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Wetstuff Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010 Posts: 700 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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First few 'bodies' are $10k.. here's the $10K kit elephant in the room.
Just because Project 818 is all-new doesnt mean that the chassis kit will differ too much from other Factory Five build-it-yourself kits. This means that the 818 starts with a full tubular steel space-frame chassis and a modern composite body shape. The 818 will include everything that is needed to build your car with the exception of running gear and parts from a 2002-2007 Subaru Impreza or WRX.
Here is an early draft list of what will come standard with the kit. As the year progresses, we will add more details to this parts list. This list is subject to change.
Frame:
Conventional Factory Five tubular steel space-frame chassis with integrated roll hoop, side-impact protection, crumple zones front and rear, and aluminum chassis panels
Body:
Complete composite body with the following gel-coat or paint-free composite panels: lower front nose, right and left front quarter panels, hood, right and left doors and door liners, side and rear lower quarter panels, tail section, upper trunk hatch
Aluminum and Composite Chassis Panels:
Pre-fit inner panels that form the cockpit, floors, rear bulk head, engine bay, and splash guards
Front Suspension and Steering:
Front upper control arms, spindle adapter brackets, KONI brand coil over shock assembly, fasteners, brake bias adjuster, and brake line adapters. Steering rack mounts and fasteners to use Subaru steering rack and column.
Rear Suspension:
Multi-link rear suspension includes rear lower control arms, fasteners, adapter brackets, and KONI brand coil over shock kit. Frame mounts enable use of Subaru links and transmission.
Fuel System
Fuel tank with adapter kit (requires Subaru fuel pump, lines, and fittings).
Cooling System
Cooling system adapter kit with radiator hose extensions and fasteners to utilize the Subaru radiator.
Exterior Trim, Lighting, and Glass:
Kit includes headlights with integral turn signals and running lights, tail lights and license plate light, windshield, and badges.
Interior Trim:
The 818 is designed to use Subaru interior components such as gauge pod and seating. Kit includes carpeting, upholstered interior door panels, seat adapter brackets, formed dash, center console, shifter assembly, and e-brake adapter
The design is not my taste, but 200+ people have pre-ordered it.
Jim _________________ Manx #2614 |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah Wetstuff. And the 818 is exactly what I would want, if I had the time. I guess what I was getting at in my previous mention of the 818 is that has a $10k price point. with that $10k you are getting one hell of a kit. No it is not vw based, but it was a reference to show what $10k can get you.
Now take this buggy, add a tube chassis, with a easy to find modern donor at a $10k price point and I think its a winner. _________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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Wetstuff Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010 Posts: 700 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:00 am Post subject: |
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KCG.. Take a look at that Ridgeline again and do a side/by/side. The Ridgeline is considered an odd shape (Honda announced it is to be discontinued in July) by many so scaling it down, to my eye, only makes it cute. ..like a 1/2 size bus or stubby Beetle.
Being realistic, we are slide rule guys with our 50yr old, air cooled engine. New young guys are chipping engines while we are still balancing twin carbs with a floating ball UNI-SYN.
I have always liked vintage stuff -motorcycles, boats, cars- but if I were to start a new business I would look at what base car 18-24's thought was hot a few years ago as a starting point, not what their father thought was cool.
...'only a opinion - not gospel.
Jim _________________ Manx #2614 |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:27 am Post subject: |
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In this day and age you build a mid engine sports car, with a modern powerplant and killer design and you have a winner . Got be be reasonable priced.
Wetstuff wrote: |
KCG.. Take a look at that Ridgeline again and do a side/by/side. The Ridgeline is considered an odd shape (Honda announced it is to be discontinued in July) by many so scaling it down, to my eye, only makes it cute. ..like a 1/2 size bus or stubby Beetle.
Being realistic, we are slide rule guys with our 50yr old, air cooled engine. New young guys are chipping engines while we are still balancing twin carbs with a floating ball UNI-SYN.
I have always liked vintage stuff -motorcycles, boats, cars- but if I were to start a new business I would look at what base car 18-24's thought was hot a few years ago as a starting point, not what their father thought was cool.
...'only a opinion - not gospel.
Jim |
_________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 1199 Location: Havre de Grace, MD
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:34 am Post subject: |
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It's a shame the K1 attack is so expensive. Honda Accord donor, Mid engine, totally sick body. _________________ 71 LWB Manx style dunebuggy
71 Beetle
71 Volksrod
Machette Speedster
2012 Passat TDI SE (sadly sitting in a buyback parking lot somewhere waiting for it's heart to be ripped out.) |
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vwtrey Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2004 Posts: 587 Location: NM
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:49 am Post subject: |
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I do like it. I'd be willing to buy one in the 4k range. |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
It's a shame the K1 attack is so expensive. Honda Accord donor, Mid engine, totally sick body. |
That is what kids want. K1 was WAY up there in price though. The La Bala was pretty reasonable.
