Why don't kit car manufacturers............
Discussion
Having followed the kit car industry for 15 years and building a Robin Hood 2B I find myself wanting to build something else. The problem is I find myself put off by current kit prices and regulation complexity plus I am not keen on the aesthetics of many cars on offer.
Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Just buy an MEV chassis (or some other make) and design your own body.
You will likely then find that the chassis only suits a limited range of design options....which is why a kit manufacturer is not able to offer a 'One size fits all' type chassis.
Even with your rolling chassis you will only have complied with, in my estimation, 10% of the regulation as most is in the detail of final fit and finish.
Steve
You will likely then find that the chassis only suits a limited range of design options....which is why a kit manufacturer is not able to offer a 'One size fits all' type chassis.
Even with your rolling chassis you will only have complied with, in my estimation, 10% of the regulation as most is in the detail of final fit and finish.
Steve
They kind of do.
Pretty much any 7 style chassis would do you for a front engine rear drive car.
My Thruxton GT is basically that. It would give you steering column mounts, seat belt mounts at the correct heights. Lights etc would need to be done at the correct heights for IVA.
There are manufacturers who will do you a bespoke body to your design.
Pretty much any 7 style chassis would do you for a front engine rear drive car.
My Thruxton GT is basically that. It would give you steering column mounts, seat belt mounts at the correct heights. Lights etc would need to be done at the correct heights for IVA.
There are manufacturers who will do you a bespoke body to your design.
As Steve says, if you use someone else's chassis things end up in the wrong place or don't suit the design in your head. Unless you're lucky! A 7 chassis is a cheap starting point but has anyone ever managed something based on a 7 that doesn't look weird or a bit rubbish?
MEV did offer mid engine chassis years ago but don't think it was a popular thing.
MEV did offer mid engine chassis years ago but don't think it was a popular thing.
There's nothing stopping you doing that, pretty much all the manufacturers sell their kits as packs, so you get to a rolling chassis stage before buying a body, then you don't have to buy a body.
All depends what type of car you want to build, do you want a seven type chassis, or do you want something more substantial and mid engined? there's so many options out there.
All depends what type of car you want to build, do you want a seven type chassis, or do you want something more substantial and mid engined? there's so many options out there.
Jamesy1974 said:
Having followed the kit car industry for 15 years and building a Robin Hood 2B I find myself wanting to build something else. The problem is I find myself put off by current kit prices and regulation complexity plus I am not keen on the aesthetics of many cars on offer.
Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Profitability and desirability stop kit manufacturers from doing what you are asking in your question. It would be a very limited market, too limited for most.Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Thanks for the advice. I am in the process of moving house at the moment but when I am sorted I might get it touch with Stuart of MEV as I like the sound of his 'bag of sand offer' and have always admired his work. After all if my plan fails I could always end up turning it into a Mevster!
I have a complete 1966 Ford GT 40 set of moulds for sale Moulds are complete body including Dash (Oldschool) Front body, Rear Body, "Spider" (roof and windscreen section), Door Outer, Door Inner (textured finish) and Dashboard. Double nostril insert for front body. Doors and spider parts are also done but not assembled.
I am in South Africa.
My email ozonetreatment@gmail.com
What offers ?
I am in South Africa.
My email ozonetreatment@gmail.com
What offers ?
Jamesy1974 said:
Having followed the kit car industry for 15 years and building a Robin Hood 2B I find myself wanting to build something else. The problem is I find myself put off by current kit prices and regulation complexity plus I am not keen on the aesthetics of many cars on offer.
Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Think you have sort of answered your own question there? Like a lot of people, I have my ideas and would like to design my own creation but admit that I lack the skills involved to design and build an IVA compliant car.
As a different approach to kit car production, I would have thought that a company would recognise these customer issues and produce a universal chassis that would comply with regulations and take you up to rolling chassis stage. The customer would have to design it from there in the knowledge that structurally the car is safe and compliant.
The inspiration came from the MEV X5 superlight which simply uses an MX5 complete except a custom frame replaces the body tub and links the front and rear sub frames. I personally like the simplicity of this design but am not keen on the rest of the kit.
A partial chassis kit such as this designed with different bodywork styles in mind should be reasonably priced and appeal to 'want to be' car designers such as myself who want to create something that is unique but also tried and tested.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff