"kit Idol" .....idea for KC Man?
Discussion
Hi there, hows this for an idea? "Kit idol", a leading kitcar mag or website does a questionaire to find out what spec/ features / design / build / price ideas people want from a new kit.
This info is then compiled and these ideas based on popularity are then put forward to design students (like the uni that did the toniq R) who have to come up with a design that matches the criteria (we were always looking for projects when I was at college).
The final designs are then put up for a public vote in said mag and then hopefully the industry would A) realise what people really want, and B) possibly build that car as they have a ready market.
An interesting insight into what the public really want, a challenge for the students, and lots of free market research for manufacturers so we all get the cars we want...not just another 7 copy, or cobra, etc etc
This info is then compiled and these ideas based on popularity are then put forward to design students (like the uni that did the toniq R) who have to come up with a design that matches the criteria (we were always looking for projects when I was at college).
The final designs are then put up for a public vote in said mag and then hopefully the industry would A) realise what people really want, and B) possibly build that car as they have a ready market.
An interesting insight into what the public really want, a challenge for the students, and lots of free market research for manufacturers so we all get the cars we want...not just another 7 copy, or cobra, etc etc
It looks like I'll be looking at a seven for my next car if I get the Spartan finished. It'd certainly be interesting. I'd question whether the result would actually be as desirable as it would first seem though. What if 1/3 say they want an Ultima style, 1/3 7 and 1/3 Cobra. The result might statistically satisfy the requirements, but I doubt anyone would buy the end product. Sort of "design by commitee" on a huge scale. 
It'd certainly make for interesting reading though, get to see some ideas from up and coming designers and making the raw results available to the manufacturers could sway their thinking...
It'd certainly make for interesting reading though, get to see some ideas from up and coming designers and making the raw results available to the manufacturers could sway their thinking...
Although SPD have come up with the Snake which is 7 at the front and Cobra at the back, so it could work. This does ignore the Ultima part of the design brief though.
www.sportspowerdrive.com/
I've wondered whether someone could take a mid engined chassis (Sylva Mojo2/Marlin 5exi/Shelsey T2/etc) and produce other bodyshells to fit, eg: current Porsche 911/boxster, RS200, Lotus M250 and other rear engined sportscars.
It would be a 'simple' way of meeting the demand for all those cars, but I would guess that the expense in setting up the moulds for each model could take too much expense to be worthwhile.
What do you all reckon
if any manufacturers read this then you are welcome to my idea in exchange for a completed M250 replica
www.sportspowerdrive.com/
I've wondered whether someone could take a mid engined chassis (Sylva Mojo2/Marlin 5exi/Shelsey T2/etc) and produce other bodyshells to fit, eg: current Porsche 911/boxster, RS200, Lotus M250 and other rear engined sportscars.
It would be a 'simple' way of meeting the demand for all those cars, but I would guess that the expense in setting up the moulds for each model could take too much expense to be worthwhile.
What do you all reckon
if any manufacturers read this then you are welcome to my idea in exchange for a completed M250 replica
peetbee said:
I've wondered whether someone could take a mid engined chassis (Sylva Mojo2/Marlin 5exi/Shelsey T2/etc) and produce other bodyshells to fit, eg: current Porsche 911/boxster, RS200, Lotus M250 and other rear engined sportscars.
It would be a 'simple' way of meeting the demand for all those cars, but I would guess that the expense in setting up the moulds for each model could take too much expense to be worthwhile.
What do you all reckon
I bet a kit car company could do this.
eg. the Marlin 5Exi is as you say mid engined and even excepts the 1.8 vvc 'K' series engine and so already has some similarity with the Lotus Elise.
Copy the Lotus bodywork, add Lotus lights, Lotus seats, wheels etc etc.
Low and behold a Lotus copy!
The cost? Probably a bit like the cost of the Lotus and after all, the Elise isn't much more than a kit anyway.
Not that kit cars cost too much!
BTW do we want unique cars or replica's?
