Vman's 818 Coupe Design Ideas

[Vman7]

Here is just some quick stuff......lol

The Body Side Vent (behind the door), may look strange, but will look right from a straight on side shot.

See if you can spot all the mod.s :)

Click on thumbnail or link below each picture to see a larger view, make sure you keep clicking on picture until full size. Pictures are pretty good size.

Orig. 818C RSide Front 1

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42686&d=1434346089
42686

Mod.s A1

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42687&d=1434346249
42687

Mod.s A2

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42689&d=1434346383
42689

Enjoy! :)
David

[TrickyPete]

I like Mod.s A1 . it looks like it should have been that way all along.

[Hindsight]

I like A2 the best. I noticed you extended the front fascia line near the scoop in A1, and the rest of them it looks like are mainly modifications to the side vents. I like A2 because it's very close to what I would love the vent to do which is to continue up the door.... a more gradual ramp down into the vent opening (like an R8).

42698

[Vman7]

I like A2 the best. I noticed you extended the front fascia line near the scoop in A1, and the rest of them it looks like are mainly modifications to the side vents. I like A2 because it's very close to what I would love the vent to do which is to continue up the door.... a more gradual ramp down into the vent opening (like an R8).

42698

The front vents sizes and shapes have not changed. Check out the larger views and you can see the differences :)

I like a more smooth transititon like on the R8 as well when it comes to side vents. That's not where I got the idea. I have been doing that on all of my 818 and Vantage designs :)

[Vman7]

There have been 7 mod.s on the A1/A2. Most are somewhat subtle. Like people say, "the devil is in the details"

[Mechie3]

It looks like the little front side scoops are now flush vs the little bulge. Rear quarter window was tinted. A1 the side scoop extends to the door and the lower crease is gone, A2 did the same scoop extension but kept the lower crease. that's all I can see without clicking the photots.

[Vman7]

<<<ducking in advance......lol

yeah, yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to not work on anymore 818 stuff period. So I probably will catch some hell for some, saying I am a hypocrite. What can I say other than. When something I like catches my eye, I can't help myself but desire to work with it. :)

<<< thinking to self, geeze what did I get myself into again....lol

David

[Hindsight]

As long as everyone is positive about the hard work that FFR has done, and the discussion is focused on suggestions for possible modifications to look and appearance, I think everyone would welcome the input.

[Benji]

Vman7, that looks MINT, A1 all the way.... Now the question is, can you do anything with the rear.....

[flynntuna]

I like them both. I'm sort of glad that F5 is still using fiberglass, mods like these are reasonably easy to do. A2 obviously would be less work than a1, specially if you were to paint instead of keeping it in gelcoat.
I wonder how the side scoop would look if it was made wider and extend to the wheel well.

[Frank818]

Mod.s A1

Where do we buy the side panels, now? :) Or can we ship our old side panels so someone makes the mods and send them back.

[flynntuna]

The mods for a1 would require major surgery to make it happen, while the mod for a2 would be simple by comparison.

[Frank818]

I agree that A2 is better than original.

I don't have a good editor or don't know how to use it but how about something like this?
I believe it cuts the line and doesn't look as good as I expected...
42720

[flynntuna]

Removing that crease is the part that will take the " major surgery " to make go away.
It would be easier to make a scoop that sits on that crease, going back to the flare at the wheel well follow the flare to the top of the scoop then go to the door edge. Then make cuts in the panel and blend the two together. Hope this makes sense.

[Vman7]

Bunch of questions to answer here, instead of addressing them all individually, since some are talking about the same thing. I'll try and do them by subject :)

First off, thanks for all the comments and thoughts :)

Frank, I get your idea. Not sure how that would work or look, but I get your idea.

As far as the A1/A2 side vent goes. It would take a lot of work, mostly with the A1 design. The theory I have would be to layout the curve first down to the rocker area. Then cut make 2 cuts, one along the new curve and one along the rocker line just below. Pull out that section to edge of rocker. Fill in with glass etc. and smooth out. Then go to the top and make a cut to the door and push in that section just a bit, then of course glass etc and smooth out.

