Discussion
nicktruman said:
Even Pagani has given me the thumbs up!
I've seen you make this statement in other forums too. What *exactly* do you mean? Is this claim based on the email you posted at the start of your contribution to this thread? Because that didn't look like a thumbs-up to me. Looked like a "We don't have any body panels you can have" statement:Pagani receptionist said:
Dear Mr. Truman,
we thank you for your attention.
Unfortunately we don't have any "second choice" body - you certainly know that we have a final quality control very strict so all imperfect parts are destroied.
Best regards.
we thank you for your attention.
Unfortunately we don't have any "second choice" body - you certainly know that we have a final quality control very strict so all imperfect parts are destroied.
Best regards.
nicktruman said:
I don't know if you have seen this article, but it was by an independent motoring journalist.
http://www.motortorque.com/blog/2014-10/car-enthus...
' Who knows? Maybe this piece of scrap will make it onto our TV screens in the near future.'http://www.motortorque.com/blog/2014-10/car-enthus...
I wonder whether this quote sheds some light on his opinion of the car?...
nicktruman said:
Hi Guys
Whats wrong with my car now? The V12 with the manifolds you didn't like have gone, and the car now has a nice Audi V8, the car drives and handles really really well, its also very quick and stops on a sixpence.
Regards
Nick
Please give Patrick my best, I presume he did the body work for you in the end?Whats wrong with my car now? The V12 with the manifolds you didn't like have gone, and the car now has a nice Audi V8, the car drives and handles really really well, its also very quick and stops on a sixpence.
Regards
Nick
t
nicktruman said:
They wished me luck but said they wouldn't *give* me any seconds. Pint half full OR half empty??
Are you delusional?You took that email as Pagani giving you the thumbs up?
This 'creation' is an insult to Pagani, apart from the bodywork, everything is wrong.
I'm surprised Pagani haven't instructed their solicitors to make contact with you.
This really should be scrapped or sold off for parts.
threadlock said:
Now for sale on eBay. Starting price £10k. *cough*
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Twin-turbo-Audi-V8-Zonda...
Good luck with the sale, Mr Truman!
Just looked- £7k with one bid.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Twin-turbo-Audi-V8-Zonda...
Good luck with the sale, Mr Truman!
Having just read the whole thread and the ebay advert and accompanying "independent articles" there are a couple of things I'd like to know please Nick.
1 - In one of the articles if states a 0-60 time of sub 3 seconds and a top speed of 190mph, yet in another one of the articles it says these are your estimates. Which is it?
2 - 190mph!?!?!?!?! Have you ever driven it anywhere near this speed? My Tuscan is one of the last out the factory so it has actually been in a wind tunnel for some proper aero (big wing, front winglets) and it certainly keep you very much on your toes at 140mph+. At 190 I imagine it would be downright scary, and that's from a car that actually had factory design. I seriously doubt your car could reach 190mph and even if it did I doubt it could do it without bits falling off.
3 - And all other things aside this is the most important question. In one of your "independent articles" it is stated as fact that "American petrol heads unsuccessfully offered him $120,000 to buy it." If this is really true why are you now selling it for 10k?? Surely just call the Americans up and say "great news guys, you can have it for $100k".
1 - In one of the articles if states a 0-60 time of sub 3 seconds and a top speed of 190mph, yet in another one of the articles it says these are your estimates. Which is it?
2 - 190mph!?!?!?!?! Have you ever driven it anywhere near this speed? My Tuscan is one of the last out the factory so it has actually been in a wind tunnel for some proper aero (big wing, front winglets) and it certainly keep you very much on your toes at 140mph+. At 190 I imagine it would be downright scary, and that's from a car that actually had factory design. I seriously doubt your car could reach 190mph and even if it did I doubt it could do it without bits falling off.
3 - And all other things aside this is the most important question. In one of your "independent articles" it is stated as fact that "American petrol heads unsuccessfully offered him $120,000 to buy it." If this is really true why are you now selling it for 10k?? Surely just call the Americans up and say "great news guys, you can have it for $100k".
By the same token....
If the kids at the local primary school were to create a paper-mache pastiche of a Zonda, I don't think Pagani would be unkind enough to issue a legal writ.
Given the quality of the bodywork, I would imagine they would utilise similar qualifying criteria with this "replica" :-) :-)
If the kids at the local primary school were to create a paper-mache pastiche of a Zonda, I don't think Pagani would be unkind enough to issue a legal writ.
Given the quality of the bodywork, I would imagine they would utilise similar qualifying criteria with this "replica" :-) :-)
Taking it from all angles here. As a fellow kitcar builder i'll give my honest opinion +'s and -'s
You completed it and have a running car, that in itself is an achievement and something to be proud of. You've completed a lot others couldn't. Also when it went wrong you got back on it.
However...
The IVA manual should of been studied before building to get the car on the road its 299pages and I studied that more than I probably have for anything before and almost decided the task was too big. You would then of been able to build to meet regs and get around requirements. for instance;
Those type of things, also for IVA you need to provide all receipts and pictures of the build in progress. Its tough.
If the bodywork was smooth very few ripples and then painted I expect the comments may of been a bit better. The final look / execution means a lot in this world unfortunately. I still say well done on getting done what you did, id think of it as a prototype.
You completed it and have a running car, that in itself is an achievement and something to be proud of. You've completed a lot others couldn't. Also when it went wrong you got back on it.
However...
The IVA manual should of been studied before building to get the car on the road its 299pages and I studied that more than I probably have for anything before and almost decided the task was too big. You would then of been able to build to meet regs and get around requirements. for instance;
- All wiring securely attached maximum of 300mm with no chance of rubbing / chaffing etc...
- Brake lines securely mounted throughout
- Lower edge of headlight needs to be 500mm from the ground (raise car on coilovers - if they will raise enough)
Those type of things, also for IVA you need to provide all receipts and pictures of the build in progress. Its tough.
If the bodywork was smooth very few ripples and then painted I expect the comments may of been a bit better. The final look / execution means a lot in this world unfortunately. I still say well done on getting done what you did, id think of it as a prototype.
killerferret666 said:
Taking it from all angles here. As a fellow kitcar builder i'll give my honest opinion +'s and -'s
You completed it and have a running car, that in itself is an achievement and something to be proud of. You've completed a lot others couldn't. Also when it went wrong you got back on it.
However...
The IVA manual should of been studied before building to get the car on the road its 299pages and I studied that more than I probably have for anything before and almost decided the task was too big. You would then of been able to build to meet regs and get around requirements. for instance;
Those type of things, also for IVA you need to provide all receipts and pictures of the build in progress. Its tough.
If the bodywork was smooth very few ripples and then painted I expect the comments may of been a bit better. The final look / execution means a lot in this world unfortunately. I still say well done on getting done what you did, id think of it as a prototype.
I have read the manual! The bottom of the headlights are just 500mm from the deck, I started securing the brake lines but that job needs finishing around the callipers, and the wiring loom is VERY secure and bound nicely.You completed it and have a running car, that in itself is an achievement and something to be proud of. You've completed a lot others couldn't. Also when it went wrong you got back on it.
However...
The IVA manual should of been studied before building to get the car on the road its 299pages and I studied that more than I probably have for anything before and almost decided the task was too big. You would then of been able to build to meet regs and get around requirements. for instance;
- All wiring securely attached maximum of 300mm with no chance of rubbing / chaffing etc...
- Brake lines securely mounted throughout
- Lower edge of headlight needs to be 500mm from the ground (raise car on coilovers - if they will raise enough)
Those type of things, also for IVA you need to provide all receipts and pictures of the build in progress. Its tough.
If the bodywork was smooth very few ripples and then painted I expect the comments may of been a bit better. The final look / execution means a lot in this world unfortunately. I still say well done on getting done what you did, id think of it as a prototype.
I have fitted radiused edging to all external ridges, so there are no sharp edges.
The body work is smooth, as i have said there are a few parts of the car I was never happy with, compounded by the work of chap I hired to finish the body off, whose tool of choice was an angle grinder with a 5" sanding disk. Its taken me 2 years to indo the damage he did. However, I don't like the front and the side air intake pods. The body is hand made, not from moulds, I made the chassis, made a wooden buck and covered that with polystyrene and the plaster, and sanded it all down. The GRP was laid over that. If I were to do it again, I would have done it better. The cockpit was made using a mould and is perfectly smooth and has no ripples.
Mechanically its lovely, the megasquirt works perfectly, using EDIS 8 and twin ford coil packs, I decided not to use the Audi COPs. Boost is limited to 1 bar and fans mounted under the Mazda intercoolers suck air through the black scoops to keep the charge cool.
The car drives and handles really nicely, acceleration is vicious, much more aggressive than anything I have ever been in. I have not driven the V8 hard at all, but the twin turbo V12 was something else.
I guess making something inspired by a Zonda was always going to be a controversial project, if it was a perfect copy, i would probably receive even more haters than i get now. But it was never meant to be a copy, i like the shape of the Zonda, and its my version of a nice looking car. I made it just for something to do with my kids.
If you like cars , I really don't know how anyone can say this picture doesn't look nice? When the new paint has been completely flattened and polished it should look even better (IMHO).
First of all, don't get me wrong as I said I respect the achievement and that photo does look good but it can be the finer details that make the difference and the IVA is a different beast.
Rear visibility without an interior mirror again, I cant believe the mirrors at that height will pass, this is what I had to do see over a rear and see all visibility. different car but because of the design same in principal because you have no interior mirror. You'll notice my indicators are similar to yours as well at the front under the headlights, mine failed on visibility. Lovely mirrors arent they!
