| Author | Message | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 795 Registered: 6-2002 |
Andrew- NOW you're talking! My heart is very close to such a project, in both the romantic aspect, and the technical. (let's take this off list immediately, lest Cheveron discover us...) PS: Myself- one of the great things about the Stradale is that it's second (read: STRAIGHT PIPE!) exhaust only opens at 5500rpm and above. Below that, it's a doscile kitten you can sneak back to your neighborhood while the cops scream by... Best! Ben. | ||
| Me Myself (Kid_enzoz)
Junior Member Username: Kid_enzoz Post Number: 148 Registered: 4-2003 |
Oh yeah, I'd make sure the car with no matter what engine is in it, that it would sound the very best. But not so loud that it should be a track car like the Stradale... I mean that's cool and raw... but if I want to go to school or work in it... I don't want to destroy everybodies ears on the way lol | ||
| Me Myself (Kid_enzoz)
Junior Member Username: Kid_enzoz Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2003 |
I think I'd like to make a car like the F355... small, light, yet not a flyweight track car... big enough to put things in and be a daily driver... I'd have optional engines... from rotaries to V12's. It would have an F1 like suspention like the Enzo, awesome steering and probably a traditional manual transmission, with the stick placed up for performance driving like it is on the Carrera GT. Custom luggage too. And active aerodynamics, like the 'air brake' on the new SLR. | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 300 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hubert, it is a true sequential here's a link to toyota's website on the right there is a link to more info on it. BTW, the MR2's system has no automatic mode built in so you have to shift them with the ferrari style shifter or buttons on the wheel.It's not the slush-box system that's used on the celica. http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/mr2_spyder/performance/mr2_spyder_performance.html | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1294 Registered: 1-2002 |
If I owned my own car company, I'd make two models, and their production runs would last a few years, and then come out with an evolved, or radically different line. The focal point would be simplicity, and uncompromising attention to detail (i.e. build quality) I don't think I'd have every aspect of the car hand assembled, nor would every part be developed in house, but there would be a roatating fleet of test mules for constant beta testing of every component to insure excellent QA , uncompromised by low production #'s. Speaking of which, I'd actually make as many as I could sell. And, I'd make them easy to work on, and offer at home servicing (like Ruf does) by flying out technicians to customers homes for major services, if desired. The cars would come at 45k and 70k price points. The cars would mid or front all Al engines, moderate capactity (one 2.2 L, and one 3.2L) flat crank normally aspirated V8's. No carpet, simple door cards, alcantara seats (recovered recaro, sparco, etc. customers would come for test fittings in various offered seats), headliner and dash. Big brakes. Dual center exit exh. Xenon lights. A/C. And a quality CD player and speaker system ( no changer, and no radio). All suspension components would be Al. No sound deadening. No moly weather protective coatings. No fender liner. Nothing. Bare bones, but all finsihed with 120% attention to quality. I'd probably be the only one to love the cars enough to drive them daily. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1293 Registered: 1-2002 |
aaron: >>A $26,000 Mr2 has a true sequential system so i can't see why honda couldn't do it.<< This is FALSE! The MR2 sequential is like the benz and bimmer "sportshift" cars, but the buttons are on the wheel; a la IS300 wagon/sportshift system, and it's slower 0-60 by almost 2 seconds!! The s2000 is pretty close to perfect in terms of a bare bones roadster; it's cheap, realiable, has classic looks, and excellent performance. It can be a bit twitchy (the earlier ones at least), but nothing that can't be tuned out. It's probably the best roadster to date in it's price bracket, to date. The boxster still has the edge on overall feel, but has one of the vaugest shifter feels of any car I've ever driven (something you shouldn't see on a 40k car.) The s2000 is surgically percise in steering feel, brakes and the shift action is like loading a rifle. Perfect. Why would you add some gauges, and aero? Seems superfolous. | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 555 Registered: 10-2001 |
I'm with Terry! Something light and totally basic, but I'd like an updated Ferrari V6 instead of porsche and aluminum body panels would be fine for me. Maybe even fewer creature comforts than the original Dino. More like the beck spider replicas or the ginettas. What are the legal issues surrounding low production automobiles? How do you license them? Can you call it a "kit" car, then offer to assemble it for the customer, and then not have to have it pass the crash tests and all that? What amount emmision standards? What do people with Beck porsche replicas do? Are those all titled as vintage volkswagons or something? -Rich | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 785 Registered: 4-2002 |
I would build an updated 246 Dino on a lightweight spaceframe with plastic/carbon panels and powered by a Porsche air cooled twin turbo engine. Give it 993TT brakes, a very spartan interior and focus on raw performance. 1800lb, 400hp, no power options at all except AC, 6 speed manual shift. A bare bones no nonsense sportscar with stunning classic looks. Price it at $50K and start a spec racing series sanctioned by the SCCA. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 621 Registered: 12-2002 |
www.koenigsegg.com | ||
| Andrew Wanamaker (Androza)
Junior Member Username: Androza Post Number: 54 Registered: 2-2003 |
I would ressurect the Duesenbergs. Make them look like an updated version of cars from the 20s. Super fast, and posh, wood filled interior. Retractable hardtops. Perhaps start working with electric engines/fuel cells, and build a tourer that can go across the country with a single charge. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1370 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jordan..Now THATS funny! | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 1812 Registered: 12-2002 |
