Al Melling and the Wild/Hellcat''S
Discussion
Spent most of day at Al Mellings workshop in Rochdale, Had a look round his factory, viewed the Wildcat, but more important to me was the Hellcat that Al intends to run at Le Manns in the next couple of years. I must say that he speaks truthfully with what has happened with TVR and the russian, the Hellcat looks a fantastic product and a great looking vehicle! The car is sat on its chassis and in a clear fibreglass colour straight out of the moulds, the first prototype in f/glass but the car will be produced in carbon fibre powered by a V10 engine. I also spoke with regards to Mickey Holden (17 Year Old Tuscan Challenge Driver) testing Al's Hellcat in preparation for and driving at Le Mann. Very best of luck Al as it is good to see a Brit with so much passion, setting out his stall, to take on the might of sportscar manufacturing and Le Mann. John, G Star Racing, Blackpool.
Edited by Mick G Star on Sunday 5th October 17:15
cobdoo said:
don't get sucked into his web....................
I would not go there if it was the last drive on the planet......!
But then thats only my point of view
Looks like you have some gripe with him?. Did you work for him? He comes over as a truthfull person, and he is the only Brit thats contesting Le Manns! and thats something to be contested... I would not go there if it was the last drive on the planet......!
But then thats only my point of view
Mick G Star said:
zooooom said:
I thought Al Melling was using his own designed V10 engine in the hellcat ???????
There is talk of the V10 but the USA rules with large engines... Who Know's...http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JanH38rtiuA
zooooom said:
Mick G Star said:
zooooom said:
I thought Al Melling was using his own designed V10 engine in the hellcat ???????
There is talk of the V10 but the USA rules with large engines... Who Know's...http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JanH38rtiuA
[/quote
Looks like the Yanky version..
I wasn't an avid fan of Mr Melling before today but he spoke with such a candour that he has a strong air of believability about him. The thing I liked was the consistancy of his tale.
Anyway the Wildcat is an very interesting concept which is more about what is beneath than the outer skin which can be modified to your specification. The Wildcat is offered with a range of engines but primarily the GM Hemi in a variety of states of tune from 420 to 700bhp. There are some very impressive and ingeneous ideas and construction techniques employed. We saw the prototype which differs from the production car in a number of key areas and I think customer cars will impress.
The Hellcat which we also saw but were asked nicely not to photograph will have his machined billet V10.
I'm impressed like most of us there today were I think.
Anyway the Wildcat is an very interesting concept which is more about what is beneath than the outer skin which can be modified to your specification. The Wildcat is offered with a range of engines but primarily the GM Hemi in a variety of states of tune from 420 to 700bhp. There are some very impressive and ingeneous ideas and construction techniques employed. We saw the prototype which differs from the production car in a number of key areas and I think customer cars will impress.
The Hellcat which we also saw but were asked nicely not to photograph will have his machined billet V10.
I'm impressed like most of us there today were I think.
V8 GRF said:
I wasn't an avid fan of Mr Melling before today but he spoke with such a candour that he has a strong air of believability about him. The thing I liked was the consistancy of his tale.
Anyway the Wildcat is an very interesting concept which is more about what is beneath than the outer skin which can be modified to your specification. The Wildcat is offered with a range of engines but primarily the GM Hemi in a variety of states of tune from 420 to 700bhp. There are some very impressive and ingeneous ideas and construction techniques employed. We saw the prototype which differs from the production car in a number of key areas and I think customer cars will impress.
The Hellcat which we also saw but were asked nicely not to photograph will have his machined billet V10.
I'm impressed like most of us there today were I think.
Good news David, will give you a call to discuss.Anyway the Wildcat is an very interesting concept which is more about what is beneath than the outer skin which can be modified to your specification. The Wildcat is offered with a range of engines but primarily the GM Hemi in a variety of states of tune from 420 to 700bhp. There are some very impressive and ingeneous ideas and construction techniques employed. We saw the prototype which differs from the production car in a number of key areas and I think customer cars will impress.
The Hellcat which we also saw but were asked nicely not to photograph will have his machined billet V10.
I'm impressed like most of us there today were I think.
Mattt said:
Mick G Star said:
I also spoke with regards to Mickey Holden (17 Year Old Tuscan Challenge Driver) testing Al's Hellcat in preparation for and driving at Le Mann.
Your profile says your name is Mickey Holden, is this some publicity stunt?V8 GRF said:
Mattt said:
Mick G Star said:
I also spoke with regards to Mickey Holden (17 Year Old Tuscan Challenge Driver) testing Al's Hellcat in preparation for and driving at Le Mann.
Your profile says your name is Mickey Holden, is this some publicity stunt?Given the rather dubious reliability record of the AJP derived engines based on his designs I suppose it's understandable that he would turn to somebody else's engine for his own venture. But 'his' car design is an obvious rip-off of the Griffith design, how on earth can he get away with that?
Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 5th October 00:53
GreenV8S said:
Given the rather dubious reliability record of the AJP derived engines based on his designs I suppose it's understandable that he would turn to somebody else's engine for his own venture. But 'his' car design is an obvious rip-off of the Griffith design, how on earth can he get away with that?
I was exactly of the same opinion as you until we went and had a look at what he's doing. The engine choice is simply a cost thing, he's done a deal with GM to supply engines in various states of tune and his explaination of what went wrong with the Speed6 (Note not the AJP6 ) is simple and ambiguous.
The design of the car's underpinnings are actually a long way from the Griff, yes it looks like a Griff in a lot of ways which in a way is unfortunate as it takes away from what has been achieved elsewhere. For example the car's bodywork and I mean ALL the car's bodywork including the doors and windscreen can be removed in less than an hour.
GreenV8S said:
Given the rather dubious reliability record of the AJP derived engines based on his designs I suppose it's understandable that he would turn to somebody else's engine for his own venture. But 'his' car design is an obvious rip-off of the Griffith design, how on earth can he get away with that?
To be fair,what Melling actually designed and what finally got used in production,might have differed somewhat,particularly with the S6.His AJP8 design was excellent,as much as i can tell,and it's only the quality of the engineering and materials used that have any basis for criticism,not necesarily the designers fault!Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 5th October 00:53
cobdoo said:
don't get sucked into his web....................
I would not go there if it was the last drive on the planet......!
But then thats only my point of view
I have the same point of view as you - Dave went down yesterday for curiousity's sake but had to bite his lip quite a lot I would not go there if it was the last drive on the planet......!
But then thats only my point of view
Edited by KIRSTM on Sunday 5th October 12:38
Green Montego said:
What is your problem with Al then? There still seems to be this feeling towards him but no one ever gives an explanation.
He came across Saturday as an enthusiast with some very interesting ideas with the Wildcat.
I've noticed that every time there is a Melling thread certain people appear... so shouldn't you declare your "interest" rather playing the impartially card...? Back in August, in this thread, you stated...He came across Saturday as an enthusiast with some very interesting ideas with the Wildcat.
Edited by Green Montego on Sunday 5th October 20:00
Green Montego said:
I work at Melling ...
Clearly some people have issues with Melling - doesn't mean they're not entitled to their opinion...Edited by Podie on Sunday 5th October 20:19
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