My Elio Alternate Project Is Underway.

[YeeticusMaximus]

Hello, I'm new here. I've been watching for a year now. I for one am excited to see this enter production in the good ol' US of A! I will briefly add that there is some dumb requirements for vehicles today. For example: since 2018 new vehicles are required to have backup cameras. I am not sure if this applies to "enclosed autocycles" or no. However, if required a couple of ideas are having the backup in the rearview itself, like the aftermarket one I installed on my car, or built in to the sun visor. Like this one here: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805678729039.html I hope your endeavor here is successful. If it is and I can come up with the money for it, I will buy one once released. I wish all a good morning/afternoon/evening/day/night.

PS: I am 24 and I am one of the few who daily drives a manual (even rarer an AWD manual, I am very blessed); I hope a manual version will be available for purchase.

 

[JohnJ]

Hello, I'm new here. I've been watching for a year now. I for one am excited to see this enter production in the good ol' US of A! I will briefly add that there is some dumb requirements for vehicles today. For example: since 2018 new vehicles are required to have backup cameras. I am not sure if this applies to "enclosed autocycles" or no. However, if required a couple of ideas are having the backup in the rearview itself, like the aftermarket one I installed on my car, or built in to the sun visor. Like this one here: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805678729039.html I hope your endeavor here is successful. If it is and I can come up with the money for it, I will buy one once released. I wish all a good morning/afternoon/evening/day/night.

PS: I am 24 and I am one of the few who daily drives a manual (even rarer an AWD manual, I am very blessed); I hope a manual version will be available for purchase.

Welcome! You're not the only one here who drives a manual. I have a 1998 Mazda B2500SE pickup, 5 speed, with only 89,000 miles on it. It looks and drives like a new one and I love it. My wife keeps saying I should buy a new one, but why? It's a great truck. Americans are too concerned with having new cars. It may be good for the overall economy, but is bad for the personal pocket book. Keeping a vehicle for a long time is a smart financial decision. That's one reason I was able to retire almost 25 years ago! Now, instead of going to work every day, I can stay home, scroll on the internet, smoke my pipe and play with our cats!

 

[Mark BEX]

At the moment I can not move forward because I have to wait for something that I can't explain in public, and this might go on for a month or 2 more, but it is happening, do not be concerned. I am most sorry about the delay, but it has big benefits.

In the meantime I am going to whip up a sports car, which was inline for for the next slot after the BEX.

I was hesitant to mention it because you might think I have 'given up and started another project', but that is not the case, and then I thought you can see I am active and might entertain you in the meantime :-)

I already had all the components sitting around the factory to suit from previous builds, and I started getting a new chassis together the last couple of days, and here's the first step video today, the chassis floor pan ...

Pictures are aprox what it will look like and the fiberglass bodywork I will be utilising from an older build.

 

[JEBar]

fascinating .... while I have no interest in a two seat sports car, I have no doubt that you will find a market for it

 

[Rickb]

May as well buy a Vanderhall……..with a few established regional sales and servicing partners.

 

[RSchneider]

May as well buy a Vanderhall……..with a few established regional sales and servicing partners.

View attachment 26967

Another option is to buy a Caterham. They even sell them in the US.

 

[Sonoran Sam]

Another option is to buy a Caterham. They even sell them in the US.

When I saw the CAD drawings, I thought it looked a little like the Ariel Atom

Source: Ariel Atom

 

[3wheelin]

2015 Polaris Slingshot​

SL LE​

• $15,900 $276/mo*
• 6,712
  miles
• Drivetrain:
  RWD
• Days Listed
  79
• Price
  $2,255 below avg.
• Mileage
  24,233 miles below avg.

While it was nice following the BEX project, gotta stick with what's real if I really want to own a 3wheeler and at a price that's affordable and backed by established name Polaris. It's used and there's more out there here in the US of A. Not a $26k + Vanderhall nor a Caterham @ 44k + and only in kit form (more money) if imported from England. Nope, nope, nope. For old geezers who wants a 3wheeler NOW for drive around the neighborhood, at the beach or at the freeways and highways showing off their GRAY HAIRS..... not the car.

 

[RSchneider]

When I saw the CAD drawings, I thought it looked a little like the Ariel Atom

Source: Ariel Atom

It's a Caterham and that's based on a Lotus Super 7. Front fenders look like from a Morgan aero 8 (from the GT3 version). So a mashup of a Morgan and a Caterham.

 

[Mark BEX]

Another option is to buy a Caterham. They even sell them in the US.

At $30 to $40,000 for a frame and a bit of bodywork ...

I have the same thing for $5 to $10,000 depending on what engine you use.

JayEmm had a very profound comment about the cost of a Caterham near the end of this video at 16.30 minutes ..