I've been keeping up with it. It's a very unique twist on the Murcielago design (which no matter what you argue, it's based on that even if it's unique). They've got two different styles to choose from, but I'm wondering how many kits they've actually done. I keep seeing the yellow and white one and am wondering who has actually used their services or bought a kit.
no radiator?..how's the cooling setup on this thing?..maybe under the car, look at the bumper...i think it looks nice, but i think it has too many mercielago (sp?) styling cues. i love how they cut the fiero seat in the chassis pic lol
no radiator?..how's the cooling setup on this thing?..maybe under the car, look at the bumper...i think it looks nice, but i think it has too many mercielago (sp?) styling cues. i love how they cut the fiero seat in the chassis pic lol
HI all
The radiator is infront of the rear wheels.... They are not selling kits, at least at this point.. There is a build thread with some pix going on at madmechanics.com, ARI's kitcar site now named this........ Yes, there are 2 different bodies, but IIRC, the only difference is in the nose design.....
Personally, I disagree with the statements of it not being unique... Yeah, it is based upon the murcie, but I think it has too many design cues that are unique.... Remember, the law says that you need to only change a replica's body by 10% in order to not have lawyers on your back.......
------------------ Me, I sell engines, the cars are for free, I need something to crate the engines in.... Enzo Ferrari....
Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.... Enzo Ferrari...
Today they are called garage's, yesterday, they were stable's! Eric Jacobsen....
The radiator is infront of the rear wheels.... They are not selling kits, at least at this point.. There is a build thread with some pix going on at madmechanics.com, ARI's kitcar site now named this........ Yes, there are 2 different bodies, but IIRC, the only difference is in the nose design.....
Personally, I disagree with the statements of it not being unique... Yeah, it is based upon the murcie, but I think it has too many design cues that are unique.... Remember, the law says that you need to only change a replica's body by 10% in order to not have lawyers on your back.......
Personally, I disagree with the statements of it not being unique... Yeah, it is based upon the murcie, but I think it has too many design cues that are unique.... Remember, the law says that you need to only change a replica's body by 10% in order to not have lawyers on your back.......
I agree. It definitely evokes the look and feel of the Murcielago but without trying to be an exact replica. And it has many unique styling cues of it's own.
It would be a nice ride, but right after you took delivery you would have to drop another $10-$15K to get it a decent motor. There is no way I'm driving that with a stock 20 year old 2.8V6 under the decklid.
I have followed the development of this car also and agree it looks totally stunning especially from a side and frontal view.
The rear treatment is kind of cheesy IMO, and i think if he had just changed the slope of the front nose or rounded it like an aero nose or just something different than a murcielago, you would have something totally unique but with the flavor of the lambo.
As is, most will call it an attempt at a lambo clone, when it is really something different than it appears. Yeah no kits on this one, the guy just does turnkeys as i can't blame him, cause someone would otherwise certianly just splash his body and begin selling them as their own.
Nobody is laying down turnkey money to splash hehehehe.
[This message has been edited by exoticse (edited 09-23-2009).]
I have followed the development of this car also and agree it looks totally stunning especially from a side and frontal view.
The rear treatment is kind of cheesy IMO, and i think if he had just changed the slope of the front nose or rounded it like an aero nose or just something different than a murcielago, you would have something totally unique but with the flavor of the lambo.
As is, most will call it an attempt at a lambo clone, when it is really something different than it appears. Yeah no kits on this one, the guy just does turnkeys as i can't blame him, cause someone would otherwise certianly just splash his body and begin selling them as their own.
Nobody is laying down turnkey money to splash hehehehe.
It's a clone, especially from the front. I applaud his talents (seen in the roof, side vents), but he could've created something totally new and unique. However, he's way ahead of the replicas... they're stuck on the clone pipe.
I know the guy who is building them, as well as the guy that "inspired" them.... (I build the HVAC controllers for them) It started off as a Lambo deal gone bad, original owner lost $1,000s on a crap builder who just "took the money and ran" so to speak. He was able to get the partially finished car back, but lost $$ on the deal. The car was then taken to the builder of the Vendetta, who had a (probably fairly botched) kit to start with, and turned it into what you see. (well, that's the first one. The 2nd (white) one has some nice improvements) Due to the original bad builder's mechanical problems the poor guy (owner of the yellow car) hasn't been able to drive it more than a few miles since it's been done. It's a nice car, I hope to get one some day. He does partial and full builds, Fiero or tube chassis but yes, he doesn't sell just the bodies any more...
The cost of the wheels along will cause many Fiero to go into convulsions; Did you notice the Brembo brakes? If they're not the plastic cover-overs then that'll cost you 5k. Thus you're looking at a 50k plus toy.
Lot of work on the chassis why not just build a new tube frame. Looks like the rear cradle and floor pans are the only thing left.
I thought one reason was mentioned in this thread, but couldn't find it above... If you do a tube frame you need to source *everything*, including the pedal assemblies, hydraulics, shifter, gas tank, suspension parts, etc, etc..... That can add up to HUGE money in addition to the $12k frame. Plus, this frame already existed when the car was brought in to create the body on. And yes you can build a tube frame from scratch / plans, but he prefers to work on the bodies and such; it's not a quick job to scratch-build a frame.
The cost of the wheels along will cause many Fiero to go into convulsions; Did you notice the Brembo brakes? If they're not the plastic cover-overs then that'll cost you 5k. Thus you're looking at a 50k plus toy. [/IMG]
The estimate for a "cheaper" version similar to the wheels he uses is around $4k. for 20's. If that's the cheaper version, I don't think I can afford the real ones! The rears are 14" wide. Tires would be another $1k I'd guess, maybe more. He's building 9 of them at the moment, so it looks like someone likes them!
