Madabout Kitcars Forum - My mx5 based plug

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My mx5 based plug

Okay so im creating a new kit based on an mx5 donor. The kit will consist of a chassis and shell and then all the bits from an mx5.

Few shots of where we are at the moment. I will be changing a lot of the lines to create a totally new design.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2cpomeb.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/azaour.jpg

Nissan,Porsche,Tvr...looks good

Yep - looks good. As soon as the body sides get wider, does this give a problem with door hinge though? Unless doors remain narrow/gap to front wing ala TVR is retained won't there be a problem unless hinge line is moved out?

Why not go down the bond on panel route like the MX250?
Cheaper, No IVA etc and the MX5 chassis is pretty good.

He's already doing that!

Problem of keeping it as a bolt on kit is i dont think i can get the car low enough to work well with the new body. The car in the picture is sitting on wooden blocks to get it that low. If i can get it low enough to work with the body conversion i would consider making it a bolt on kit. My thoughts at the moment though are to make a complete shell and chassis. See below this is the height it currently sits at. I have seen 75mm lowering kits for the MX5 but still would not be enough.

http://i42.tinypic.com/149ujxs.jpg

Can't you change the body (wheel clearance esp) to suit? Surely it wouldn't be a big issue, and would retain the suspension as standard.

Think the car will sit to high then and wont look right. Have seen 100mm drop kits so may go down that route and then lower the body slightly.

a litlle rendering

I like it ,make it a bolt on Front and a glue on rear end with a simple
rollcage to prevent flex .I 'm interested.
Just put a few inches in the fender ,like in mine quick photoshop.

regards. theo

The back is fine, to be honest, the front is not!

Wheel spacers for cosmetic design purpose these are just to get the wheels in the correct place not for road use.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2s7jjf4.jpg

Thought i would get out and do some today while i have some spare time. I have decided that i will be making this a bolt on kit for the mx5. Rear end will be a one piece clamshell with a removable targa top. Front end will be a bonnet, front wings and nose cone section as one and door skins. The front end will use all the original wing mounting points and the bonnet will use the original hinge points. Few shots of todays work.

http://i61.tinypic.com/xc6ibb.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2vb8r45.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/dpei5w.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/az6gxx.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/rh3aqt.jpg

Like the door idea, only changing part of the original... you obviously like TVRs?

Gary. I do like TVR but when this is finished it will look nothing like a TVR. It will be a new kit not a replica of anything. Something new for the market.

Just inspired... very nice.

So opinions on keeping it as a convertible with a custom tonuea cover. I will also be able to use the coupe roof to make a fastback.
http://i60.tinypic.com/24gkksz.jpg

Few shots in the sunshine today as it needed a wash. Wheels are spaced out but think i may go another 10mm. I will now be able to work out the correct offsets for the wheels that will be going on when finished. obviously still needs to be lowered. Thinking coilovers 60mm drop and may need to bring the arches down a bit and then it should sit right.

http://i57.tinypic.com/25q697a.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/179vdx.jpg

Great looking project mate

Progress so far. Arches will be rebuilt lower

http://i58.tinypic.com/3322qyt.jpg

Really looking the part mate

This is really taking shape and great inspiration for my project mate. Well done

Have you made any more progress with this? I might be able to help you out with a production chassis that I looking in to again that makes use of MX5 subframes, it would also help replace those kits that use Herald and spitfire chassis to some degree.

Hi Phil

Working on it as much as possible. Here is a few shots.I would be very interested in a chassis. My aim has always been to build a shell and chassis and offer this as a complete new kit car rather than a body conversion. Drop me an email widowsportscars@yahoo.co.uk

http://i57.tinypic.com/33ubaip.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/2udzwy0.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2upr2fs.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2zixauw.jpg

good progress

looks like the original rear arches need chopping back for clearance?

Yes will do that once I have fitted coilovers in next few days. Then I can get the ride height all correct before rebuilding the arches lower.

Few shots of where it is. Currently working on the rear end at the moment. Should have some updates soon. Going to remove the roof hump and rebuild the arches last. Then go over the whole car doing final prep and ensure all lines are correct etc.

http://i60.tinypic.com/bhh92x.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2ntjwgp.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/15zilc5.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2v17ukn.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/mht56g.jpg

That's coming along surprisingly well. I like the rear view, which is quite original.
:icon_cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayneb1408 (Post 60868)

http://youtu.be/HZwcxCGB89I

That's a great shape, but possibly the worst name ever. Please tell me that is a joke.

No joke. Back to basics. Sort of a tvr style eventually with fiberglass shell and a chassis. A drivers car no gimmicks no thrills just powerful fun. Had an old 911 no abs no nothing and loved it.

