building a GTAVC Messerschmitt GT500 Tiger?

[Talonmotorsport]

I've got what could be a really silly idea in my head to build the Messerschmitt GT500 Tiger from Grand Theft Auto Vice City. I've been looking at a few options as to what propulsion this bath tub on wheels should have. I know that the first option that springs to mind is bike lump,however that means a chain drive and some sort of electric reverse such as a Z cars set up. Thrown in to the mix for consideration was an Impreza engine using a beetle gearbox. I'm sort of veering towards using a Smart car as a donor (yeah I know don't laugh)due to the engine being compact, RWD and light weight which should save me all sorts of head aches at the rear. Question is am I mad for even considering this let alone possibly offering this to others as a product? Any thoughts?

[Wadeski]

if you want it to looks like that....build it on a quad?

[davepoth]

Wadeski said:

if you want it to looks like that....build it on a quad?

That.You may need to chop the frame in two to lengthen it, but it would be a very good place to start.

[Talonmotorsport]

I did consider using a quad but given that we make kit car chassis it did seem like cheating some what, besides I'm not sure if quad parts would be up to the job of passing IVA or MSVA to get it on the road.

[Steffan]

Been into three wheelers for 50+ years. Built many such projects. Had two Messerschmidt cars and many Berkeley's, Lomax's and two Morgans and two BSA Scouts.

This could work well with a Kart base.

You will need to address wheelsize and ride height and devise an appropriate covering in Fibreglass or similar.

But this would be a LOT easier than creating your own complete chassis and fitting all the mechanics.

There are Karts about that claim to be Road Legal.

Every one I have seen has definitely NOT been road legal. But there are suppliers who at least understand the basics of MSVA or IVA and could very probably get close with a Kart project.

That would save you months of work.

Why not get a project off the ground based on a Kart that you can buy and set out to make this a road legal driver?

Fabricating a one off body is not that difficult and certainly easier than creating a completely new project. You can enlarge the engine etc once the concept exists.

Good luck with you efforts I think this could be a very worthwhile project.

[Talonmotorsport]

After having a few coffee break chats about this project we have come to the conclusion that trying to make this car small and on a purist theme is not going to appeal to many potential buyers. So instead we are moving in the same direction as the Mini,500 and the Beetle that use the retro styling from the original but build a contemporary version of it to suit the current car styles ie bigger wheels, chunky interiors and clean lines. The Smart car donor idea has been binned now we're not restricted in keeping to the purist sizes and looking in to using transverse FWD donor mounted at the back.

[Steffan]

Talonmotorsport said:

After having a few coffee break chats about this project we have come to the conclusion that trying to make this car small and on a purist theme is not going to appeal to many potential buyers. So instead we are moving in the same direction as the Mini,500 and the Beetle that use the retro styling from the original but build a contemporary version of it to suit the current car styles ie bigger wheels, chunky interiors and clean lines. The Smart car donor idea has been binned now we're not restricted in keeping to the purist sizes and looking in to using transverse FWD donor mounted at the back.

Interesting.

I have been involved with Kit Car manufacturers initially as an enthusiast back in the early 1960's and then as an Accountant after I graduated and qualified.

It does seem to me that there is a plethora of small drive trains you could consider. I would suggest the Nissan Micra set up (you are probably aware this was bought under licence as the old A series by Nissan years ago).

This would give you a unit with an excellent pedigree a good reliability record and is low enough to not cause problems. The small K series (NOT the 1800) is another and then there are probably thirty more about. And there are a lot of mechanically sound donors about.

As I have advised many other Kit Car Manufacturers this is essentially a non essential, high personal wealth, discreet market. The buyers are often real experts including former racing afficionados and so on.

In order to succeed it is essential to create a really good looking well received stylish body shape which attracts buyers. That is the first real stumbling block. Very few kits do this. The advent of the CKC project underlines the problem for manufacturers IMO.

Then you have to get a kit together which is preferably one donor, to avoid sourcing costs and heartache, which offers a really competitive, all in price AND allows a simple build without too many complex assemblies and a minimum of welding.

Then you have to ensure that the whole assembly can be got through IVA without too much difficulty. No mean task in itself.

Finally you have to be able to assemble manufacture and sell the kit at a price which attracts sufficient purchasers.

The last three projects I have reviewed have fallen down on at least one of these elements.

The problem is the very keen pricing of other kit car manufacturers.

One of these is to my knowledge offering a kit car complete and built and on the road for an all up price of less than 6500 INCLUDING the DONOR.

I could not build the car complete for that and there is the rub.

Better you should be aware of how good some of the competition are becoming.

I do NOT wish to put you off but it must be right to be aware of the level of competition when contemplating a new business.

I am heavily into Kit Cars and have been for 40+ years. I have built literally dozens over the years. I am currently working on seven and own five more in bits, unfinished, unstarted, whatever.

I wish you well in your efforts and hope your business plan is a success.

But I would research the market very carefully. I could not equal the efforts of the best of the existing manufacturers. And their cars are already on the market and selling in volume.

I sincerely hope you can. I admire your approach and hope you are successful.



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