In answer to bringing out the side vent further. I do have something in mind, it goes back to when I did a thread on a wde body.

I have a few ideas still on the rear and what to do there :) Been thinking of some new ideas for the front center area already...lol Have an idea for some top side vents for the front fender. Been brainstorming on both a targa top and just a center roof area that could be opened up.

David

[Vman7]

Here is a mock up of the FFR roadster with the top I designed with the "A1" side vent, as well as the larger diameter front fender flare and new bottom spoiler, that I did back in Jan 2015, but never posted.

This will give you and idea of how the "A1" side vent would look on the FFR 818C.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42732&d=1421759969
42732

David

[Hobby Racer]

That looks great! The seem in the roof just behind the "B" pillar gives the impression it is a Targa top design (I like that). Also the rear deck lid looks like it is (or could be) open a.k.a. Lotus Elise. I think that would be a great addition as the the 818's seem to generate a ton of heat back there. An open rear deck lid would allow for much better cooling.

This type of deck lid design would be much better for cooling.
42736

[Benji]

Here is a mock up of the FFR roadster with the top I designed with the "A1" side vent, as well as the larger diameter front fender flare and new bottom spoiler, that I did back in Jan 2015, but never posted.

This will give you and idea of how the "A1" side vent would look on the FFR 818C.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42732&d=1421759969
42732

David

Need an 818C side view?

http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DSC_6617.jpg

I'm not a fan of the rear duck tail, it needs to more subtle like this:

http://www.carid.com/images/3dcarbon/spoiler/692008-2.jpg
http://c0026909.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/news_pic_52.jpg

At the most, like this:

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h393/irakim83/IMAG0025_zps66c07559.jpg

[Vman7]

Benji,
Thanks!, I have been looking at some of the FFR pictures that they have on their website for a good side view, I have it down to 2.

Yeah the spoiler is a bit tricky with the 818 being that the read deck seam/rear is right on that edge. I had a few ideas a while back, which would work on the coupe, since access is different then the roadster version. I like the white and black ones you posted.

David

[Vman7]

Has anyone figured out the 7 mod.s yet...... Well actually 6 mod.s and 1 fix...lol

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Has anyone figured out the 7 mod.s yet...... Well actually 6 mod.s and 1 fix...lol
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42794&d=1434550952

Mike found all these.

[AZPete]

Vman, your design ideas are interesting but not anything I am capable of doing because they require major modifications to the existing body panels that require more fiberglass fabrication skills than I or any friends have. How about applying your design talents to a singular body part that could either be modified or replaced? The front piece of the new front end, aka grill area, is a defined piece that looks like it could be modified or maybe someone would produce a replacement if there was a different design. I like the new front fenders and headlights, but I'm lukewarm on the front piece so I'm already thinking of how to improve or replace it, but I don't have the design skills you have. Can you create a possible front piece within the area defined by the fenders and hood?

[Vman7]

Vman, your design ideas are interesting but not anything I am capable of doing because they require major modifications to the existing body panels that require more fiberglass fabrication skills than I or any friends have. How about applying your design talents to a singular body part that could either be modified or replaced? The front piece of the new front end, aka grill area, is a defined piece that looks like it could be modified or maybe someone would produce a replacement if there was a different design. I like the new front fenders and headlights, but I'm lukewarm on the front piece so I'm already thinking of how to improve or replace it, but I don't have the design skills you have. Can you create a possible front piece within the area defined by the fenders and hood?

Thanks Pete on the nice comments :)

lol....I had to find the post I did a while back explaining the Interchangeable Components. This would include fenders, rear quarter, rear panels etc., but mostly Interchangeable Modules

Here is how I explained in the thread Vman's 818 Design Ideas.

The MCS (Modular Component System) Basics.

The overall idea is to be able to change out modules anywhere on the 818 body. I'll use the Rear for now as an example.

There would be the main Rear panel which would have areas for tail lights, vents, exhaust etc. that are already open. Then as a customer you would choose the module you like to use. Tail light modules, vent modules etc..
Then just install them. They would go in with guide pins and screws.

