Elio Type Vehicle Resurection --- AKA the BEX

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Skyhook​


So I got my skyhook together today, quite pleased with it, adjustable on 4 axis, and annoyed it took me a couple of days (casual thinking) to figure out something that turned out so simple.

As you can probably understand, it simply rolls onto the front of the car​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Cutting edge tech ...​

I cut out the middle of the hood today, and used a mesh and rivet bandaid to stick it back together.

Wish I had of put the bandaid on first, because about 1 second after I took the lower picture, the left hand hood half fell to the ground causing a slight dent ...

I am playing with positioning of the panels, not set in stone, so don't get excited either way about it, early days yet ...

[BMCTED]

the original Elio was designed to burn gasoline and to get around 80 mpg ....

I have loved the Elio since the beginning. As a mechanic who started working at a VW dealership back when the sign in the front window read $1495
in big red letters, I think this is EXACTLY what America needs today.

No dealerships ... the car was going to be sold and serviced by Pep Boys! It would be a cheap little car to send your kid to school in, or for a new couple starting out, or for an old guy like me to get around in (and to hot rod!!!). I'll bet any kind with a box of Craftsman tools could keep it running forever.

Did you know that the MEDIAN price of a new car sold in the US today is over THIRTY FREAKIN' THOUSAND DOLLARS???? THIS is a damned shame.

I almost put in the down payment ... but I KNEW the hardest thing to get off the ground in the US is a car company. A number of guys have tried since the end of WW 2, Tucker, Bricklin, Delorian come to mind, and all ... except Elon Musk have failed miserably.

But nobody has ever tried to build something like the VW. It breaks my heart.

anyoldways, I have designed something based on the VW Beetle, but a LOT weirder. It would start with the floor pan and front suspension from a VW beetle (NOT a Super Beetle with McPherson struts). It would use Honda Valkyrie engine, trans and rear suspension. The body would be from ... no kidding ... a Cessna 310 fuselage, which is 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide, or 1 foot less then a VW beetle in both directions. Just picture VW beetle front fenders on it. Low, lightweight and good aerodynamics are built in! I'm thinking it should be pretty good on gas, if I can keep my foot out of the throttle.

cessna_310a fuse.jpg (66.62 KiB) Viewed 541 times

It's not like something like this hasn't been done. They are known as "reverse trikes", and there are a number of them out there in various forms.

aircarthing_02_700.jpg (79.54 KiB) Viewed 541 times

[JEBar]

I have loved the Elio since the beginning. As a mechanic who started working at a VW dealership back when the sign in the front window read $1495 in big red letters, I think this is EXACTLY what America needs today

agree and thanks for your comments .... after following several over the years, I firmly believe that Mark's BEX Mongrel will make it to production ..... when that happens we will most certainly order one

[BMCTED]

agree and thanks for your comments .... after following several over the years, I firmly believe that Mark's BEX Mongrel will make it to production ..... when that happens we will most certainly order one

Something that always surprised the hell out of me was that big time car and motorcycle guy Jay Leno never even gave the Elio the time of day ... never even said the name. Leno had a LOT of other new cycle cars, or reverse trikes on his program over the years and he's helped a number of guys get off the ground. I think even just a positive comment from him would have helped Elio a lot.

[JEBar]

I think even just a positive comment from him would have helped Elio a lot.

sadly, in retrospect, I don't believe Paul could have brought the Elio to mass production with anything less than an unlimited bucket of money at his disposal .... and even if he had that, he'd of blown it and wanted more

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I took another 3"+ out of the hood's width, the headlight law has made me refigure how I am approaching this, and happy with the thought process, should be easier and cheaper, just have to wait and see if it works in practice. .

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX .....

My skyhook certainly makes life easier to roll the nose in and out.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

One of the better ways to describe what I would like to attempt to do at the front, comes from the Australian V8 Supercars racing series.

I will attempt to make the original shape of the OEM headlights, become running lights having a glow effect, similar to what you see in the picture below.

This is the best way to retain the original styling effect, but of course with the addition of 2 real headlights in the legal central position, looking like some additional driving lights.​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Just chipping away bit at a time ...

Finally the group of pictures show more how sleek it is in real life.​

And the single picture shows where the front running light is ..