Back in November, we brought you the story of a real-life dream-to-reality car story. It was the tale of Neal Bailey, who was taking the best details of the cars he loved and creating his dream car.
Neal emailed us last week to say he had done some work on his self-branded supercar, the Bailey Blade, and was getting closer to putting it into limited production. The latest design changes were necessary to meet European headlight-height regulations with Viper-like, fender-hugging lamps in front. Neal took advantage of the required changes to incorporate some other design mods as well, like the slotted front intakes where the old headlights once were and the hood scoops now are covered instead of open. The car is also getting a newly redesigned front and rear independent suspension.
The leg-sizzling chrome sidepipes are, thankfully, still there, as are the Vette-like rear haunches and the 500-hp Roush V8 planned for the prototype.Neal says he hopes to have a rolling prototype by the middle of this year with sales starting sometime next year, sooner if he can find an investor. As you have probably already guessed, Neal is hoping to sell a few in Europe, and he says he has designed the Blade to be easily constructed as a right-hand drive car.
If you want a Bailey Blade, Neal says plan on spending between $50,000 and $80,000 depending on options like the prototype's Roush 400IR, an $18,000 option.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:06PM
I'm pretty sure Dodge already shipped this car about 10 years ago.
Justin @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:43PM
True enough, but at least with a v8, this one will sound better (IMO)
Joe K. @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:06PM
Unless this is the size of a Miata and built by children in a sweat shop, there is no way this is happening for $50,000...
pmalik @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:13PM
Better than the last one, still ugly. The rear and side vents need to go, the door impact strip is out of place and the bumper reminds me of some sort of fast-n-furious monstrosity. Also please fade the power buldge on the hood... there's a reason no car carries the lines to the front bumper
mikes2nd @ Mar 4th 2008 9:26PM
Why not just put a body kit on a S2000...
Goofball :)
AntBee @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:22PM
I don't like it.
Moe @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:34PM
The front air dam is too fussy, but other than that, I think it looks gorgeous.
steve-o @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:36PM
barf - o - rama...what an insult to motor car design!
Jared @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:39PM
I don't care for it. Way too fussy. On the side alone, there is a front fender vent, that weird strake in the middle of the door (which clashes with the front fender vent), the rear fender vent, the side pipes, etc.
It is all too much.
Dude @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:42PM
So a Miata, a Solstice, and a Viper went to a bar...
ehisforadam @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:09PM
I think there was a Shelby Cobra in there too...
Mehul @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:17PM
Add a BMW Z3 too
John P. @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:45PM
I don't know how anyone can really say it's ugly or an insult to car design. It may not be to everyone's tastes, but it's not ugly. Now the Honda S2000 and the BMW z4 are bad, especially considering the money and design degrees behind them. This guy's working in his garage, sheesh.
I think it's got potential, especially if he can actually make a few dollars on each he sells, if he does sell any that is. I wish him luck.
jaydove @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:49PM
WOW! I had to comment, I think it’s the best thing I have seen in a long time. How many people build their on car like this? You got my respect. On the guys website he seems to have put a lot of function into the form and I think that’s why it has such a unique look.
SITEiNK @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:22PM
Yea this car certainly does look like a mash-up of some of the more popular cars throughout the years. Make it an electric and sell it for under 30k and it might work, but if put into full production there is do doubt that it would face pressure from the original designers to halt production.
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Adam @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:21PM
@ SITEiNK:
You're way off... the 'make it electric' comment is out of left field (hardly anyone can make an electric under 30k), he's not going to put it into "full production", and there is literally zero danger of legal action from other designers or companies for his design.
Golferal @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:22PM
The first thing I thought after seeing this was "Hey! Is someone making Corvette Summer II?"
Nucbuddy @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:31PM
You say "Vettiper", and I say "Vipette." Let's call the whole thing off.
Corey W @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:40PM
I can't say I really like it, but I can see some good qualities in the design.
By the way, if anybody thinks they can or have done better in automotive design, please post links with your comments.
If not.... well then, you know the ending of this sentence.
Ray @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:41PM
Look what happens when engineers try to design