Has anyone made there own kit car?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

There is probably an existing car that is close already...

Not really true. Consider the Locost: is there anything remotely like that on the market (except of course the Caterham Seven)? For that matter, how many 2-seat cars with decent performance are on the market for under - oh, say $40K? AFAIK, only the Miata.

Then we can get into the whole fuel economy thing, like for instance the Riley XR3, or what Jack is doing.

Then there's my own "dream machine", which might look like the lineal descendent of the Stutz Bearcat, designed to be able to travel on dirt roads without being a jacked-up Jeep or SUV.

[todayican]

Building one from scratch is hard, to be sure, but one of the most rewarding things I can imagine! Jack M is a REALLY helpful resource, Hi Jack by the way, weve spoken a time or two from the Lotus forums.

Here is one that I did a while back a hack of a CRX, Im on my 4th scratch build now, a diesel electric hybrid, I say if you want one you cant buy, build it!

There are people out there, me potentially, who will build you a relatively safe roller and you can build the body to your liking.

[nimblemotors]

Exactly, there are thousands of "kit cars" of all types and kinds already,
Unlikely there isn't one already that will suit someone needs.
Now that ATV thing, never seen anything like it.
While it looks aerodynamic, it probably isn't, a AVEO probably is better because its smaller!

As for OEM, there was the Plymouth Prowler, I see one for sale today
for $28k.
There is also the Chrysler Crossfire. The Honda Insight. The CRX.
The RX7.

If someone wants to build their own custom body, I would qualify that
as a "need" for a custom body. As I often say, if you want to build a sailboat, build one! If you want to go sailing, buy a sailboat.

Where is more details on the custom 3-wheel CRX, that looks cool!

btw, I am also another "Jack M"..

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Not really true. Consider the Locost: is there anything remotely like that on the market (except of course the Caterham Seven)? For that matter, how many 2-seat cars with decent performance are on the market for under - oh, say $40K? AFAIK, only the Miata.

Then we can get into the whole fuel economy thing, like for instance the Riley XR3, or what Jack is doing.

Then there's my own "dream machine", which might look like the lineal descendent of the Stutz Bearcat, designed to be able to travel on dirt roads without being a jacked-up Jeep or SUV.

[EcoBill]

Originally Posted by JackMcCornack

> I was wondering if anyone has designed there own kit car?

EcoBill, are you looking for a car kit that somebody else manufactures, or are you considering manufacturing a car kit for sale to the public, or are you thinking about building yourself a one-off custom car of your own design? I know "kit car" means different things to different people, sometimes it's just generic for not-a-factory-built-car, I'm not sure where you're headed here (and thus not sure how to answer) but I'm sure I'm loaded with opinions, whichever it is.

i would like to build one my own, make it sustainable as possible and "eco-friendly". Its pretty much for myself -- make it aerodynamic, make it have good mpg-use a renewable type of energy to power it...maybe a bio-diesel hybrid? or electric? and make a charge station, make it cheap to build and if ppl actual end up liking it, them possibly manufacture it in future


iv been seeing alot of 3 wheel designs and more flexiblity as far as designing and getting it on the road(since its considered a motorcycle)

[todayican]

Bill, I am building such a car (trike) and will be making its measurements etc available on this site once I know it works :-) just do a search for Belaero.

[hypermiler01]

I am building an epoxy fibreglass body for my Geo Metro with pink styrofoam for the core material.

Instead of a custom made bubble, I am using a standard small airplane bubble.

There is a lot of info out there on making composite bodies.

Here is a good project.
AutoSpeed - Building an Ultra Light-Weight Car, Part 1
AutoSpeed - Building an Ultra Light-Weight Car, Part 2


Volkswagen L1 is another great design.

[EcoBill]

Originally Posted by hypermiler01

I am building an epoxy fibreglass body for my Geo Metro with pink styrofoam for the core material.

Instead of a custom made bubble, I am using a standard small airplane bubble.

There is a lot of info out there on making composite bodies.

Here is a good project.


Volkswagen L1 is another great design.

do you have a thread on your fiberglass body your making? I would be interested in seeing the process

yea I saw that green car the Australian school made, pretty cool...glad to see a build from start to finish, helps me get a better understanding in whats involved.

Now that VW L1... is WOW, I really like the silver one. I would love to make something like that

[hypermiler01]

No, but I am taking pictures and will do a write-up when it's done. I am using pretty much the same method as the Aussies, except I am using all the steel structure from the Geo, with the outer body panels and roof cut off.

[BHarvey]

One I'd like to build that is labeled a 'kit' is an Ultima GTR, not for fuel mileage purposes though.

[hypermiler01]

Originally Posted by BHarvey

One I'd like to build that is labeled a 'kit' is an Ultima GTR, not for fuel mileage purposes though.

Build it with a Warp9 motor, Zilla controller, and a set of Lithium batteries!