Merciel S.A Archives

ok, Corsaire. You got me. I WANT ONE

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That’s a good looking paintscheme. I’ve done something very similar in terms of general idea (use of different colour triangles) for a girl drifter a few weeks back. And this clicks with me very much.

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Meee!

Merciel Archives: Modele 49 (revision 1)

Merciel Lore

https://i.imgur.com/cI5z3Qd.png

1949 Merciel Modèle 1949

Backstory: Post War

Following the end of the war, Merciel’s CEO, Fabrice Benett was arrested by the new provsional government for treason and collaborating with the invading forces along side many other French auto-industry leaders. Benett would incarcerated Fresnes Prison. There he would commit suicide on 10th October 1944. The provisional government would then requisition many Merciel and Montreuil factories.


https://i.imgur.com/f5TbzHt.jpg

The first car to be made by Merciel after the war, the Modèle 1949 was their latest perfecting the basic car for the masses. Using new manufacturing techniques learned during the war, the new M-49 could be produced at a much lower cost and in less time.

https://i.imgur.com/xnT2QfS.jpg

Under the bonnet sat a small 600cc inline 3. Developed before the war as a new low cost and easy to manufacture powerplant, the 600cc “Benett” was manufactured by Montreuil and named after Merciel’s late co-founder Fabrice Benett. The engine was capable of making 24hp

https://i.imgur.com/BBjW6hG.jpg

The interior was spartan. No radio, a bench in the rear and two bucket seats in the front. There were no carpets or trim on the panels. All this was intentional in trying to garner mass market appeal. The car was so easy to produce that 4 skilled workers were capable of making the car in less than an hour and by 1951, the production process was so streamlined that the main factory in Montreuil could produce 3 cars in an hour.

Specification: Merciel Modèle 1949

Chassis

Chassis Type: Body-On-Frame
Chassis Material: Steel
Panel Material: Steel
Engine Placement: Front Longitudinal
Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension: Leaf-sprung live axle

Engine

Montreuil “Benett” OHV Inline 3
Displacement: 600cc
Block Material: Cast Iron
Header Material: Cast Iron
Fuel System: Single Barrel Single Carburettor
Fuel Type: 92 RON Leaded
Power: 24 hp @ 5000 RPM
Torque: 41 Nm @ 2800 RPM
Weight: 69.3 kg
Size: 5.7L

Trim

Drivetrain: Longitudinal RWD
Gearbox: 3 Speed Manual
Differential: Open
Tyre Description: [F] P125/125C11 100K | [R] P125/125C11 100K
Brake Type: [F]195mm Single Leading Shoe Drum | [R] 195mm Single Leading Shoe Drum
Brake Bias: [F] 50% | [R] 50%
Undertray: n/a
Seating: Front Bucket and Rear Bench (5 seats)
Power Steering: None
Springs: Standard
Dampers: Twin-Tube
Sway Bars: Passive
Weight: 575 kg
Fuel Economy: 23.3 MPG (US)

Performance

Top Speed: 62.4mph
0-60mph Time: 79.1s
50-80mph Time: n/a
Quarter Mile Time: 25.35s
Standing Km Time: 48.76s
Stopping Distance: 65.5m

Price

Fr 152,525 @10% Markup (Converted into 1949 Francs)

A more up to date revision of the Merciel Modele 49 can be found here!

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There is a definitive trend towards small I3 cars in postwar France - though the Benett is much more upmarket than the Armistice (from what I gather, you can even choose the Benett’s paint !)

(I’d love to know where you fond a converter towards 1949 francs ?)

I googled French Francs to US Dollar Historical

edit: Also regarding your comparison with your own model, the M-49 is actually a bit cheaper at $5090 @10% markup

Let’s hope that’s the impact of being a 49 model vs a 46 :wink:

(that, and I might have invested a bit too much in making this driveable - I’ll have a look at the brakes and tyres)

Until 2 cylinders are released and we have a new cheapset engine layout option :stuck_out_tongue:

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Merciel Archives: Chevron Alliance

Lore: Merciel in America and the formation of the “Chevron Alliance”

https://i.imgur.com/ZKQBnCJ.png


Early Attempts

After the war, Europe was permanently scarred. Almost all the main roads in France were damaged, riddled with bomb craters, as well as many major bridges destroyed or unusable. As such, to make a profit as a European automobile company, you had to sell to the only place that had good roads and plenty of money, America.

