TYPHOON VALDRIS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

[stig mills]

This is very bad news, the kit car scene needs new blood and to attract that customer the industry needs new products. MEV produces kits that in general attract the younger buyer, this KTM look-a-like also had the playstation generation interested. According to their website it is no longer available.

[rdodger]

Could this be because KTM weren't happy?

[singlecoil]

http://www.typhoonsportscars.co.uk/

[khm]

always a worry to copy a production car, but must be gutting after all the work to get it up and running
another kicking for the industry

[stuleah]

Hi guys, Yep Ktm were not happy so its shelved.Sold seven since the beginning of december aswell and had to refund them all. Keeping the chassis and tub though and designing a new body for it.
And yes we are well gutted.

[OwenK]

Surely it's a bit risky to so completely copy a production car anyway? Especially one currently in production too! Why not design something from the off that's along the same lines as the X-bow but not actually a facsimile of it?

[stuleah]

Thats what we did if you look at the 2 together there is not a single panel the same, but because the magazines have classed it as a replica etc thats enough for them to stop us.

[seansverige]

khm said:

another kicking for the industry

Kicking how, exactly? Don't want to sound harsh but I completely understand KTM's position; and frankly if the industry in question is riding coattails then it deserves a kicking: is this really how you would want the industry to be seen - producing cheap knockoffs?

It's ironic that Stuart started this thread, as he shows - with a little imagination - how it can be done: I'm sure he'd be the first to acknowledge the debt the Rocket, Missile, Exocet etc, owe to the Ariel Atom. However, whilst these draw inspiration from the Atom, none of them actually copy it.

The same cannot be said of the Valdris, which 'draws inspiration' from a specific design, still current. Arguing it's not a facsimile (which would basically make it the same price) having copied distinctive elements such as the front shock positioning / display / front panel arrangement is... disingenuous, at the very least.

And before anyone comes over 'big brother' maybe they should remember the XBow has not been the success that KTM hoped, and they are themselves struggling.

[dmulally]

stuleah said:

Thats what we did if you look at the 2 together there is not a single panel the same, but because the magazines have classed it as a replica etc thats enough for them to stop us.

That is a shame. Oh well, dont let it stop you friend.

[LMRACER]

Seans...
Surely you remember the similarities between the Sonic 7 and the Ken Okuyama
K.O.7...dopelgangers to say the least...so maybe the OP aint so guilt free either...
Too bad about the Valdris but it looked like it was going to happen from the first day IMHO.

Edited by LMRACER on Wednesday 2nd February 06:11

[Paul Drawmer]

LMRACER said:

Seans...
Surely you remember the similarities between the Sonic 7 and the Ken Okuyama
K.O.7...dopelgangers to say the least...so maybe the OP aint so guilt free either...
Too bad about the Valdris but it looked like it was going to happen from the first day IMHO.

Edited by LMRACER on Wednesday 2nd February 06:11

That was launched in Geneva March 2008. When did the Sonic 7 appear?

[stuleah]

Yes, i wont deny the fact it was probably going to happen.
Like a lot of people i believed what i was told and that is it has tyo be 20% different. I well and truly have built a car that is more than 20% only to find that there is no such regulation.
Never mind, life goes on and we will see what happens with the new nody.
Hopefully the 7 customers that gave deposits will like the new shape.

[khm]

seansverige said:

Kicking how, exactly? Don't want to sound harsh but I completely understand KTM's position; and frankly if the industry in question is riding coattails then it deserves a kicking: is this really how you would want the industry to be seen - producing cheap knockoffs?

It's ironic that Stuart started this thread, as he shows - with a little imagination - how it can be done: I'm sure he'd be the first to acknowledge the debt the Rocket, Missile, Exocet etc, owe to the Ariel Atom. However, whilst these draw inspiration from the Atom, none of them actually copy it.

The same cannot be said of the Valdris, which 'draws inspiration' from a specific design, still current. Arguing it's not a facsimile (which would basically make it the same price) having copied distinctive elements such as the front shock positioning / display / front panel arrangement is... disingenuous, at the very least.

And before anyone comes over 'big brother' maybe they should remember the XBow has not been the success that KTM hoped, and they are themselves struggling.

after battling through the IVA and trying to find e marked platic windows ( and the now inflated price ), i feel that the power that be are trying to squeeze the kit car industry into submission. yes i can understand KTM not being happy but the car is more 'in the style of' not a true replica & TBH is not going to affect there business in any way. what about ferrari mrs rip off's ?!? surely that is more of an insult than a custom built car ??

