MODULAR KIT CAR
Discussion
Had an idea last night and it kept me awake which is usually a good sign.
Take a 2 seater mid engined rolling chassis with 4 cycle wings.
Then add left and right side body panels.
Have 2 options for bonnet and boot panels.
Next add a screen option or fly screen.
Then add a hard top or soft top.
Next have rear bolt on wings that flow with the body lines.
Then offer the same for the front.
A front and rear spoiler option maybe.
Oh and the engine options i.e Mundaneo 2.0 or V6.
Trying to offer too many options may well weaken the overall design as there maybe compromises.
There would be a cost advantage however in that you could buy as much or as little as you want and then go back for more. Using complementing GRP colour options on the various panels would be useful and if you get bored then you could completely change the car for a relatively small outlay.
Now then, what do you chaps think?
Take a 2 seater mid engined rolling chassis with 4 cycle wings.
Then add left and right side body panels.
Have 2 options for bonnet and boot panels.
Next add a screen option or fly screen.
Then add a hard top or soft top.
Next have rear bolt on wings that flow with the body lines.
Then offer the same for the front.
A front and rear spoiler option maybe.
Oh and the engine options i.e Mundaneo 2.0 or V6.
Trying to offer too many options may well weaken the overall design as there maybe compromises.
There would be a cost advantage however in that you could buy as much or as little as you want and then go back for more. Using complementing GRP colour options on the various panels would be useful and if you get bored then you could completely change the car for a relatively small outlay.
Now then, what do you chaps think?
stig mills said:
Had an idea last night and it kept me awake which is usually a good sign.
Take a 2 seater mid engined rolling chassis with 4 cycle wings.
Then add left and right side body panels.
Have 2 options for bonnet and boot panels.
Next add a screen option or fly screen.
Then add a hard top or soft top.
Next have rear bolt on wings that flow with the body lines.
Then offer the same for the front.
A front and rear spoiler option maybe.
Oh and the engine options i.e Mundaneo 2.0 or V6.
Trying to offer too many options may well weaken the overall design as there maybe compromises.
There would be a cost advantage however in that you could buy as much or as little as you want and then go back for more. Using complementing GRP colour options on the various panels would be useful and if you get bored then you could completely change the car for a relatively small outlay.
Now then, what do you chaps think?
Hi Stuart,Take a 2 seater mid engined rolling chassis with 4 cycle wings.
Then add left and right side body panels.
Have 2 options for bonnet and boot panels.
Next add a screen option or fly screen.
Then add a hard top or soft top.
Next have rear bolt on wings that flow with the body lines.
Then offer the same for the front.
A front and rear spoiler option maybe.
Oh and the engine options i.e Mundaneo 2.0 or V6.
Trying to offer too many options may well weaken the overall design as there maybe compromises.
There would be a cost advantage however in that you could buy as much or as little as you want and then go back for more. Using complementing GRP colour options on the various panels would be useful and if you get bored then you could completely change the car for a relatively small outlay.
Now then, what do you chaps think?
It's what I've always thought kitcar manufacturers should have considered !
Create a complete rolling chassis for sale, and supply it to various kitcar manufacturers to have them create their bespoke/custom made body.
You could have your bespoke design on this chassis, but also sell it to others.
This is what FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, used to do with their chassis platform in the 60's, and have all the smaller Italian specialist manufacturers use it. You could create a new niche by supplying your chassis for sale to others, and for your own projects.
Let's say a Fiat 500 or 600 chassis, on what to base their body design, and everyone tried for different designs, coupe roadsters, dune buggies and so on...
I have a few pictures....
for the complete list of Fiat 500 designs from italian specialist companies in the 60's.....
http://www.fiat500classics.co.uk/Fiat%20500%20Mode...
http://www.fiat500classics.co.uk/Fiat%20500%20Mode...
B19GRR said:
Oh noooooooooo!! I quite like that green froggy thing 
Erm, back to topic, sounds like a decent enough idea.
Cheers,
Rob
Rob,Erm, back to topic, sounds like a decent enough idea.
Cheers,
Rob
The green froggy thing was a one-off bespoke design, created by Ercole Spada, the Zagato designer of the 60's, to his credits, Aston Martin GTZ, Alfa Romeo TZ1-2, Lancia Fulvia Zagato, and more.....
It was his personal project, built in his garage on weekends, using a Fiat 500 chassis...1970.
fuoriserie said:
Create a complete rolling chassis for sale, and supply it to various kitcar manufacturers to have them create their bespoke/custom made body.
You could have your bespoke design on this chassis, but also sell it to others.
I have a feeling that with the IVA, this may happen - if they need to calculate what the allowable engine power is for the chassis, then that'll require someone with that expertise (probably with computer modelling). MIRA springs to mind as one organisation who'll be able to do that.You could have your bespoke design on this chassis, but also sell it to others.
This almost certainly won't be cheap - which means you'll probably find a single chassis being used by multiple different body styles (possibly even shared between vendors) in order to keep costs down.
tribbles said:
fuoriserie said:
Create a complete rolling chassis for sale, and supply it to various kitcar manufacturers to have them create their bespoke/custom made body.