On another note do you still have the Machette? _________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 1199 Location: Havre de Grace, MD
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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kitcarguy wrote: |
HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
It's a shame the K1 attack is so expensive. Honda Accord donor, Mid engine, totally sick body. |
That is what kids want. K1 was WAY up there in price though. The La Bala was pretty reasonable.
On another note do you still have the Machette? |
Yeppers. I've had it on a chassis, drove it around the block a few times and convinced myself it screams to be mid engined or something so that's where I stopped. Probably will do something along the lines of a FV chassis some day. _________________ 71 LWB Manx style dunebuggy
71 Beetle
71 Volksrod
Machette Speedster
2012 Passat TDI SE (sadly sitting in a buyback parking lot somewhere waiting for it's heart to be ripped out.) |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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I always thought it would make a great autocross car. Dan at that fiberfab offshoot has the molds, but his site has not been updated in over a year, and nobody has heard much from him _________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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crack monkey Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004 Posts: 267
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Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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looks like he cut the doors free. in the Ultra VW article they were still attached so he had to climb in from the back.
Its a neat kit.. or will be when he is finished |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 1199 Location: Havre de Grace, MD
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Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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kitcarguy wrote: |
I always thought it would make a great autocross car. Dan at that fiberfab offshoot has the molds, but his site has not been updated in over a year, and nobody has heard much from him |
I emailed him a couple times about buying the dash/console for mine. He responded fairly quickly. As you can imagine, shipping from Oregon to Maryland was a killer.
At that time they were willing to sell parts or the complete body to anyone that wanted one, but he sounded like they really weren't planning on marketing it. _________________ 71 LWB Manx style dunebuggy
71 Beetle
71 Volksrod
Machette Speedster
2012 Passat TDI SE (sadly sitting in a buyback parking lot somewhere waiting for it's heart to be ripped out.) |
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
kitcarguy wrote: |
HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
It's a shame the K1 attack is so expensive. Honda Accord donor, Mid engine, totally sick body. |
That is what kids want. K1 was WAY up there in price though. The La Bala was pretty reasonable.
On another note do you still have the Machette? |
Yeppers. I've had it on a chassis, drove it around the block a few times and convinced myself it screams to be mid engined or something so that's where I stopped. Probably will do something along the lines of a FV chassis some day. |
I could see interest in a reproduced Machete body...
bryan _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Well the molds are at Dans shop still I believe. He was trying to sell the entire business for some crazy amount of money about a year or so ago due to an illness in his family if I am not mistaken. But who knows whats going on with all that. I 2013 roadster was supposed to be posted on his website a year ago, and now its almost 2014 _________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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JiI Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2006 Posts: 1845 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:08 am Post subject: |
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HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
kitcarguy wrote: |
HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: |
It's a shame the K1 attack is so expensive. Honda Accord donor, Mid engine, totally sick body. |
That is what kids want. K1 was WAY up there in price though. The La Bala was pretty reasonable.
On another note do you still have the Machette? |
Yeppers. I've had it on a chassis, drove it around the block a few times and convinced myself it screams to be mid engined or something so that's where I stopped. Probably will do something along the lines of a FV chassis some day. |
I just so happen to have a FV chassis, remember?
Jeff |
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gr8cobbler Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 916 Location: Midlife Crisis, Midwest
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Just so folks know what is being discussed, this looks like pure fun to me.
_________________ Gary
Being a cheap old fart is just a front for my actual lack of money. |
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Wetstuff Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2010 Posts: 700 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Not only would this give the folks at the DMV a Weggie but every cop in the county would attempt to fill his quota when saw you. Very cool, but dangerous.
Jim _________________ Manx #2614 |
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JiI Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2006 Posts: 1845 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Just register it as whatever the title says, find out if you need wipers, back up lights etc... insure it and drive. Where is the hard part?
Jeff |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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I would have no issue in Florida getting a Machette on the road _________________ www.fiberclassics.org |
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Wetstuff wrote: |
Not only would this give the folks at the DMV a Weggie but every cop in the county would attempt to fill his quota when saw you. Very cool, but dangerous.
Jim |
With proper lighting/brakes/parking brake/sealbelts/etc., it could be legalized for the street...
bnc _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8700 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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As long as we start with a pan with a title, there would be no issues getting this on the road in Louisiana. It should be the same as a buggy. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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