So a few pics of what im proposing. Using the base of an MX5 for the project. I will be looking at offering kits that will comprise of a body shell
inc doors and bonnet and a chassis. The chassis will bolt to the mx sub frames and the shell will bolt on top. At the moment this is something im
contemplating. So looking for feedback as to weather anyone would be interested.
Been done think again
http://www.mevx5.co.uk/
quote:
Originally posted by CRAIGR
Been done think again
http://www.mevx5.co.uk/
Is that a mould from a Smart Roadster frontend?
No not a smart. Something much bigger and a hell of a lot faster lol.
Looks a bit Sagaris like to me?
quote:
Originally posted by garyo
Looks a bit Sagaris like to me?
Thing is, you'll be taking what is essentially a very good sports car as a donor, throwing away 70% of what you bought, spending ages putting it all together again and then faced with getting through an IVA test to while in the process spending enough cash to have bought a mint Mk3 MX5 in the first place.
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Thing is, you'll be taking what is essentially a very good sports car as a donor, throwing away 70% of what you bought, spending ages putting it all together again and then faced with getting through an IVA test to while in the process spending enough cash to have bought a mint Mk3 MX5 in the first place.
quote:
Originally posted by wayneb1408
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Thing is, you'll be taking what is essentially a very good sports car as a donor, throwing away 70% of what you bought, spending ages putting it all together again and then faced with getting through an IVA test to while in the process spending enough cash to have bought a mint Mk3 MX5 in the first place.
I think your missing the point of A kit car. Essentially the point of a kit car is to utilise parts that have been designed for a purpose in another car to build car that is different. Yes I could have bought a mk3 but then I would still be left with just an mx5. The point is to have a bespoke vehicle which you would have enjoyed building.
I think the market is missing a hard top car that is built along the principles of a seven. i.e light, simple and cheap.
As long as this is kept light enough it should hit the mark.
I'm thinking GTM Libra sized but with an MX5 as a donor.
Stu
quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
I think the market is missing a hard top car that is built along the principles of a seven. i.e light, simple and cheap.
As long as this is kept light enough it should hit the mark.
I'm thinking GTM Libra sized but with an MX5 as a donor.
Stu
quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
I think the market is missing a hard top car that is built along the principles of a seven. i.e light, simple and cheap.
As long as this is kept light enough it should hit the mark.
I'm thinking GTM Libra sized but with an MX5 as a donor.
Stu
First of all Wayne its good to see someone coming up with a few ideas and airing them on here.
I see from your number of posts that you haven't been around here for long and this will have an effect on how others on the forum will see you.
Dont be put off its just that new people quite often appear on hera saying they are developing a new kit or concept that will revolutionise the kit
car industry but then disapear after a few posts...
There probably is a market for an MX5 based kit car that DVLA would not need to go through the IVA but just be checked as a modified or radically
altered vehicle.
The IVA requirements are complex and expensive which makes for a very different and more expensive hobby than in the good (bad) old days when a kit
car builder could just weld up something that would pass an MOT and drive it on the donor car's registration.
If you can come up with something that is lighter than an MX5, has been proved on a track, can use some of the existing MX5 body panels to cut costs
but was sufficiently visually different from an MX5 and can benefit from kit car low insurance rates I suspect you would be onto something.
I'm assuming this is the route you are taking and have researched this with the DVLA and the specialist insurance industry as part of your
business analysis.
He did say in his first post he was developing a shell and chassis to which the sub frames attach so will require an IVA
There are many body kits already available for the MX5 that retain the existing shell to avoid the IVA some look very similar to the drawing
Tbh I don't see the point in replacing a very good handling and strong chassis that's had millions spend on development which you can buy
tuning parts of the shelf quite cheaply. It's one thing using it for a 7 style donor but for a car that looks almost the same as before. Are
people going to pay for that?
Not trying to negative but it's got to make sense business wise.
[Edited on 1/10/13 by Mr Whippy]
[Edited on 1/10/13 by Mr Whippy]
Few progress shots of how the shell will sit once its on the new chassis. The car is sitting on blocks with the wheels rested in place.
I like the look and, picking up on some earlier comments, have thought about getting a GTM libra as a daily driver, because I'd like to
drive a fairly unique and fun car all year round, this sort of thing would fit the bill...
I hope your project continues to make progress!
Interesting project but not a business.
I imagine lea edgar would be interested in we're you got the sagaris moulds from to...
Im hoping to have the body complete in four months and ready to take a mould. The car will only bare sagaris front lights once completed. The rest
will be changed. Rear lights are being smoothed over and three sinlge lights in a row each side will take their place. Also need to make a rear
diffuser and decide how the exhausts will come out. Im thinking through the centre roughly where the two holes are at the bottom. I will have a single
rear hole in some sort of shape.
