Out of curiosity, has anyone ever attempted (or completed) a project that simplified all of the myriad of classes into something like three basic chassis (something like Martial/Fighting Guy, Expert/Skillmonkey guy, Cerebral/Magic guy) that could select from or level a variety of paths/jobs/etc. to differentiate themselves (so like what were originally base classes and prestige classes become more like substitution levels/ability paths/archetypes/etc) from one another?

It was an odd idea that just came to me when I was mulling over why there are so many base classes and prestige classes that could be better served as mechanic options for a smaller amount of more modular classes that cover the same basic concept (like collapsing Fighter, Barbarian, Monk into one class).