Other 818S versionsplaned for the future? And who wants a closed cockpit?

[mindinclouds]

Hi. First post in the forum.

First of all, thanks to all of the participants that post. The information is invaluable for myself and others that are considering an 818 project.

I have seen posts hinting that other configurations of the car may happen in the future (such as a coupe, or removable hard top)

With the weather where I live, not being able to close up the cockpit (including side windows), to allow me to use the car for a larger portion of the year would be a deal breaker. I am all up with building the car simple and light so I am not taking about power windows and door locks type of stuff, but at least a simple system to allow fully sealing the cockpit would be a compromise I would have to make.

I would ask people at FFR, but working in a different kit industry (aircraft), I know what it takes for a small company to get through a development program and get a design into production, let alone getting constantly interruptions which just slow down the process, so I haven't contacted them directly.

So, does anyone have any credible info about other design plans FFR has for the car? I fully realize that with the initial design not even in production, that just because something was mentioned in the past doesn't mean they would follow through on it, but it at least is an indicator they are considering it. I am willing to wait for what meets my needs, but would rather not waste time learning / researching if it is not likely to ever happen.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

(Shameless vote in case FFR people read the post... I would order a 818S kit today if the option for a fully closeable cockpit was available)

[timmy318]

Heard of plans for a coupe/targa and a high mileage version.........

[Rasmus]

Welcome to the forum.


I have seen posts hinting that other configurations of the car may happen in the future (such as a coupe, or removable hard top)
Take any and all posts like that and chalk the information up as baseless rumors and wishes. I say we're lucky FFR committed to two configurations right from the start.

[JAE]

I personally am holding out for some type of coupe version. In talking to both Jason and Jim at SEMA, it sounds like a coupe will happen somewhere down the road (they said no time line as of yet). I will try to wait it out and see what happens, besides if it takes too long, I can always go back to my original plan and build a type 65 coupe. FFR is making it harder to wait by tempting me with all of those great sales, to bad my garage isn't big enough for both cars!

John

[PhyrraM]

Seriously, again?

This exact poll is already here, in these forums, 3 or 4 times over. The same folks will vote for the same answers as last time. The same folks who don't participate, will not participate here either. The same comments and references will be made. But hey......have at it.......again.

[mindinclouds]

Seriously, again?

This exact poll is already here, in these forums, 3 or 4 times over. The same folks will vote for the same answers as last time. The same folks who don't participate, will not participate here either. The same comments and references will be made. But hey......have at it.......again.

I apologize if you were bothered by another new thread.
So can you direct me to these 3 or 4 threads.
As you can see by my join date, I am new to the forum. I did do some searching, and I read many different threads, but I did not find any poll (just one thread discussing the third party design of a removable hard top).

Thanks for the warm welcome

[PhyrraM]

Apologies. That was kinda short of me. No, I did not notice that you were new. I wasn't really bothered, it's just that Dave has plainly stated that he has a game plan in place, and history has shown that constant 'pressure' (read:selfish posting of one's 'correctness') slows, or stops, the flow of information from FFR. Those of us that are truly interested in seeing what is produced and judging the car on it's final merits hate the information plug that results.

Again, apologies. You must have caught me in one of those 'Christmas moods". :eek:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?673-POLL-T-Top-Targa-Top-Soft-Top-No-Top-hard-top-coupe

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?4018-Vote-for-as-many-as-you-like

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?3918-Lets-poll-this-the-forum-for-dave

[mindinclouds]

Apology accepted.
As I said previously, I work in an industry that allows me to know what slowdowns distraction can cause, but I also know how valuable knowing where the greatest customer interests are.
I had done searches but didn't find those threads. Thanks for the links
If a moderator would like to delete this thread please do so, and I will drift into the background and just watch and see what happens.

[Darkpiggy's dad]

Hi Clouds, I was always interested in the Questair Venture. What a rocket! ----- I voted for removable hard top, but definitely not the store in the garage variant like I had on my 59 Alfa 2000. Very heavy and a monster to store. A stressed membrane with directional rigidity that wouldn't distort at high speed and add unwanted lifting force would be nice. Just fold or roll and tuck away! Easier said then done though.

[Etos]

Welcome to the forum.


Take any and all posts like that and chalk the information up as baseless rumors and wishes. I say we're lucky FFR committed to two configurations right from the start.

Definitely not true. I spoke face to face with Jim for a while on this very topic and he assured me it's in the plans to make a hard top of some sort. When it will be out is another story altogether.