I’ve been in the market for some time for a kit car, started with the DAX Cobra then the Storm SDR then I thought about buying something ready to go like an Ariel Atom and then a KTM X-Bow and a then the BAC Mono.

I was fortunate enough to spend an evening with the BAC brothers at their factory in Liverpool and after seeing the Mono in the flesh I knew it was the ultimate car for me. The price has steadily climbed in the last few years from gbp 66k to 130k and therefore unjustifiable.

I’ve continued to look around however always seem to come back to the Mono which has got me thinking. If you search the internet it’s possible to find some fairly detailed 3d models from the chassis up of the Mono. How difficult would it be to reverse engineer these and to produce a replica e.g. pass on a solid works model of the chassis onto Caged Laser Engineering, who manufacture the current Mono ? 3d print the body work etc ... Am I mad ?

[Edited on 18/12/16 by P15159]

[Edited on 18/12/16 by P15159]

I'm not too sure how the BAC brothers would take your intended compliment to blatantly copy their chassis that they have designed, I would suggest they may take a negative view on that.

If your pockets are that deep I would suggest listing the things you like most about it and go for commisioning your own.

For example, for 20k I speculate you could build a very nice AB performance Sabre mk2 and then get some custom bodywork to your design (BAC MONO inspired). In sure the Mono had a crazy engine, V8 indy car spec or something. Maybe a highly tuned busa turbo lump at 400bhp could match it.

Our but a radical or serious single seater hill climb car and fit mud guards so you can go on track days.

Have a search for the super light cars nemesis. US kit that is a cross between the bac mono and an arial atom, based on v6 engine / transaxle so using the 1.8t 300hp is easily available. There is a uk distributor but check it can be IVA compliant.

http://www.superlitecars.com/nemesis/

Bac mono is 2.5 duratec based pushing out 300hp iirc.

[Edited on 18/12/16 by Ugg10]

[Edited on 18/12/16 by Ugg10]

Maybe if you speak to the Chinese who are rather good at reverse engineering!! However being able to print your own body would be great. Ive had my lotus 7 type car for years now & would love to put another body on it just for a change like this for instance

linky

or this

[Edited on 18/12/16 by andyfiggy2002]

IIRC, the BAC Mono chassis was originally derived from a Formula Ford 2000 Chassis, anyway.

Note the similarity (even the pedal box adjustable by drilled floor brackets has been retained):


^^^ Mygale FF2000



^^^ BAC Mono

A second-hand FF2000 would potentially be a good 'donor' for all the expensive bits, therefore, but don't underestimate the changes (geometry and general beefing up) that would be necessary to make it useable and reliable on the street.

I share some of the concerns about ripping off a current design, but I guess we shouldn't get too precious about it, since this website exists on the basis of a design ripped off from a Westfield, which was in turn ripped off from a Lotus? And nobody seems to get too worked up about ripping off the Aerial Atom's exoskeleton design, either?

Thanks for the link Sam, i knew i had seen a similar chassis before but could never place it.

Interesting idea, but the BAC's body work is rather extensive and the build up is multi layered. What you want is to rather adapt something that already exists with a twist. That is my suggestion and the direction i have ended up with. It took these guys with serious automotive experience both on race tracks and in concept development with Ford around 2.5yrs to develop.

I assume you mean this model? https://grabcad.com/library/sports-car-with-details-bac-mono-1

The pics for those who cannot be bothered.










etc etc

There is a good build thread by the california importer of these who walks through the build.

What are those rear pushrods made out of?

unobtanium - given that all the pictures are cad renderings :-)

On the FF chassis?

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php?t=13663

There you go!