7 Replica Manufacture

[preventec47]

It would be nice if with all the posted messages,  the year was shown as well as the month and day.   Why in the world would the year info be excluded ?

[CharlesG]

If the posts were made in the current year, then the year is not shown. Older posts will show the year.

[Snail]

I know it's a 3 year old thread.

Many of us are in the shoes of Ian Ashdown. Any wonder if this materialised?

[Ian7]

I'm just finding this 3 year old thread and wondering if anything came out of it.

I'll also add I'm in the apparent minority of those who WOULD prefer a more affordable clone, rather than the incomprehensible (to me) current Caterham prices.

I've had 3 (two low spec older Caterhams and a clone), all of which were a blast. Hard to think the top spec Cat's are 5x more fun, especially in normal road use.

I'm looking hard at this at the moment, shipping and tariffs being explored:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19174225

[IamScotticus]

I think going forward, any new viable fun kit car that is streetable should be an electric vehicle.  Oh, the horror!

Heres your problem with the 7, and other 7-like kits..  the newer generation isn't into vintage.  They don't want anything difficult to understand, sort through, greasy or smelly. They want to push a button, go fast and and upload the video on Instagram.  They want something easy to title and register.

The problem with 7s, and the problem Caterham has, is the pool of suitable engine and driveline options is running out.  Its almost not worth the effort to start a ICE project from a clean sheet anymore because your planned powerplant and driveline wont be available, or even legal, in ten years.

 

If you were to do a Kit car today, the best option for spares is a mid-engine. I know, its hard to make a mid engine attractive. Thats why I say electric; there are more options for moving the components around to suit the shape of the car.  The majority of the bulk being the batteries (for now) can go up front and the motor/s can go in rear. or front+rear. More options with EV parts.  And they will be hitting the scrap yards soon.

Edited 1 hour ago by IamScotticus

[williamwashere]

Oh man, I disagree on your assessment of "the youth" and what they're interested in. The newer generation is DEFINITELY into vintage. Vintage shops are all the rage, calling something "polyester" is saying it's fake and inauthentic, look at the backlash to AI in general. I see a lot of kids at the local high school buying Kei trucks because they're cool. I just don't think it's a fuel/powertrain thing, it's a price thing for the youth.

 

You're totally right on the lack of powertrains though, that's a way bigger problem. The biggest bonus for running an EV conversion these days is the size of the packaging, it means you can fit more horsepower in a smaller package (see axial flux motors that are finally getting made), they'll be more interchangeable between vehicles, and that's going to open up a lot of options.

[Snail]

25 minutes ago, IamScotticus said:

I think going forward, any new viable fun kit car that is streetable should be an electric vehicle.  Oh, the horror!

Heres your problem with the 7, and other 7-like kits..  the newer generation isn't into vintage.  They don't want anything difficult to understand, sort through, greasy or smelly. They want to push a button, go fast and and upload the video on Instagram.  They want something easy to title and register.

The problem with 7s, and the problem Caterham has, is the pool of suitable engine and driveline options is running out.  Its almost not worth the effort to start a ICE project from a clean sheet anymore because your planned powerplant and driveline wont be available, or even legal, in ten years.

 

If you were to do a Kit car today, the best option for spares is a mid-engine. I know, its hard to make a mid engine attractive. Thats why I say electric; there are more options for moving the components around to suit the shape of the car.  The majority of the bulk being the batteries (for now) can go up front and the motor/s can go in rear. or front+rear. More options with EV parts.  And they will be hitting the scrap yards soon.

Yeah I hear you.

 

I don't think this class of car, ICE or EV, has anything to do with Instagram and influencers, and I understand today's appeal towards 'driver's cars' has taken a sad turn towards social validation rather than the experience.

 

That said, I actually don't think making a new-gen EV kit is a sacrilege. Not appealing to traditionalists? Absolutely, and I'm not going to pretend it doesn't bother me. But I'm be curious just how light, analogue and cheap one could build a driver's car. Our current crop of EV batteries suck, given their weight.

 

Then there's also Sustain fuels (or carbon neutral fuels) which I think makes sense for these sorta of applications.

 

You bring up an excellent point with regards to engine choices on the markets, as the simple ones are dwindling. I'd love to see an open-sourced 3D printed high-temp plastic casting moulds so that anyone woth some casting and machining knowledge could make some fresh engine parts compatible with 2.0 Ford/Mazda Zetec/MZR engines.

 

ok pipe dream over haha

[IamScotticus]

30 minutes ago, Snail said:

EV batteries suck, given their weight.

This should change eventualy.

EV tech is moving very quickly in Asian and Europe. This progress isnt available in the USA as its being blocked by trade restrictions.  And for good reason.

***Thread hack alert***!  The first viable sub-$20K EV to be available here will kill off everything else (hyperbole).

Of course, some people will still buy Audis, SAABs and Mercedes yuppie wagons, for some reason.

But the vast majority will go for affordable basic transportation, again.

 

And I believe this is Paul Elio's failure, he tried to build an ICE vehicle from the start. He didn't start exploring the EV option till he was out of money.

Edited 45 minutes ago by IamScotticus