Is this where Kit Car designs should be heading

[Steve_D]

From MSVA Manual

Twinned wheels
Two wheels mounted on the same axle, the distance between the centres of their areas of contact with the ground being less than 460mm. Twinned wheels shall be considered as one wheel.

Steve

[Martyn-123]

Now this is worth a look at

http://www.ddrmotorsport.com/index.php


Proffesional looking commercial video below

http://vimeo.com/27252271

[matlee]

Are there any UK manufacturers that produce a single seater kit car?

[slomax]

matlee said:

Are there any UK manufacturers that produce a single seater kit car?

yes. if you look at lmp style cars i think there will be quite a few.

if you look at new designs then the rayvolution and MEV Atomic

im sure there are others, but those are the two at the fore of my mind atm

[BCA]

slomax said:

A well designed product, that is not meant to copy anything else, but be completely original can last for a long time and still be thought of as "modern"

The Ariel Atom started life at Coventry Uni in 1996. Yet still seen today as one of the most futuristic cars out there!

Perfect example of good design there. It's not well known (not well enough IMHO) that both the Ariel Atom and Sub 3 were designed by the same man. Niki Smart is his name,I believe he works at General Motors now, great guy.

[SystemParanoia]

it should go this way

[Skyedriver]

I hope not.
Early XR3 wheels anyone...

[Mistron]

Just found this thread.
An interesting discussion, but as I understand, there was never really any plan to enter production wit the Sub3 - the 3 guys involved simply built one each as a design exercise and for themselves.

Nick, one of the 3, was at Uni with me studying Industrial design (he went on to make it a career, I didn't.....) and has indeed brought his car back to the UK with him. I haven't spoken to him for a while, but when I last did, he was working at Aston Martin, and the car is, I thin, in his Parent's garage.

Projects like the Sub help on your CV, I should imagine!

Oh, and he's about 6'8", so who says small sporty cars don't suit tall drivers!

Al

[trevorc]

Stuart Mills said:

Vans, pick ups, hot rods, commuter vehicles, electric cars, 4 seaters, 4x4's, Coupés, multi purpose vehicles, replicas of older production cars not already available etc etc.
These are all areas that could be potential growth markets. Perhaps this thread could be used to explore positive possibilities of "where kit car designs should be heading"

As an observer from western Canada I find this thread interesting. There doesn't seem to much of a kitcar industry here, although there is a 'hot rod' segment to the market. There is the occasional cobra replica and some 7's. That said there is some sort of market here as custom car shows and body kits (on the econo boxes from Toyota and Honda mostly) are common.

But what caught my attention and prompted this posting was Stuart's comments. I think there will always be a market for short run custom or unique vehicles. People have a desire to 'build it themselves', it's part of us. The market has shifted and especially how things are marketed, it is far more niche marketing than ever before and any plan to commercialise a project needs to reach out to those special interest groups.

Personally I like Stuart's comment about trucks, vans and 4x4, that's where my interest lies as if we (here in western Canada) are going to enjoy our creation for more than a few nice days a year, we have to take into account the weather and seasons.

JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION

[jontysafe]

BCA said:

Perfect example of good design there. It's not well known (not well enough IMHO) that both the Ariel Atom and Sub 3 were designed by the same man. Niki Smart is his name,I believe he works at General Motors now, great guy.

He is a nice guy, I may be biased though as he's my cousin!

[Artstu]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm not sure much has changed for someone making a GRP monocoque kit car today, has it?

[Frankthered]

Artstu said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm not sure much has changed for someone making a GRP monocoque kit car today, has it?

I think the short answer to this is no.

That's probably why there are very, very few GRP monocoques left on the market.

[Artstu]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

The Midas MK 3 was widely regarded as the pinnacle of quality in the kit car world with a fully assembled shell. You won't find better quality even today.

Main stream modern production techniques don't transfer to a car like the Midas, save for a few laser cut brackets here and there.

Edited by Artstu on Monday 13th May 19:25

[obo]

Saw this today http://spartanmotorcompany.com/www.spartanmotorcom...

Ok, it's not actually a kit. But something like this *could* be a kit surely - good looking, lightweight, has some major classic cues but I wouldn't call it completely retro. Possibilities for different engines and perhaps full windscreen and weather protection.

Just musings, more practical minds can now rip it apart

[OlberJ]

Martyn-123 said:

Now this is worth a look at

http://www.ddrmotorsport.com/index.php


Proffesional looking commercial video below

http://vimeo.com/27252271

DDR have been around for some time indeed. I'd go Audi box and V8 engine myself with what's available over here.

Still think using the Mk2 Mr2 as a donor is a good idea now they are getting rusty. 2.0NA, 2.0T, V6's easily swapped in and the Audi V8's too.

[matlee]

OlberJ said:

Martyn-123 said:

Now this is worth a look at

http://www.ddrmotorsport.com/index.php


Proffesional looking commercial video below

http://vimeo.com/27252271

DDR have been around for some time indeed. I'd go Audi box and V8 engine myself with what's available over here.

Still think using the Mk2 Mr2 as a donor is a good idea now they are getting rusty. 2.0NA, 2.0T, V6's easily swapped in and the Audi V8's too.

Have you seen any finished DDR cars apart from their demo ones?

[fuoriserie]

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/cars/aeroseven-concept

The new Aeroseven Caterham Concept, what do you think ?

[Stuart Mills]

there appears to be commonality between the aeroseven concept and Aston Martins CC100.

[qdos]

fuoriserie said:

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/cars/aeroseven-concept

The new Aeroseven Caterham Concept, what do you think ?

Personally I think it's hideous. But I have to say that of recent there's been a whole raft of hideous new cars been launched so maybe I'm just out of touch an old these days.

One of the other cars that ranks alongside this in the ugly stakes is this new Lexus....



Anyone actually like these new vehicle designs? I just don't get them at all

[Fastpedeller]

qdos said:

Personally I think it's hideous. But I have to say that of recent there's been a whole raft of hideous new cars been launched so maybe I'm just out of touch an old these days.

One of the other cars that ranks alongside this in the ugly stakes is this new Lexus....



Anyone actually like these new vehicle designs? I just don't get them at all

It's just 'change' to get new product maybe one day we'll get rectangular headlight again