Seeking partner, kit car manufacturing (Aylesbury area)

[singlecoil]

M400 NBL said:

I bookmarked this thread to wish you well and must have been disturbed by my boss

Good luck. You could do worse than use a similar spaceframe chassis to the one in my ugly Midtec Spyder . It's so close to the ground that it would be ideal for making the car higher for taller people. The 1" (or 25mm) box section used on the Midtec isn't man enough for anything above about 150 bhp though, so larger box section or tube would allow for more power (obviously).

Best of luck.

How very kind, thanks.

Fortunately for me the chassis design is in other, more capable hands. I'm interested to hear you say that the 25mm box isn't enough, though, as there are plenty of cars using it that have power outputs well above the figure you mention, as much as twice or more. It sounds like maybe there isn't enough triangulation in the Midtec chassis. What exactly makes you think there is a problem, have you observed any twisting or other distortion?

[M400 NBL]

singlecoil said:

M400 NBL said:

I bookmarked this thread to wish you well and must have been disturbed by my boss

Good luck. You could do worse than use a similar spaceframe chassis to the one in my ugly Midtec Spyder . It's so close to the ground that it would be ideal for making the car higher for taller people. The 1" (or 25mm) box section used on the Midtec isn't man enough for anything above about 150 bhp though, so larger box section or tube would allow for more power (obviously).

Best of luck.

How very kind, thanks.

Fortunately for me the chassis design is in other, more capable hands. I'm interested to hear you say that the 25mm box isn't enough, though, as there are plenty of cars using it that have power outputs well above the figure you mention, as much as twice or more. It sounds like maybe there isn't enough triangulation in the Midtec chassis. What exactly makes you think there is a problem, have you observed any twisting or other distortion?

I did read it somewhere in the documentation that I got when I bought it. From memory it was recommended that a 2L normally aspirated was the biggest engine that could be used ((120-150bhp) which is why I have a 2L renault lump and most others have a 2L Ford.


It may be down to the lack of tringulation as you say, or laCK of bracing that modern chassis have perhaps!

[S1M VP]

I would suggest that you could try to pull together one or two people who have shown an interest so far, for a more detailed conversation.

Take flyinjase from before, he can bring things to the table that will either add value, or avoid early costs.

I could offer some skilled mechs/elecs to do the physical work, releasing you to get this going.

I admire anyone 'having a go' but would suggest that a consortium approach could realize quicker and more sustainable results.

Pull together a top level business plan, which I can advise you on and help with, then get in touch with people who have shown a genuine interest, get them to sign an NDA, then discuss it.

IMO, forget apprentice at this stage, it'll just be a distraction.

BTW I am an automotive guy and one of my companies specializes in product development, vehicle launches where we take a team of 50-100 mechs/elecs in for the launch phase (all be it well known car companies). The other specializes in providing labour solutions.

Excuse the American spelling ... IPhone!!

Good luck

[singlecoil]

S1M VP said:

Good luck

Thanks for the suggestions and good luck. Since I first started the thread things have moved on a bit, and I realise that I need to get myself into a stronger position before I can really push this project forward in the way I would like to. Development work is continuing, but until I can get some help (in the form of a full time partner) things are necessarily going to go more slowly that I would like.

The basic problem is that the core business (kit car building, repair, modification) is getting quite busy and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find the time needed for the project. If I turn business away then the problem changes to one of not having enough money. Tricky.

[DonkeyApple]

Why not a JV with an existing kit car manufacturer for the new project with them supplying work and staff, when needed, for the existing business?

[singlecoil]

DonkeyApple said:

Why not a JV with an existing kit car manufacturer for the new project with them supplying work and staff, when needed, for the existing business?

That doesn't really seem to fit my needs, but thanks for the suggestion.