Kit car manufacturing project on ebay
Discussion
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kit-Car-Project-made-establi...
NTDWM, never heard of it before seeing the listing. The windscreen frame looks vaguely familiar. The front end needs a bit of a rethink.
NTDWM, never heard of it before seeing the listing. The windscreen frame looks vaguely familiar. The front end needs a bit of a rethink.
Still based on the Sierra when the trend seems to be towards using BMW or MX5 donors so shedding a project that may not be popular?
I notice the front plate says 'Aquilla', I wonder if this is anything to do with Aquila Sports Cars Ltd (site not responding?) which bought some Marlin models according to http://www.marlinownersclub.com/
I notice the front plate says 'Aquilla', I wonder if this is anything to do with Aquila Sports Cars Ltd (site not responding?) which bought some Marlin models according to http://www.marlinownersclub.com/
I believe it is the Autotune Aquilla (nothing to do with Aquila Sports Cars). Seem to remember seeing something in one of the magazines saying they were selling the project. Autotune has a pretty decent reputation from what I've heard (certainly been around long enough!) so it might be a decent kit.
I think the article said they were looking to redevelop it for a different donor, but they don't have the time (or motivation, maybe) so are looking to sell the project on.
Not the best looking car IMO - I wonder if there's a market for it?
I think the article said they were looking to redevelop it for a different donor, but they don't have the time (or motivation, maybe) so are looking to sell the project on.
Not the best looking car IMO - I wonder if there's a market for it?
Edited by Frankthered on Friday 3rd December 19:29
singlecoil said:
Frankthered said:
- I wonder if there's a market for it?
I'm inclined to doubt it. I think that when kit cars get to be too much like production cars they are kind of getting away from the point.Looks like the Aquilla would be a bit of a tourer - might be a decent car (front end apart) - but there are probably production cars (second hand) that would be at least as good for the same money - and you'd be able to sell it for a reasonable amount when you're done with it.
These days, kit cars often seem expensive for what you end up with, but that's another story ...
Wow that's horrid.
Holy mother of god.
Are we looking at the same car, the silver one in the ad?
I’m not saying it is the best looking car out there but would not have thought it merited those comments.
The nose could do with some work but generally not bad. If you add the all weather potential of a hard top I would think it could have market appeal.
Steve
Holy mother of god.
Are we looking at the same car, the silver one in the ad?
I’m not saying it is the best looking car out there but would not have thought it merited those comments.
The nose could do with some work but generally not bad. If you add the all weather potential of a hard top I would think it could have market appeal.
Steve
Frankthered said:
I think I'd phrase it that kit cars need to offer something that production cars don't -
That's very much the crux of the matter. I had another look following Steve's comments, and while I agree that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the car's design, I can't see what a builder is going to get that he wouldn't get from productions cars that would cost the same.With every other kit car that I can think of off hand, I can see what the builder is going to get that is different to any production car. I can see that for everything from Locosts to Ultimas, but with this car it just looks too much like a mixture of MX5, Z3 etc, and considering what it's going to cost (that's a lot of GRP there) I just can't see it selling.
Steve_D said:
Wow that's horrid.
Holy mother of god.
Are we looking at the same car, the silver one in the ad?
I’m not saying it is the best looking car out there but would not have thought it merited those comments.
The nose could do with some work but generally not bad. If you add the all weather potential of a hard top I would think it could have market appeal.
Steve
Just the nose? Do you not think the back end is a mess too?Holy mother of god.
Are we looking at the same car, the silver one in the ad?
I’m not saying it is the best looking car out there but would not have thought it merited those comments.
The nose could do with some work but generally not bad. If you add the all weather potential of a hard top I would think it could have market appeal.
Steve
We can't be looking at the same car.
Steve_D, sorry mate but that car represents everything that is bad about kitcars, it warrants those comments and then some. I am struggling to see any cohesive lines whatsoever, and quite what is going on with the windscreen / doorframe combo is troubling. Even if it was free, it wouldn't sell.
I just love the comments we always get on here from the "styling experts"!
The back end is a little MX 5 or MGish (nothing wrong with that), if the bumper has been styled off the Mk6 Escort surely that's a good thing as it gives that production car feel, OK the front end is pretty ghastly, but a new bonnet/grille would sort a lot of that - for all those who have dissed it I would love to see some of your own drawings/designs as you are obviously all talented designers from your comments!
That said I think there is virtually no market for the car at all, it would need a complete redesign with new jigs etc. to use Mazda or BMW donor as there simply aren't going to be any Sierras left soon. It already has major competitors with the GKD Evolution, Minari (if it's still around?), Fury, Stylus, Ginettas, possibly Murtaya, & a whole host of factory production cars all of which can be bought quite cheaply, it's a market which is always going to be very tough for kitcars unless they are something very special or very cheap - I wouldn't be rushing to buy the project
The back end is a little MX 5 or MGish (nothing wrong with that), if the bumper has been styled off the Mk6 Escort surely that's a good thing as it gives that production car feel, OK the front end is pretty ghastly, but a new bonnet/grille would sort a lot of that - for all those who have dissed it I would love to see some of your own drawings/designs as you are obviously all talented designers from your comments!
That said I think there is virtually no market for the car at all, it would need a complete redesign with new jigs etc. to use Mazda or BMW donor as there simply aren't going to be any Sierras left soon. It already has major competitors with the GKD Evolution, Minari (if it's still around?), Fury, Stylus, Ginettas, possibly Murtaya, & a whole host of factory production cars all of which can be bought quite cheaply, it's a market which is always going to be very tough for kitcars unless they are something very special or very cheap - I wouldn't be rushing to buy the project
Russ, I could sketch something nicer than that with a wax crayon after about 10 pints, I won a place at Art College upon leaving school (although i am certainly no Itallo Stacco!). In fact, there is no way my brain would send signals to my hand to draw some of those lines, my personal favorite is the positioning of the rear number plate. Only familiarity of the the similar positioning on the Citroen Saxo makes it acceptable, the 98% similar Peugeout 106 version got it right first time. The bottom line is there is no need to style cars so badly, it costs no more money to style a car nicely rather than ghastly, it just takes talent. Hands up any PH'ers who would happily drive one of those around? In daylight? And then actually pay £10,000 to do it? As a business opportunity in its present form it's a lost cause, but maybe some loon out there will part with £13k to snap it up.
Furyblade_Lee said:
Steve_D, sorry mate but that car represents everything that is bad about kitcars, it warrants those comments and then some. I am struggling to see any cohesive lines whatsoever, and quite what is going on with the windscreen / doorframe combo is troubling. Even if it was free, it wouldn't sell.
Agreed. Fugly looking thing.Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff