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 Topic  |
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Colvindesign
USA
43 Posts |
 Posted - November 22 2004 : 3:32:27 PM
I figured this would be the best place to post this message. I am a designer looking for a company interested in building original design kit cars. First off is a 1970 Chevelle based design with more modern styling, designed to use a tube chassis. Also on the same chassis, I have a design for a Grand National GNX based design, but much more modern, and sleek. And finally, a 2 seat front engine awd light weight supercar. I also have a few mid engine designs. THe idea with the first two is modern day muscle cars. I am looking for companies interested in looking at my designs, and maybe producing all or one of them. Is there anyone here that works in the industry that would be interested in seeing my work? Thanks! |
EMIR_RC
Argentina
68 Posts |
Posted - November 25 2004 : 10:26:27 PM
Where can we see some of your work?
we will be interested if the desings are good.emailme to emirsherbi@fibertel.com.ar www.sherklein.com.ar 
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Rick
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - November 26 2004 : 4:15:14 PM
Please take this post in the spirit of an impartial observer. First, GM will eat you alive if you base anything on a past design and even refer to that earlier car. Second, your design could be the best ever, but if no one can see it, then you're just another designer with an idea. Third, even before you present any kind of a design, make sure that you have all your systems figured out for the chassis; engine, brakes, wiring, everything. Again, if you haven't thought it through to that point, then your just another guy. The current automakers spend millions on research, and there are plenty of 'modern day musclecars' - look at the new Mustang.
My suggestion: email back to Emir_RC to see what they have to say first. Contact the folks at Factory Five - they've got a proven track record for building reliable kits and may be interested in new ideas. Same goes for any of the manufacturers listed across the top of this page.
If you want to get noticed by the automobile manufacturers, then I would buy every car related magazine there is and read! I know that every year there is a design competition for SEMA, and some of those past winners have been placed in really good positions with the automakers. I'm sure that there are other competitions that I don't know about, but I really haven't researched it, either.
You got to be realistic about what you're doing, or want to do. Anyone with a computer and a CAD program can design a car, literally. With current software, it's not that difficult. What makes one designer stand out is making the concept work. Don't just post pictures on a website and hope someone stumbles across them - make those people who are in the business aware!
Good luck!Rick
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Bobi1
Bulgaria
228 Posts |
Posted - November 26 2004 : 5:35:18 PM
quote:
Anyone with a computer and a CAD program can design a car, literally. With current software, it's not that difficult.
 Ghehe... Man,the cardesign is not a game-if anyone wish to design car he must know many about cars and its mechanisms,aerodynamics,safety,visibility,stability etc... As you know the style of one car is not so easy as looks.
3D REAL EXOTIC DESIGN
Comming soon my website for custom design!!! |
Rick
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - November 27 2004 : 05:50:26 AM
My point, Bobi. Anyone with an iota of talent for design can utilize any one of a hundred different software programs to design a vehicle - it's making all the components work together that will separate the wanna-be's from the producers.Rick
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detroitbrit
60 Posts |
Posted - November 30 2004 : 11:47:10 AM
just for casual reference , as I see more people post topics of I'm thinking of producing this car...etc etc.If you wanted to become a small OEM, say someone like TVR or morgan, and assuming you kept it simple like no airbags, existing engine , and using small suppliers that produce automotive parts/ parts bin shopping. You will need about $12,000,000 dollars to get the thing to market/homolgated. Rest assured a very small amount of this money actually goes into what it looks like. The lions share of this 12 milllion is always in testing , mock-ups prototypes and crash vehicles.
BTW , for the 12 million you can have 5 engineers,2 development build engineers, 3 cad stations, 1 clay, 1 concept runner, 1 crash, 3 development prototype vehicles, production tooling to make 500 vehicles a year for 3 years,and 18 months to do the lot. Oh and most important supply your own "saleable brand image/nameplate" . So if anybody out there wants to be an OEM, let me know , and as the saying goes on this side of the pond " I can hook you up"
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Bobi1
Bulgaria
228 Posts |
Posted - December 01 2004 : 04:50:36 AM
Sorry for this funny question,but what is "OEM"? I'm not American and I don't know abbreviations like this one http://mythos.hit.bg/about_me.html |
detroitbrit
60 Posts |
Posted - December 01 2004 : 06:33:44 AM
O = original E= equipment M = Manufacturer, ie Ford, DaimlerChrysler, GM, BMW , ******* etc etc
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Bobi1
Bulgaria
228 Posts |
Posted - December 02 2004 : 06:06:07 AM
OK,Thanks a lot,detroitbrithttp://mythos.hit.bg/about_me.html |
Colvindesign
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - December 10 2004 : 09:46:18 AM
Sorry for the delayed response, have been very busy. Please understand, I do not wish to get into yet another arguement of what it takes to start a car company. That is why my idea is to start a company to make rolling chassis cars. Every time I post about my ideas, I get a handfull of people telling me what I can and can not do. Sorry, but I have heard it all before. I have done more research than you will ever believe.
