KITCAR DESIGN sketches/concepts year 2008-10
Discussion
ferg said:
Hey Italo!
What do you make of this model which was shown on the Compete Kit Car stand at Stoneleigh.
It's a final year design student model by a guy named Garry Gooderham. The idea is that it was designed around a Locost chassis as an alternative to the traditional Seven bodywork.....
What do you make of this model which was shown on the Compete Kit Car stand at Stoneleigh.
It's a final year design student model by a guy named Garry Gooderham. The idea is that it was designed around a Locost chassis as an alternative to the traditional Seven bodywork.....
Ferg,
That is an excellent design, and i think he has done a great job over the Locost chassis., my congratulations to him !,
I think this is the type of new designs that the industry, should be considering in the future, instead of turning out the same old seven clone!! Invest in the future, and have the courage to brake with the past.........
I hope he gets a chance to build it.
[quote=J
Of course, go right ahead! Your quick sketches are cool, see what you can do. Bear in mind we will use the headlights from a Fiat Grande Punto, the Maserati like ones. Rear lights will be Fiat Brava triple straight ones. Next week it'll look much more complete so I'll post more then.[/quote]
Chris, thanks for the permission, and will try to sketch a few quick 5min. roughs, like always lately...
I like the cheetah idea with a longer tail.........
Of course, go right ahead! Your quick sketches are cool, see what you can do. Bear in mind we will use the headlights from a Fiat Grande Punto, the Maserati like ones. Rear lights will be Fiat Brava triple straight ones. Next week it'll look much more complete so I'll post more then.[/quote]
Chris, thanks for the permission, and will try to sketch a few quick 5min. roughs, like always lately...
I like the cheetah idea with a longer tail.........
grahambell said:
fuoriserie said:
Graham,
Will try to see what i can come up with, but I would need an available kit chassis to base it on, to make the project realistic.
Lots of Cobra replica chassis about...
Including the Python of course, which I mention because it's 2" longer than standard to provide bigger doors. Also Sebring's Healey replica chassis.
Then there's a car (can't remember the name) Autotune debuted a couple of years back as a sort of convertible sports GT using Sierra parts, which was another case of nice concept, shame about the styling.
You never know Italo, they might actually be interested in a better looking design as they seem to have given up on the one they had judging by the fact they're no longer showing the car on their stand.
Checked those manafacturers but no chassi pistures, will try with Cobra kit chassis, but in the meantime i found this very interesting chassis.
Check this out:
www.dragonmotorcars.com/frameALU.html
and for pictures of their kit:
www.dragonmotorcars.com/
Very interesting sportscar.
ferg said:
I see you found it Andy.
For those who haven't, get along and read how Gaz has gratefully accepted opinion as he's gone along and ended up with something that is (in my humble opinion) rather special.....
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=59404
For those who haven't, get along and read how Gaz has gratefully accepted opinion as he's gone along and ended up with something that is (in my humble opinion) rather special.....
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=59404
Ferg,
Gaz did a great job, while taking into considerations the limitations of the locost chassis, and the design looks very much like a modern and affordable TVR.
Someone should snap the design quick !
Italo
JenkinsComp said:
Wouldn't it be cool if some folks who frequent Pistonheads could get together and build an entry for the X Prize?
[url]http://auto.xprize.org/downloads/AXP_[/url]
[url]http://auto.xprize.org/downloads/AXP_[/url]
Edited by JenkinsComp on Sunday 13th May 11:38
I think we could..........if others are interested why not..
JenkinsComp said:
If I was able to guarantee that I could do another car after the Veeteor, then I would do a small, fast, fun, town car that is green and good looking. Similar to the requirement of the automotive X prize really.
[url]http://auto.xprize.org/[/url]
It would be a proper modern day Mini. Ie not a premium product!
To me, there is no way of making a decent amount of money making sportscars as a guy by yourself.
There are so many available that it is a very crowded market.
The longest and best selling cars of all time are the VW Beetle, Citroen 2CV and the Mini.
All of which were very basic, had to be reliable and cheap, but also looked good (well maybe not the 2CV but obviously alot of people thought differently to me!). Kit cars have a massive advantage over production cars in the UK because insurance is so cheap - to a family on a budget things like the price of insurance can often swing a decision on which car to buy.
t. Anyone care to come up with a potential design for the body shape? It's just got to be good looking and fit around 4 adults without being too big.
[url]http://auto.xprize.org/[/url]
It would be a proper modern day Mini. Ie not a premium product!
To me, there is no way of making a decent amount of money making sportscars as a guy by yourself.
There are so many available that it is a very crowded market.
The longest and best selling cars of all time are the VW Beetle, Citroen 2CV and the Mini.
All of which were very basic, had to be reliable and cheap, but also looked good (well maybe not the 2CV but obviously alot of people thought differently to me!). Kit cars have a massive advantage over production cars in the UK because insurance is so cheap - to a family on a budget things like the price of insurance can often swing a decision on which car to buy.
t. Anyone care to come up with a potential design for the body shape? It's just got to be good looking and fit around 4 adults without being too big.
Edited by JenkinsComp on Sunday 13th May 11:34
The only car that would fit this design brief, would be a mid-engine 2 plus 2 or 4 seater, and the kitcar industry does have a few mid-engine chassis that could be used, for this project.
Sylva, Mev, Onyx, Aeon, with the smaller mid-engined sportscars, and maybe a few more that i've forgot....
You would need to lenghthen for the extra 2 small seats, and design a very stylish coupe, simple and affordable, that could be converted to alternative fuels if needed.
A hard brief , but achieveble, and if someone is up for it, we can have some fun and see if some manufacturer is willing to lend us a chassis for this project.
I like the idea, and it does make sense, if we all start thinking 2 to 5 years in advance.
Big car manufacturers are doing that already, and the kit industry should take notice, smaller cars are coming back, because we're all getting poorer.......
, just like in the 50's!!!!!! I'm ready..... any other wants to join in the project........
Edited by fuoriserie on Sunday 13th May 18:13
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 14th May 16:06
cymtriks said:
[
off the wall idea-
look up some of cars on deco rides . The Maserati boat tail and the Zephyr fastback are amazing but no one makes anything like this in the UK. Why not?
off the wall idea-
look up some of cars on deco rides . The Maserati boat tail and the Zephyr fastback are amazing but no one makes anything like this in the UK. Why not?
Love those boattail rods, they look great, but do seem pretty expensive to me.
cymtriks said:
With all the mods I've described I think a car could be made that cashed in on the availability of Lotus stuff while making a distinctive product that stood on its own merits.
The aim in all this is to get a body design more cheaply than currently possible and to use more stuff that's already available. Some of the costs bandied around for bodywork moulds and bespoke glass are horrific.
This would make a nice replica kitcar, but would tap into an exhisting niche market, you wouldn't expand the customer base, but hold on to the converted kitcar enthusiast.
It's a good idea, but even if at a lower price range, it would compete with GT40, lola's and P4 replicas, Porsches.......
Ariel Atom Locost replica, and i think it looks really nice........
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=60981&page=5
check the video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOIBle6OTlY
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=60981&page=5
check the video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOIBle6OTlY
cymtriks said:
[
I still don't think you understand.
My idea is not a replica, it is an attempt to use as much of an existing car, built in the way that kits are built, and parts as possible but changing enough to avoid being a replica.
With a revised bonnet, rear side windows and round tail lamps an other wise standard plus 2 would look different but still be able to use all the trim and glass from the Lotus cars.
I can't see why such a car would need to be positioned so high up in the market as you imply.
I still don't think you understand.
My idea is not a replica, it is an attempt to use as much of an existing car, built in the way that kits are built, and parts as possible but changing enough to avoid being a replica.
With a revised bonnet, rear side windows and round tail lamps an other wise standard plus 2 would look different but still be able to use all the trim and glass from the Lotus cars.
I can't see why such a car would need to be positioned so high up in the market as you imply.
Chris, I see your point ,..after having visited the spyder website, and having seen their various options, with front and mid-engined chassis options.
I visited their special projects section, with very interesting one-off and bespoke design projects.
www.spydercars.co.uk/pg4_special_projects.htm
Something to consider and think about......
Zigs said:
I think a kit-car competition to the new marcos would be the ticket, something that is basic, powerful, sounds fantastic, goes like hell with a roof and can be used as a daily driver. Production car wise, what is out there besides the Marcos - and that costs £60K!
I think the idea of using as many existing parts as possible is a good one, but why limit to production cars - using the chasis off existing kit cars like the cobras was a great idea. How hard would it be to make a re-bodied cobra for instance?
frustrating because it feel doable...
Zigs
I think the idea of using as many existing parts as possible is a good one, but why limit to production cars - using the chasis off existing kit cars like the cobras was a great idea. How hard would it be to make a re-bodied cobra for instance?
frustrating because it feel doable...
Zigs
I don't think it would be that hard to rebody a Cobra, in fact i think Gardner Douglas Sportscars did just that a few years ago, but wonder if it ever reached production.?
www.gdcars.com/gdgt/gdgt_gallery.htm
I agree with you, the Zolfe looks really good....
Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 15th May 10:12
JenkinsComp said:
I'd do my own chassis to suit if I ever get the chance to build another car from scratch, it's the best way to get a decent result for the right price.
The Z Cars Mini would be a good chassis to use if you were going to buy one in, as the thing is pretty similar in concept to what I was imagining.
