Melling Wildcat
Encyclopedia
The Melling Wildcat is a V8
powered sports car
produced by engine specialist Al Melling
in Rochdale, UK.
to fill the gap left by defunct British marques such as TVR
, Marcos
and others. Designed to strike a balance between high performance, low cost, and adaptability for possible future legislative changes, the first running prototype car was made in only nine months and appeared in Autocar
in August 2008. Since then, a small run of seven cars have been produced including a speedster version. The company has now set up a production facility in Portugal
at the Autodromo do Algarve.
The Wildcat has been noted as sharing a resemblance to the TVR Griffith
.
; a modern, redeveloped version of Al Melling's AJP8 used in the TVR Cerbera
. Other engines can be specified including the GM LS-series
, BMW
V8s and the Dodge Viper V10.
The Wildcat is available with a five or six speed Tremec manual gearbox mated to a live rear axle with a rear limited slip differential; independent rear suspension may be specified when ordering. A 2.8:1 axle ratio is fitted as standard, but other ratios are possible. The driveline claimed to accept up to 1000 bhp. The chassis is a box section steel structure with built-in roll and side impact protection. The fully adjustable suspension includes front double unequal length wishbones, and a rear live axle with four locating links. Brakes are front and rear ventilated discs with Melling designed four pot calipers. It has rack and pinion steering with 2.9 turns from lock to lock, and may be powered or unpowered. Many other bespoke options are available at the request of the buyer.
0-62 mph: 3.2 seconds (3:1 final drive ratio), or 3.5 (2.65:1 final drive ratio)
Curb weight: 998 kg
Engine: 4500cc V8
Installation: Front, longitudinally mounted, rear wheel drive
Power: 448 bhp @ 7200rpm
Torque: 407 lb ft @ 5200rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Wheels: 17in/18in alloy (front/rear)
Tires: 245/25x17 (front), 255x490x18 (rear)
Price: £50,000 (base)
The race will be a big noise Race Series similar to Nascar
and the SCCA in America.
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
powered sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
produced by engine specialist Al Melling
Al Melling
Al Melling is an automobile engineer.- Fashion Design :At the beginning of the eighties he became involved in the fashion industry. He owned a company in London throughout the eighties which designed ladies’ fashion garments. As owner he became interested in the whole lifecycle of garment...
in Rochdale, UK.
History
The Wildcat was conceived by designer Al MellingAl Melling
Al Melling is an automobile engineer.- Fashion Design :At the beginning of the eighties he became involved in the fashion industry. He owned a company in London throughout the eighties which designed ladies’ fashion garments. As owner he became interested in the whole lifecycle of garment...
to fill the gap left by defunct British marques such as TVR
TVR
thumb|right|240px|TVR No.2, the oldest surviving TVR, located at [[Lakeland Motor Museum, Newby Bridge, Cumbria]]TVR was an independent British manufacturer of sports cars. Until 2006 it was based in the English seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire, but has since split up into several smaller...
, Marcos
Marcos
-Sports:* Dayton Marcos, Negro League baseball team from Dayton, Ohio * Nélson Marcos, Portuguese footballer* Marcos Ambrose, Australian racing driver currently competing in NASCAR* Marcos Baghdatis, Cypriot tennis player...
and others. Designed to strike a balance between high performance, low cost, and adaptability for possible future legislative changes, the first running prototype car was made in only nine months and appeared in Autocar
Autocar
Autocar is a weekly British automobile magazine published by Haymarket Motoring Publications Ltd. It refers to itself as "The World's oldest car magazine".-History:...
in August 2008. Since then, a small run of seven cars have been produced including a speedster version. The company has now set up a production facility in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
at the Autodromo do Algarve.
The Wildcat has been noted as sharing a resemblance to the TVR Griffith
TVR Griffith
The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1991 and ending in 2002....
.
Construction
The Wildcat has a variety of engine choices, but the standard fit is a 4.5 liter Melling V8Melling V8
Designed by Al Melling, the Melling V8 is derived from the AJP V8 used in the TVR Tuscan challenge and the TVR Cerbera.The engine comes in two variants; the road version - wet sump and the race version - dry sump. To ensure the best packaging of the engine it has been designed with a 72 degree V....
; a modern, redeveloped version of Al Melling's AJP8 used in the TVR Cerbera
TVR Cerbera
The TVR Cerbera is a sports car manufactured by TVR between 1996 and 2003. The name is derived from Cerberus the three-headed beast of Greek legend that guarded the entrance of Hades....
. Other engines can be specified including the GM LS-series
GM LS engine
The GM LS engine family is an engine design intended as the only V-8 engine used in General Motors' line of rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. The LS series was a "clean sheet" design with little in common with the classic Chevrolet small block V8...
, BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
V8s and the Dodge Viper V10.
The Wildcat is available with a five or six speed Tremec manual gearbox mated to a live rear axle with a rear limited slip differential; independent rear suspension may be specified when ordering. A 2.8:1 axle ratio is fitted as standard, but other ratios are possible. The driveline claimed to accept up to 1000 bhp. The chassis is a box section steel structure with built-in roll and side impact protection. The fully adjustable suspension includes front double unequal length wishbones, and a rear live axle with four locating links. Brakes are front and rear ventilated discs with Melling designed four pot calipers. It has rack and pinion steering with 2.9 turns from lock to lock, and may be powered or unpowered. Many other bespoke options are available at the request of the buyer.
Technical specifications
Top speed: 180 mph (2.65:1 final drive ratio) or 150 mph (3:1 final drive ratio)0-62 mph: 3.2 seconds (3:1 final drive ratio), or 3.5 (2.65:1 final drive ratio)
Curb weight: 998 kg
Engine: 4500cc V8
Installation: Front, longitudinally mounted, rear wheel drive
Power: 448 bhp @ 7200rpm
Torque: 407 lb ft @ 5200rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Wheels: 17in/18in alloy (front/rear)
Tires: 245/25x17 (front), 255x490x18 (rear)
Price: £50,000 (base)
Wildcat Race Series
This is a project for the Wildcat to be produced as a race car, with the event being a Driver’s Championship. Negotiations for this are ongoing and there is potential to make this a reality within three years time – however further funding is necessary and a number of deals still need to be finalised.The race will be a big noise Race Series similar to Nascar
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and the SCCA in America.