>> Edited by Ex-Biker on Thursday 23 October 15:33
mattstead said:
Hi there, hows this for an idea? "Kit idol", a leading kitcar mag or website does a questionaire to find out what spec/ features / design / build / price ideas people want from a new kit.
This info is then compiled and these ideas based on popularity are then put forward to design students (like the uni that did the toniq R)
Well if that's the best these so called "students" can come up with god help us, (imo) the toniq R is one of the worst looking car designs ever to see the light of day, even the Banham "bat" looks better from the front....Can't see anybody buying it, if and when it goes into production next year.........
You've got to admit, the research and results would make very interesting reading.
I think it's a great idea, even if only for Kit Car or WK? to get readers really involved in the respective mags.
RiDE (M/C mag) do a 'Reader Power' survey every year. It's the most popular issue and they regularly contact (via email) people that contribute to see if they would like to get involved in tests, give feedback on features and add comments on certain articles.
I think there are many similarities with bikers and kit owners in their approach to their respective hobbies.
I think it's a great idea, even if only for Kit Car or WK? to get readers really involved in the respective mags.
RiDE (M/C mag) do a 'Reader Power' survey every year. It's the most popular issue and they regularly contact (via email) people that contribute to see if they would like to get involved in tests, give feedback on features and add comments on certain articles.
I think there are many similarities with bikers and kit owners in their approach to their respective hobbies.
[quote=peetbeeUse the 'what kit do you own' topic and it appears that we all want an Ultima for the price of a locost! Now that would be a challenge....[/quote]
I wonder how many would be prepared to weld up the chasis themselves if the end car is capable of 200+mph..... excluding me of cause
I wonder how many would be prepared to weld up the chasis themselves if the end car is capable of 200+mph..... excluding me of cause
I actually quite like the look of the Toniq R, but I also wonder what it will look like with the other stuff on top...
I agree that this would be a great read and interesting to see the results, but then I reckon as well that everyone will want a Ultima for pitence...
Unique cars please, replica's have their place but I'd much prefer a unique car (like the marlin I have) than a replica of something.
I agree that this would be a great read and interesting to see the results, but then I reckon as well that everyone will want a Ultima for pitence...
Unique cars please, replica's have their place but I'd much prefer a unique car (like the marlin I have) than a replica of something.
andycanam said:
I wonder how many would be prepared to weld up the chasis themselves if the end car is capable of 200+mph..... excluding me of cause
Andy, any chance I can come and measure your chassis up? Now where's my Haynes book on teach yourself welding? 
docevi1 said:
Unique cars please, replica's have their place but I'd much prefer a unique car (like the marlin I have) than a replica of something.
Hang on, I wouldn't describe a Marlin as unique, over the years there's been loads of cars that look virtually identical, (YKC, NG for two) and they were all inspired by 30's roadsters.
The reason so many of us want replicas is because the original is too rare/expensive to buy, and anythings better than a standard run of the mill tintop surely?
PS I like Marlins & NG, not too keen on the YKC though!
damn someone caught me out I will continue that sentence shall I I meant, unique cars in the sense they are "inspired by" but not direct copies.
Yes the Marlin is a "copy" of 30's roadsters, but it isn't a Porsche 956 replica. Replica's have their place, indeed I would inclined to buy one myself for the very reasons you have listed but personally, I would like to see the kit car world evolve to unique cars...
I will continue that sentence shall I I meant, unique cars in the sense they are "inspired by" but not direct copies. Yes the Marlin is a "copy" of 30's roadsters, but it isn't a Porsche 956 replica. Replica's have their place, indeed I would inclined to buy one myself for the very reasons you have listed but personally, I would like to see the kit car world evolve to unique cars...
Where do you draw the line and call somthing a replica rather than just something that took inspiration from.
There are some very clear ones like Cobra's and GT40's but I'm sure the Ultima took inspiration from the Porsche 962 originally.... definatelly took the original look from the 80's Le-mans cars.
but I think most would agree they definatelly arn't in the replica category.
And is a Westfield or Dax a replica of a Caterham 7?
Is it that they take a 'Look' and then mould it into a car that they think works or looks superior? but a replica tries to be as true a representation of the original as possible?
