What's the interest level for this kind of thing...

OK, here's the deal. I've been working with this guy who is building small tube frame track demons for about 2 years (Ariel Atom, Exo-Car style, 2 seater). The design has changed twice and the final evolution is done and now is in full production. Here's the details I can release right now...

Mid Engine - Rear drive 4 cylinder power (Toyota) <1300 lbs fully loaded Available either as a turn key or completed chassis

Chassis price $7,999 Turn Key price $14,900 +/-

The turn key will have the engine installed, tires, wheels, etc. Basically as the name suggests, turn the key and go. The completed chassis will need tires, wheels, drivetrain, etc.

Anyway, 5 should be completed by the first of the year and 3 will be for sale as test mules, the remaining 2 are demo cars. I know everyone wants to see and drive it first before making any decisions, but is there an interest in grabbing one of the first cars?

Here's the test mule deal, you buy the car at a discounted rate (price undetermined at this time) and give us feedback on the car. If anything breaks, it's replaced or repaired for free, forever. If we decide to change the car around, we'll replace your car. It's a pretty good deal I think.

Anyway, just feeling things out at the moment. We've been working on this for 2 years and we're finally about to have it all ready. Let me know what you think. Pictures and more info will be available as soon as I get them.

Laters,

Brian

Sounds pretty cool. Want to see pictures, some of the homebuilt tube frame cars turn out looking really really goofy.

Would love to see pictures.

I second this motion.

You haven't given much info.

Yes, there is interest in the deal as described.

If it looks like a turd, handles like a semi, or does 0-60 in about an hour and a half, then not so much.

Is the engine the 2ZZ-GE 1.8L I4?

I agree with the peanut gallery. Pics please.

How much hassle would this be to get this registered in California? I.e. does it retain enough of the emissions equipment from the "donor" Toyota to reg it as that vehicle, or would it need an SB100?

I knew ya'll would want pics. I'm trying to get good pics at the moment. The only ones I have are of the bare frame and they're taken with a cell phone, so they suck.

Engine will be the 5SFE to start with. They're cheap, easy to find, and pretty tough. Any of the "S" series Toyota engines can be swapped in though.

As for smog, they are going to be sold as track only cars. Making them road legal will be up to the customer. I'm sure we can build to suit though with all emissions stuff from the donor in place.

I'd definitely be curious, moreso if it was to be made available as a "kit" so one could avoid those pesky smog and safety regs that mass produced street automobiles are made to suffer. Sorta like the Nobles.

mndsm wrote: I'd definitely be curious, moreso if it was to be made available as a "kit" so one could avoid those pesky smog and safety regs that mass produced street automobiles are made to suffer. Sorta like the Nobles.

That's the idea.

Conquest351 wrote: As for smog, they are going to be sold as track only cars. Making them road legal will be up to the customer. I'm sure we can build to suit though with all emissions stuff from the donor in place.

That's cool, one of my big issues with all of the Cobra and Seven kits out there is that they use side exhaust which makes 'em impossible to smog here. I'd love to see a Cobra kit that sacraficed the side pipes to use the complete (well, complete at least through the last cat) stock exhaust system from it's chosen donor car.

I am curious though... if this is built around a 5S, I'm assuming it will it be capable of using a BEAMS or 3S-GTE?

ReverendDexter wrote:

Conquest351 wrote: As for smog, they are going to be sold as track only cars. Making them road legal will be up to the customer. I'm sure we can build to suit though with all emissions stuff from the donor in place.

That's cool, one of my big issues with all of the Cobra and Seven kits out there is that they use side exhaust which makes 'em impossible to smog here. I'd love to see a Cobra kit that sacraficed the side pipes to use the complete (well, complete at least through the last cat) stock exhaust system from it's chosen donor car. I am curious though... if this is built around a 5S, I'm assuming it will it be capable of using a BEAMS or 3S-GTE?

Firstly... Exhaust will exit the rear. LOL

Secondly... Yes, you assume correctly...

Hm.... Rev's comment makes me dream of an Ariel Atom type rig underpinned with most of an AllTrac.... AWD t00b frame monster anyone?

We were trying to figure out how to make it AWD with the engine in the middle/behind the driver.

Maybe on another version. Need to get this version out and going.

OK, so we do have an interest. That's awesome.

Mods... Can I keep updating this post, or do I need to register or donate as an advertiser once I actually start selling these?

I don't wanna be "That Guy".

Relatively easy to make a "5sge" as well, actually....

I like where this is going!

Although personally, i do have to say i would have preferred usage of an aluminum Yoter motor, but i have no room to talk since i don't even have 1% of the skill necessary to pull something like this off.

Any idea yet what space constraints for motors are going to be if designed around the 5sfe? S-series engines are a no-brainer, but if it's relatively easy to replace an S-engine with something from another series in say... a Celica or MR2, would that potentially apply here as well?

I would at least look at SCCA solo rules so that if anyone wants to autocross them, they've got a class to run.

that means at least a 72" wheelbase for AMod and an 80" wheelbase for BMod.

if this discounted rate is in my ball park i would totally drive this this practically year round. and it would give me a reason to get my ass back into gear for autocross. I already have good gear from riding motorcycles so riding most of the year would be a hoot.

Im curious. and interested. and would be interested in more details please.

Maybe this will make my life more exciting...been looking for something like this

Ok, let me see if I can answer all this. LOL

92Celica - Constraints will only be the motor mounts. If you want to get a Chassis, then you can fab the mounts to whatever, or let us do that for you. Not a problem. The first batch though, we'd like to use the 5SFE, just for testing as that's what it was designed around. We're trying to work any bugs out before going crazy.

Per - I'll have more details in the measurement department soon.

CarKid - I'll keep updating this thread as I get more info. I'll post the test mule costs as soon as we get that calculated.

Glad to see the interest! Been working long and hard on this and happy to finally see it at this stage and ready for it to be finalized.

The wheelbase is 96" but can be 94" to 98" without big drama or we can custom build at no extra cost.

As for the pictures, the prototypes are finished and the very first car is in the jigs now, but changes are being made to that car and it will have some visual differences. I'll have some pictures of the first car soon and not just those of the prototype.

The car will accept the whole drivetrain complete as one unit from a 90's XV10 Toyota "Wide Body" Camry (wide track at 62") - that's the 2.2 5S-FE engine, manual gearbox, CV shafts, uprights with balljoints (no struts), and brakes all directly bolt in unmodified. Of course the same hole will generally accept the 3S-GE and GET turbo versions. The car also uses the Camry's steering column again with no modifications. Changes can be made to accomodate other engines and gearboxes but the first batch of 5 cars will be based on Toyota S series.

Does that answer most of the questions?

EDIT

The "Chassis" price is $7,999 not $8,900. Sorry about that.

The "Chassis" is actually a complete rolling chassis minus wheels and drivetrain. Everything else is there like the body, braking system, chassis wiring, suspension, etc.

Right on.

Sounds dam cool to me. I won't be in a position to jump on a test mule, but I wish I could go for that ride! Maybe I can build the kit version in a couple years. I still have all that testors enamel paint and some glue....

ultraclyde wrote: Sounds dam cool to me. I won't be in a position to jump on a test mule, but I wish I could go for that ride! Maybe I can build the kit version in a couple years. I still have all that testors enamel paint and some glue....

HA!! Get that little brush out and make an Art Car out of it. LOL