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My Elio Alternate Project Is Underway.

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RSchneider

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Looks like you are using two existing side skins from an existing sedan. If so, what did you use? Then, what about the floor pan, firewall and rear bulkhead? What about the powertrain? What are you going to use?

I only ask these questions because last thing we need is another model of a 3 wheeler that will be a limited hit on social media and then after that it resides in the obscurity of dreamer projects. Especially when in this day of age and investing (without investing this will never see the light of day) it needs to be an EV as the ice arena is tapped out. Plus, not a version where you build a roller that runs around on its own power and people assume it’s ready to go. Way too much of that today.
 
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Mark BEX

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RSchneider said:
Looks like you are using two existing side skins from an existing sedan. If so, what did you use? Then, what about the floor pan, firewall and rear bulkhead? What about the powertrain? What are you going to use?
Click to expand...

Which car is actually rather irrelevant in as much as there's at least 10 similar small sedans that I could start with and end up the same result, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Corolla, Ford Escort, Chev Sonic etc, and I may yet change models for production. But the main idea is to use 'off the shelf' OEM side panels and doors for the numerous cost advantages such as hinges, locks, handles, trims, and especially door glass and regulators. Obviously the development time and costs are greatly reduced where OEM can be used.

Nothing very difficult about bulkheads and floors. I have built numbers of scratchbuilt cars in my life, as well as building and extensively modifying race and rally cars.



I am talking to a couple of companies about powertrain prospects, this prototype will ironically use the bigger brother of the 3 cyl, 1.0 Suzuki Geo G10 used in the Elio display cars, the 4 cyl, 1.3 Suzuki Metro G13, it is literally the G10 with another cylinder.


RSchneider said:
I only ask these questions because last thing we need is another model of a 3 wheeler that will be a limited hit on social media and then after that it resides in the obscurity of dreamer projects.
Click to expand...

Been in car forums since 1999, yes I have seen many projects not come to light, the bulk of them in fact. Been worse since CAD became mainstream, anyone can build a computer 3D vehicle nowadays and then ask for funding, not impressed by that at all.

RSchneider said:
Especially when in this day of age and investing (without investing this will never see the light of day) it needs to be an EV as the ice arena is tapped out.
Click to expand...

? You didn't consider that I have money? I'm fine thanks. From day one of this, I have mentioned that I seek no deposits or investments. Elio people have been bitten pretty hard, I would have never expected them to do it a second time, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" comes to mind.

Anyway, just drew the roof in 2D CAD, off to the laser shop tomorrow morning, and get it cut out :-)

146078557_1368977156770593_1269598450309576710_n.jpg
 
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Mark BEX

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After a while considering different approaches to move forward, I cut the sill off one side, and replaced it with a very long box tube. It serves 2 purposes: One being the female pattern for later, and of course forming a chassis rail, will do the other side tomorrow.

Sill lopped off and fallen to the floor ...

sill 11.jpg


Long box tube temporarily riveted in place of the sill ...

sill 22.jpg
 
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