In America, the economy was booming, with many returning from the war looking to spend their wages. Thus, the new Merciel CEO, Thierry Garreau decided it would be the perfect opportunity to sell some cars in the US. Starting in 1952 with the Modèle 1949, Garreau planned to expand their lineup in America with the hopes of gaining some traction.

But, it was not to be. Even though the Modèle 1949 would sell well in the US, the combination of the import tariffs and hefty shipping costs mounted up, and by 1956, it was deemed unprofitable to sell and Merciel pulled out of the US market altogether.

70’s Woes

However in late 1968, US manufacturer, Auto Corporation of America decided to expand into Europe. It was an expensive and risky venture, especially seeing as ACA’s profits were currently stagnating at that point. While ACA was partnered with Caliban at the time, Caliban was not large enough to support ACA’s plans. It was therefore considered safer to partner with a larger, more successful European marque.
For this, ACA would turn to Merciel, one of the largest French manufacturers.

Negotiations between the two companies began in late 1971, but negotiations took a sharp turn in late 1973. With the major energy crisis in '73, ACA scrambled to get any deal. Their partnership with Caliban ended in 1969, and with no new designs coming soon, ACA could potentially go bankrupt. It would be at this point that ACA decided to agree to the terms laid out by Merciel the year prior.

To be continued on the ACA thread…

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Merciel Archives:Nohda 500VX

In lieu of all the group C designing going on cough @Mr.Computah cough ofc I would jump on the bandwagon too :stuck_out_tongue:

https://i.imgur.com/prY7du8.png

Nohda 500VX Group C

https://i.imgur.com/NDTCwJZ.png

Ever since the success of the Nohda 500V at IMSA in 1978, Nohda had been refining the 500V to become even more competitive in their attempt to finish on the podium in the following seasons.
However, by 1983 it was apparent that the naturally aspirated 5L V12 was no longer capable of keeping up with the competition. As such it was decided to upgrade the 500V and redesign it ready for Group C.

https://i.imgur.com/2K7yujL.png

First thing that was changed was the engine. Originally, the 500V’s engine was effectively just two V6s found in the Nohda Cadenza GT glued together creating a 5L V12. In Nohda’s attempt to make the 500V competitive, Nohda’s Osaka Racing Division, NORD turbocharged the 5L V12. However it was found that the 5L V12 was incapable of handling the boost even with strengthened parts. Thus it was decided to destroke the engine. The 5L V12 was changed to a 4.5L V12 Turbo. This engine was capable of pushing out 712 hp, launching the car from 0-100 in under 4 seconds.

https://i.imgur.com/8UDSGP3.png

The car also went through radical styling changes. Using the latest in computer aided design, the new 1986 500VX was sleeker and more aerodynamic than before. This allowed the car to potentially reach 384km/h. In addition, the car received new a 5 speed manual transmission from Weith GmbH & Co. KGaA, which made the car more responsive and shifted much faster. The new aerodynamics also kept the car planted to the ground allowing it to go round corners faster than before.

https://i.imgur.com/5BsrIGY.png

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Merciel Archives: Merciel Vixen WRC and Nohda Shourai Super GT

https://i.imgur.com/RuyiTWy.png

2019 Merciel Vixen WRC Special

seeing as the old one died after that one update, might as well make it look better :stuck_out_tongue:

https://i.imgur.com/HIqeXLi.jpg

Based on the 2012 Merciel Vixen, Merciel plan to return to the WRC stage in 2019.
With this new car, Merciel are looking for good results next year, especially due to the disastrous 2017 season.

https://i.imgur.com/iAiIPvV.jpg

Powering the new WRC Vixen is a heavily modified Montreuil “Clement” inline 4. Following the current Super 1600 rules, the engine is destroked to 1.6L, fitted with a turbocharger with a restrictor plate. The engine is limited to 380hp, however the maximum torque will remain undisclosed.

https://i.imgur.com/6ksICyU.png

In addition to the new engine, the aerodynamics have been made wilder than ever, with thick boxy fenders, a massive rear wing and a large rear diffuser. These assist the car when its hurtling down a rally stage at 100mph and prevent the car from flying off the road. The wider arches also accommodate for thicker wheels and a wider track, further increasing stability.


