LCC Rocket Replica?
Discussion
Does anyone make either a replica of or something similar to a Light Car Company Rocket? By that, I dont specifically mean the way it looks, rather Motorcycle engined, extreme light weight and a central/tandem seat layout?
I know there are things out there like the sylva r1ot and the various lotus 7 replicas, they're not really what I'm after.
I know there are things out there like the sylva r1ot and the various lotus 7 replicas, they're not really what I'm after.
Closest I can think of are three wheelers i.e. grinnall scorpion, MEV/Road Runner TR1ke, and there is a new one - Razor.
An alternative is the MEVABUSA if you want four wheels and bike engine, think this is about as close as it gets.
Therer is also the ERA/Tiger HS30 but this is not road legal IIRC and would be a real pain to get through IVA, these come up second hand from time to time.
An alternative is the MEVABUSA if you want four wheels and bike engine, think this is about as close as it gets.
Therer is also the ERA/Tiger HS30 but this is not road legal IIRC and would be a real pain to get through IVA, these come up second hand from time to time.
Edited by ugg10 on Thursday 29th August 19:47
Thanks for the replies guys.
In a way, I like the rocket despite it's looks rather than because of them. It's the depth of engineering purity and the concept that I like. Having said that, the rocket does not look like a track refugee and has sensible ground clearance. In alot of ways it is one of very few successful answers to the question of how to style a single seater type car without it looking like it is trying too hard. It is relatively subtle and has no wings. It is also highly roadable unlike the track refugee kits and other similar stuff (furore - sp?).
I am aware of the brook R. Yes, the styling looks to me like a copy of the rocket but as you say, not motorbike powered. In my view, the looks of this are slightly ungainly because of the side by side seating layout. Plus, I want to sit in the middle.
This is something that although "easy" to engineer seems to have not gained much traction (pun intended) within the kit car industry which is a shame. As said above the rocket answered so many questions on how to do this successfully.
Although some of the historic racer type cars do appeal in many ways, they're not really what I'm after as I am too young to remember their track success and get nostalgic about it. Therefore, for me they would have to be all about what they are/can be today which is beautiful historic swooping lines (largely lost in modern racecars due to aerodynamic requirements) and epic performance.
I reckon that the rocket could be copied, brought up to date and made cheaper (if not necessarily as good but 90%) relatively easily (for someone competent in the art) because of the relative simplicity of the original concept. Alot of the solutions were new back then but now, with all the alternative solutions for bike engined cars that did not exist back then, you could do it without resorting to too many custom or F3 components.
I did actually see something called the Roadrazer in 2007 (from the neatherlands or somewhere) which was a modern take on the rocket with a carbonfibre tub but that seems to have gone quiet and I have never heard of a kit being sold.
In a way, I like the rocket despite it's looks rather than because of them. It's the depth of engineering purity and the concept that I like. Having said that, the rocket does not look like a track refugee and has sensible ground clearance. In alot of ways it is one of very few successful answers to the question of how to style a single seater type car without it looking like it is trying too hard. It is relatively subtle and has no wings. It is also highly roadable unlike the track refugee kits and other similar stuff (furore - sp?).
I am aware of the brook R. Yes, the styling looks to me like a copy of the rocket but as you say, not motorbike powered. In my view, the looks of this are slightly ungainly because of the side by side seating layout. Plus, I want to sit in the middle.
This is something that although "easy" to engineer seems to have not gained much traction (pun intended) within the kit car industry which is a shame. As said above the rocket answered so many questions on how to do this successfully.
Although some of the historic racer type cars do appeal in many ways, they're not really what I'm after as I am too young to remember their track success and get nostalgic about it. Therefore, for me they would have to be all about what they are/can be today which is beautiful historic swooping lines (largely lost in modern racecars due to aerodynamic requirements) and epic performance.
I reckon that the rocket could be copied, brought up to date and made cheaper (if not necessarily as good but 90%) relatively easily (for someone competent in the art) because of the relative simplicity of the original concept. Alot of the solutions were new back then but now, with all the alternative solutions for bike engined cars that did not exist back then, you could do it without resorting to too many custom or F3 components.
I did actually see something called the Roadrazer in 2007 (from the neatherlands or somewhere) which was a modern take on the rocket with a carbonfibre tub but that seems to have gone quiet and I have never heard of a kit being sold.
Given the extra bit of info you might want to look at these two -
SDR Storm - central seating for driver plus two passengers, bike engine with Aprilia RSVR twin - sounds great (and scooby engine option) and aerial atomsih looks. http://sdrsportscars.co.uk/home.html
Aeon GT3 - more of a le mans refugee type car (available in open and hard top) but available with central seating (plus two passengers), I am sure can be engineered for bike power using something like the set up in the Sylva G16 / R1ot. http://www.aeonsportscars.com/
Shame the Edge Devil never really made full production as this again may have fitted the bill - Audi power but could possible modify to fit longitudinal bike engine and Sierra/Freelander diff + short prot shaft. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kitcar_deta...
