TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE
(A Group Design Effort)
June. 2003
Page 5:
Entry #5: Steve Laifman's Shot-in-the-Dark
TIGER MK III - 2005
O.K., "The Laws of Auto Design"
- First Law - Be only slightly ahead of the crowd, but not so far as to make another Chrysler Airflow.
- Second Law - Steal the best ideas you can find.
- Third Law - Never admit to the first Two Laws.
I saw this small picture of a car I never heard of, from a place I have never associated with vehicle design and manufacture in the new July, 2003 CAR and DRIVER. I was enthralled.
So, what is a "Spyker"?, and since when were cars designed and built in Holland?
OK, as they envision it, this Dutch entrepeneur, Victor Mueller, is building 32 of these cars just for the U.S. (Others probably get a better one, for less money!) Made from a space frame, welded aluminum sheets and extrusions, with hand formed aluminum riveted body panels, a 400 HP 4.2 liter Audi V-8 is stuck in the middle!! At 2200 pounds, 186 mph, and 4.5 seconds to 60, it seems to minimally qualify for Tiger performance status. A twin turbo Cosworth version is coming along. This car was named after a 1903 Dutch car with a 6 cyl. engine and 4 wheel drive - so there!
Now, a few hours with Photoshop, adding and removing body/grill/emblem features, etc., no one can tell the idea was stolen ! Of course this TIGER version has a Ford 4.6 L., 4 valve per cylinder, double cam per side, intercooled dual turbo alumium engine back there, and those LAT Option wheels. Top speed is limited to 200 mph, to conform with upcoming Bush Post-Iraq Federal Requirements, and the hard top is seperate, and an accessory for the wooses.
Place your order NOW, those 32 cars will go fast, and the post race Le Mans race car is already spoken for by Darrell Mountjoy.
Listen, when you are going to dream - dream BIG! Think back on the elements that made the FIRST Tiger a commercial success:
"The Principles of New Auto Design"
- First Principle - Stick with a seasoned vehicle designer with an established reputation for your big features.
- Second Principle - Use as many parts of a known, reliable production car line as feasible.
- Third Principle - Use the first two principles as your marketing focus.
Following these Principles, I present your next Tiger:
The 2005 Tiger Mk III, Designer - Carroll Shelby, Powered by Ford
The post race Le Mans race car is STILL spoken for by Darrell Mountjoy.
Steve
Entry #6: M. Veesart's Concept Car
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