I thought one reason was mentioned in this thread, but couldn't find it above... If you do a tube frame you need to source *everything*, including the pedal assemblies, hydraulics, shifter, gas tank, suspension parts, etc, etc..... That can add up to HUGE money in addition to the $12k frame. Plus, this frame already existed when the car was brought in to create the body on. And yes you can build a tube frame from scratch / plans, but he prefers to work on the bodies and such; it's not a quick job to scratch-build a frame.
I guess you could use the front fire wall and floor to keep the VIN number. It just seems like a lot of extra steel but it is a "convertible" so I guess it’s not too out of line. $55000 is a lot of money for a hacked up Fiero, that’s not a flame but you know that as soon as anyone sees the strut towers and Fiero chassis they will make that connection and it won’t matter how much it cost or how well it’s built.
I remember watching that frame build and thinking it was some of the best (and quickest!) work I'd ever seen... As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule. I doubt 99% of the guys building replica cars could put together a frame half that nice in twice the time. Which is why there are frame companies you can buy one from for $12k.. But yes, $50k or more for something with a modified Fiero frame is questionable to most serious car buyers. (the ones with the $$ to drop cash for one of these) The nicer replicas with replica frames and everything are closer to $100k in the end however...
Exotic cars naturally are appealing, but I never really liked replicas. But has anyone seen this Original Design kit before?
Looks sweet and it's not trying to be anything it's not. Very nice looking.
I agree that is an amazing work of craftsmanship, but I disagree that it's an original design that is not trying to be anything. That design has Lamborghini written all over it. It's amazing, but it's the Lambo that Lambo did not build.
The estimate for a "cheaper" version similar to the wheels he uses is around $4k. for 20's. If that's the cheaper version, I don't think I can afford the real ones! The rears are 14" wide. Tires would be another $1k I'd guess, maybe more. He's building 9 of them at the moment, so it looks like someone likes them!
There's the "catch 22." "In for a penny, in for a dollar." In order to pull this build off you need the best if not--- near best parts. Otherwise it would be let down. People will automatically assume it's a replica or maybe a custom made car, but cheaping out would kill the look and so too will a 2.8 engine in the back.
but I disagree that it's an original design that is not trying to be anything. That design has Lamborghini written all over it. It's amazing, but it's the Lambo that Lambo did not build.
Bob
Well I agree it has Lamborghini written all over it. But anyone that knows Lamborghinis will instantly know that it's not a Murcielago or any other Lambo model. And it's not trying to be a 100% faithful reproduction of any model of Lamborghini, so from that perspective it is original.
My car has stying cues from the Great Blue Chop top but I didn't set out to make an exact replica.
I stumbled upon this car on the net, didn't know the history, and I hope to see one in real life. As for the frame, if you started with a tube frame it would be nearly impossible to make it street legal. You could slap a Fiero VIN on it but that wouldn't pass inspection in any state where they actually look for that.
Which brings up another point, how many folks will spend $55K for a kit car based on an 85 Fiero? There are at least 9 but it is a very small market. I know if I had 55 large I probably would be looking at a used Z06, but I like the look of the Vendetta better.
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 09-24-2009).]
Its a nice looking car but I agree for $50000 I would be looking for something that started out as a super car. Now put another $10000 into a drive train and you have something. I love the interior.
its dead sexy mad style and i think the thing about it that i like the most is that the cockpit is pushed so forwrard. like, theres enough for a jet turbine behind the passenger compartment (suggestion maybe?)
Interesting...I hope he doesn't paint it lime green.
I think it would get old real fast telling people that the car is NOT a Lamborghini.
Haha thats me. Heres the latest photoshop. My wife wanted red and automatic. I wanted white with a manual. We have agreed on red with paddle shifters.
I don't know much about the fiero, but I am learning and this website is the bible of fieros. I built one of the craziest custom f430 nosed solstice, so you can say I am a Pontiac guy. I bought Jesse's 88 3800SC fiero and I plan to twincharge it with a turbo. I fell in love with the vendetta. I like it more then a real murci. I love the sides alot and the rear is cool. The front is too murci wanna be. I am going to change it to something cool as soon as I find something different that looks good also. Normsfiberglass does all my custom work. I know he does a ton of fiero stuff. Bear with me guys, I will be asking alot of questions and using the search button too. I don't know much about the 3800, so I joined their website. Here is my solstice:
i have followed your work and your solstice for a long time, both fantastic. In case most didn't know Madmod's solstice landed some air time for the latest The Fast and The Furious movie !
You picked a great guy in Norm to do some of your custom glasswork. I agree 100 % that the side of this car looks better than a murcie, but the nose is too murcie like. Change that and you will have an absolute killer car !
Looking forward to seeing the progress on this one !
BTW why not shape the nose sort of like this car, the wooden splinter supercar ! It almost looks like an aero nosed fiero.
Thanks guys. The fast & furious was fun, but all the good scenes and stunts got cut from the movie. Not to mention some bad ass cars. The producer is not a car guy and it showed. At least they cut some the ricey cars out.
I should have my fiero on thursday around 2pm. I heard that the car runs good but the tach and speedometer do not work. Plus the ac compressor is out. Those are going to be my first actions. I'm going to twincharge her after Franco at vendetta gets the body on. So I need help. I was thinking of just buying a cleaner wiring harness from loyd. I heard he tuned the ecm.
I was on the Kitkar forum today and notice that the Vendetta fiberglass kit is on sale. 8k or something (not that I'm interested in buying the kit... just letting you know) .
I was on the Kitkar forum today and notice that the Vendetta fiberglass kit is on sale. 8k or something (not that I'm interested in buying the kit... just letting you know) .