New Kitcar Design Sketches and Concepts
Discussion
KDIcarmad said:
A clear (see through colour) body shell like this could fitted to any current ex-chassis car. I would make them most usable.
There was a polycarbonate bodied version of the Lotus 340R a few years ago, of course, the Lotus Expose:
I think the problem is that in practice (rather than on the stand at the motor show) the only transparent materials that are suitable are not terribly resistent to scratches and scuffs, so after a few months of being grit-blased by road dirt thrown up by the wheels of other traffic, they end up looking really scruffy.
Do any of you know what this is..
It does not matter if you don't, it is the chassis of Caparo T1. I looked at this and though added light, mud guards and you have an interesting car. A very different exo-chassis look. This is in effect a "carbon chassis". Just a bit of fun! Cost would stop this going anywhere and the T1 was almost undrivable. Did they sell any?
It does not matter if you don't, it is the chassis of Caparo T1. I looked at this and though added light, mud guards and you have an interesting car. A very different exo-chassis look. This is in effect a "carbon chassis". Just a bit of fun! Cost would stop this going anywhere and the T1 was almost undrivable. Did they sell any?
Nikolai said:
With the brief of: track day/ weekend car, relatively easy to manufacture the bodywork, use FWD configuration mid-mounted i.e. Zetec/Duratec, this is what I'd like to make. I know its only a rear 3/4 view but comments welcome. Oh and I'm an engineer not a graphic artist so apologies for the poor marker skills!
Nothing to apologise for. Drawing ability is distinct from, & not a pre-requisite of, design ability - but it is most effective means of communicating (though it could be argued that with the advent of Photoshop & modelling software it's less critical now than it's ever been). It might be easier to find images of similar vehicles, and use them as a basis to sketch over (believe me, this is common enough practice even when the image is not of the specific subject being designed). It's a fairly simple matter to convert these into something akin to a line drawing in Gimp (a freeware photoshop equivalent) which can then be used as an underlay, example attached from same sequence as image on first page of this thread: 
If you prefer you could send me a couple of images, the process only takes a few minutes. Alternatively, you might find it easier to work in elevation: were you to prepare a full set I'd happily generate some quick sketch views from them.
If only one view is being presented, front 3/4 is preferable to rear; and with such a low viewpoint we can't see any of the upper surfaces. Some sort of accompanying description or annotation would have been useful. Not sure what the features are at the upper rear corners - some kind of small vent?
Beyond the basic vehicle type, and the few features shown, there's not in fact much to feedback on. Surfacing looks quite chiselled - that & the front fender line make me thing of the Graber. Some recent Alfas, Lotii & Fezzas have demonstrated there's life yet in bullseye taillights, but without careful treatment it might end up a little generic - especially if those units with the shiny plastic outer ring are used, which will scream kitcar (in a bad way). I'm not saying that's necessarily the case with your design, rather that there isn't enough to go on. The rear vent panel seems to be a plain rectangle: it could be changed so something more distinctive to create a stronger identity.
Hope this comes across brief rather than brusque ;-P
HTH, sean
Stuart Mills said:
I prefer to work with wood or metal rather than paper and crayons but this is a theme I have in mind. What do you guys think, any potential? Please feel free to download and change to suit your own taste. 
Don't know! Looks like it has been step on, or a folding bed waiting to snap shut. Are the sides solid or open. Is it try to look like 1950's British sports car, longer straighter/flatter bonnet may make this work.Got what it makes me think of, an open book.
Very much so, in that particular view.Is that using the MX5 as a donor? Knowing that would help other peoples sketches.
I know it has to cover the engine but its quite front heavy and bulbous, which doesn't appeal to my tastes, I think cars do not look right if the front bonnet line is higher than the rear bootline (this is why I think Z4s look a bit wrong). The front and rear curves look odd and leave the car looking 'broken'. What are the side panels doing? They look bare like that TX Tripper or a beach buggy ie we're looking at the side of a GRP tub. Is it a full body or are the wheels cycle-winged?
