I wonder how many of us on the mid engined forum are thinking that if our prototype turns out well that we could be persuaded to make another one as a
kit, or maybe another 10, 100, maybe more?
And of those that are thinking that way (and that definitely includes me) how many are building some kind of repeatability into our plans, and making
commercial feasability part of the basic design concept?
I hope I'm mot alone in thinking that if what I'm doing turns out well that I might well end up doing it as a full time and profitable
business. I'm by no means relying on it, and I think there's probably only a 25% chance of it all going the way I would like it to, but the
possible commercial aspect does influence much of my thinking, designing etc.
John
Im not building middy but i have been thinking about that after i have built my locost but i think 25% chance is pushing it unfortunately
It's hard going making a living out of kit cars, you really have to wear the rose tinted glasses and keep believing you are barking up the right
tree.
The buzz you get when a customer loves what you have made is out of this world and why I kept going(until i barked at the wrong tree last year
).
I'm in the process of creating summat a little mad and off the rails but with the vision that when folk see it they will either love it or hate
it....those that love it will hopefully be barking at the same tree as me and the world will be groovy again.
Just do it.....working for others stinks when you have sampled doing yer own thing as you will always find fault in what they do....I'm in that
position now and when I get really wound up at work I just say what I think.... especially when we get accused of not being able to read drawings!!!!
shame the muppet who drew them can't draw!!!!
Jeeez I feel better for that
Mark
I have no real plans to go into production with my car as I don't think it will ever be a viable buisiness.... However...
I have already sold a 'kit' to a guy who found my web site and basically spent 6mths convinsing me to sell him one (he's already paid a
lot of money for parts I have supplied him).
I also have another very seriously intersted in building one when I am done.
So I have been building in repeatability everywere I felt I needed to.... would be madness not to anyhow as I am of the opinion that after the
prototype we would all want to build another 'even better' version.
[Edited on 20/10/07 by gttman]
Yep...me too....guilty as charged.
Every part I've made is fully documented. Not expecting to get rich on just the car kit per se but it will part of my long term plans for
independance.
It will actually be the second time around as I was in the kit business 25 years ago...so I am fully aware of the pitfalls.
My glasses are indeed rose-colored...
But I am not quiting my day job, I am approaching this as a fun hobby that I may someday be able to work at full-time. For now it's chassis plans
at $99, and bodywork for sale at $4,500, and a parts list free for anyone that buys either of those two items.
Then there is the full build manual in the works to be used to assemble the chassis and parts collected into a running car. That is not finished yet
and I am slowly writing it.
Soon a completely new track-specific car that is not based on the MR2 donor kit car but made from all-new components will be coming out of my friends
shop and I hope that we may find a niche for those on tracks around the USA and the world. One just never knows!
I am having the time of my life with this fun side-project called la Bala, and since I never, EVER give up, I am certain that at some point it will be
successful.
quote:
It will actually be the second time around as I was in the kit business 25 years ago...so I am fully aware of the pitfalls.
chassis plans will be free. A run of 10 chassis and body kits will be done to qualify the car for a racing class. None of the work will be done by me, but by companies I regularly deal with.
quote:
Originally posted by gttman
I am of the opinion that after the prototype we would all want to build another 'even better' version.
same here Raz,
grtz Thomas