[Russ Bost]

Well if one thing stands out for me here it is the fact that Stuarts company have either refunded or offered to refund all 7 customers who left deposits - Stu, you've not got the hang of the kitcar industry - emulate others & do it with a Ltd company then when the project falls flat b*gger off with the deposits - surely you know that's how the industry has been run for years!!!

If more companies were run decently perhaps the industry wouldn't have the name it does!

[Furyblade_Lee]

Of course in an ideal world there would be NO replicas, just as in their would be no counterfeit clothing or illegal downloads. But their are. But I bet apart from MAYBE the tyres (?) absolutely nothing would be interchangable between a Valdris and a Xbow. Nothing.

[rdodger]

khm said:

seansverige said:

Kicking how, exactly? Don't want to sound harsh but I completely understand KTM's position; and frankly if the industry in question is riding coattails then it deserves a kicking: is this really how you would want the industry to be seen - producing cheap knockoffs?

It's ironic that Stuart started this thread, as he shows - with a little imagination - how it can be done: I'm sure he'd be the first to acknowledge the debt the Rocket, Missile, Exocet etc, owe to the Ariel Atom. However, whilst these draw inspiration from the Atom, none of them actually copy it.

The same cannot be said of the Valdris, which 'draws inspiration' from a specific design, still current. Arguing it's not a facsimile (which would basically make it the same price) having copied distinctive elements such as the front shock positioning / display / front panel arrangement is... disingenuous, at the very least.

And before anyone comes over 'big brother' maybe they should remember the XBow has not been the success that KTM hoped, and they are themselves struggling.

after battling through the IVA and trying to find e marked platic windows ( and the now inflated price ), i feel that the power that be are trying to squeeze the kit car industry into submission. yes i can understand KTM not being happy but the car is more 'in the style of' not a true replica & TBH is not going to affect there business in any way. what about ferrari mrs rip off's ?!? surely that is more of an insult than a custom built car ??

I find it strange that Ferrari don't do something about the MR2 Replicas. Especially the more recent models. Perhaps they feel it is flattery?

[Racing8]

Sorry to hear that, what did KTM say, cease and desist or else ?

[Racing8]

rdodger said:

I find it strange that Ferrari don't do something about the MR2 Replicas. Especially the more recent models. Perhaps they feel it is flattery?

I would suggest DNA and Extreme , to name a couple, get round it by not producing a current model, so they cant be done for loss of profit, they also dont call it a Ferrari or lambo , so they not infringing copyright. ( Although I think extreme might actually do that, I guess there just not on loambo's radar.)
IIRC correctly Dave Jones with his AM replica had to change the grill and lights, but could still make the car and the most famous one westfield, changed their dimensions and suspension type in relation to Caterhams litigation. So it can be done, I've got some body revisions to make to mine, so it wont hopefully get confused with anybody else's car

Paul

[stig mills]

Rather than attempting to create a market for an all new model that has unfamiliar lines and is possibly not palletable to the audience is it not better to follow trends? That is what major manufacturers tend to do, we see it all the time. Some totally different branded cars are of course made in the same factory, they call it badge marketing. Others just look similar.
I have no problem with my products being compared to the Atom that is 20 times the price of a Rocket. In fact something like 60-70 Exocets could be built for the same price as a V8 Atom. Not the same car of course but MEV's tick many of the same box's and are available as a kit project. Atoms are not.
Often we see concept cars but rarely do we see these outlandish creations make it to production. The soft version with some elements/features of the concepts are generally what make it to the show rooms.
Here's at tip for those seriously looking at developing a car; Look deeply at production cars or concepts and decide which detail, light unit, swuage line, contour or curve you like. Combine some of these elements from various cars and then add your own and you create a new car but not one that is completely alien to the potential customer. It takes a brave man to style his own car that it is not comparable to any other and expect the orders to roll in.
I wish Stuart (common name) every succes with his new version. It should be possible to retain some of the features and also keep KTM of your back mate.
I have heard of cases in the past where the solicitors cost so much money trying to defend a case that may be won that the defendant goes bust in the process.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Rdodger, I believe back in the 80's an American company was making a Ferrari replica and was warned officially by Ferrari to stop. They didn't. Their premesis suffered an arson attack destroying all tooling. Coincidece? Maybe. But I am sure they stopped making the replicas.