Front end update. Just need to reshape bonnet slope and make lips on all the cut outs.
http://i59.tinypic.com/191dvn.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/21n1d12.jpg

Car now lowered and still has 90mm ground clearance from chassis rails to the ground. Rear tyres have been changed to 40 profile fronts will get that as well. So now i know the arches are filled out i can get on with finishing it and getting the moulds done.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2cprse9.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/1zq91lz.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/2yyqxd4.jpg

Hi guys and girls i know this is a lot to ask but please visit the link and help to get this project on the road and ready to market. This is a genuine plea and a genuine website. Your help is greatly appreciated and i hope to bring you the widow SPR1 kit very soon.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-as-a-donor-ve

Wayne - I've been following your project on & off for a while now.
So first things, first, you have shown some great bodywork skills to have reached this stage. :cool:
Whilst your design is not for me, I do wish you well and would like to give you some constructive feedback.

Please Note:
The written word can come across much stronger than the spoken one.
So I want to make it clear that I've not written this to attack you, or your build, in anyway.
I hope you find some of the following helpful, even if it seems quite harsh in places.

Hobby vs. Business:
- Do you intend making these kits to be a part time, or full time business?
- Either way, you need a business model that actually adds up, including the value of your time.
- My own build has become a "one off" design, but I wouldn't expect anyone else to fund my hobby.
- However, providing a sound investment opportunity is a different matter.

Kickstarter:
- I think this website seems more geared up to the hobby side of building your own "one off" dream car.
- Whereas, you are actually asking for business capital in return for a key ring & a name check on a website.
( How far do you think a pitch like that would get you on "Dragon's Den"? :eek:)
- Both your bio and the project description are littered with typos and mangled English.
( "...all the lighting is off the shelf product to keep build costs low for the end person." )
- You will never raise £15k sounding like a Nigerian scam artist. :icon_wink:
- Unfortunately, your fixed funding period also straddles Christmas, a time when most people do not have spare cash.

Kit Contents:
- I am still not sure what your final kit package will include.
- One magazine article mentions a roll bar, but that is not included in your list of parts on Kickstarter.
- Similarly, does the glass panel for the opening rear hatch form part of the kit too?
- Personally, I would like to see a detailed list of what is included and what needs to be bought separately.
- Listing some possible suppliers and the prices for your lighting, exhausts, etc. would also help.
( As clearly the back end of your car is built around a specific rear light cluster. )

USA Moulds:
- It appears you have not actually established an arrangement with a company in the US yet.
- In which case, I would strongly suggest you drop this idea all together at this time.
- I can imagine it would required a lot of work to manage a US agent while based in the UK.
( E.g. Production quality, sales audits, collecting royalties, protecting the moulds, etc. )
- To date, you haven't sold a single kit in the UK, so please don't try to run before you can walk.
- Expanding beyond your capacity is the road to ruin, especially in the kit car business.
- Hopefully one set of moulds for the UK would require less funding too.

UK Fabrication Company:
- Are you only using them on a one off basis to produce the moulds?
- Or are they also going to produce the actual kit panels going forward as well?
- In which case, how to you plan to operate/manage/control your business going forward?

Tribute Automotive:
- Your design is clearly different to Tribute's MX250, but the basic build principles appear to be the same.
- Their website is currently under construction, but it does shows what their kit includes.
http://www.tributeautomotive.com/mx250.html
- If your final kit price is going to be significantly higher, I'd want to know what the extra money was paying for.
- Especially if you manage to have your capital investment funded via Kickstarter.
( As Tribute's kit price includes an element to cover the time & money they invested in developing their kit. )

Anyway, rather than keep banging on, that is more than enough from me. :rolleyes:

And, as I often say on my own build, "What do I know?".

Good luck, Paul. :)

Wayne - It appears that my last reply has stopped this build thread in its tracks. :icon_sad:

I'm sorry if it didn't come across the way I intended it to, as I was genuinely trying to help.

Personally, I know a lot about accounting, including business cases, but very little about car building. :rolleyes:
Therefore I have drawn on the car building experiences of others to help me with my project.
( E.g. Great feedback on potential problems with my planned grille resulted in a change of design yesterday. )

Whereas, you appear to know a lot about car building, but not as much about the business side of things.
So all I can do is simply suggest you get some help with these areas from other people who do.

Because when you are using your own money, you are free to do whatever you want with your project.
However, if you want to use other people's money, then you must make it worth their while to invest.

Good luck, Paul. :)

Few updates. Rear lower bumper spoiler diffuser still needs blending. Front spoiler lip.

http://i62.tinypic.com/dnd0s5.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/nlvpcz.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/9hnvrr.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/16bg37o.jpg