Woah! The Colani GT returns...

[smash]

Browsing and found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ribble-Colani-GT-Kit-car...

Love it! Luigi Colani's take on sports car design reborn

[poprock]

That’s really rather lovely. I wonder how much performance/handling you could squeeze out of a simple Beetle chassis under that bodyshell …

[ugg10]

Just add a Scooby STI engine (or 911 engine) to the back end and light the blue fuse !!

[smash]

And admire the spinning scenery when you lift off in the first corner, lol!

Joking - I know they can be made to handle

[TheLastPost]

That looks like it was designed by Peter Pellandine on a bad acid trip!

The nose, in particular, is very reminiscent of the Kudos version of the Pelland Coupe.

I'm not sure how they can claim it has been 'accepted as the worlds first kit car' in 1960 when companies like Ashley Laminates (founded by Peter Pellandine whilst not on acid, incidentally) and Lotus had been selling kits and bodyshell conversions for Austin Sevens and Ford Pops since the mid 1950's.

[rdodger]

Wasn't there an Alfa based Coupe version of that in the early 90's?

[rdodger]

A respray in pink and Heyelp! Heyelp! It's Penelope Pitstop!

[Skyedriver]

TheLastPost said:

The nose, in particular, is very reminiscent of the Kudos version of the Pelland Coupe.

That required an axle stand to support it too?

[ugg10]

Not penelope pitstop - pink panther !

[TheLastPost]

rdodger said:

Wasn't there an Alfa based Coupe version of that in the early 90's?

Yes, it's the Alfa coupe I'm referring to. There was also a steam powered version.

[smash]

Looks more like Peter Pellandine was influenced by the Colani to be fair...

[TheLastPost]

smash said:

Looks more like Peter Pellandine was influenced by the Colani to be fair...

Yes, quite possibly. He made a (slightly) better job of it than Colani, mind you - but then I've never been much of a fan of Colani's designs.

[RochdaleGT]

does aybody know where those body-moulds suddenly came up? as i understand the havent made the moulds themsevles?

the original Colani had a vey thick and sturdy body (similar to fibreglass boats). does anybody know if this re-launch comes with the same feature?

[andrew tolley]

that is well ugly, a reminder of how bad the early kits were.

[Andyp57]

Hi. By way of introduction, I'm Andy Powell of Ribble Kits and Classics and it's good to see the Colani GT getting some attention. It was always going to be somewhat controversial, a Marmite project if you will, but I'll answer any questions you field on this forum. The first I notice was about the rigidity of the shell. We intend making the body tub as rigid as the original (It is seriously well built) but we will be slightly lightening the front and rear 'covers' as they do not need to be as heavy as the original (They are so heavy on the original that they are near impractical and make for hard work holding them open with no benefit when closed). Of course if a customer specifies a 'lightweight' shell, we can accommodate throughout.

[Andyp57]

Hi Rochdale. The moulds were made by us here in Leyland based on an unfinished project we sourced from Utrecht from a very nice guy who had to give up due to ill health. We've also now got jigs made for front and rear frames which are fabricated in Steel to support the engine cover and bonnet hinge respectively.

[RochdaleGT]

thats interesting....but it seems that there is another company owning (orginal??) colani moulds...as from time to time (in the past years) newish looking bodies popped up for sale around the www

[Andyp57]

Now she looks so much better than the 'Batmobile Black'. Made quite an impact at the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show.

[Dave Brookes]

No suspension travel with make for an interesting ride!!!

[AndyP85]

The Crack Fox said:

Sweet Jesus ! That looks bloody awful !

How do you mean!?