I know it has to cover the engine but its quite front heavy and bulbous, which doesn't appeal to my tastes, I think cars do not look right if the front bonnet line is higher than the rear bootline (this is why I think Z4s look a bit wrong). The front and rear curves look odd and leave the car looking 'broken'. What are the side panels doing? They look bare like that TX Tripper or a beach buggy ie we're looking at the side of a GRP tub. Is it a full body or are the wheels cycle-winged?
The MEV scribble was on an MX5 picture, the inspiration came from the above. I like the idea of a nod to the 7 by lowering the centre of the main tub for elbow room. Great ideas can develop from a doodle.
If anyone is concerned about their lack of drawing ability then just download a pic of a car that is close to what you have in mind and open with "paint"
Stuart Mills said:
The MEV scribble was on an MX5 picture, the inspiration came from the above. I like the idea of a nod to the 7 by lowering the centre of the main tub for elbow room. Great ideas can develop from a doodle.
If anyone is concerned about their lack of drawing ability then just download a pic of a car that is close to what you have in mind and open with "paint"
Yes I see your design is relate to this. The front really works, hard to see where the lights are. Look single seater, is it?
I think the rear end view of this looks even better!
Edited by KDIcarmad on Thursday 22 March 16:41
I love this design. Marc Senger has created in his Bently Dynamo a very interesting design that is both hi-tech and retro 30's without any conflict between the two styles. This would be a stunning car if build. My favourite bits are the front wheel covers and the split front bonnet.
Would a design like this sell in today Kit Car market?
A seven or Cobra chassis could be adapted to fit. As to the engine, a Jaguar XJR straight 6 or V8? Keeping it British.
On the kitcar Industry thread we were talking about rebody kits on an Mx5 platform and here is an idea, for a retro inspired design ( Jaguar xk150).
The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
Calling Italo!
Just wondering, can you do anything interesting with the mk3 Toyota MR2? Following the comments on the 'future of kit cars' thread I've been sketching for a while and I can't get anything to look good on its wheelbase, either I'm worse than I thought at drawing or it's just too long to carry a decent shape! Of course, keeping the windscreen as it is to make it a sensible donor. Here's a sample pic!
Just wondering, can you do anything interesting with the mk3 Toyota MR2? Following the comments on the 'future of kit cars' thread I've been sketching for a while and I can't get anything to look good on its wheelbase, either I'm worse than I thought at drawing or it's just too long to carry a decent shape! Of course, keeping the windscreen as it is to make it a sensible donor. Here's a sample pic!
fuoriserie said:
On the kitcar Industry thread we were talking about rebody kits on an Mx5 platform and here is an idea, for a retro inspired design ( Jaguar xk150).
The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
Interesting idea. Personal I would never have chosen the XK150 as the starting point for a MX5 body kit. It works, I would make the oval grill bigger, less taer drop and think about losing a the inner lights.The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
How about a BMW 1 series rebody (2 door) or a Boxster.
fuoriserie said:
On the kitcar Industry thread we were talking about rebody kits on an Mx5 platform and here is an idea, for a retro inspired design ( Jaguar xk150).
The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
I like the body re-styling (as per usual with Italo's work), but one thing that sticks out on your drawing, and what ruins a lot of car designs (often on MX5 rebodies) is the keeping of the Mx5 door handle. As soon as you see that you can see what it's based on..The idea would be to have a hard-top Coupe/roadster option.
Just for fun here is my design, it's a very rough 20 min. sketch, on the Mx5 blueprint shown in the paper...
I guess you could create more design option, modern or retro, but this is just one idea for a retro/ vintage panel kit.
Nikolai said:
Calling Italo!
Just wondering, can you do anything interesting with the mk3 Toyota MR2? Following the comments on the 'future of kit cars' thread I've been sketching for a while and I can't get anything to look good on its wheelbase, either I'm worse than I thought at drawing or it's just too long to carry a decent shape! Of course, keeping the windscreen as it is to make it a sensible donor. Here's a sample pic!
A thread opened by me 6yrs. ago on Mx5 and Mr2 rebodies:Just wondering, can you do anything interesting with the mk3 Toyota MR2? Following the comments on the 'future of kit cars' thread I've been sketching for a while and I can't get anything to look good on its wheelbase, either I'm worse than I thought at drawing or it's just too long to carry a decent shape! Of course, keeping the windscreen as it is to make it a sensible donor. Here's a sample pic!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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