The car is being born: Kozmo, kit-car from PL (very long)

The car is being born: Kozmo, kit-car from PL (very long)

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Discussion

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Wednesday 6th May 2015
quotequote all
Hello,

As you know, Kozmo is financed by my own money which run out. I'm still looking for funds. So, I decided to try crowdfunding:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kozmo-cool-spor...

It will be great If you share this link wherever you can – friends, fb pages, portals, blogs, press etc.

And there are new renders of Kozmo. My friend made its because the car which I'm trying to make is looking now diffrent that in first renders:






dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Thursday 7th May 2015
quotequote all
With respect to the crowd funding - Great idea biggrin

However, shouldn't 50k get you a car and maybe even 20k?

Would be odd for someone to invest in a car company and not receive a car, especially at 1-2x the cost of a built car (approximately).

If I was investing 50k into a company building 20k cars, I think I'd want a lot more than a 4 week holiday round Poland!

Or have I missed something?

Please don't take any offence, this is meant to be constructive smile

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Monday 11th May 2015
quotequote all
dom9 said:
With respect to the crowd funding - Great idea biggrin

However, shouldn't 50k get you a car and maybe even 20k?

Would be odd for someone to invest in a car company and not receive a car, especially at 1-2x the cost of a built car (approximately).

If I was investing 50k into a company building 20k cars, I think I'd want a lot more than a 4 week holiday round Poland!

Or have I missed something?

Please don't take any offence, this is meant to be constructive smile
You are absolutely right. I will add some new perks – maybe Kozmo kit, new Kozmo and shares in Kozmo company.

Thank you for your advice.

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Monday 11th May 2015
quotequote all
TomcatT4 said:
You are absolutely right. I will add some new perks – maybe Kozmo kit, new Kozmo and shares in Kozmo company.

Thank you for your advice.
Update: I can't offer shares in my company on Indiegogo.

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Friday 11th December 2015
quotequote all
So it’s over…
Exactly 10 years ago ‘KOZMO’ - the fastest Polish car kit-car - project was born. At that time was the first idea and the first draft.
After more than 2 years, thanks to the promised grant from WCTT (that in fact I had never got), the work on a prototype has begun.
At the same time I got a permanent job, which allowed me to take cash loan (yes - usurious, high-interest cash loan - because passion counts), that should have allowed me to complete the prototype in 2-3 years.
Unfortunately, the more time had passed, the more I regretted that I had used only half of my creditworthiness. And so in the spring of 2013 I was stuck, after 5 years from the start of the prototype works.
For the last almost three years I have tried to draw a sponsor or investor to my project (both the prototype and the idea of affordable race cup for young people, that could liven Polish car racing).
Unfortunately, no one takes seriously a freak who alone, in a small garage (with ad-hoc assistance of brothers and friends) tries to build a car which is technologically comparable to competitive Polish project, but costing no more than 1% of their budget.
And so, having almost 80% of work done, with great anguish I have to shut down the project…
I thank hereby to everyone who has helped me – even a little bit - for all this time.

dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Friday 11th December 2015
quotequote all
Sorry to hear this frown

Keep it on the shelf and you never know what the future might bring!

ThrillNYC

3 posts

99 months

Friday 11th December 2015
quotequote all
You made a god damn car from scratch. Very impressive. That's some Polish ingenuity right there.

fuoriserie

4,560 posts

268 months

Friday 11th December 2015
quotequote all
TomcatT4 said:
So it’s over…
Exactly 10 years ago ‘KOZMO’ - the fastest Polish car kit-car - project was born. At that time was the first idea and the first draft.
After more than 2 years, thanks to the promised grant from WCTT (that in fact I had never got), the work on a prototype has begun.
At the same time I got a permanent job, which allowed me to take cash loan (yes - usurious, high-interest cash loan - because passion counts), that should have allowed me to complete the prototype in 2-3 years.
Unfortunately, the more time had passed, the more I regretted that I had used only half of my creditworthiness. And so in the spring of 2013 I was stuck, after 5 years from the start of the prototype works.
For the last almost three years I have tried to draw a sponsor or investor to my project (both the prototype and the idea of affordable race cup for young people, that could liven Polish car racing).
Unfortunately, no one takes seriously a freak who alone, in a small garage (with ad-hoc assistance of brothers and friends) tries to build a car which is technologically comparable to competitive Polish project, but costing no more than 1% of their budget.
And so, having almost 80% of work done, with great anguish I have to shut down the project…
I thank hereby to everyone who has helped me – even a little bit - for all this time.
Hi Tomasz, I'm sorry to hear that your project had to be shut dow and can understand how you feel right now, I've been there myself in the past and understand the frustration, after having spent all the money, effort and time for your dream to come to alive.

I'm sure that your project is only temporary on hold, but it will be back in the future...smile , just take this time to recoup, energy, enthusiasm( it will come back....), funds and the drive to complete it and show it again.

Looking forward to seeing it in the future at some Kitcar show and wish you the best of Luck...smile


Ciao
Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 11th December 22:01

Huff

3,141 posts

190 months

Saturday 12th December 2015
quotequote all
A fantastic effort involved to get as far as you did, Tomcat; very sorry to read you have to call a halt after such investment of personal effort, money and time.

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Friday 8th April 2016
quotequote all
Hi,
If someone from the UK would like to talk to me about Kozmo I invite at the National Kit Car show.
This time, still as a spectator without Kozmo.

http://www.nationalkitcarshow.co.uk

RedAndy

1,207 posts

153 months

Tuesday 19th April 2016
quotequote all
Hi Tomcat

I'd like to meet you and chat. I'll be hanging around the Tribute AUtomotive stand at Stoneleigh. Ask for me there... someone can ring me...

