RE: Images of Melling's Hellcat emerge
Discussion
ianf said:
My local TV station ran a small feature on it (I live in M/cr) It was on the 3 Sisters track doing some shake down laps and looked a complete dog! It looked like it was doing around 20mph the whole lap!
What do you think the term 'shake down' means? It is not about seeing how fast it'll go, it's about seeing what breaks or falls off!
runnersp said:
I'll believe it when I see it. Move over Ferrari? Ever the optimists at the Rochdale Observer...
I, too, am a realist and will also believe it when I see it. That said, I find the optimism in Rochdale far more refreshing than the pessimism from PHers. Every time someone tries to make an interesting car, most of what I see here in the comments is: 1) They'll go out of business in three weeks and never produce one car, and 2) It's ugly, usually followed by how the taillight needs an extra color in it or something incredibly significant like that.
Al Melling isn't exactly a nobody. His record and longevity speak for themselves. I think it'll be a fantastic car. And it's nice to see a front-engined supercar for a change since most go the mid-engined route. I'm looking forward to it. Miguel
You can't judge the looks of the car as a prototype (although in the video it still looks pretty good). It's still 18months away from it's debut if the news items are to be believed.
You can hear that the engine is barely above tick-over on the video - imagine what it'll be like at 8,000rpm! I'm sure it'll do the business with Mr Melling's pedegree.
The one thing I am concerned about is the intertwined Union flag and the stars and strips splashed everywhere! What the hell is that all about?!!! Surely it's not going to be a 'joint-project'?
I love Mr Melling's attitude and his desire to promote and save the British car industry and push British engineering (he was behind consortiums to try and keep Bentley British and buy back Aston).
Good luck to him!
You can hear that the engine is barely above tick-over on the video - imagine what it'll be like at 8,000rpm! I'm sure it'll do the business with Mr Melling's pedegree.
The one thing I am concerned about is the intertwined Union flag and the stars and strips splashed everywhere! What the hell is that all about?!!! Surely it's not going to be a 'joint-project'?
I love Mr Melling's attitude and his desire to promote and save the British car industry and push British engineering (he was behind consortiums to try and keep Bentley British and buy back Aston).
Good luck to him!
Wacky Racer said:
Looks remarkably like a Hyundai Coupe from certain angles to me........ 
Seconded, it's certainly no looker! Make it look like a vette or something italian and sporty not a confused thing of a thing. It's looks are for bland thinking people, think souped up kia pride, nissan micra. The domain of the *****y. It's truly awful.
Boosted.
Miguel said:
Al Melling isn't exactly a nobody. His record and longevity speak for themselves.
Miguel
What record is that then?
I know there was some involvement with TVR (that wasn't exactly an unqualified success!) for which each blames the other, but what else was there that has been verified? Whenever I've heard claims they've been shrouded in mystery and "confidentiallity" clauses!
thing , typical PH lets drag it down before we know the full facts Avocet said:
Al Melling isn't exactly a nobody. His record and longevity speak for themselves.
Miguel
What record is that then?
I know there was some involvement with TVR (that wasn't exactly an unqualified success!) for which each blames the other, but what else was there that has been verified? Whenever I've heard claims they've been shrouded in mystery and "confidentiallity" clauses!
Melling is an icon in the engine design world - that's a fact. He's had his hand in the design of "most" car engines (and motorbike engines) throughout the lands. The AJPV8 was and still is a screaming success. The Speed 12/6 less so, mostly because it was put into production prior to sufficient development. Ask Ravenscroft why it had problems if you think Melling doesn't have the credentials.
I think you may be judging the guy without knowledge of the facts. Like too many PH-ers nowadays.......
GTRene said:
I've posted some bigger images on here - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=268223&f=23&h=0&p=4
Looks a bit like the Nissan 350Z and a Corvette have made love togetherstrange look...maybe nice, have to see it in the reall world...
GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Thursday 25th May 11:01
Just what I was thinking when I saw your bigger images, 350Z / Vette / 'Bluebird' with an Elise's a**e end! Would love to hear the engine though!
Come on everyone, he's British trying to build a British supercar, that's got to be a hard job to take on for anyone, we should be behind him all the way. When we get it right its usually bloody good isn't it? The Nobles are great, and mentioning rear lights, I wasn't fond of the Rover lights on the old Nobles but they have been changed now and the car looks really great. I guess that rather lame point was that prototypes and first runs are never going to be wonderful but if we don't stone them dead before they get a chance to evolve we'll never see what could have been, I'm sure it will be a great car given time, and British!
Imagine how much effort it takes to build a car like that that's going up against stuff like the latest Ferrari's which are almost perfect, I mean again, it's taken Ferrari decades to get to the point where they build perfect cars.
I really hope it takes off and wish him and his team the best of luck. I bet once you get to hear that engine roar you'll love it and be proud of it
Imagine how much effort it takes to build a car like that that's going up against stuff like the latest Ferrari's which are almost perfect, I mean again, it's taken Ferrari decades to get to the point where they build perfect cars.
I really hope it takes off and wish him and his team the best of luck. I bet once you get to hear that engine roar you'll love it and be proud of it
the dodger said:
Melling is an icon in the engine design world - that's a fact. He's had his hand in the design of "most" car engines (and motorbike engines) throughout the lands. The AJPV8 was and still is a screaming success. The Speed 12/6 less so, mostly because it was put into production prior to sufficient development. Ask Ravenscroft why it had problems if you think Melling doesn't have the credentials.
I think you may be judging the guy without knowledge of the facts. Like too many PH-ers nowadays.......
Sorry, I'm not familiar with his career outside of TVR engines. Please can you tell us all what specific projects he's been involved with and in what role.
GavinPearson said:
Melling is an icon in the engine design world - that's a fact. He's had his hand in the design of "most" car engines (and motorbike engines) throughout the lands. The AJPV8 was and still is a screaming success. The Speed 12/6 less so, mostly because it was put into production prior to sufficient development. Ask Ravenscroft why it had problems if you think Melling doesn't have the credentials.
I think you may be judging the guy without knowledge of the facts. Like too many PH-ers nowadays.......
Sorry, I'm not familiar with his career outside of TVR engines. Please can you tell us all what specific projects he's been involved with and in what role.
*1985 - Designed and built time machine. Got shot, found Marty McFly, then lost him, then found him again. Came back to life
*Some time later car developed wings - turned into a train
*Turned to the priesthood and subsequently became a raging acholic priest
*Starred in a hit TV show as mental priest
*Turned to the 'AA' and was a reformed character
*Designed and built a new delorean based on a corvette/Nissan/Lotus meddley
Come on, I have to have some fun on nightshift
alanc5 said:
Come on everyone, he's British trying to build a British supercar, that's got to be a hard job to take on for anyone, we should be behind him all the way. When we get it right its usually bloody good isn't it? The Nobles are great, and mentioning rear lights, I wasn't fond of the Rover lights on the old Nobles but they have been changed now and the car looks really great. I guess that rather lame point was that prototypes and first runs are never going to be wonderful but if we don't stone them dead before they get a chance to evolve we'll never see what could have been, I'm sure it will be a great car given time, and British!
Imagine how much effort it takes to build a car like that that's going up against stuff like the latest Ferrari's which are almost perfect, I mean again, it's taken Ferrari decades to get to the point where they build perfect cars.
I really hope it takes off and wish him and his team the best of luck. I bet once you get to hear that engine roar you'll love it and be proud of it
You and I have radically different standards of perfection.
Dare I say it, I am actually rather bored with these automotive ego trips.
Let me explain:
The only market for a car like this is middle eastern oil rich sheiks who will buy it and put it in their huge underground garages along with a hundred other cars they never use.
The number of these sold will be minute, and it will have no discernible effect on the development of sports cars at all.
Every year, a number of wealthy or well meaning individuals set up companies to build "supercars" that there is no real market for, and within a year or so the project fades away.
Building a fast car for £100,000 is not difficult. Hell, give me a small team and I could do it. Just use Chevy V8 or similar, and modify. The car will be quick, look ok, and handle reasonably just using off the shelf parts.
Build a cracking sports car that sells for 30-50k though, and that is something I would get excited about. Lotus do it, TVR do it, Noble do it, even Porsche do it.
Most of them modufy existing proven engines - except TVR and most of their PR problems result from developing complex engines on insufficient budgets. A lesson to be learned?
This pointless "Hellcat" will be outperformed in every area that matters by a Noble at half the price.
Let me explain:
The only market for a car like this is middle eastern oil rich sheiks who will buy it and put it in their huge underground garages along with a hundred other cars they never use.
The number of these sold will be minute, and it will have no discernible effect on the development of sports cars at all.
Every year, a number of wealthy or well meaning individuals set up companies to build "supercars" that there is no real market for, and within a year or so the project fades away.
Building a fast car for £100,000 is not difficult. Hell, give me a small team and I could do it. Just use Chevy V8 or similar, and modify. The car will be quick, look ok, and handle reasonably just using off the shelf parts.
Build a cracking sports car that sells for 30-50k though, and that is something I would get excited about. Lotus do it, TVR do it, Noble do it, even Porsche do it.
Most of them modufy existing proven engines - except TVR and most of their PR problems result from developing complex engines on insufficient budgets. A lesson to be learned?
This pointless "Hellcat" will be outperformed in every area that matters by a Noble at half the price.
I think you will find Avocet knows quite well about Mr Melling and TVR if you look thru his background so his comment is 100% correct
Would Mr Dodger pls post some independent proof of Mr Mellings pedigree
Perhaps he could read the Automotive V12 book by Karl Ludoweig and see some of Mr Mellings previous work?
Finally he can ring Lola and Norton and TVR and get their views
Then there will be some valid independent facts that balance the hype.
BUT, as someone once said "God loves a trier"
Would Mr Dodger pls post some independent proof of Mr Mellings pedigree
Perhaps he could read the Automotive V12 book by Karl Ludoweig and see some of Mr Mellings previous work?
Finally he can ring Lola and Norton and TVR and get their views
Then there will be some valid independent facts that balance the hype.
BUT, as someone once said "God loves a trier"
Personally, i will reserve judgement until i see it and know what it customers think to it. Lets be honest Mr Melling does have a somewhat questionable history, however i do applaud him for launching his latest project.
I only know him for the AJP and the S6. The AJP, i love for its eccentric design - but who the hell allowed those spaghetti exhaust manifold/routings to go into production -could have bought another 10 bhp by getting that right!!!! That was most likely TVR - not Melling......
S6, well.. nuff said - just glad i haven't got one.
I only know him for the AJP and the S6. The AJP, i love for its eccentric design - but who the hell allowed those spaghetti exhaust manifold/routings to go into production -could have bought another 10 bhp by getting that right!!!! That was most likely TVR - not Melling......
S6, well.. nuff said - just glad i haven't got one.
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