AND

https://i.imgur.com/prY7du8.png

2019 Nohda Shourai Super GT

just one more thing :wink:

https://i.imgur.com/GIoPFGh.jpg

Nohda are returning to Super GT 300 next year. With the release of the new Nohda Shourai V8 (Review of the road car here), Nohda have decided to take their latest creation onto the track.

https://i.imgur.com/j7GK3Bw.jpg

The tuning was done by Nohda’s Osaka Racing Division, NORD, who managed to push the naturally aspirated 4.6L Montreuil/Nohda V8 to 525hp. With this powerful V8 combined with the lighweight chassis of the Shourai, the new Super GT 300 car should be capable of accelerating from 0-100 in less than 4 seconds.

https://i.imgur.com/aMc8XUK.png

The aerodynamics have also been heavily modified, with a new custom made carbon fibre diffuser and undertray. A large rear wing has also been added. All these new aerodynamic modifications allow the Shourai Super GT to corner at even higher speeds. In addition, with the improved Wreith vented brakes, the car should decelerate faster too, allowing for much faster times round a track.

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Thanks for pointing it out anyways. Probably should proofread my stuff more :sweat_smile:

Merciel Archives: Nohda Assent GTX

The new 2018 Nohda Assent GTX is here

https://i.imgur.com/Gp0zOto.png

The Definition of Fun

With more power than ever before, more nimble handling and lower weight, this new Assent is the new definition of fun.

https://i.imgur.com/zMTpTuj.png

Fitted with an all new 2.3L inline 4 turbo pushing 304hp, the new Assent GTX is more powerful than ever before, while retaining the good fuel economy Nohda’s are known for.

With new advanced active suspension systems, the Assent GTX can seamlessly switch between an easy driving daily driver to a track day monster. Along with an all new tricked out electronically controlled differential and new Piero Firebird sport tyres, the GTX can accelerate out of corners faster than ever.

https://i.imgur.com/jWUMhah.png

Inside, the car is fitted with plush semi bucket seats in the front as well as retaining the rear bench, maintaining the practicality of the new GTX. With Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility as well as a optional wireless charging, the new Assent GTX is a hot hatch you can live with.

And only for $32,442

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Merciel Archives: Merciel Pixi GTi

Ok then.

The new Merciel Pixi GTi 2018

https://i.imgur.com/B9MnKc8.jpg

A proper hot hatch

Returning to the roots of a hot hatch. No crazy power figures or fancy suspension “tuned for the Nürburgring”. Just pure unadulterated fun.

https://i.imgur.com/nr3PY6n.jpg

Pushing 137hp with its 1.4L inline 3 turbo, the GTi may not seem fast, but its more than capable of reaching 0-100 in under 10 seconds thanks to a 6 speed manual gearbox and a trick electronic differential.

The suspension, while tuned slightly, focuses on a fun driving experience while still being fun to throw round a track.

https://i.imgur.com/opGByqy.png

With seating for 5, climate control, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, plenty of space in the back and good fuel economy, the Pixi GTi is plenty practical. Oh and the best part.

Only $21,758

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:ok_hand:

Thankfully DERRICKSON™ might have a solution to that!

tl;dr I’m trying out a third party bolt-ons manufacturer / car tuner, may I request the .car file to try something out?
OFC I’ll send you the result for approval.

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Merciel Archives: Merciel Modele 49 (Revision 2)
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I know someone’s going to rice out that 600cc engine and throw it in that van and call it the Marie Antoinette special.

Thank god for Stable they gave us new fixtures to make amazing cars like these. Good work Chief.

ngl I really havent used any new fixtures on it at all