What do you think of the Veranti?
What do you think of the Veranti?
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Discussion

Ex-Biker

Original Poster:

1,315 posts

273 months

Sunday 18th January 2004
quotequote all
Read the Veranti article in WK? with interest (got an MR2).

Can't make my mind up whether I like it or not.

Not changing the interior doesn't bother me as the interior is a good design anyway.

Better than the spacers it mentions for the wheels would be to fit split rims (like mine) that come out more.

My biggest concern is the looks. The article says 'front end has a Porsche Carrera GT kind of feel'. I'd have said more like a Honda S2000. 'and the back perhaps reminiscent of a Boxster', yeh one that looks like a 306 softtop! Then from the side it looks a little like the new MR2.

Doesn't look and sound so exotic when I look at it like that. I suppose it's a good job I didn't write about it.

BTW I bet it drives and handles like an MR2.

jgmadkit

553 posts

275 months

Sunday 18th January 2004
quotequote all
Was going to ask this question myself.

I know JB's quality is unquestionable and no doubt the Veranti execution is just as good but I just can't see the point of this car.

It looks bland to me - not as good looking as the donor No doubt it will sell a few, but I wonder how quicky people will sell them on as they get bored of the looks.

The reviews I've seen so far are so wrapped up in excitement of each of them thinking they've got the exclusive that they have overlooked the fact that first it's NOT a kit car and second it's very very bland. If kit car folk are what it's aimed at then it's the wrong market as kit car folk normally want something a bit different not just another eurobox clone.

I guess you could say it doesn't do it for me

John

www.madabout-kitcars.com

chrispollard

12 posts

268 months

Tuesday 10th February 2004
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I have to disagree with the others. I've looked at the design from all of the available angles, and it seems just right to me. Very subtle, very understated, beautifully executed. I don't know why, but to me, it even has a hint of Aston Martin about it, though I can't put my finger on why.

I agree that the MR2 isn't the most dynamic sports car ever built- especially the mk2 - but it is tough, very reliable and very well built - an ideal base for an everyday , usable car. I called JB recently, and intend placing an order shortly - so I am on the lookout for a donor car as we speak. Anyone out there with a lead?

Incidentally, my last kit was a Stratos replica, and I have in the past run an S3 Fulvia and a '71 911. Judge for yourself my style credentials!

Ex-Biker

Original Poster:

1,315 posts

273 months

Tuesday 10th February 2004
quotequote all
Funny you should say that.

Don't suppose you fancy a 91H auto. It is the full power import, with some rather nice 17" alloys. 126k km, that's around 76k miles.

Not much else matters if you are butchering it, but it is a T bar.

meeja

8,290 posts

274 months

Tuesday 10th February 2004
quotequote all
Personally, I think it looks great, and want to have a closer look at Stafford.

It's not the kind of car for me though.... if I wanted a car that looked like a Veranti, there are a multitude of readily available production cars already out there.

A closer look may alter my opinion, but from the article, although it looks extremely well put together, it doesn't "jump out" at you....

If you know what I mean?

spartan_andy

645 posts

273 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
I know exactly what you mean meeja

PS welcome back not seen you post for a while or have I been blind

BTW what day are you going to staffs perhaps we can meet up IIRC you're a bit closer to staffs than me

Ex-Biker

Original Poster:

1,315 posts

273 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
Thread highjack:
What is IIRC?
Back to thread

jay w

65 posts

269 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
If I remember (recall?) correctly

spartan_andy

645 posts

273 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
thanks jay

BTW hows the car

>> Edited by spartan_andy on Wednesday 11th February 09:45

jay w

65 posts

269 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
[another thread hijack]
I've been frustrated by my drawing talent or lack thereof; can't get a new front end in a fresher style to look right. I'm now doing a CAD model to allow me to generate 100% feasible drawings. Should be finished this morning and I'll get the chassis model startd as soon as I've spent some time on the styling.

Needless to say my ideas will be put up on the thread for you to have your own tries with!

[/another thread hijack]

spartan_andy

645 posts

273 months

Wednesday 11th February 2004
quotequote all
OOOOO sounds promising Like you I also have a distinct lack of drawing talent.

All my cars I draw when I running training courses look like volvo 240 estate

meeja

8,290 posts

274 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
spartan_andy said:

PS welcome back not seen you post for a while or have I been blind


Thank you!