The moulds for the sagaris are not available anymore.
Where are you based, I'd love to come and have a look at this . . . . . .
Regards
Jon
Looks good and congrats for having a vision.
Change a few bits so its less TVR'ish so you dont have any lawsuits.
[img]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2454893/Replica-Bentley-body-kits-banned-judge-says-infringe-luxury-car-firm-s-copyright.html[/img]
Hi everyone. Will be steaming back into the project in the next few weeks so there will be some dramatic changes made. I have a few ideas up my sleeve
and will make the design far from TVR and completely my own. I have been busy building a new workshop 6mx5m at the bottom of the garden. This will
completed in a few weeks so i can get stuck in regardless of the weather.
Please like and share my page for updates
https://www.facebook.com/widowsportscars
Wheel spacers for design purpose only not for road use. These are to position the wheels correct for the body design.
Please like and share https://www.facebook.com/widowsportscars
Thought i would get out and do some today while i have some spare time. I have decided that i will be making this a bolt on kit for the mx5. Rear end
will be a one piece clamshell with a removable targa top. Front end will be a bonnet, front wings and nose cone section as one and door skins. The
front end will use all the original wing mounting points and the bonnet will use the original hinge points. Few shots of todays work.
Few shots in the sunshine today as it needed a wash. Wheels are spaced out but think i may go another 10mm. I will now be able to work out the correct
offsets for the wheels that will be going on when finished. obviously still needs to be lowered. Thinking coilovers 60mm drop and may need to bring
the arches down a bit and then it should sit right.
Progress so far. Arches will be rebuilt lower
won't excessive lowering and widened track via spacers make the handling suck?
Cause those arches look pretty high.
Wheels are hideous too IMO but that's beside the point
Would have thought a tubular replacement subframe with optimised geometry would be good to go with the body kit personally?
Also, if the wings are going to have an open back, why not extend the bottom half to be level with the upper part to give a larger opening?
That said the vents on the top will have the most impact on pressure balancing assuming they'll be functional
[Edited on 9/7/14 by 43655]
Interesting idea... but if I wanted something that looked like a sagaris and handled properly I would potentially buy a Chimaera for 6K and spend a couple of grand grafting a sag body on to it.... Tad cheaper than a real sag...
Few shots of how the car is looking so far. Still lots to do yet.
Front end update. Just need to reshape bonnet slope and make lips on all the cut outs.
Our first full fiberglass panel set fitted to the demo car in gelcoat. Targa is being created and available in 2 weeks.
hats off to you pal
I like that quit a lot 
ATB
Simon
Looking really good Wayne!
I really like that!! reminds me of a TVR variant.
Plus surely as a rebody you wont need to go through IVA as its an MX5 in a new frock!
The fact the mx5 can also be fitted with a small block v8 sounds like your onto a winner!
[Edited on 7/6/15 by cal]
We have door mirrors. Taken from the Corsa D. Also in the process of fitting door handles as an optional extra. These are from the grand punto.
This thread would be more readable if there was no need to scroll left & right every line.
Why the huge pictures ?
I like that, looks good mate. Probably one of the best full body shells I have seen on a kit car in recent years.
Looks really good. Would have loved to have seen the 'gills' on the wing kept though.
I think this really is good - certainly would be interested in owning a car like this, none of the typical expense and reliability concerns of a
'niche' sports car (e.g. Noble/TVR/Lotus, etc) and could be run as a relatively 'tame' vehicle - rather than something
super-powered - but looks seriously nice - and doesn't have the inconvenice / faff of being a rag-top.
Great to see such a good bit of work done!
So how much is a full body going to set us back?
looks cracking!
Who are you intending on sourcing the lights thro'? I would think some of our projectors might be ideal
L
ink - always happy to do a good deal for a fellow lcb'er, particularly if it involves more than one set! 
quote:
Originally posted by russbost
Who are you intending on sourcing the lights thro'? I would think some of our projectors might be ideal L ink - always happy to do a good deal for a fellow lcb'er, particularly if it involves more than one set!
I echo the others, and quite like it! Pre-primer it almost looked too TVR'y; which is no bad thing, but if I wanted a TVR I'd buy a TVR.
However now it's painted and body panels finished it looks pretty smart.
The roof bulges are interesting; what are they from?
What did you do in the end w.r.t. wheel spacers/offset and lowering?
Could i also say that i quite like the clean lines of the doors, what about keeping them smooth and using a remote door opening kit on a solenoid or
push buttons under the mirrors maybe?
can we also see some pics with the targa roof off? can you tell im excited to see this.
especially as ive just seen a mx5 1UZfe conversion.
[Edited on 7/8/15 by cal]
First panel set. Black car is in primer
Few updated pics for you all