Andy

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Wednesday 20th April 2016
quotequote all
RedAndy said:
Hi Tomcat

I'd like to meet you and chat. I'll be hanging around the Tribute AUtomotive stand at Stoneleigh. Ask for me there... someone can ring me...

Andy
OK, I will try to find you. ;-)

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
Hi, everyone.
I may have a solution how to finish my kitcar after a three-year break.
But I have some questions about kitcar registration and probably I will need some help.
How much does it cost?
Could someone help me find current technical requirements (I have an older specification), please?
Do I have registration of residence in the UK or just in the UE?
If someone know a friendly inspector, might ask him to see the Kozmo photos and give any suggestions what should I change?

Thank you for your answers.

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Monday 16th January 2017
quotequote all
Hello
I’m kicking up my old posts.
Now I finally know, how to register prototype and all next Kozmo’s in UK.
And here is how 2017 started for me:




Exactly this:








Car is in hands of my good old friend, expert in laminate structures, who is currently working in STW Center. It took a lot of work to clean all stiches and scratches that appeared on Kozmo body over last 3 years:










I need to give some credits to my brothers – it’s their help that made possible to start work over Kozmo again. I need to finish it till May 2017 – for The National Kit Car Show – Stoneleigh 2017

Some updates from last year:
I decided to fix some stuff, that I didn’t like in my prototype. Its basically front windshield and down part of tailgate.
















Windshield before and after:






Rear bumper is up for 5 cm:










During a work I had an unexpected birthday visit from my Youngtimer Warsaw friends ;-)








And finally some artwork photos:















dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Monday 16th January 2017
quotequote all
Glad to see the project is alive smile

I like the wheels but I am not sure about the wing.

How about a small ducktail or something in-built and subtle like an e46 CSL?

Any news on whether the car might be made available here in the UK?

ColinM50

2,630 posts

174 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Dump the wing, makes it look like an 80's boyracer car like a crappy Sierra Cosworth. Seems the right sort of styling for electric?

But congrats on getting that far, look forward to seeing it at Stoneleigh. Be good to see it.

RedAndy

1,207 posts

153 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
thinner A-pillar makes a world of difference!

this evolution of design really demonstrates the importance of small changes. Look at the Ferrari 348tb and the 355 that replaced it. They didn't do very much to the car really, but it went from girl-next-door to supermodel. ALso see the ford puma and racing puma. subtle 1" wheel arch widening and its gone from shopping trolley to muscular coupe. park the kozmo beside a LIbra and you get a similar effect.... no? must just be me!

We're all armchair designers, but fwiw:
the C-pillar and B pills need similar thinning and shaping - they are a bit nondescript.
the wheels are small, with big slab sides and tall glass area. - there isn't a rhythm of scale or proportion. look at a MK1 focus for some fake flare detail that breaks up the expanse. it makes a big car look smaller. is something similar here possible?
the rear now looks tidier and more purposeful- the front looks "1990s" design.... it's a little shapeless.

just my opinion of course - I really support your hard work and ambition, and want you to succeed. :thumbsup:

we didnt get to chat at stoneleigh 16, so hopefully we'll see each other at this year's show.

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Thursday 16th February 2017
quotequote all
Thank you for your suggestions.
I am still thinking about rear wing. Maybe a duck tail will be the best solution. Hmm ;-)

Meanwhile some news, so long post with a lot of photos ;-)

First of all, we have a new engine - TJer 150 BHP form Fiat Bravo II and it’s waiting for me in FlyPerfomance garage. At the beginning, we will fit this engine without any modyfications. Later, after first run there will be a time for tune up this engine and adding horsepower.










In meantime, in Stw garage there are some shape changes before forming molds. Chasis is clear and smooth.
I’ve decided to make some changes in hood, that it will better fit a new windshield. First we’ve used some expanding foam, but it wasn’t a good idea. Then we’ve used some special high dentisity foam that it’s sold in strings (1x10x100 cm).














I’ve also done some fitting to window line in doors, but have no photos for this.

I’ve created an template that will be used for shaping aluminium plane that will cover front part from the bottom. This plane will be also used as a small splitter.






I’ve made some changes in rear lights holes. No idea why, but 4 years ago they were not prepared properly. Looks like CD-R boxes are a best template! Now all holes will be perfectly set thanks to my genius device.






















Now it’s time to some short recap of my visit in Kacepr’s garage – FlyPerformance. This is where TJet is waiting.

First I’ve made template for mounting dashboard and heater from Fiat Seicento. I will use this dashboard as there is not time to create a new one. And after some flocking it will look pretty cool and fit to Kozmo shape. It’s a kit car, so more parts used from donor – better! ;-)









Secondly I was fitting some bigger brakes. I will use for all 4 wheeles ventilated discs 284x22 mm. On the front I will use calliper from Fiat Stili 1.9 JTD and on rear from Alfa Romeo 159 3.2. For both break you can buy streets, tuning and sports pads. For example Ferodo has 5 types of pads for Stilo and 3 types for Alfa 159.








And for the end, smth from Kacper garage – ceramic brakes from Gulia Quadrifoglio. ;-)







Edited by TomcatT4 on Thursday 16th February 17:17

TomcatT4

Original Poster:

52 posts

165 months

Saturday 18th February 2017
quotequote all
Just before moulding forms. All body covered with acrylic paint. Now it’s time to prepare cutting lines and we can mould forms.










ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Saturday 18th February 2017
quotequote all
Looking good, interesting choice of engine, more common on mainland Europe. If you are looking to market this in the uk then I think you will need to offer a simple plug and play installation as there is not much of an aftermarket scene for fiat/Alfa engines compared to ford/Opel (Vauxhall). The 1.4t engine is nice, 170hp possible but in uk the ford 1.6 ecoboost is probable better supported and may be worth looking at this as a standard install.