May also be worth having a chat to Spire as their lemans prototype looking car may have scope to be engineered into central seater, already has many bike engine options/builds - http://www.spiresportscars.co.uk/ - have a look at the blackbird build link as this has some good chassis pics, looks fairly easy to move the pedals and steering to the centre if you can find a suitable steering rack.
hope this helps.
SDR Storm - central seating for driver plus two passengers, bike engine with Aprilia RSVR twin - sounds great (and scooby engine option) and aerial atomsih looks. http://sdrsportscars.co.uk/home.html
Aeon GT3 - more of a le mans refugee type car (available in open and hard top) but available with central seating (plus two passengers), I am sure can be engineered for bike power using something like the set up in the Sylva G16 / R1ot. http://www.aeonsportscars.com/
Shame the Edge Devil never really made full production as this again may have fitted the bill - Audi power but could possible modify to fit longitudinal bike engine and Sierra/Freelander diff + short prot shaft. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kitcar_deta...
May also be worth having a chat to Spire as their lemans prototype looking car may have scope to be engineered into central seater, already has many bike engine options/builds - http://www.spiresportscars.co.uk/ - have a look at the blackbird build link as this has some good chassis pics, looks fairly easy to move the pedals and steering to the centre if you can find a suitable steering rack.
hope this helps.
Edited by ugg10 on Friday 30th August 11:37
Edited by ugg10 on Friday 30th August 11:44
Some good shouts in there but again not really what I'm after. All rather too large. To be honest, i'nm actually no fan of having too much of the spaceframe and mechanicals exposed on the outside.
Here is the link to the modern version of the rocket:
http://www.roadrazer.com/
I did hear of someone doing a custom build with a V8 behind the driver, something that looked very like a 50's formula 1 car. Very cool, but I suspect the budget to do that was very significant?
What do people think on the possibility of a custom build? Feasible or just ruinous potential expense (i.e. more than just buying a second hand rocket)? I dont really have many of the skills myself (would probably be ok with a kit though but not designing a car from scratch).
Looks like my requirements are simply not catered for/too specific (seems hard to believe) and I am basically just pissing in the wind on this one.
Rockets are impossible to get at a reasonable price.
Here is the link to the modern version of the rocket:
http://www.roadrazer.com/
I did hear of someone doing a custom build with a V8 behind the driver, something that looked very like a 50's formula 1 car. Very cool, but I suspect the budget to do that was very significant?
What do people think on the possibility of a custom build? Feasible or just ruinous potential expense (i.e. more than just buying a second hand rocket)? I dont really have many of the skills myself (would probably be ok with a kit though but not designing a car from scratch).
Looks like my requirements are simply not catered for/too specific (seems hard to believe) and I am basically just pissing in the wind on this one.
Rockets are impossible to get at a reasonable price.
That looks nice, closes inthe UK was hte MK Sprint R but a bit agricultural to my eyes (a bit too much Formula Ford) - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=126...
if you are willing to import and sort out your own IVA compliance then have a look at this -
http://superlitecars.com/nemesis/gallery-nemesis/
Reputable company I think but not cheap once you have added shipping and tax, they have a german EU distributor.
But basically are you after a BAC Mono on the cheap ????
edit - just found Arden are RCR reps inthe UK - http://www.ardenautomotive.co.uk/products_rcr.html
if you are willing to import and sort out your own IVA compliance then have a look at this -
http://superlitecars.com/nemesis/gallery-nemesis/
Reputable company I think but not cheap once you have added shipping and tax, they have a german EU distributor.
But basically are you after a BAC Mono on the cheap ????
edit - just found Arden are RCR reps inthe UK - http://www.ardenautomotive.co.uk/products_rcr.html
Edited by ugg10 on Friday 30th August 14:14
That superlight cars nemesis looks quite good, I have to admit, though to my eye it is rather clunky looking in places. The quoted weight (unsure what it includes) sounds rather heavy compared to say a rocket or some of the lightest locosts. Interesting/lighting solution though and in my view, dare I say it but not enough reliance on donor parts which is increasing the admitedly decent price though I think that would go up to the same in pounds or more once in the uk and sva'd making it quite expensive. Maybe it looks smaller/daintier in the "metal" than in the pictures. There is a uk distributor as you say but I would wonder how tough it would be getting it through the IVA? The pointed nose on these modern interpretations will make it hard to find a good place for a front number plate.
Interesting what you say about the bac mono on the cheap. A phenomenal car no doubt but at a phenomenal price. It would certainly fit the bill but for a sum that would easily see me behind the wheel of not very second hand Pork/Fezza/Lambo etc etc.
No, what I am really after is a LCC rocket on the cheap....
Interesting what you say about the bac mono on the cheap. A phenomenal car no doubt but at a phenomenal price. It would certainly fit the bill but for a sum that would easily see me behind the wheel of not very second hand Pork/Fezza/Lambo etc etc.
No, what I am really after is a LCC rocket on the cheap....
How about the Furore? ISTR the first was bike powered!
http://www.furorecars.co.uk/
http://www.furorecars.co.uk/
Edited by Mistrale on Saturday 31st August 10:44
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