[fatman57]

i'm liking this car - homogenous design with no exposed front wheels should give the aerodynamics a good boost.

have you combined the radiator vents at the front and side with the wheel wells or is it separate?

even better is a different/more experimental drive train to boot! I also agree with at least 2 seats at the front (much more sociable and better for couples).

In terms of finding investors it can be tricky - i know of a few horror stories esp. if the people making the thing don't pull through (and the guy is like 'where is my money!'). Many investors won't touch a project until they have something solid they can see, they are not going to put money on something for the love of it - if they are well accomplished business men they will easily want to make a fast return which might not be something being offered right now.

car shows etc is a great way to start, whats for sure is you can start gettin your money back by driving the thing! it will also attract attention in the street, a very good way of getting the word around.

as for patents i'm up for discussing this further if anyone else is - i think most people who are educated in the art could see how a thing works and even duplicate it to get around a patent so in that respect a patent is worth very little except if someone wants to buy you out, for example. I am speaking from limited experience but I would voice a concern over the possible limits/downfalls of a patent even if you manage to get one.