Contemporary body style on AC frame?

[twsarch]

The factory five AC looks great. I intend to build one in the near future. However I am not really a “retro” kind of guy. Has anyone ever thought about a contemporary body style that can go on the existing frame keeping all else the same as it is in the current kits? Perhaps something that looks like what the AC would have looked like if it were still in production and allowed to evolve? Just a thought.

PS: I like where the project 818 is going esthetically and mid-engine is great. But an all USA sourced modern looking car would be nice, and a lot of guys already have engines. How about a design competition!

[mrmustang]

Having owned both, I can say that the new MK IV has everything the Contemporary had and more. The Contemporary had issues side to side, the new MK IV does not. Rolled edges are a beautiful thing, as is the latest body molds.

Bill S.


The factory five AC looks great. I intend to build one in the near future. However I am not really a “retro” kind of guy. Has anyone ever thought about a contemporary body style that can go on the existing frame keeping all else the same as it is in the current kits? Perhaps something that looks like what the AC would have looked like if it were still in production and allowed to evolve? Just a thought.

PS: I like where the project 818 is going esthetically and mid-engine is great. But an all USA sourced modern looking car would be nice, and a lot of guys already have engines. How about a design competition!

[frankeeski]

Bill, I think what the OP was referring to was not the actual manufacturer "Contemporary" but rather what the car from AC Motorcars would likely have "morphed" into had they been a larger manufacturer like Ford. Kind of like how the Mustang changed it's look over and over til now. You know, something with the basic body style of an AC but with 5 MPH bumpers, airbags, ABS,and even a electric drop top. That is just my example.

To the OP's question. There is not anyone out there right now that sells a more modern interpretation of the body that fits on the FFR chassis. However, there are a couple of other retro body types that have been made to fit the FFR frame. A Side Slab and a 289 FIA come to mind made by Mr. Bruce.

[twsarch]

Like frankeeski said, I am talking about a modern style version of the body to fit the frame, evolution of an AC or even something completely different. I didn’t even know there was a manufacture called contemporary; I am new to this stuff and sort of shopping around.

I may be able to get an engine, I was initially thinking about getting a Sunbeam alpine and making a tiger out of it but I think that is too much for me to handle right now. So I started looking here…….

[scottns]

Like this? This was a concept car they did in 2003.

8872
8873

[AJ Roadster NJ]

OMG, not that stinker again! Yikes. That car sold like laxatives at a diarrhea convention.

[mrmustang]

Like frankeeski said, I am talking about a modern style version of the body to fit the frame, evolution of an AC or even something completely different. I didn’t even know there was a manufacture called contemporary; I am new to this stuff and sort of shopping around.

I may be able to get an engine, I was initially thinking about getting a Sunbeam alpine and making a tiger out of it but I think that is too much for me to handle right now. So I started looking here…….

My personal opinion is that they should not try to modernize the cobra "look" those that have have failed miserably to date. You buy a Cobra because of the look of the body, once you change the body as seen in the pictures above you lose the "mystique" of what it was back in the 60's.

Bill S.

[Someday I Suppose]

What Bill said, updating the look of a Cobra is a futile effort. People are drawn to the car because of the beauty of the design coupled with the anger under the hood.

If your interested in building a kit that looks more modern the Factory Five GTM would fit the bill.

[scottns]

OMG, not that stinker again! Yikes. That car sold like laxatives at a diarrhea convention.

Tell us how you really feel :)

[DARKPT]

Back to the O.P.'s idea, it might be a fun exercise to peruse the better looking concept cars from the past 10-15 years to see if something might look proportional if molded to suit the hardpoints of the MKIV chassis.

With the work involved in making a one-off body, I'd have to be pretty passionate about the shape to start down that road.

[OCCPete]

Don't really care for it myself, but you could do something like Iconic Motors did if you wanted to "modernize" an FFR:

http://www.iconicmotors.com/administrator/components/com_gallery/gallery/roadsterlowtele.jpg

http://www.iconicmotors.com/administrator/components/com_gallery/gallery/ac%20rear%203-4%20left%20hi%2002.jpg

Pete

[twsarch]

Thanks for the input guys.

I hate to disagree but I sort of like the 2003 concept (term used for lack of knowledge of the proper name). If I could have one or the other I would have that. Was that a factory five project and where they ever available to buy? Anyway, the best scenario would be to have both, and even better if the AC cobra where the original deal from the 60’s (the hands down winner for me, but that goes without saying). Don’t take my opinion in anyway as a criticism of the AC kit, love it, want it etc. I was just thinking “out loud” about other possibilities. From what I hear it seems the factory five chassis is quite good and it got me thinking it’s a modern frame, most people put a modern engine on it, how about a modern body style? Even though I mentioned an evolution of the AC and I think I like that as an idea, I was interested in the idea of another body for the frame factory five already makes, AC evolution or not for those that don’t want to have a copy of something from the past but want the same concept and price range. The concept being, a quick, light, simple open top tire shredder project that doesn’t cost as much as my house.

The GTM after a donor C5 I think would cost more than I can swing, be too complicated and it has a roof. The project 818 looks promising if you want an import powertrain, but for now I want this project to be powered by American muscle and I know I can re-build a ford V8, don’t know about a flat 4 and I’m not interested in turbochargers for now, but could be tomorrow.

BTW, I think the 2003 concept looks sort of like a Honda S2000 with a rounder nose. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Guess it depends on individual taste and mood at the moment.

[Mike N]

Log onto the ffcars forum and search for posts under the username Hoofa. The master of the sawsall may be be creating exactly what you are dreaming of :rolleyes:

[twsarch]

Can’t find Hoofa?