The car industry has called on the prototype maker to make them a little bit more like what ends up on saleroom forecourts. All prototypes are currently made by one firm - ProtoConcept Ltd - which is run by Terry Walsh. He has been building prototypes for 25 years.
"I love making a prototype and then seeing the finished article. The prototypes I make address the concerns of the manufacturer and the consumer and so they can usually do 400 miles to the gallon and 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds. There's also plenty of leg room, headroom and a spacious boot. Really though, prototypes are not about statistics and practicality or price etc. It's all about looking good on a revolving podium at a motor show. Hey, sometimes I even leave out the engine to make it look good. Also, one of the key factors is creating a daft way to open the doors. Sometimes the only way in is through the sunroof," said Terry
Terry's latest projects though have caused a stir and the car industry has voiced 'concerns' over the prototypes. Terry recently had a campaigns for Renault.
Terry's Renault Clio Prototype
A car industry spokesperson said that the prototype, although reasonably stylish, was ' a mile away' from the end product and were 'fanciful' and 'never ever going to be anything like the finished design.'
"Not too far way if you ask me," said Terry.
Terry's work for those car firms attracted Ferrari who wanted a prototype for the soon-to-be-built - Ferrari Cxx turbo i. It became the most talked about prototype at the 2008 Motor Show and every other show. Ferrari said that although it did answer the brief of 'an eye-catching two-seater,' it was not quite what they expected
Terry's Ferrari Cxx turbo i Prototype
Not all of Terry's prototypes have been questioned though. Sir Clive Sinclair asked Terry for a prototype of the Sinclair C5 and ended up using Terry's design with little change to the original
