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General chatter This is the place to talk about anything kit car related that doesn't come under any of the other categories |
3rd May 2006, 21:41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mapper
Do you not think the industry has strayed too far from it's roots, it used to be an alternative to scrapping a car with kn******d bodywork, putting ALL the good mechanicals into a new chassis/bodykit, a cheap replacement. Now it's bits from here and there at a premium, and, at the end albeit a decent product a pretty expensive one. Too expensive for a lot of folks. Perhaps it,s more single donor vehicle kits that are needed!!
Mark
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Think the nearest we will get to this in the future is Banham style kits - where an existing car is rebodied.
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4th May 2006, 07:48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kartman
Think the nearest we will get to this in the future is Banham style kits - where an existing car is rebodied.
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Car do last a fair bit longer these days before rusting away . . . .
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4th May 2006, 12:24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-Biker
Cars do last a fair bit longer these days before rusting away . . . .
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Which is one of the many problems that the Kit Car industry is facing; it would be good to turn this vice into a virtue.
Den.
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4th May 2006, 12:34
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Just thinking - there's plenty of people crashing their cars though.
Especially the likes of 106's & Saxo's.
Wonder if ther is a market for a kit based on one of these.
Most younger people are insured tpf&t, so are often left with a wreck with nothing to do with it.
A cheap kit based around the remains might work . . .
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4th May 2006, 17:21
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Didn't Robin Hood experiment with a Saxo based car - 'One-O-Sax' I believe?
This was a body kitted Saxo with a Rover turbo engine......but didn't get to the production stage.
Older cars, which remain structurally sound could provide a good, cheap base for a conversion.....as Kitcarman says turn this into a virtue.
Unfortunately the younger generation have a lack of mechanical ability, and if they were to smash their car up on TPF&T, they would just get a loan and buy another one....
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4th May 2006, 18:44
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You don't think a Saxo based kit would work then?
I'm not thinking a rebody now, more a plentiful, single donor vehicle.
What if 'younger generation man' smashed his car up, then instead of getting a loan for another one, he got a loan for a kit? Or better got a loan so a manufacterer could build his 'kit' from his old car?
If average 'younger generation man' spends £4k on his car and he could get a unique car for this cash, wouldn't he at least consider it?
This brings us to the point of bringing down the cost of a kit. After all how much does it cost for a piece of fibreglass?
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4th May 2006, 18:59
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A metro rebody, but it could be a peugeot 106 or saxo rebody,
http://www.356sports.co.uk/356_sport...er-gallery.htm
But in case you wanted to update the design of the 356 you wouldn't encounter design infringement laws.....
That is the old banham speedster conversion....
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4th May 2006, 19:10
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and the pricing for their more complete is very interesting:
Stage 2
GRP bodywork in grey gelcoat finish consisting of front and rear body halves, pair of double skinned doors, bootlid, engine cover and headlamp buckets - £1595
I could immagine a complete build for 4000 to 5000 P., maybe????, but if you updated the design a little you would have a very interesting speedster for the price of a lame hatchback!!
Maybe conversions could be one a solution....
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4th May 2006, 19:11
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I consider myself in the "younger generation" bracket as I'm 26, my brothers 22
I personally dont like max power cars, very few are tastefully done.
I started with no mechanical knowledge of cars other than the very basic pressure and fluid level checks. I decided to build a kit mainly for the experiance and then have a excellent weekend/summer car when its done. It also gives me a test bed to experiment with tuning when its done - nothing worse than having your daily driver on axel stands when you need it! Insurance also seems a bit more lenient towards power modifications and the whole thing is custom anyway!
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4th May 2006, 19:17
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4th May 2006, 19:21
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4th May 2006, 19:36
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4th May 2006, 19:55
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A fantastic looking Dakar 4x4 , Discovery conversion:
http://www.dakar4x4.me.uk/
great design and conversion, I'd like to have one
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4th May 2006, 20:52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-Biker
After all how much does it cost for a piece of fibreglass?
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Don't get me started!!!.......if it costs say £20K in time & materials to develop a body shell (a not unreasonable amount...) and you sell 50 (a good number) it will still be £400 per body in development costs.
Perhaps Kitcarman can give better detail on this....
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4th May 2006, 20:53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuoriserie
A metro rebody, but it could be a peugeot 106 or saxo rebody,
http://www.356sports.co.uk/356_sport...er-gallery.htm
But in case you wanted to update the design of the 356 you wouldn't encounter design infringement laws.....
That is the old banham speedster conversion....
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And the complete project was recently available on Ebay.....perhaps you could become a manufacturer Italio?
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4th May 2006, 21:11
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naaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not good with math !!!!!
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5th May 2006, 18:06
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Nice, but you would want to pay £1500 for the kit, Italio......
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7th May 2006, 11:20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kartman
Nice, but you would want to pay £1500 for the kit, Italio......
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If we were talking about £1500 on top of the car you have just written off being the total cost, then I think you'll find people who are interested.
If a kit company could offer 'Mr I've just written off my Saxo' driver a full kit build service inc the new kit for £2500 - £3000, I think they'd be on to a winner.
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7th May 2006, 16:28
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Can I refer you to my earlier post.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by kartman
Unfortunately the younger generation have a lack of mechanical ability, and if they were to smash their car up on TPF&T, they would just get a loan and buy another one....
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I think a 'Banham' style cheap kit is the future.....BUT.....I dont think this is the right target market....they want the car instantly, not spend a year building it.
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