Good looking rear engined kit cars?
MattWatson - 20/2/03 at 02:37 AM
Does anyone know of any good looking rear engined kit cars that are made or distributed in the US or Canada?
I don't know that I have the time patience or ability to make my own body, and have subsequently been looking for a good, fast looking kit car.
Unfortunately, it has been ultimately unsuccessful.
The closest thing I have found that I would like is a lotus 23 type replica. But then I would depart from the mid rear, and have to order from the UK.
Anyone have any idea's?
TheGecko - 20/2/03 at 04:36 AM
Matt,
You may need to define what you think is good looking. I know for sure that some things I like, other people think of as heinously ugly and
vice-versa.
The Sylva Mojo is not bad - version 2 is less "jelly mould" than the original.
The Midtec Spyder looks alright from the front but is a bit "squashed frog" from all other
angles 
The Carcraft Cyclone is very Lotus 7-like but currently out of
production I think. Might be the easiest one to copy without making noulds etc.
The GTM Libra is very good looking (having been styled by the very professional Richard oakes) but is a monocoque
rather than just a body.
Perhaps a quick vote on these four might give a better sense of your idea of "good looking" 
Hope this helps,
Dominic (who will build his own body)
MK9R - 20/2/03 at 08:53 AM
Best looking -
GTM
Cyclone
Spider
Mojo 2 is vile!
IMOA
AlanB's beats the lot though!
[Edited on 20/2/03 by MK9R]
kingr - 20/2/03 at 11:01 AM
I'll put a vote in for the GTM Libra, doubly with a KV6 2.6 stuck in the back!!
Kingr
MattWatson - 20/2/03 at 03:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
Best looking -
GTM
Cyclone
Spider
Mojo 2 is vile!
IMOA
AlanB's beats the lot though!
[Edited on 20/2/03 by MK9R]
I don't know... I like the mojo better thanthe cyclone. The GTM Spyder is cool, but to get one over here would cost an arm and a leg.
What I really like is this:
http://www.stuart-taylor.co.uk/frame_pages/parts_page_frame.htm
If it was rear engined, that would be much the better. I would like something light and not to expensive (as I multiply the price by 3 to get it here
and convert(canada))
MattWatson - 20/2/03 at 03:25 PM
And the fact that the partner possibly bank rolling part of this dosn't like open wheeled lotus type cars....
Edit:
anyone know if this: http://www.fishersportscars.co.uk/fish7.html car is the same as the ones above? Looks identical.
[Edited on 20/2/03 by MattWatson]
Simon - 20/2/03 at 03:44 PM
Matt,
I do believe that Ultima are available in the US:
http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/usa/index.html
Not cheap, but very very fast.
If I a few spare pennies, that's where theyd be going.
I haven't, so I'm building the best alternative (IMHO)
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 20/2/03 by Simon]
MattWatson - 20/2/03 at 06:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Matt,
I do believe that Ultima are available in the US:
http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/usa/index.html
Not cheap, but very very fast.
If I a few spare pennies, that's where theyd be going.
I haven't, so I'm building the best alternative (IMHO)
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 20/2/03 by Simon]
Thats a little out of my price range. I love the 23' style cars as you can get them fairly cheap, and they will go balls out with my pittley 1.6T
engine.
I may just get the bodywork for a super 7 increase the width of the nosecone, and do a rear engined job with it. I have no problems building the
chassis and such, just don't know if I have the time to invest in bodywork.
robinbastd - 20/2/03 at 09:51 PM
Kingr- I have driven the black Libra V6,as used in GTMs adverts.....................
As anyone that has ever seen a Libra will know,they are so much better looking in the flesh. Somehow pics don't do them justice. If
only.................
Ian
[Edited on 20/2/03 by robinbastd]
MattWatson - 20/2/03 at 10:04 PM
http://www.dalhems.com/vw%20typ%201/mania.html
what do you think about this?
kingr - 21/2/03 at 10:20 AM
Robinbastd - Yeah, I agree about looking better in the flesh, there were quite a few at exeter, needless to say, I took quite a pictures!! I didn't
realise the black one in the pics was a V6, I assumed it was a 1.8. They're supposed to be very lotus elise like, is that true?
With the full instruments and interior surfaces packs, they look extremely production car like indeed, which I guess is what all kit cars should
aspire to.
I have to admit, I'd be tempted to have one as my next every day car.
Kingr
Simon - 21/2/03 at 11:30 AM
Matt
"...what do you think about this?"
I thought they stopped making Kitcars using the VW chassis years ago.
Can't understand why a company would go to all the trouble to design and build a body to go on 50 year old chassis design.
My thoughts!!
ATB
Simon
MattWatson - 21/2/03 at 08:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Matt
"...what do you think about this?"
I thought they stopped making Kitcars using the VW chassis years ago.
Can't understand why a company would go to all the trouble to design and build a body to go on 50 year old chassis design.
My thoughts!!
ATB
Simon
If I did it, I sure as heck wouldn't use a VW chassis. I would fabricate a spaceframe. I just liked the look of the car itself.
robinbastd - 21/2/03 at 11:11 PM
Kingr, If a Libra is black it'll be a V6.At least that was meant to be the rule. Wouldn't know whether it is Elise like as I'm too tall to drive one.
I dare say the build quality of a GTM exceeds that of the Lotus If I didn't have 2 kids and a big useless dog a Libra would be my choice.
Regards
Ian
Alan B - 23/2/03 at 02:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
Best looking -
GTM
Cyclone
Spider
Mojo 2 is vile!
IMOA
AlanB's beats the lot though!
[Edited on 20/2/03 by MK9R]
You are so kind....
As long you aren't taking the piss....