If we built a factory ricer, maybe they would modify it to look like a normal econobox  | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1367 Registered: 1-2003 |
If we were all real smart, we would build a factory ricer. | ||
| DL (Darth550)
Junior Member Username: Darth550 Post Number: 140 Registered: 7-2003 |
Lamborghini re-revamped: Produce a 1000 bhp, carbon fiber and aluminum tractor that can haul away one acre of steer manure in 3.6 seconds. DL | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 296 Registered: 8-2002 |
My realistic dream car right now would be to take the S2000 add a sequential F1 paddle shifter gearbox. Some F1 influenced styling in the front for inspiration ala Enzo. Add a few extra digital guages for oil press. etc. And sell the car for 30 to 40 thousand. A $26,000 Mr2 has a true sequential system so i can't see why honda couldn't do it. That's my dream right now perhaps a little crazy but the S already handles fantasic. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 757 Registered: 6-2002 |
Buy the design rights to the 308/288GTO and produce it in a classic style, with a 355's level of power, and lighter weight, and do it all cheaply. That, or build a custom 350hp+ 2.6litre v8 out of two 1.3litre motorcycle engines, and stuff those into Lotus Elises. Engine should rev to 12grand, car should sound exactly like an Indy Car. Start my own exotic car company. Build interiors like TVR and Ferrari (beautiful in their simplicity and lines) and exteriors out of carbonfibre in my own design. Have to use Aerogel in there somewhere. Such cool stuff. Best! Ben. | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Junior Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 99 Registered: 2-2003 |
Great thread!! I would buy Lamborghini sell the Gallardo and Murci designs back to audi. Start making a hand made Canto-like car that cost around 400,000, had 650hp, weighd 3200pds, and handled like a dream. I would only make 250 a year and would make almost all the parts for it at the lambo factory. I would also start racing in ALMS. Then after I filled for bankrupsy I would live in a cardboard box. | ||
| Ryan Alexander (Ryalex)
New member Username: Ryalex Post Number: 45 Registered: 8-2003 |
If I started my own car company... I would have a company like Koenig or Norwood that turbo or supercharges Ferraris. Like Mark, I love the 308/328 Ferraris and would like to refurbish and tune them. And then, like Saleen, segway into my own line of street exotics (buying the engines) while maintaining the modification divisions. | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 272 Registered: 5-2003 |
Stratos-2 AWD. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1360 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mark...If I had your money, I would throw mine away | ||
| rob guess (Beast)
Junior Member Username: Beast Post Number: 227 Registered: 5-2003 |
I would build race cars. Then i would start to produce road going race cars to support the race habit. Hold on that has already been done by Ferrari. Story of my life to little to late. seriously i would design and produce formula style racing cars for old and decrepit fat farts, like myself. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 706 Registered: 10-2001 |
I'd buy a 1,000 old 308's and give them a new life. Rip out the trashed interiors of the car. (only Ferrari can make a car that looks old after 15k miles) and do a real nice modern interior. Put some really good looking seats Rip out the old electronics Update the suspension Put in a good 400hp engine, something cheap and reliable. Ferrari prices are too high. I'd make sure it had a great sound and way more torque. Get rid of that stupid 15 and 30k major service. Offer some real nice modern wheels and sell them as rescued Ferrari's We are fast, fresh, modern, and have realistic maintenance cost, but most important have the most beautiful lines Ferrari ever brought to the road. Then I'd watch all the Ferrari purest have a heart attack J After 5 years�. I might buy up a 1,000 of old busted TR's and do the same thing on that model. (drop an even bigger motor in there) 308 and TR are the greatest bodies. Eventually they are going to become more then they're worth since Ferrari parts are so expensive. Why not modernize the chassis and keep them competitive (fast comfortable) on the road for another 20 years? These cars will never be collectors since they made so many. Just like Ruff's Porsches These would be Study's Ferraris | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1359 Registered: 1-2003 |
I would pick up where Delorian left off. He had spirit, vision and guts. I would pool the talent of the Big-3 as a consortium against the Japanese to develop a product that people will drive. In parallel, I would raise enough money to lobby for higher import taxes against the JAM's to establish a fair-traded car market...Its about time. | ||
| John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man Post Number: 230 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yes, I would use all the resources available to me to build a little roadster that does 0-60 in under 5 seconds, 1G on the skidpad and brakes as well as any modern sports car, AND weighs under 2500 pound, AND priced under 30K. Oh and that looks amazing. | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 1807 Registered: 12-2002 |
Id do a company to sort of fill the role of the "introductory" sports cars --sort of like a Porsche Boxster is now...for one reason only...$$$$!! | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 906 Registered: 9-2002 |
I would choose to manage BMW...the first thing I would do is a public flogging of Bangle. | ||
| IamA (Ski_bum)
Junior Member Username: Ski_bum Post Number: 152 Registered: 12-2002 |
Flying cars! Where are they?!?! | ||
| Me Myself (Kid_enzoz)
Junior Member Username: Kid_enzoz Post Number: 144 Registered: 4-2003 |
And it's products.... what would it be like? What types of sub brands would there be? What would the cars be like? Sports cars? 4x4s? Sport sedans? Roadsters? This is a one of those thinking threads. |