Securing cabling etc... I took photos to show the tester or you will need to strip things back to show him, stuff like this do you have photos like this for the buyer?
nicktruman said:
I have read the manual! The bottom of the headlights are just 500mm from the deck, I started securing the brake lines but that job needs finishing around the callipers, and the wiring loom is VERY secure and bound nicely.
I have fitted radiused edging to all external ridges, so there are no sharp edges.
Those sidelights and probably lights are no way at 500mm from the ground. (I had similar issues) Your wheels are 19" and ill say 1" tyre wall around, or in mm 508mm. This means the bottom of any of the front lights must at least level with the top of the metal part of the wheel to be 500mm. this image below shows they are no where near.I have fitted radiused edging to all external ridges, so there are no sharp edges.
Rear visibility without an interior mirror again, I cant believe the mirrors at that height will pass, this is what I had to do see over a rear and see all visibility. different car but because of the design same in principal because you have no interior mirror. You'll notice my indicators are similar to yours as well at the front under the headlights, mine failed on visibility. Lovely mirrors arent they!
Securing cabling etc... I took photos to show the tester or you will need to strip things back to show him, stuff like this do you have photos like this for the buyer?
nicktruman said:
The body work is smooth, as i have said there are a few parts of the car I was never happy with, compounded by the work of chap I hired to finish the body off, whose tool of choice was an angle grinder with a 5" sanding disk. Its taken me 2 years to indo the damage he did. However, I don't like the front and the side air intake pods. The body is hand made, not from moulds, I made the chassis, made a wooden buck and covered that with polystyrene and the plaster, and sanded it all down. The GRP was laid over that. If I were to do it again, I would have done it better. The cockpit was made using a mould and is perfectly smooth and has no ripples.
As you have no moulds etc... its actually good it fits together but the finish is everything and as you say you can tell the difference. In person someone may feel it can be brought up to a flatter finish, but as it wasnt a mould piece I cant fault what you have because it would never be like a normal kit.nicktruman said:
Mechanically its lovely, the megasquirt works perfectly, using EDIS 8 and twin ford coil packs, I decided not to use the Audi COPs. Boost is limited to 1 bar and fans mounted under the Mazda intercoolers suck air through the black scoops to keep the charge cool.
The car drives and handles really nicely, acceleration is vicious, much more aggressive than anything I have ever been in. I have not driven the V8 hard at all, but the twin turbo V12 was something else.
Megasquirt is a good learning ECU but tuning a map in is always better, uprated fuel pump, wide band and on a dyno so you know what's going on. Again its running and for that you should be pleased.The car drives and handles really nicely, acceleration is vicious, much more aggressive than anything I have ever been in. I have not driven the V8 hard at all, but the twin turbo V12 was something else.
nicktruman said:
I guess making something inspired by a Zonda was always going to be a controversial project, if it was a perfect copy, i would probably receive even more haters than i get now. But it was never meant to be a copy, i like the shape of the Zonda, and its my version of a nice looking car. I made it just for something to do with my kids.
If you like cars , I really don't know how anyone can say this picture doesn't look nice? When the new paint has been completely flattened and polished it should look even better (IMHO).
99% of cars are never liked by everyone, but the fact you did with your kids makes it worth while for you. Whoever buys this has a massive task on their hands to get this on the road if it wasn't a massive task you'd just test it and it would improve its value loads. I saw in a thread I read yesterday you said you re-did the welds, because if you didn't I think they would fail if I'm honest my tester checked the welds on mine.If you like cars , I really don't know how anyone can say this picture doesn't look nice? When the new paint has been completely flattened and polished it should look even better (IMHO).
As much as I hate to knock anyone, that thing is truly horrific and I would be embarrassed to be drive it in public and be seen.
The problem is, even to the casual observer it looks like it was badly built by someone, at home, using basic tools, and who has no experience of this kind of work.
I'm fairly certain from looking at the chassis photos and the quality of steel and welding, that it isn't in the slightest bit safe to drive on a road.
As others have suggested, I personally don't think it will ever pass any kind of IVA test in anything like it's current form.
If you wanted a build project that you could work on with your kids then you would have been much better off with a kit from Caterham or similar where you could have actually tested it and road registered it when you have finished it.
Someone may buy this thing for £10,000 and will have to spend at least another £10,000 on it just getting the bodywork near enough straight and the interior finished, only to be left with a £20,000 ornament that can only be ever used on a private track.
The problem is, even to the casual observer it looks like it was badly built by someone, at home, using basic tools, and who has no experience of this kind of work.
I'm fairly certain from looking at the chassis photos and the quality of steel and welding, that it isn't in the slightest bit safe to drive on a road.
As others have suggested, I personally don't think it will ever pass any kind of IVA test in anything like it's current form.
If you wanted a build project that you could work on with your kids then you would have been much better off with a kit from Caterham or similar where you could have actually tested it and road registered it when you have finished it.
Someone may buy this thing for £10,000 and will have to spend at least another £10,000 on it just getting the bodywork near enough straight and the interior finished, only to be left with a £20,000 ornament that can only be ever used on a private track.
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