FOUND - McLaren F1 Replica!!!!!

[cabaynes]

If you're going to build a car from scratch, I'd go with the Ultima GTR.

Didn't that actually use a couple Ultima kit cars in prelim testing of the F1?

[ArchangelGTR]

Originally Posted by Le Man

This looks interesting?

Looks like someone is doing a better job than DDR!!




Longtail GTR? (Real or replica?)

And the plot thickens... Interesting find Le Man. Wonder where that is being produced. DDR had mentioned a V8 version of their car. Wonder if its for that or an entirely different company.

[Mcl@ren]

le man, where you get these pics from ?

[Le Man]

Originally Posted by Mcl@ren

le man, where you get these pics from ?

Some where on the internet? there are some more pics floating around, kit car forum, I think!!. I shall do a search for them.

Some one told me it may be Parallel Designs in the UK as they do a Lamborghini Diablo replica already? Carbuilder 2002 should know, he,s more knowledgeable on replica,s than I am.

[jkbon]

looks good

[carbuilder2002]

I have not heard of any UK based replica F1 being done (appart from my stillborn one which I could start construction as soon as I though it safe to do so).
Anyway the bodywork is actually the easiest part of the car. Due to the compact nature of the F1 the packaging is so tight the choice of mechanical components is the major factor, assuming you want to do the F1 justice and not just stick a stock mid engined cassis under the bodywork.
To get the 3 seating position is not difficult just needs careful placement of the front steering and suspension componentry.

carbuilder2002

[carbuilder2002]

Been in touch with Parallel Designs,

This was their reply.

sorry NO,,,!!!!!!!!!! were did you hear that from,,?????

Sounds as though there may be smoke but they are very worried about consequences.
Unless of course they genuinley are not building one.

Draw your own conclusions, they seem very alarmed that it is being mooted?

carbuilder2002

[Le Man]

Carbuilder2002 what do you make of this!!

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/view....php?tid=52531

Not exactly what I was searching for, but go to post 4. Sounds familiar?

Quote:- Space frame chassis, grp tub, BMW engine and an Audi/Porshe transaxle.... interesting idea?????

[carbuilder2002]

Hmm yes well I was planning a carbon or aluminium moocoque with gallardo V10 and transmission.
Anyway have been talking to a barrister regarding copyright.
Apparently if the car is more than 5% adrift of the actual car then the company can make a claim against you but usually it is based on percieved loss of sales.
This raises the question as they no longer sell F1's you can argue that their lost sales will be zero as they are not selling any anymore.
I could not get clarification on if that 5% had to be applied to every aspect of the car (Unlikely) or if say butting a V10 in instead of a V12 accounts for a 5%+ disparity?
Still not prepared to risk it just yet if ever.
Mind it is getting easier these days to do it properly you can now get a BMW V10 (even the same make engine).
Cant see the point of an MR2 based replica of something like a Mac or as some other guy has started that I heard of an MR2 based Enzo ????

carbuilder2002

[Mcl@ren]

does anybody know the legialities of all the copyright issues. I have heard so many stories about when they run out etc and differences by percentage and so on.

Can anyone state for sure, how much a car must differ by, after what period of time can a car be copied outright, is there a 3 seater design patent in favour of mclaren ?

Is there a patent office whom we can contact to verify if a particular patent exists ?

More importantly what is Mclarens problem ? The car is no longer made by them, the originals will always sell for a heck of a lot more than any replica so owners of the real thing should have no problem. Common Mclaren, let the little guys enjoy the looks of such a great car as like most on here, i will never be able to afford one.

[Le Man]

A friend who is into kit cars, just emailed me these pics. Looks like someone has restarted F1 production.

[carbuilder2002]

Well I see it's in th US so maybe they can get away with it easier, but I was certainly left in no doubt that I would loose everything and wind up homeless. Mind sometimes I wish I had made a sideline to my business and may have been able to buy a GTR without selling my company lol.

[Mcl@ren]

Although this is one of the best attempts i have seen other thatn the ddr, it just looks such a mess.

seeing that he is on his 2nd attempt on the body it will be interesting to see how much further this goes and how much better he can make the car look..

[carbuilder2002]

McLaren do indeed have a patent out on the 3 seater layout (stated in DA) so am not sure how anyone would get around that problem?
It was going to be a regal minefield to build one out in the open which is why mine was shelved. You could build one but am not sure how long you would keep it before you were summoned to the courts (not an inconspicuous car by any means and am sure an apparent F1 prowling the local streets would possibly even attract the local papers speculating who in the local area were in a bosition to buy one). And with a projected build cost of nearly £50,000 a lot of money to risk loosing.

[Mcl@ren]

Mclaren is full of ..................

Its about time they let people make the replicas. these cars are out of production for so long now and its not like they gonna start again.