You could have your bespoke design on this chassis, but also sell it to others.
This almost certainly won't be cheap - which means you'll probably find a single chassis being used by multiple different body styles (possibly even shared between vendors) in order to keep costs down.You could have your bespoke design on this chassis, but also sell it to others.
Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 10th March 15:46
fuoriserie said:
Rob,
The green froggy thing was a one-off bespoke design, created by Ercole Spada, the Zagato designer of the 60's, to his credits, Aston Martin GTZ, Alfa Romeo TZ1-2, Lancia Fulvia Zagato, and more.....
It was his personal project, built in his garage on weekends, using a Fiat 500 chassis...1970.
Ah well, that makes me feel better. My quality-o-meter is clearly working fine The green froggy thing was a one-off bespoke design, created by Ercole Spada, the Zagato designer of the 60's, to his credits, Aston Martin GTZ, Alfa Romeo TZ1-2, Lancia Fulvia Zagato, and more.....
It was his personal project, built in his garage on weekends, using a Fiat 500 chassis...1970.
Thanks for the info Italo!
Cheers,
Rob
I think that you guys might be missing Stuarts point slightly, although I do happen to agree about the idea of shared platforms within the industry being a very good one and one which the kit car market should embrace. After all the OEM's have been openly doing this for a long time.
Back to thread, I believe that what Stuart is saying is this;-
A manufacturer designs a kit car with minimalistic bodywork (think perhaps of the MEV Rocket as an example). This kit sells for £x with a chassis which is designed to look good when exposed.
However as well as the minimalist bodywork the manufacturer also develops a more complete and enveloping bodystyle that incorporates the minimalist bodywork from the basic kit.
This may include further body panels, an added windscreen, roof etc which has the potential to transform the way the car looks overall but still using those original panels which you bought when getting the basic car in the first place. These extra panels are offered in several further stages.
In this way you start off with a minimal outlay of £x - keep the cost down by building a toy with minimal bodywork. Then as budget allows you can buy more bodywork over time for £y/z which will work in stages to create a very different vehicle.
It would perhaps look like this (again think Rocket/Storm/7 for inspiration);-
Stage 1 £x, all components required for build including minimal bodywork
Stage 2 £y, extra side panels, rear valance/bodywork and interior trim panels
Stage 3 £z, windscreen surround, roof and side door/window
So, end up changing the way your car looks over time by buying add ons which combine together at every stage to always look like a finished product even if you are only at stage 1, or 2, or 3 of a complete bodywork set.
If I have grasped his concept correctly with this I have to say I think it is a cracking idea. A big frustration with current modular kits is that you can not use the car until you have bought everything, with this you could be on the road enjoying your car with no real drawbacks and the future modules are simply improvements to what you already have. Brilliant.
Neil.
Back to thread, I believe that what Stuart is saying is this;-
A manufacturer designs a kit car with minimalistic bodywork (think perhaps of the MEV Rocket as an example). This kit sells for £x with a chassis which is designed to look good when exposed.
However as well as the minimalist bodywork the manufacturer also develops a more complete and enveloping bodystyle that incorporates the minimalist bodywork from the basic kit.
This may include further body panels, an added windscreen, roof etc which has the potential to transform the way the car looks overall but still using those original panels which you bought when getting the basic car in the first place. These extra panels are offered in several further stages.
In this way you start off with a minimal outlay of £x - keep the cost down by building a toy with minimal bodywork. Then as budget allows you can buy more bodywork over time for £y/z which will work in stages to create a very different vehicle.
It would perhaps look like this (again think Rocket/Storm/7 for inspiration);-
Stage 1 £x, all components required for build including minimal bodywork
Stage 2 £y, extra side panels, rear valance/bodywork and interior trim panels
Stage 3 £z, windscreen surround, roof and side door/window
So, end up changing the way your car looks over time by buying add ons which combine together at every stage to always look like a finished product even if you are only at stage 1, or 2, or 3 of a complete bodywork set.
If I have grasped his concept correctly with this I have to say I think it is a cracking idea. A big frustration with current modular kits is that you can not use the car until you have bought everything, with this you could be on the road enjoying your car with no real drawbacks and the future modules are simply improvements to what you already have. Brilliant.
Neil.
Hi, I had in mind a new kit, a modern car, not a mod on something already out there but a fresh start on a blank sheet of paper.
It's easier to picture a modular car when we conider the 7 which has long been offered with various wings, roofs, screens and lights.
What about a new version along the same lines, not retro in my opinion.
Am I trying too cater for too many tastes in one single product or is there real potential here to come up with a kit thats so versatile it could appeal to a wide audience.
I cant quite imagine a body designed for cycle wings having a full wing fitted as an option but I guess the stylists could find a solution.
I reckon its all possible. I've already started a chassis.
It's easier to picture a modular car when we conider the 7 which has long been offered with various wings, roofs, screens and lights.
What about a new version along the same lines, not retro in my opinion.
Am I trying too cater for too many tastes in one single product or is there real potential here to come up with a kit thats so versatile it could appeal to a wide audience.
