Right heres the idea a middy is a three box design. So how about some one manufacturing a box frame with all the bones and rack in one kit. The other end could be a box with the front wheel drive conversion to rear premade. One could be bec and one cec.


That would leave the builder the center sector to fabricate You could shape the body to your design.............

just a idea for the locost when we kill all the seirras and parts prices go thru the roof

It seems to me that it would be very doable to make a "lo Cost version of the Ariel Atom make it to take a suitable FWD package and use the original mac struts at the rear and a version of the locost front suspension . based on the dimensions of a 100 plus chassis would give enough room in the "engine compartment " for a driver and passenger and like the Atom go for absolutely minimal body work rear gaurds mounted like the front , I know some here would Poo Poo the idea but use an auto trans and there are no shifter issues and as most late model trans are electronicly controlled some tweeking there should be possible .Lots of info about hotting these power plants up simple lo cost and sure to be fun .
Best wishes
Iain

Oi, stop ..... this is my idea !!!!!!!!!!

I've been thinking of a modular car for quite a while. even got a little wooden model of a cockpit in my lounge. The idea was to take the middle and bolt on either
a front engine & bones or just bones
and
a rear engine & bones or just bones setup.

Oi, stop ..... this is my idea !!!!!!!!!!

come on Mike we all Know that GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE...... and Fools seldom differ

so we must be great minds then cause there are a lot of fools on here and they haven't had the same idea

(come on, you've got to agree at least my logic is flawless)

Sorry guys, I've already done it...

La bala has a bolt-on front suspension cradle and a universal engine bay to accomodate engines from BEC to V8. Done

But that's not to say you can't build/design yer own!

Graber

PS - and it IS a great idea!




[Edited on 2/3/05 by sgraber]

Hi Steve I like your efforts and think you are building a sweet looking car but my sugestion is to go more minimal see the picture of the atom below and can you imagine a LoCost version ?
best wishes
Iain
Rescued attachment side.jpg

Bending that ariel-side-top-tube isn't going to be locost or easy ...

Anyway, a front box with bones and all, preferably with inboard suspention would be great !
And it's a bloddy good start for most "scratch builders"

Cheers

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absolutely minimal body work rear gaurds mounted like the front

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I just realisted the problem with track-width in an "of the shelf front suspention package" that would fit everyone ...

Cheers

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Originally posted by RallyHarry
I just realisted the problem with track-width in an "of the shelf front suspention package" that would fit everyone ...

Cheers

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could i argue a point here tho?


The wishbones etc could be standard, surely you can just adjust the distance inbetween the bones? make it wider without affecting geometry?

Wouldn't you then be modding steering racks to avoid bump steer and extending/reducing drive shafts.

Maybe this would work though if you offered a set of standard bits - EG standard seat frame. Standard track width back end - all use same donor for this, standard front end - all use same donor for this and just the engine bay is 'bolt-on able'

The rear suspension and drive sections are at the bottom of the area anyway so it would besimple to bolt on a box with engine mounts. Anyone not wantint to use the standard diff would be able to change it anyway in true locost builders style.

Personally, I prefer the one or two cars per manufacturer idea and then if the customer wants to change it, they pay extra for the adaption. That leaves us builders to do it properly!!!

hmm custom steering rack with extenable knuckles is needed i think.........

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeR
could i argue a point here tho?


The wishbones etc could be standard, surely you can just adjust the distance inbetween the bones? make it wider without affecting geometry?

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Not customisable as such but a Lowcost version of the Ariel Atom - here is a photo of a MODEL of my project (I did post it some time ago). Progress is about to restart (I hope). I am thinking of selling plans when it is complete but if anyone wants to take the plunge before I have completed mine, I might be willing to provide them free (with suitable health warning!). hope you like it!
Rescued attachment matador mod.jpg

Some BMW influence?
bmw just 4/2

[Edited on 3/2/05 by ettore bugatti]

Hi JC
I like your model it looks nice and simple andd very doable what did you have in mind for the rear suspesion?
I thought that if one was going to use the existing suspension from the fwd donor the best way to go about it would be to remove the power train and use the original shell to make a jig to ensure that all of the major component mounting points relitivities is maintained . Working on the KISS principle .
any way good work and by the way what size do you ensisage for the tubes from your model it looks like large section thin wall , a good way to go
best wishes
Iain

That model above looks beter than the beemer
Rescued attachment BMWJust4-2_6.jpg

Much much better
Rescued attachment matador.jpg

Hi Dominic
yeah that sort of thing would be very doable for the average locost builder and if you were to use rear steer rack & spindles the steering coloum could go straight on the rack like the donor .
any way my sugestion of a minimal aproach for the body work would make for a quicker / cheaper build and in our climate (Australia) it would be very well ventelated
Best wishes
Iain
Ps how is your project progressing?

The latest issue of Test Drive Magazine(March 2005 issue, bought in January) has an article where a chauffer swaps his Roller for an Ariel Atom.

After 1 lap...
"Stones, dirt, spray - everthing was flying off the road and into my face. My foreheads frozen solid. Give me that helmet"

I like the idea of sides, otherwise your gonna get filthy wet when you go trough a puddle.

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Ps how is your project progressing?

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Originally posted by TheGecko

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Ps how is your project progressing?

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Hmmmm.... "not" is unfortunately the progress status at present. You need (at least) three simultaneous resources for one of these projects: time, money & enthusiasm. I still have plenty of the latter but the other two are in particularly short supply at present Hopefully things will improve in that regard after mid-year.

Dominic

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I really hope so!

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