The Kit Car Design Thread
Discussion
Following Italo's request that I put up some of my ideas for future kit cars, I thought we could use a thread for us all to use as a gallery of our ideas.
The idea is, if you have an idea for a kit car, put it up and let's discuss it and get some constructive opinions on it. You don't have to be an artist, just a scribble on a napkin will do, as long as it gives the idea. Heck, even if you can't draw, just describe it as best you can and see what people think. Who knows, we might get to see some more variety in the kit car world as a result!
These 3 are some concepts I did to see what could be done with a GTM Libra to make it a bit more unusual:
Racer:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra1.jpg[/pic]
Dakar-style off-roader:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra2.jpg[/pic]
60s-style classic:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra3.jpg[/pic]
This is a roadster sketch I did a little while ago. The CAD chassis underneath is a Locost 'book' chassis. Not easy to get the proportions right with the package:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/locostconceptsketch1.jpg[/pic]
A sports car concept, done using a picture of a Libra as an underlay:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/Libra2sketch.jpg[/pic]
Supercar sketches, something to go on a mid-engined v12 chassis. There are a few of these chassis around, unfortunately hidden under replicas:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/supcarsketch1.jpg[/pic]
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/supcarsketch2.jpg[/pic]
An Elise-sized sportscar:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/sportscarsketch1.jpg[/pic]
A couple of idea sketches:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches1.jpg[/pic]
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches2.jpg[/pic]
I know it has a Renault badge, but you get the idea. :) Speaking of which, why don't we have more kits and body conversions based on European tin? The Clio and Saxo have plenty of aftermarket parts available to make an interesting kit:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches3.jpg[/pic]
I only have a couple to start with (too busy with paid work at the moment) but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope Italo and some others will contribute their ideas as well soon.
The idea is, if you have an idea for a kit car, put it up and let's discuss it and get some constructive opinions on it. You don't have to be an artist, just a scribble on a napkin will do, as long as it gives the idea. Heck, even if you can't draw, just describe it as best you can and see what people think. Who knows, we might get to see some more variety in the kit car world as a result!
These 3 are some concepts I did to see what could be done with a GTM Libra to make it a bit more unusual:
Racer:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra1.jpg[/pic]
Dakar-style off-roader:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra2.jpg[/pic]
60s-style classic:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/GTMLibra3.jpg[/pic]
This is a roadster sketch I did a little while ago. The CAD chassis underneath is a Locost 'book' chassis. Not easy to get the proportions right with the package:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/locostconceptsketch1.jpg[/pic]
A sports car concept, done using a picture of a Libra as an underlay:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/Libra2sketch.jpg[/pic]
Supercar sketches, something to go on a mid-engined v12 chassis. There are a few of these chassis around, unfortunately hidden under replicas:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/supcarsketch1.jpg[/pic]
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/supcarsketch2.jpg[/pic]
An Elise-sized sportscar:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/sportscarsketch1.jpg[/pic]
A couple of idea sketches:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches1.jpg[/pic]
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches2.jpg[/pic]
I know it has a Renault badge, but you get the idea. :) Speaking of which, why don't we have more kits and body conversions based on European tin? The Clio and Saxo have plenty of aftermarket parts available to make an interesting kit:
[pic]http://www.different-angle.com/Images/kitsketches3.jpg[/pic]
I only have a couple to start with (too busy with paid work at the moment) but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope Italo and some others will contribute their ideas as well soon.
Oh God, I've got loads of car design sketches in a pad in a draw a foot away from my right leg. But I haven't got a scanner, I don't know how to host images and I haven't a clue how I'd show them to you.
There's an Italianate take on a Dodge Viper-style car, a scissor-doored, slat-vented supercar based on a Renault V6, a load of roadsters and coupes and so on.