I cant quite imagine a body designed for cycle wings having a full wing fitted as an option but I guess the stylists could find a solution.
I reckon its all possible. I've already started a chassis.
stig mills said:
Hi, I had in mind a new kit, a modern car, not a mod on something already out there but a fresh start on a blank sheet of paper.
It's easier to picture a modular car when we conider the 7 which has long been offered with various wings, roofs, screens and lights.
What about a new version along the same lines, not retro in my opinion.
Am I trying too cater for too many tastes in one single product or is there real potential here to come up with a kit thats so versatile it could appeal to a wide audience.
I cant quite imagine a body designed for cycle wings having a full wing fitted as an option but I guess the stylists could find a solution.
I reckon its all possible. I've already started a chassis.
Stuart, is this project going to be a front engined rear drive or a mid-engine concept?.......I would leave the full wing just for racing cars....It's easier to picture a modular car when we conider the 7 which has long been offered with various wings, roofs, screens and lights.
What about a new version along the same lines, not retro in my opinion.
Am I trying too cater for too many tastes in one single product or is there real potential here to come up with a kit thats so versatile it could appeal to a wide audience.
I cant quite imagine a body designed for cycle wings having a full wing fitted as an option but I guess the stylists could find a solution.
I reckon its all possible. I've already started a chassis.
I believe focused niches have better results in a fragmented car market, in fact trackday cars have flourished in the last 5-7yrs, and this has been the latest niche to be discovered by the kitcar-specialist manufacturers........where is the next niche for the year 2010-12?
A wild guess would put me into. electric or hybrid light sportscars, with modern or retro designs, but with smaller 1.2 -1.4-1.6lt. hi-tech engines with better fuel consumption. A few V8 engines will survive for the happy few, but most of us, will not be able to afford kits of that nature.
In the years to come oil prices will determine the future of the car industry, and to a lesser extent, also the kitcar industry.
If kitcar manufacturers want to survive in a fast changing global economy, alternative thinking is needed, and your concept makes sense, as long as it fills a potential need, just like trackdays are doing today..
Future needs, maybe more environmentally conscious vehicles, but that have a bespoke and unique design.......
That is my personal vision....
Italo
Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 11th March 08:56
Hi Italo, thanx for your comments.
I was thinking of a car engined 2 seater. My experience with the Focus engines and being able to sell all the unwanted bits leads me to the Focus as a donor.
In terms of wings I meant car style wings (not an aerofoil) so the modular car could look like an Atom or an Elise. I prefer mid engined layouts.
Would you consider doing a sketch along these lines? I know you like a challenge.
It maybe better to miss out the first option of "no body" and present a car with a minimal body that can have all the extras added on.
I would like to build a prototype. Regards Stuart
I was thinking of a car engined 2 seater. My experience with the Focus engines and being able to sell all the unwanted bits leads me to the Focus as a donor.
In terms of wings I meant car style wings (not an aerofoil) so the modular car could look like an Atom or an Elise. I prefer mid engined layouts.
Would you consider doing a sketch along these lines? I know you like a challenge.
It maybe better to miss out the first option of "no body" and present a car with a minimal body that can have all the extras added on.
I would like to build a prototype. Regards Stuart
stig mills said:
Hi Italo, thanx for your comments.
I was thinking of a car engined 2 seater. My experience with the Focus engines and being able to sell all the unwanted bits leads me to the Focus as a donor.
In terms of wings I meant car style wings (not an aerofoil) so the modular car could look like an Atom or an Elise. I prefer mid engined layouts.
Would you consider doing a sketch along these lines? I know you like a challenge.
It maybe better to miss out the first option of "no body" and present a car with a minimal body that can have all the extras added on.
I would like to build a prototype. Regards Stuart
Stuart,I was thinking of a car engined 2 seater. My experience with the Focus engines and being able to sell all the unwanted bits leads me to the Focus as a donor.
In terms of wings I meant car style wings (not an aerofoil) so the modular car could look like an Atom or an Elise. I prefer mid engined layouts.
Would you consider doing a sketch along these lines? I know you like a challenge.
It maybe better to miss out the first option of "no body" and present a car with a minimal body that can have all the extras added on.
I would like to build a prototype. Regards Stuart
Can't promise anything....but the project is really interesting.......
Italo
Ken Okuyama has just released exactly what Stig is proposing.
http://www.cardesignnews.com/site/home/auto_shows/...
http://www.cardesignnews.com/site/home/auto_shows/...
I did see them here:
http://www.kenokuyamacars.com
I like them both,Ken while at pininfarna, did a similar design for DALLARA, (working for KTM on the X-bow now......) but they look too expensive in my opinion, for a small kitcar manufacture to sell at competitive prices.
These are very high end track toys for the well heeled .... but would love to see something similar for the masses....
Italo
http://www.kenokuyamacars.com
I like them both,Ken while at pininfarna, did a similar design for DALLARA, (working for KTM on the X-bow now......) but they look too expensive in my opinion, for a small kitcar manufacture to sell at competitive prices.
These are very high end track toys for the well heeled .... but would love to see something similar for the masses....
Italo
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 13th March 13:36
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