I never really went away, but internet time has been limited since being made redundant, as I have been freelancing all over the place, and am generally too knackered to turn the PC on when I eventually do get home!

spartan_andy said:

BTW what day are you going to staffs perhaps we can meet up IIRC you're a bit closer to staffs than me


Probably going on the Sunday, got to finalize with the purse strings fisrt though! (Babysitter stuff to sort etc etc!)

May take his lordship with us, but at the age of eight months he has discovered that "anything goes" as far as grabbing stuff and playing with it is concerned.... I'm sure prestigious concours kit cars will be no exception!

peetbee

1,036 posts

281 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
jgmadkit said:
It looks bland to me - not as good looking as the donor No doubt it will sell a few, but I wonder how quicky people will sell them on as they get bored of the looks.

The reviews I've seen so far are so wrapped up in excitement of each of them thinking they've got the exclusive that they have overlooked the fact that first it's NOT a kit car and second it's very very bland. If kit car folk are what it's aimed at then it's the wrong market as kit car folk normally want something a bit different not just another eurobox clone.


I agree, I think I'd rather stick with the mr2. Interesting though that you feel it's not a kit car, I was thinking that, but things do seem to be moving this way, with Banham increasing their product range, that new scimitar based 'kit' and the Ferrari bodykits from various firms you wonder if this share of the market is going to expand, especially as the rear wheel drive donors are getting scarcer. I guess they sit in limbo between kit cars and max power add ons!

spartan_andy

645 posts

273 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
meeja said:

spartan_andy said:

BTW what day are you going to staffs perhaps we can meet up IIRC you're a bit closer to staffs than me



May take his lordship with us, but at the age of eight months he has discovered that "anything goes" as far as grabbing stuff and playing with it is concerned.... I'm sure prestigious concours kit cars will be no exception!


Have found a solution to this. It's called a buggy get the management to drive keeping far enough away from the cars so no grabbing can take place leaving you free to peruse at your leisure.


It only works if the management is only slightly onterested in kitcars though

meeja

8,290 posts

274 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
peetbee said:

I guess they sit in limbo between kit cars and max power add ons!




Agreed.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with body conversions, as they can breathe new life into an old motor..... it's just that the Varenti just doesn't do anything for me.

However, if I wanted to be *noticed* (ie be a complete poseur!) then a decent Ferrari conversion kit would be on my shopping list (No way on earth I could afford the real thing!)

However, I'm not, so it doesn't matter!

chrispollard

12 posts

268 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
Hi Ex-biker

Yes, very interested. I was after an auto anyway (yes, I know, but I'm getting old) with a view to uprating it from the rather anaemic 120ish brake of the standard UK version. Send me some info on chrispollard28@hotmail.com? Where are you?

Cheers

Chris

chrispollard

12 posts

268 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
Ex-Biker said:
Funny you should say that.

Don't suppose you fancy a 91H auto. It is the full power import, with some rather nice 17" alloys. 126k km, that's around 76k miles.

Not much else matters if you are butchering it, but it is a T bar.

D-Angle

4,468 posts

268 months

Friday 13th February 2004
quotequote all
I think body conversions are the modern-day versions of the coachbuilders we used to see, who bought their chassis in from someone else and put their own unique bodystyle on it. The Austin 7 chassis, for example, sat under several offerings from different manufacturers, including Jaguar and BMW.

Regards,
Justin

rickbrown74

250 posts

268 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
quotequote all
Someone mentioned it being aimed at the wrong market if they are aiming it at Kit Car folk. I dont agree.

I have no mechanical skills whatsoever but love certain kit cars and for me the Veranti offers something just a bit different than the norm without looking dated or oddball like most other kits somehow manage to do. (I'm referring to the sportscar type kits here, not cobras, 7's etc..)

jgmadkit

553 posts

275 months

Saturday 21st February 2004
quotequote all
Just had a look at the Veranti article in this months Kit Car and it hasn't changed my opinion of it.

Must admit that there is one picture that makes it look OK (from above front aspect one) but the lights let it down. Trouble is the other angles just don't do it for me. It reminds me of the mushy bland convertible hire car you would rent out on a fly drive in Florida

Plus you're easily pushing £10K and above for a finished car which doesn't make sense to me. A quick scan through www.purpleads.com () reveals that you can get the following which are newer, better looking (in my opinion) and eminantly more saleable - and you don't have to build them.

MR2 Roadster
BMW Z3
Lotus Elise
etc etc

I don't mean to rubbish JB's work, in fact I commend him for trying something original, plus there's no doubt that he always pushes out top quality stuff. but I just don't see why the mags are raving about it

John

www.madabout-kitcars.com