Kitcar Like a C / D Type ?

[KTMsm]

Equus said:

Champagne tastes with fizzy pop budget expectations

More that the market has gone mad

You can still buy a decent Cerbera for £25k or a rebodied ford cortina for the same price - makes absolutely no sense to me

One of dad's cars I'm still sorting out is an xk140 convertible with a fiberglass body

I'm told that's worth 55k and in the next breath I'm told a kit car is worth the same

A convertible cerbera would be nice

[Equus]

Pistom said:

This also might not be his thing but at least it's not a nasty rip off of something which it's never going remotely emulate

I tend to agree with you on the matter of cheap replicas (and bodykitted Z3's make me feel physically ill), but if he baulks at a £50K C or D-type replica, he'll wet his pants at the (£40K+, realistically) cost of a Pembleton!

I think they're lovely little things, but you can buy a really nice, genuine, Austin Seven, MG J type or T-series, or original (1930's) Morgan 3-wheeler for a lot less.... or a modern Triking for less than half the price.

The closest I can think of to something that meets his spec (D-type looks if you really squint, multi-cylinder engine, and decent driving dynamics, fizzy pop price) is an Autotune Gemini. Most are 4-cylinder Crossflow powered, but one or two brave souls (notably Bill Batty with his very successful race car, pictured below) have fitted Rover V8's or Ford V6's. Few and far between with the big engines, though, and pretty basic.



There's also the Quantum/MEV Replicar, but that's 4 cylinder (MX5-based) and also fits into the 'nasty rip-off of something it's never going to emulate' class.

[Biggy Stardust]

Equus said:

I tend to agree with you on the matter of cheap replicas (and bodykitted Z3's make me feel physically ill),

If you're passing my end of the world you are cordially invited to see one that might change your mind. There are some cheap, nasty, crappily made ones which would justify your opinion but there are also some that have been made with love, care & a certain reasonable budget. I'll make tea & provide sticky buns whilst you ponder.

Equus said:

The closest I can think of to something that meets his spec (D-type looks if you really squint, multi-cylinder engine, and decent driving dynamics, fizzy pop price) is an Autotune Gemini.

He wanted a C/D type with front engine & RWD with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine on a sensible budget. I showed him exactly what he asked for but he didn't like it. My conclusion is that there's no pleasing some people.

[Equus]

Biggy Stardust said:

If you're passing my end of the world you are cordially invited to see one that might change your mind.

I very much doubt it: I'm very sensitive to the proportions of replicas, and anything that retains the windscreen, scuttle and doors of a donor car always looks wrong. In terms of detailing, there's no way you can make something like the windscreen frame (for instance) of a Z3 look like the delicate, chromed brass frame of a real Cobra. And don't get me started on interiors...

Sorry, they're just not for me.

[Biggy Stardust]

Equus said:

I very much doubt it: I'm very sensitive to the proportions of replicas, and anything that retains the windscreen, scuttle and doors of a donor car always looks wrong. In terms of detailing, there's no way you can make something like the windscreen frame (for instance) of a Z3 look like the delicate, chromed brass frame of a real Cobra. And don't get me started on interiors...

Sorry, they're just not for me.

So be it. I thought your objections were based on the quality of some of the vehicles out there.

[Fastpedeller]

KTMsm said:

Thanks but a Marcos doesn't do it for me either

I want the old-fashioned looks with a decent engine

The MEV replicar, formosa etc are available at sensible prices - I don't see why adding a £2K engine should add 25k to the price

I'm happy to modify, finish building or wait. I just need to know what to search for and I'm sure there's more options out there

The MEV Replicar project was taken over by Quantum Sportscars last year and improved - It is still based on MX5, but the new moulding has several improvements which also add to the 'olde World' appeal. Rob at Quantum is very helpful and knowledgeable - it may be that he will fit other engines if required?

[alfaspecial]

I believe Tribute did a D-Type based on a Triumph Vitesse. Benefit being a reasonably cheap donor car - one with 6 cylinders and, being a conversion, no IVA?
Obviously it is somewhat 'squashed' in comparison to a 'real' D-type but they can look pretty good although to get the look 'right' you'd need a fair budget for period correct lights etc






Build threads
https://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread....

[KTMsm]

Biggy Stardust said:

He wanted a C/D type with front engine & RWD with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine on a sensible budget. I showed him exactly what he asked for but he didn't like it. My conclusion is that there's no pleasing some people.

My conclusion is you get hurt feelings when people don't like what you like

Been having a Google - this would have done - BMW 2.5 straight 6 - not perfect but not a bad compromise and with budget left to tinker with the engine

[Biggy Stardust]

KTMsm said:

My conclusion is you get hurt feelings when people don't like what you like

Except Equus earlier, obviously.