Cy-Car TigerCat c3V2 CycleCar
Prototype Design, Design Log #2, 8-12-11
“We have heard from the Dad, now let’s hear from his son”
When we first had contracted with Jack Ashcraft to do a series of TigerCat concept drawings in 08’ we were pleased with his output. Early the next year Jack was contacted again to consider making a second series of drawings to concentrate on certain aspects of the project and as a continuation of the drawings he had done the year before. Jack told me was moving down to California to do exclusive work on an aircraft project and would not be available. This was a shame because he just lived 8 houses away from me. Be that as it may, I ask would he have any suggestions and he said why not contact his son Mark who was moving into Jacks house in about a week and he could pick up where he had left off. I of course ask “Mark who”, and Jack told me that Mark was a car designer who was also an Instructor at the Pasadena Art Institute, and had done work in Sweden for SAAB. Since he would only be living 8 houses away I decided to give him a try.
Mark and I meet the next week and worked out a plan on what we were looking for and told him to get started. Two weeks later he presented me with the drawing package you will see in this Design Log #2.
#DL2-2 The 3/4 view shows the real strength of Mark’s design. More like the 30/40′s era Ford Hot Rod we were looking for from the beginning.
You can see the style difference but the same clear thinking was there. His approach was to get more mechanical and brought to the table a number of design elements that we put into the build plan at once. Mark also added a few fresh concepts that we could consider for future model variations and a newer modern style we had not considered.
#DL2-3 The 3/4 front view is the “showroom” view that will win hearts and minds at trade shows and driveways across our great land.
#DL2-4 This exciting new idea car is the “AvenueCat“. With simple fiberglass body panels attached to the Basic TigerCat 3vV2 you have an all new look and feel. Watch out New York City here we come!!
#DL2-5 Four wheels, yes. Due to a strange Federal law everone is allowed to purchase one “Non-Complient” vehicle in their lifetime. That means special four wheel designs based on the 3V2 chassis and main body structure can be developed for a small market of street legal four wheelers. WE like the concept as a Pick-Up because every one want a Hot Rod Truck. Meet “The BeachCat” (left), “SkamperCat” (top) and “SkatCat” (bottom)
#DL2-6 To answer the one question we hear most at trade shows and events is “will there be a convertible top available”? We think that we have a few different options which will work better than canvas and bow ribs. All of the designs done by Mark will fit into the standard TigerCat design and chassis structure. Most can be add-ons and available as options for after sales purchase. The ever changing Cat will have many looks.
In our next Design Log artical we will discuss additional ideas put forth by Mark Ashcraft and his busy drawing pencil.
Carl Myers