>> Edited by andycanam on Monday 27th October 12:10
There are some very clear ones like Cobra's and GT40's but I'm sure the Ultima took inspiration from the Porsche 962 originally.... definatelly took the original look from the 80's Le-mans cars.
but I think most would agree they definatelly arn't in the replica category.
And is a Westfield or Dax a replica of a Caterham 7?
Is it that they take a 'Look' and then mould it into a car that they think works or looks superior? but a replica tries to be as true a representation of the original as possible?
>> Edited by andycanam on Monday 27th October 12:10
I like the idea of getting readers feedback about what they want
.
Problem is that they genuinely don’t know what they want, except in the most crass of terms. Like has been said, they’ll all say they want 
Ultima(te) performance at Seven (pence) prices. Clearly, that’s a Utopian dream
.
I regularly hear talk of customers wanting “the modern Cobra” or a car “like a so-and-so, but with. . .” However, from my experience the very people who say such things are those who simply wish to make excuses for not making a selection from the vast range already available.
A car isn’t like a computer, in that one’s choice isn’t made on a quantifiable basis
. Thank goodness for that
, because if that were so a production car would win every time
.
Going back to the pop idol theme. That’s a search to find talent that’s already there. It isn’t possible to simply specify a size, shape, skin colour and vocal octave range. That simply wouldn’t find a figure to pop-idolize.
The same applies to kit-car-ideals (not a spelling mistake
), where the criteria are all so difficult to define. There’s a combination of price, performance, practicality, looks and buildability that all have to be traded off. Or do they? My experience is that IF some of these can be got VERY right, the others can be forgotten.
Take my first Sumo. I got the price right
and sold them by the bucket load (25 per week were ordered in 1990). Almost everything else was wrong in the early years, but financial success meant I could improve on the other aspects
later.
My point is that what works on paper doesn’t necessarily work in practice. Might be fun asking the question though
.
Den
. Problem is that they genuinely don’t know what they want, except in the most crass of terms. Like has been said, they’ll all say they want Ultima(te) performance at Seven (pence) prices. Clearly, that’s a Utopian dream. I regularly hear talk of customers wanting “the modern Cobra” or a car “like a so-and-so, but with. . .” However, from my experience the very people who say such things are those who simply wish to make excuses for not making a selection from the vast range already available. A car isn’t like a computer, in that one’s choice isn’t made on a quantifiable basis
. Thank goodness for that, because if that were so a production car would win every time. Going back to the pop idol theme. That’s a search to find talent that’s already there. It isn’t possible to simply specify a size, shape, skin colour and vocal octave range. That simply wouldn’t find a figure to pop-idolize.
The same applies to kit-car-ideals (not a spelling mistake
), where the criteria are all so difficult to define. There’s a combination of price, performance, practicality, looks and buildability that all have to be traded off. Or do they? My experience is that IF some of these can be got VERY right, the others can be forgotten. Take my first Sumo. I got the price right
and sold them by the bucket load (25 per week were ordered in 1990). Almost everything else was wrong in the early years, but financial success meant I could improve on the other aspects later. My point is that what works on paper doesn’t necessarily work in practice
. Might be fun asking the question though. Den
kitcarman said:
I like the idea of getting readers feedback about what they want.
Problem is that they genuinely don’t know what they want, except in the most crass of terms. Like has been said, they’ll all say they want Ultima(te) performance at Seven (pence) prices. Clearly, that’s a Utopian dream.
Still reckon it'll make damn fine reading!
Tell you what . . . if we decide what questions to ask, I'll collate the replies and drag some stats out of the results . . .for a small fee, of course.
Ex-Biker said:
I like the idea of getting readers feedback about what they want.
Still reckon it'll make damn fine reading!
Tell you what . . . if we decide what questions to ask, I'll collate the replies and drag some stats out of the results . . .for a small fee, of course.
Sounds like one of your better ideas. I’ll buy you pint
and a packet of crisps. Was going to say peanuts but thought better of it
. Den.
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