realistic approach is that used by the F355 fakes - use the standard mountings for wings, bonnet and nose at the front plus the engine cover and boot at the back and bond over-panels to the doors and rear wings and tail.
Similar appraoch is used on Fiero based kits like the Finale and Belaro, which even use standard mountings for door skins and rear wings as the Fiero's plastic panels are all bolted on.
Admittedly this approach limits what you can do a bit as windscreen rake and overall proportions etc are all fixed, but it would make manufacture a realistic proposition.
I agree with your comments, and this brought to the conclusion that i will split the various designs concepts.
For shorter overhangs I will use the Mk.3 chassis of the mr2, and with those proportions it should be easier to design a modern interpretation of the Mangusta. Maybe a little more expensive, but a mini Mangusta inspired design should be worth it.
With the older Mk.2. you could design a roadster like the Veranti or a ferrari Dino inspired design, I will see what sketches I can come up with...
I was hoping to see the other guys sketches up on this thread, contacted a few to participate, but.......no reply
Maybe not interesting enough, or maybe will join in later, who knows, but I believe this idea has a lot of potential for the kit industry, so will continue with more sketches.....
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