This would be the same for the rest of the 818, including the interior.

The trick is getting the best base panels, mostly for the front and rear, that would work the best with the most interchangeable modules.

Ok there you go, just the basics on the MCS (modular Component System)

Hopefully this might be done by FFR or maybe 3rd party in the future. I know Dave Smith touched on this idea a little in some of his posts in the past. :)

David

[Vman7]

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42794&d=1434550952

Mike found all these.

Mike found 5 :)

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42800&d=1434569231
42800

2 left. Hints, one is on the rear, the other is in the black front vent area, look horizontally :)

David

[dspellman]

Here is a mock up of the FFR roadster with the top I designed with the "A1" side vent, as well as the larger diameter front fender flare and new bottom spoiler, that I did back in Jan 2015, but never posted.

This will give you and idea of how the "A1" side vent would look on the FFR 818C.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42732&d=1421759969
42732

David

Really nice -- I like the continuity of the upper vent with the lower vent, and the door looks a bit more together. Well Done!

[billjr212]

2 left. Hints, one is on the rear, the other is in the black front vent area, look horizontally :)

David

(1) Tapered the edges of the horizontal accent in the grill (looks much better, now that I see it) and
(2) rounded the edge of the lip spoiler? that's a seriously subtle change from this angle if I'm seeing it right.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Mike found 5 :)

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42800&d=1434569231
42800

2 left. Hints, one is on the rear, the other is in the black front vent area, look horizontally :)

David

Your hints made it easy.
Rounded the rear spoiler.
Rounded the ends of middle bar in the front grill.
Bob

[flynntuna]

Like AZPete, I was Luke warm on the new grill. This thread made me realize what geniuses the folks at F5 are, and how well they understand their customer base. With their experience with the 33 hot rod, seeing the ingenuity of the community to build some amazing cars, I can see the potential with this new design. F5 has given us an awesome platform to build from. Everyone I've shown the pictures to have loved the car as it is. The only issues I've ever had with the design was the side scoops and the "old" front end's radiator inlet area. The new front end is growing on me, and I can see various ways to add things to make it distinct. David has done a great job in giving us ideas we can run with. Every one in this community has helped in passing along ideas that sparks an idea that probably would'nt have ever materialized. Can't wait to order mine.

[Flamshackle]

The beauty of this car is that it is fiber glass and anything and everything is possible for the individual builder.


One question that hasn't been even asked here is how does the body attach and fit around the frame? This will dictate the viability of many mods you are suggesting Vman. I would suggest that's what would be more difficult that just the glass work required to make the rendered changes.


Another thing to point out...
images of cars are not the same as seeing a car in the flesh.
equally...
images of mods are not the same as seeing them in the flesh.
It may look good here but none of these are real world so its very difficult to know if it would be an overall improvement or not.

Please don't hear me wrong, I love the speculation on the design. Its fun, its creative, it stirs up the possibilities. Good times :-)

Vman have you ever applied any of your rendered modifications to a real car? That I would like to see.

[Vman7]

Thanks for the comments :)

Bill and Bob figured out the other 2 mod.s. I did kind of give it way....lol

David

[Vman7]

Like AZPete, I was Luke warm on the new grill. This thread made me realize what geniuses the folks at F5 are, and how well they understand their customer base. With their experience with the 33 hot rod, seeing the ingenuity of the community to build some amazing cars, I can see the potential with this new design. F5 has given us an awesome platform to build from. Everyone I've shown the pictures to have loved the car as it is. The only issues I've ever had with the design was the side scoops and the "old" front end's radiator inlet area. The new front end is growing on me, and I can see various ways to add things to make it distinct. David has done a great job in giving us ideas we can run with. Every one in this community has helped in passing along ideas that sparks an idea that probably would'nt have ever materialized. Can't wait to order mine.

Like you said about FFR and this community is great! A lot of ideas get put out there to get FFR and people to think about what is possible.


The beauty of this car is that it is fiber glass and anything and everything is possible for the individual builder.