Oh yeah, and the Ferrari Dino3, or perhaps just 'Dino 3' - a possible (given Alfa moving closer to Ferrari and Maserati) Boxster-sized, mid-engined RWD sports car based on an F430 chassis but with an Alfa Romeo 3-litre V6 and styling drawing on the 246GT, 250GTO and 250LM, intended as the 'bottom rung' of Ferrari ownership, in the Boxster market, just as the original Dino was.
>> Edited by Twincam16 on Sunday 22 May 22:06
There's an Italianate take on a Dodge Viper-style car, a scissor-doored, slat-vented supercar based on a Renault V6, a load of roadsters and coupes and so on.
Oh yeah, and the Ferrari Dino3, or perhaps just 'Dino 3' - a possible (given Alfa moving closer to Ferrari and Maserati) Boxster-sized, mid-engined RWD sports car based on an F430 chassis but with an Alfa Romeo 3-litre V6 and styling drawing on the 246GT, 250GTO and 250LM, intended as the 'bottom rung' of Ferrari ownership, in the Boxster market, just as the original Dino was.
>> Edited by Twincam16 on Sunday 22 May 22:06
D-Angle said:I think body conversions are going to be pretty much a thing of the past, mainly because 99% of cars these days are monocoques so you can't whip the body off the chassis and drop a new one on like you used to be able to.
Speaking of which, why don't we have more kits and body conversions based on European tin? The Clio and Saxo have plenty of aftermarket parts available to make an interesting kit
As for ideas, I was rolling an idea around my head last year sometime. The concept I had in mind (and completely failed to get down onto paper) was a Dakar style car similar to one of the VW concepts a year or three ago, using Subaru running gear. I was hoping to figure out how to mid mount the Scooby engine and retain fourwheel drive, or at worst, nobble the scooby box to disable to the prop shaft to the rear diff so that it becomes a transaxle driving the rear wheels.
As for your first sketch of the Libra, if I ever get off my arse and finish building mine, it will hopefully incorporate some aero styling similar to that depicted in your sketch.
D-Angle
Nice work Justin, I like a lot your locost based roadster, and believe that, this is one of the niches that could really be developed from a seven/locost chassis by any Kit manufacturer.
The Fury/stylus have had this niche for quite a long time, maybe a new design to compete with them would be nice.
I always liked the Caterham 21, a shame it was too expensive to buy and that it was not available as a kit.
Someone should by the moulds and redevelop it as a kit build.
I also like your Idea on Euro tin and their so much that you can do with them....
Italo
Nice work Justin, I like a lot your locost based roadster, and believe that, this is one of the niches that could really be developed from a seven/locost chassis by any Kit manufacturer.
The Fury/stylus have had this niche for quite a long time, maybe a new design to compete with them would be nice.
I always liked the Caterham 21, a shame it was too expensive to buy and that it was not available as a kit.
Someone should by the moulds and redevelop it as a kit build.
I also like your Idea on Euro tin and their so much that you can do with them....
Italo
well heres my two penworth.
Firstly like the sporty libra
Secondly since speaking to john butler at vindicator and visiting his revamped website thoguhts were rattling round my brain.
BMW powered shadow stlye roadster 2+2 ( a necessary requirement for me and others im sure) withe a revamped front end.
Would welcome comments on my idea.
Firstly like the sporty libra
Secondly since speaking to john butler at vindicator and visiting his revamped website thoguhts were rattling round my brain.
BMW powered shadow stlye roadster 2+2 ( a necessary requirement for me and others im sure) withe a revamped front end.
Would welcome comments on my idea.