I like the z-cars mini and also the KIMINI, in fact i think he did a great job in building his mid-engine MINI.
check his website:
www.kimini.com/
Zigs said:
this looks good
Something like this with a shorter wheelbase and a V8, sweet. Just chop off the damn boot! Anybody know what it is?
Zigs
Something like this with a shorter wheelbase and a V8, sweet. Just chop off the damn boot! Anybody know what it is?
Zigs
Very nice concept, but this is Exotic/sportscar kit territory, and wonder what is the final build price?
I like it very much, and you could create quite a few nice sportscar designs on that chassis.............
, but how many can afford such a Kit ? these are questions a kit car manufacture will inevitably make,when he decides to invest in a new design, and market the kit. I believe this is in the Ultima kitcar niche? and how many Ultimas are sold yearly? I really have no idea.
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 08:59
Reading some of the feedback got me thinking that, maybe we should be creating a few potential concepts, divided by niches and reference markets?
What are the niches that haven't been explored yet, by the current kitcar manufacturers? where do you see growth in the future 2 to 5yrs? what cars are still missing ? and final question, would it make sense as a business ?
One-off and bespoke projects are great and love them, but very few kitcar manufacturers would ever consider this as an option, so this new kit has to be something that can be built, with a minimum of volume, let's say 30 to 50 kits a year.
What would you all design having such a brief?
If all these questions are answered and met, and we find a new niche , then we can design something that could make sense..........otherwise we will be designing only one-offs and custom cars.
Maybe start from the bottom of the kitcar market, a very locost, simple and cheerful roadster, fwd or rear wheel drive, or mid-engine? it has to be single donor to keep build cost low, fun and easy to build and mantain, what are your ideas?
Maybe a modern fwd or mid-engine Dune Buggy................., a mini SUV ?, a little and fun mid-engine coupe like the old GTM Coupe of the 80's?
Waiting for your ideas and proposals...and keep the ideas flowing, I've read very good thoughts and comments in this thread.....
What are the niches that haven't been explored yet, by the current kitcar manufacturers? where do you see growth in the future 2 to 5yrs? what cars are still missing ? and final question, would it make sense as a business ?
One-off and bespoke projects are great and love them, but very few kitcar manufacturers would ever consider this as an option, so this new kit has to be something that can be built, with a minimum of volume, let's say 30 to 50 kits a year.
What would you all design having such a brief?
If all these questions are answered and met, and we find a new niche , then we can design something that could make sense..........otherwise we will be designing only one-offs and custom cars.
Maybe start from the bottom of the kitcar market, a very locost, simple and cheerful roadster, fwd or rear wheel drive, or mid-engine? it has to be single donor to keep build cost low, fun and easy to build and mantain, what are your ideas?
Maybe a modern fwd or mid-engine Dune Buggy.................
, a mini SUV ?, a little and fun mid-engine coupe like the old GTM Coupe of the 80's? Waiting for your ideas and proposals...and keep the ideas flowing, I've read very good thoughts and comments in this thread.....
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 09:27
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 09:27
happy jim said:
fuoriserie said:
I don't think it would be that hard to rebody a Cobra, in fact i think Gardner Douglas Sportscars did just that a few years ago, but wonder if it ever reached production.?
www.gdcars.com/gdgt/gdgt_gallery.htm
Both sat in the workshop but not finished alas - although we do like to keep nudging Andy and hoping he pulls his finger out one day ;-)
How many of these new sportscars do you think would find a buyer per year? what is the potential niche market? I like this concept, and do think that it does have potential....
Why hasn't anybody designed something new in this niche ? will consider doing a few skethces just for fun......
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 09:26
Davi said:
[
Have to say personally I think GD should stick to replica's of legends if that's the kind of thing they come up with themselves. REALLY don't like those from any angle, which is quite an achievement in itself!
Have to say personally I think GD should stick to replica's of legends if that's the kind of thing they come up with themselves. REALLY don't like those from any angle, which is quite an achievement in itself!
The design is very subjective...but the idea is very interesting, a raw rear wheel drive sportscar, based on an available Cobra replica chassis.
Something like a kit TVR........just a thought.
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 10:05
Davi said:
Kit cars need to fulfil whatever desires the prospective purchaser has, just like normal cars.
In real life most people can't afford to run several cars for each of their needs, so many looking at kits will want SOME level of practicality.
Practicality in kitcars is becoming very important, and do agree that most people do want that, so when designing a new kit, this needs to be taken into consideration with a modern kit.
I also think there is a niche for very extreme sportscars, just for the pure joy of track racing or the fun blast, but i'm sure it's a smaller niche, and pretty much cornered by a few exhisting kitcar manufacturers.....
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 17th May 10:11
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