KITCAR DESIGN sketches/concepts year 2008-10
Discussion
GTRene said:
It would be nice to see such car on the road Italo, I like it..it also has a bit AR that new type in it, where they first came on show with 2 and later converted one in a cabrio euhm that red car a nice coupe wich is on sale this year and they only will build a few?
GTRene
Rene you're a good spotter...||||, I did look at the Alfa Romeo 8C for the window line, and the new sketch will have a similar feel in the rear, but more Jag/Ginetta.GTRene
I will be back in about a week, new stuff, this cobra rebody, a Murtaya Coupe and a few more surprises........
AC did look at a car on a similar platform to the Cobra the Mamba http://www.pistonheads.com/fastcars/ac/mamba.asp
But it didnt seem to be much of a success, not enough to save them anyway.
Maybe if someone like you had penned them something a bit more modern looking Italo.........
But it didnt seem to be much of a success, not enough to save them anyway.
Maybe if someone like you had penned them something a bit more modern looking Italo.........
Joe T said:
AC did look at a car on a similar platform to the Cobra the Mamba http://www.pistonheads.com/fastcars/ac/mamba.asp
But it didnt seem to be much of a success, not enough to save them anyway.
Maybe if someone like you had penned them something a bit more modern looking Italo.........
JoeBut it didnt seem to be much of a success, not enough to save them anyway.
Maybe if someone like you had penned them something a bit more modern looking Italo.........
Is Ac still in business?, but something more modern could fit intheir lineup, and who knows....
Thanks for an enjoyable thread, clearly some very talented people in PH land.
On the subject of niche markets i noticed the various comments relating to altering exsiting platforms into another variant to provide something different, particularly relevant to smaller lightweight two seaters.
For me something that is missing from the current mass market is a smaller engined rwd two seater coupe (a kind of Z4 coupe with a 2.0 engine if you like) that still offers reasonable performance but greatly reduced running costs over it's larger engined equivalents.
To my mind a big mistake with the MGF was that the mid engined layout prevented further development for offering a modern day BGT.
This leads me nicely into a question surrounding the MX5 that has been knocking about in my head for a while.
Using the Elan shooting brake or say a Lenham Sprite as an example is there a niche market for developing a removable shooting brake type hard top for the MX5 or similar? i.e it still gives the option for removal to enjoy open top motoring in the summer and offers practical benefits for the winter?
I appreciate that the Elan / Lenham examples aren't removable but is a removable option acheivable?
I ask the question from a purely non technical background with no practical knowledge as to how such a thing could work in reality.
However i would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this.
On the subject of niche markets i noticed the various comments relating to altering exsiting platforms into another variant to provide something different, particularly relevant to smaller lightweight two seaters.
For me something that is missing from the current mass market is a smaller engined rwd two seater coupe (a kind of Z4 coupe with a 2.0 engine if you like) that still offers reasonable performance but greatly reduced running costs over it's larger engined equivalents.
To my mind a big mistake with the MGF was that the mid engined layout prevented further development for offering a modern day BGT.
This leads me nicely into a question surrounding the MX5 that has been knocking about in my head for a while.
Using the Elan shooting brake or say a Lenham Sprite as an example is there a niche market for developing a removable shooting brake type hard top for the MX5 or similar? i.e it still gives the option for removal to enjoy open top motoring in the summer and offers practical benefits for the winter?
I appreciate that the Elan / Lenham examples aren't removable but is a removable option acheivable?
I ask the question from a purely non technical background with no practical knowledge as to how such a thing could work in reality.
However i would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this.
pugster said:
For me something that is missing from the current mass market is a smaller engined rwd two seater coupe (a kind of Z4 coupe with a 2.0 engine if you like) that still offers reasonable performance but greatly reduced running costs over it's larger engined equivalents.
To my mind a big mistake with the MGF was that the mid engined layout prevented further development for offering a modern day BGT.
This leads me nicely into a question surrounding the MX5 that has been knocking about in my head for a while.
Using the Elan shooting brake or say a Lenham Sprite as an example is there a niche market for developing a removable shooting brake type hard top for the MX5 or similar? i.e it still gives the option for removal to enjoy open top motoring in the summer and offers practical benefits for the winter?
I appreciate that the Elan / Lenham examples aren't removable but is a removable option acheivable?
I agree with you, and think the mx5 lends itself nicely to a few body design conversions, and the shooting brake variant is a very interesting one.To my mind a big mistake with the MGF was that the mid engined layout prevented further development for offering a modern day BGT.
This leads me nicely into a question surrounding the MX5 that has been knocking about in my head for a while.
Using the Elan shooting brake or say a Lenham Sprite as an example is there a niche market for developing a removable shooting brake type hard top for the MX5 or similar? i.e it still gives the option for removal to enjoy open top motoring in the summer and offers practical benefits for the winter?
I appreciate that the Elan / Lenham examples aren't removable but is a removable option acheivable?
Working on a few ideas, and will post hopefully soon.........
cymtriks said:
Sam_68 said:
...Out of interest, have you seen the new(ish) Elite based car that Spyder is now marketing? Not to my personal taste (I think they've ruined one of the most beautiful shapes ever with modifications that are all subtly wrong), but it does pretty much what you are suggesting, only based on the '50's Elite rather than the Plus 2.
Can't find the "new" Elite on Spyder's website.Regarding my Elan plus 2 idea the addition of a new bonnet and subtle changes to the rear would make it look different enough to be seen as the next step on as opposed to a straight forward chassis swap and restoration.
That's the concept anyway. I fully accept that a lot of people won't see it that way.
Didn't take one of the front, but you'll get the idea:
edited to add: Obviously, being the Lotus Only parking area, that isn't really a sh1tty old Rover in the background. It's the new Esprit in disguise!
Edited by Sam_68 on Sunday 3rd June 09:34
[quote=Sam_68
Sorry to drag up an old post, but I came across a pic of the Spyder 'Elite' that I took at this year's Donington Lotus Show.
Didn't take one of the front, but you'll get the idea:
edited to add: Obviously, being the Lotus Only parking area, that isn't really a sh1tty old Rover in the background. It's the new Esprit in disguise!
[/quote]
I've always liked the Elite design, but what is potential of such a design in the 21st century? it's a great retro design but the various kitcar manufacturers that made an attempt in reviving it, never got off, but I fail to see what really is the problem with this little sportscar.Maybe a complex build?, costs?
I wonder if retro design is something of the past, and new potential customers are embracing modern designv for their new sportscars, and only a very limited number off people still have an interest, but maybe it wouldn't make a business case for a kitcar manufacturer.
What do you all think?, I beleive this is a relevant question for any new design.
Sorry to drag up an old post, but I came across a pic of the Spyder 'Elite' that I took at this year's Donington Lotus Show.
Didn't take one of the front, but you'll get the idea:
edited to add: Obviously, being the Lotus Only parking area, that isn't really a sh1tty old Rover in the background. It's the new Esprit in disguise!
Edited by Sam_68 on Sunday 3rd June 09:34
[/quote]
I've always liked the Elite design, but what is potential of such a design in the 21st century? it's a great retro design but the various kitcar manufacturers that made an attempt in reviving it, never got off, but I fail to see what really is the problem with this little sportscar.Maybe a complex build?, costs?
I wonder if retro design is something of the past, and new potential customers are embracing modern designv for their new sportscars, and only a very limited number off people still have an interest, but maybe it wouldn't make a business case for a kitcar manufacturer.
What do you all think?, I beleive this is a relevant question for any new design.
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 4th June 09:33
I like the modern Elite but I think it needs to be seen as a new design rather than a modified older one.
I agree that it doesn't make a nicer original Elite but it still manages to look good in it's own right.
I think retro designs are under used. A lot of non replica kits try to look as exciting as possible by the over use of ducts and intersecting angles. This will date badly and must be very complex to mold. Conversely retro designs will age better and, so I am told, be easier to make.
My Earlier suggesting of updating a classic shape also allows the use of original designs and parts for some bits. As I mentioned earlier a modern version of an older design could use the original glass and the same shape and patterns for the doors and trim. All of this cuts costs and simplifies the design process.
I agree that it doesn't make a nicer original Elite but it still manages to look good in it's own right.
I think retro designs are under used. A lot of non replica kits try to look as exciting as possible by the over use of ducts and intersecting angles. This will date badly and must be very complex to mold. Conversely retro designs will age better and, so I am told, be easier to make.
My Earlier suggesting of updating a classic shape also allows the use of original designs and parts for some bits. As I mentioned earlier a modern version of an older design could use the original glass and the same shape and patterns for the doors and trim. All of this cuts costs and simplifies the design process.
cymtriks said:
I l
I think retro designs are under used. A lot of non replica kits try to look as exciting as possible by the over use of ducts and intersecting angles. This will date badly and must be very complex to mold. Conversely retro designs will age better and, so I am told, be easier to make.
My Earlier suggesting of updating a classic shape also allows the use of original designs and parts for some bits. As I mentioned earlier a modern version of an older design could use the original glass and the same shape and patterns for the doors and trim. All of this cuts costs and simplifies the design process.
That means that retro design still has an interest, but it needs to have heritage for it to be successful.I think retro designs are under used. A lot of non replica kits try to look as exciting as possible by the over use of ducts and intersecting angles. This will date badly and must be very complex to mold. Conversely retro designs will age better and, so I am told, be easier to make.
My Earlier suggesting of updating a classic shape also allows the use of original designs and parts for some bits. As I mentioned earlier a modern version of an older design could use the original glass and the same shape and patterns for the doors and trim. All of this cuts costs and simplifies the design process.
Good point....and will take that into consideration for my future sketches.
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