I'm a welder not a painter 
If you're looking for a modernish short chassis that can handle quite a bit of power to drop a new body on, early crash damaged Chimaeras are coming up under £3k these days
And having driven a chim (mine 4.0) back to back with an (allegedly) well build Dax cobra (Rover 4.0) I think the benifits of the TVR chassis could impress a lot of people
This may not have been the best Dax in the world, and it didn't handle that bad. But don't have a go unless you've driven them back to back too
If you're looking for a modernish short chassis that can handle quite a bit of power to drop a new body on, early crash damaged Chimaeras are coming up under £3k these days
And having driven a chim (mine 4.0) back to back with an (allegedly) well build Dax cobra (Rover 4.0) I think the benifits of the TVR chassis could impress a lot of people
This may not have been the best Dax in the world, and it didn't handle that bad. But don't have a go unless you've driven them back to back too
g horrible This is my idea for a mid engined seven. The body work will fit over a Ford transverse engine (I've measured my Focus lump). On the Locost forum I posted a chassis for this which had double wishbones all round with push rods at the front to give a "clean" look with no springs or bushes or anti roll bars visible.
This one is a more conventional Middy, again based on a transverse four and I've posted the chassis in the Locost forum photos section.
Edited to add
why doesn't that picture link work?
If you click on properties and use your browser then you should be able to see them, I can do this on my computer but the PH site doesn't like it for some reason...
>> Edited by cymtriks on Monday 23 May 20:28
This one is a more conventional Middy, again based on a transverse four and I've posted the chassis in the Locost forum photos section.
Edited to add
why doesn't that picture link work?
If you click on properties and use your browser then you should be able to see them, I can do this on my computer but the PH site doesn't like it for some reason...
>> Edited by cymtriks on Monday 23 May 20:28
Crikey, where to start! 
Spartan_andy, like the idea of the 2+2 shadow. With a less bulbous nose, that would make for a very attractive and useful car. I do think there is a demand for cars that could be used for more than just a weekend hoon, as there are lots of potential kit buyers out there who can't afford to have a kit as a second car. It inspired me to do a quick thumbnail sketch using a shadow as an underlay:
Twincam16, I love the idea of a Dino-style modern kit. Maybe something based on the MR2? It would be nice to have something for that which was Ferrari-inspired, but not a bad attempt at a replica!
Fuoriserie, the Caterham 21 is one of the great lost cars IMHO. What killed it off more than anything was the Elise, which launched at around the same time. Whatever happened to the project, if someone bought it, updated the styling and sold it at a competitive price now, I think they would get a fair bit more interest.
Spartan_andy, like the idea of the 2+2 shadow. With a less bulbous nose, that would make for a very attractive and useful car. I do think there is a demand for cars that could be used for more than just a weekend hoon, as there are lots of potential kit buyers out there who can't afford to have a kit as a second car. It inspired me to do a quick thumbnail sketch using a shadow as an underlay:
Twincam16, I love the idea of a Dino-style modern kit. Maybe something based on the MR2? It would be nice to have something for that which was Ferrari-inspired, but not a bad attempt at a replica!
Fuoriserie, the Caterham 21 is one of the great lost cars IMHO. What killed it off more than anything was the Elise, which launched at around the same time. Whatever happened to the project, if someone bought it, updated the styling and sold it at a competitive price now, I think they would get a fair bit more interest.
cymtriks said:Because you need to be logged in to locost builders to view the photographs.
why doesn't that picture link work?
If you click on properties and use your browser then you should be able to see them, I can do this on my computer but the PH site doesn't like it for some reason...
Unless you or someone else sorts it out for you in the mean time, drop me an email and I'll stick them up on some webspace that won't need logging in.
fuoriserie said:
Spartan Andy,
Well I think the Shadow is the best looking of the Vindicator model lineup, so not a bad choice there.
Just like you said though, the front and rear would need some styling update.......
Italo
Perhaps you could do something on this.
Going to the vindicator factory open day this weekend so i will pass comments on. Have already broached the subject of a 2+2 shadow with john to which he said if the 2+2 sprint sells or if someone want a 2+2 shadow and comes up with the cash then he would do one.
Please do not take his comments the wrong way. I think he is brave to launch a 2+2 of any sort but thats just me.
PS have always liked the shadow to be used as a daily driver
Edited to say: john always appreciates constructive criticism
>> Edited by Spartan_andy on Wednesday 25th May 12:50
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