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Rick
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - December 10 2004 : 3:38:07 PM
No argument intended by anyone, I believe. But, in the first post you are looking for a company; in the last post you want to start a company to produce rolling chassis. Which is it? I'm not bashing dreams, but trying to bring focus to your goals. If you've done the research you say you have, then you should have the tools and the contacts to start anything you want. You even have posters here who have contacts for venture capitalists - what more do you need?
The tone of your post is one of bitterness - don't be discouraged. Ask a hundred people about what to do, and you'll get a hundred different answers. Stick to what you know and see what happens. Heck, even Cottington didn't get to where he is today without working for other people and learning the business.Rick
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Colvindesign
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - December 10 2004 : 8:39:56 PM
Rick, Didn't mean to sound bitter. I guess I can't say I am not asking for business advice without sounding bitter...... Anywho I have been trying to start my business for over 10 years. I did post on here that I was looking to have a company produce my designs, but then I got responses emailed to me. I hate to say it, but I am a little too picky to let just anyone build cars with my design name on them. Being that I am trying to build a reputation for good work. I began my designs as exercises for one off custom built cars. Well, then I put more thought into it, and thought it would be better to make them into a kit. And after getting responses from some very good (and some very bad) builders, I think the best option for me would be to start off my own company, but if I cannot do that, I will reluctantly sell me designs to another company. Hope this clears it up a bit.
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Colvindesign
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - December 10 2004 : 9:13:19 PM
BTW, I have done the research I have said I have done, and I do have the contacts to make every part I need. But they do not work for free. I do understand that advice is useful. However, from my position, it is hard to tell who is a 15 year old kid who knows everything, from a tried and true business professional, ya know? I guess you can say I am kind of bitter. I have written some great business plans. One of them (nearly) identical to (but better than) a plan that received over 2b in financing. The only reason I didn't get funding is because the guy who wrote the other one, started 1-800 flowers. He knew the right people to talk to. I didn't. I also convinced carclassic.com to start selling cars in the us when the Euro was down, and they acted like they never heard of me, while they sold over 100 exotic cars to the US. When I was 19, I found a 1987 Maserati Biturbo with 30k miles on it, for $4900, I test drove it, and called the ******* Dealership I knew of in the area, told them about it, and they said they were not interested, but less than a week later, I saw it on their lot with a sticker saying $15,995. I am the guy who stops to help people change their tire and end up getting a parking ticket (last thursday). I am the guy who always helps people, and tries to do the right thing. I am the nice guy who always finished last in high school. I am the guy who ends up getting passed over. I am the guy who saved my company from 100k fines more than 10 times in 4.5 years, and re-programmed an entire unit to save the company over 10m, yet my boss believed the person who did nothing but talk bs and surfed the net for **** on their company computer, that said I was leaving early, arriving late, among other things. Even though I was the only one the customer could count on to go 50 miles to a remote location to do 2 minutes of work, on a sunday, just to make the customer happy. I was the person who didn't tell my boss about stuff like this, but let him hear it from the customer. I am the guy who sent a design to Lamborghini when I was 17 years old, and the factory called my house, only to have my father tell them they had the wrong number. I can go on and on. Sorry if I am bitter, but When you have worked on something so hard for as long as I have, you cannot put the entire essence of it into a single post on a internet forum. So forgive me if I don't think that a person can tell me what I really need to do to be successful, after reading a tiny fragment of my intentions. Like you said ask a hundred people, get a hundred answers. I am looking for help to locate the right people, that's all. To give you an idea of how I feel, tell me your life story in 5 sentences, and I'll tell you what you've done wrong. - Cheers, Brian.
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Rick
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - December 11 2004 : 10:30:09 AM
Much better Brian! Now we have an idea of what you've put into your dream. Yes, nice guys often finish last. I've had my own business for the last twelve years, and I'm still not showing a profit that I'm happy with. Why? Because my competition talks trash and undersells almost everything I bid on. But the loyal customers I do have recognizes the quality and 'extra mile' service that the competition charges extra for. Point being, you can only get so far being passive and hope for the best.
I don't know how the banks work where you're at - with such a business plan, would they not give you a private grant? I guess the tricky part would be collateral...It seems that you have contacts in the automotive industry now - why not call VW Europe and see if you can get some leads? Doubtfully they would have your Lamborghini idea on file, but you never know. And no, manufacturers don't work for free, hence your need for financing, but I think if you were able to convince a local bank or private investor that your ideas have merit, you may be able to secure what you need. If you could get the parts made, do you have people that could assemble everything? What kind of answers have you been getting from your contacts?
First and foremost, though, if you haven't already, copyright those designs. You don't want to submit to someone then see it a year later.
Trust me, Brian. I know it feels like your hitting your head on a brick wall sometimes. At some point though, someone is going to say 'Oh yeah - I saw his stuff. Let me talk to...' and the rest is going to be history.Cordially - Rick
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Colvindesign
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - December 11 2004 : 10:53:01 AM
Lol, It's nice to hear from someone who is in the same boat, albeit a little further upstream. I think you may be right. Vittorio di Capua is the guy who signed the letter, I think I will try to contact him. After all, it couldn't hurt. Email me at colvindesign@hotmail.com, and I'll send you some drawings. -Bri
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