"Let's Test The Water"
Discussion
“LETS TEST THE WATER” - I've been out of the kit car market for some 20 years, and now having overcome the time consuming task and considerable expense of raising children I find myself with the time and money to once again indulge my passion in building kit cars. I have long been an advocate of Colin Chapman's - Lotus 7 and have both owned and built several of its kit car derivatives in my youth. It is with this history in mind that on my return to the market I was astounded to find that not that much had changed and that manufactures were still offering to market similar looking derivatives based on old technology donor cars. 25 years ago I can remember the kit car industry being in the forefront of automotive technology, introducing fibreglass mono cock chassis while mainstream producers had only just left the security of ladder chassis. With this in mind I set out to find something new, innovative and fresh looking but easy and cheep to build.
To cut a long story short I have decided to embark on building a MEV Sonic7 which I feel is in many ways, is the modern day successor to the various 7 copy's on the market today. While I realise that this view maybe somewhat provocative, I am interested to 'test the water' and hear what other builders and kit car owners think of my choice.
To cut a long story short I have decided to embark on building a MEV Sonic7 which I feel is in many ways, is the modern day successor to the various 7 copy's on the market today. While I realise that this view maybe somewhat provocative, I am interested to 'test the water' and hear what other builders and kit car owners think of my choice.
I like it a lot and think that Stuart has some really good ideas with his products - and he is a bloody nice bloke as well which always helps!
As a manufacturer it is always interesting to see what fires peoples imagination and I think that the ingredients in the Sonic are superb, namely a fresh take on a theme which has been nicely executed combined with readily available and cost effective donor parts.
I suspect that Stuart will do really well with this one and I wish you all the best with your build.
Neil.
As a manufacturer it is always interesting to see what fires peoples imagination and I think that the ingredients in the Sonic are superb, namely a fresh take on a theme which has been nicely executed combined with readily available and cost effective donor parts.
I suspect that Stuart will do really well with this one and I wish you all the best with your build.
Neil.
I'm sure that you will have a lot of fun building it; I'll be suprised if you don't have a few Damn & Blasts along the way as well.
The milestones of the first engine start up, the first illegal run up the road, SVA, and registration; will all be enjoyed for some time after the actual events.
You will, I have no doubt, also get used to remembering to take off the silly grin every time you step out of the car at the end of a run!
Enjoy your car, I'm sure it will be a great experience. I'm very, very glad I built mine.
The milestones of the first engine start up, the first illegal run up the road, SVA, and registration; will all be enjoyed for some time after the actual events.
You will, I have no doubt, also get used to remembering to take off the silly grin every time you step out of the car at the end of a run!
Enjoy your car, I'm sure it will be a great experience. I'm very, very glad I built mine.
antnicuk said:
i have not heard of it, it maybe useful to provide some links, pictures and specification of your build/ideas
Here's a couple
I really like it it's a breath of fresh air in my books and I think it's one of the best looking cars MEV have brought out to date. Stuart's also got some interesting ideas for options on it too, I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you about the Sonic at the Exeter show
Edited by qdos on Wednesday 12th November 08:50
I believe that Mev has updated the Seven concept with a modern design, and the Sonic7 has an appealing trait for me, it looks simple to build, and most important in this period, a very competive build price.
I think yuor choice is an excellent one, if you wanted to have a modern and simple seven for the year 2009.
I believe this new trend started with the CC Cyclone and later with the Sylva Mojo, creating a new niche of modern mid-engine seven inspired sportscars.
A few others have folowed like Onyx with the Mongoose, and now new models have been added in the last few years by Mev.
In my opinion this niche will increase in the future, as modern front wheel drive engines are plentyful and cheap, and customers are looking for something different from the classic Seven, that will still have it's great appeal, but will have to share it with newcomers like the Sonic7 and others.
Looking forward to your build blog, and post as many pictures you can.
Cheers
Italo
I think yuor choice is an excellent one, if you wanted to have a modern and simple seven for the year 2009.
I believe this new trend started with the CC Cyclone and later with the Sylva Mojo, creating a new niche of modern mid-engine seven inspired sportscars.
A few others have folowed like Onyx with the Mongoose, and now new models have been added in the last few years by Mev.
In my opinion this niche will increase in the future, as modern front wheel drive engines are plentyful and cheap, and customers are looking for something different from the classic Seven, that will still have it's great appeal, but will have to share it with newcomers like the Sonic7 and others.
Looking forward to your build blog, and post as many pictures you can.
Cheers
Italo
Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 12th November 15:53
Thanx for your kind words gents.
Just loading a Sonic7 for the MPH show at the NEC this weekend. Will also have a customers Sonic7 kit on show at Exeter.This weekends Exeter show is also the last chance to see our Etrike demonstrator as it will go to Belgium from the show on Sunday.(small 2 seater electric vehicle coming into my head at the mo). Please come and say hello in Exeter. Regards Stuart
Just loading a Sonic7 for the MPH show at the NEC this weekend. Will also have a customers Sonic7 kit on show at Exeter.This weekends Exeter show is also the last chance to see our Etrike demonstrator as it will go to Belgium from the show on Sunday.(small 2 seater electric vehicle coming into my head at the mo). Please come and say hello in Exeter. Regards Stuart
>manufactures were still offering to market similar looking derivatives based on old technology donor cars.
I really like the lines of the sonic and how it uses a front wheel drive donor so neatly in the rear.
Surprised to see it using cortina hubs, will there come a time when there are no cortinas left ?
Scooby
I really like the lines of the sonic and how it uses a front wheel drive donor so neatly in the rear.
Surprised to see it using cortina hubs, will there come a time when there are no cortinas left ?
Scooby
Lets hope not, the Op described it as "modern day successor"
I agree we need one, but surely it has to be very special to be around in another 20 years. I accept aftermarket hubs etc will still be made. But doesn't the kit car industry need a long lasting design that can be built on and made individual. That sources its part from current vehicles ?
They seem to have sorted getting the front wheel drive into the rear of the car (which idea presumably will transfer to other designs) and then gone down the tried and tested idea of cortina fronts. I'm not knocking the car, I'm questioning if this is the right way forward.
Scooby.
I agree we need one, but surely it has to be very special to be around in another 20 years. I accept aftermarket hubs etc will still be made. But doesn't the kit car industry need a long lasting design that can be built on and made individual. That sources its part from current vehicles ?
They seem to have sorted getting the front wheel drive into the rear of the car (which idea presumably will transfer to other designs) and then gone down the tried and tested idea of cortina fronts. I'm not knocking the car, I'm questioning if this is the right way forward.
Scooby.
Scooby The Dog said:
Lets hope not, the Op described it as "modern day successor"
I agree we need one, but surely it has to be very special to be around in another 20 years. I accept aftermarket hubs etc will still be made. But doesn't the kit car industry need a long lasting design that can be built on and made individual. That sources its part from current vehicles ?
They seem to have sorted getting the front wheel drive into the rear of the car (which idea presumably will transfer to other designs) and then gone down the tried and tested idea of cortina fronts. I'm not knocking the car, I'm questioning if this is the right way forward.
Scooby.
Remember that this is the MK1 Sonic7, I'm sure you remenber the mk1 Lotus seven of 1957 is completely different from what we see today on the roads, or have seen in the last 10yrs.I agree we need one, but surely it has to be very special to be around in another 20 years. I accept aftermarket hubs etc will still be made. But doesn't the kit car industry need a long lasting design that can be built on and made individual. That sources its part from current vehicles ?
They seem to have sorted getting the front wheel drive into the rear of the car (which idea presumably will transfer to other designs) and then gone down the tried and tested idea of cortina fronts. I'm not knocking the car, I'm questioning if this is the right way forward.
Scooby.
I don't believe most new sportscars today will be around in 20yrs time, let alone the current crop of designs.....
Modern technology in 20yrs time will be different, and we could see hybrid and electric sportscars, that would resemble very little what you see today.
I'm sure long lasting designs of the future in the kitcar industry are going to be related to variations of the exo-skeleton concept, but with more bodywork, but I can't see further in the future than the next 3-4 yrs, that means 2012-3....by 2029 I will be in a classic Morgan....
Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 14th November 13:56
In terms of a more modern donor car in a 7 Westfield do an MX5 based version. Now obviously a design that can take a FWD doner engine and transmission gives many more power plant options (and more powerfull ones). But I just thought I'd throw it into the mix as a part evolution of getting the 7s to more modern/available donors.
fuoriserie said:
I'm sure long lasting designs of the future in the kitcar industry are going to be related to variations of the exo-skeleton concept, but with more bodywork, but I can't see further in the future than the next 3-4 yrs, that means 2012-3....by 2029 I will be in a classic Morgan....
I think your probably right, I would have liked to see the rocket developed more, Edited by fuoriserie on Friday 14th November 13:56
From above the chassis has an oval shape to it, directly from the front, the shape changes to pointy (non technical term),
Scooby
I would have thought that making a mid engined car with a front wheel drive engine and gearbox is going to be fraught with difficulties unless you are someone like Lotus or Prodrive etc? Inevitably to line up the driveshafts means having to position the engine over the rear axle and carry alot of weight outside the wheelbase, with resultant dodgy handling. I am not that technical but I think the engineers call it something like Polar Moment of Inertia?
I would therefore conclude that staying away from this configuration is a good policy if you want a satisfying and drivable car. From the road tests I have read even the X-Bow has very floored handling.
Suppose if you just want to pose it doesnt matter?
I would therefore conclude that staying away from this configuration is a good policy if you want a satisfying and drivable car. From the road tests I have read even the X-Bow has very floored handling.
Suppose if you just want to pose it doesnt matter?
I'm not sure I follow you - in my Aeon, the driveshafts exit the engine behind the engine, because the engine is slightly offset from the gearbox centreline. Okay, the wheels are a little bit forward of where they exit the gearbox (which does move things around a bit).
This is about the best picture I have - the engine is a fair bit forward of the driveshaft couplings, so most of the weight is in front of the gearbox, but with the wheels a little forward, it's much more central.
http://aeon.tribbeck.com/43/DSCF1158.JPG
Not sure why you think a lot of the weight it outside the wheelbase.
This is about the best picture I have - the engine is a fair bit forward of the driveshaft couplings, so most of the weight is in front of the gearbox, but with the wheels a little forward, it's much more central.
http://aeon.tribbeck.com/43/DSCF1158.JPG
Not sure why you think a lot of the weight it outside the wheelbase.
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