One question that hasn't been even asked here is how does the body attach and fit around the frame? This will dictate the viability of many mods you are suggesting Vman. I would suggest that's what would be more difficult that just the glass work required to make the rendered changes.


Another thing to point out...
images of cars are not the same as seeing a car in the flesh.
equally...
images of mods are not the same as seeing them in the flesh.
It may look good here but none of these are real world so its very difficult to know if it would be an overall improvement or not.

Please don't hear me wrong, I love the speculation on the design. Its fun, its creative, it stirs up the possibilities. Good times :-)

Vman have you ever applied any of your rendered modifications to a real car? That I would like to see.

The mod.s I have shown here don't affect any attaching points.

Design is kind of a strange beast...lol Yes the way something looks in photoshop, cad etc. may or may not look as good in reality, but all design work starts somewhere. Some designers can see ideas in their head from all kind of views, some can't until they actually have it on paper, CAD etc. I happend to be fortunate to one of those who can see ideas in my head from all kind of views. That being said. Design goes through some steps. First the idea put on to paper or into CAD ect. Look at it from all kind of views. Then a actual working model of some kind, and this is where the adjustments are made since you can see what the design would look like in reality.

Take the mod.s I posted so far. Would lay them out on the car with paper and tape etc. Step back and see how it looks. Make adjustments. The do some kind of real mockup on the car using foam, cardboard or what ever works the best, say for example doing the side vent. Step back again an see how it looks, and go from there.

I have not done any of my design idea on a actual car. If I have I would post them :) In the past most mod.s I have done on my vehicles hasn't been with the body other then add something like a spoiler or something. Now I have done a lot of mod.s to Cabinetry though.

David

[Flamshackle]

Vman can you take the A1 image and make it Ferrari red? I am planning on vynl wrapping my coupe that red and with a carbon fiber wrapped roof. aka 458 ;)

Your side entry air intake mod is the route I am going to go on my coupe. I have poured over the build threads and 818 assembly manual and feel confident that it should be a doable body mod.

So thanks for sharing (and watch this space for the results)

[Vman7]

Vman can you take the A1 image and make it Ferrari red? I am planning on vynl wrapping my coupe that red and with a carbon fiber wrapped roof. aka 458 ;)

Your side entry air intake mod is the route I am going to go on my coupe. I have poured over the build threads and 818 assembly manual and feel confident that it should be a doable body mod.

So thanks for sharing (and watch this space for the results)

Not sure when I can get to doing the Ferrari Red and the Carbon fiber roof. I haven't been on the computer that much these last few months.

On the carbon fiber roof, are talking about in the same way FFR has the dark grey on it now?

David

[Flamshackle]

Not sure when I can get to doing the Ferrari Red and the Carbon fiber roof. I haven't been on the computer that much these last few months.

On the carbon fiber roof, are talking about in the same way FFR has the dark grey on it now?

David

Yea thats the idea. I know its a long shot but I just wondered if it would be possible.

[FFR-ADV]

Hi David,

Have you considered exploring hood modifications like a Lotus 340r hood with the lines flowing downward from the windshield into the vents?

Always enjoy your work!

43474

[Vman7]

Yea thats the idea. I know its a long shot but I just wondered if it would be possible.

It's no problem, just of when can get back into the swing of working on stuff again :)


Hi David,

Have you considered exploring hood modifications like a Lotus 340r hood with the lines flowing downward from the windshield into the vents?

Always enjoy your work!

43474

Thanks :) Actually I have explored the idea of front deck vents like the Lotus, a lot actually. Not sure just how close you can get to the windshield though. Not sure how much of the chassis might be in the way.

David

[Flamshackle]

It's no problem, just of when can get back into the swing of working on stuff again :)

That would be awesome thanks Vman. It would become a poster in my garage to serve as motivation :-)

[FFR-ADV]

Hi David,

Mechie3 has some helpful photos in his thread covering his new hood hinges which show some of the frame constraints. There are even some virtual x-rays...

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18297-Group-Buy-Hood-Hinges&highlight=group+buy+hood