1/4 scale model feedback

[Dave Smith]

As I said, we explored THREE paths concurrently to get to where we are here with these four body shapes. We had a 5th one and after SEMA I may make another few bodies that fit some of the criteria. Still I need to say it again for clarity. The in-house FFR car (Jim's silver car) was done as a hand made full size mock-up then scanned and shrunk down. The students from Rhode Island School of Design took yet another path in making Xabiers car, as they did a 1/4 scale HAND MADE clay model (one of the reasons I didnt add detail to that model is because it's clay and very delicate). The other two cars, the blue one of Rodneys and the dark silver/charcoal car of Nuophones were basically milled from CAD files to 1/4 scale.

I will be at SEMA for the week (tues-fri) and will use the time to consider the next steps on the body carefully. I have made a decsion that the first MODEL we will launch will be the affordable roadster, with a Hi MPG Coupe and the track version coming later (with likely diff body shapes on same shared platform-chassis).

Guys, The process has been terrifically fun so far and quite disciplined. I will hope to be at the customer dinner on Wed PM at SEMA (I have another dinner I am scheduled to go to with Road & Track but would rather go to the FFR customer one) where I can talk more in depth about the path forward on the 818.

Rest assured that I and the team here have read carefully all of these comments and we wont dissapoint!

for clarity: Model means an affordable roadster, not the exact body shape. Shape will be figured out shortly, but when we get back from SEMA we will be hitting this very hard with a dedicated path or two.

[Don]

Just my 2cents...the black car is the only one that looks clean and refined like a production car. All the others look...well...sort of like a 70's kit car. No offense to anyone, just my initial reaction.

[crackedcornish]

I will be at SEMA for the week (tues-fri) and will use the time to consider the next steps on the body carefully. I have made a decsion that the first MODEL we will launch will be the affordable roadster, with a Hi MPG Coupe and the track version coming later (with likely diff body shapes on same shared platform-chassis).


Dave, remember the old saying that goes......race on Sunday, sell on Monday

I think it would be a mistake to make a track car that doesn't look like whatever body you decide should be on the street car. That's one of the things that NASCAR is finding out with the CoT concept. With every manufacturer's car starting to look nearly identical, they didn't feel as though they' were getting the brand recognition they should.

You need to race the body that you want to sell on the street to get that brand loyalty flowing. I know I love it when I see the same model of car I'm driving on the street, racing around a track (especially when it wins!).

A very strong design (with some alterations for each application) could feasibly cover all 3 tasks of roadsters, racers, and high mpg's.

[Dave Smith]

Good points my crackedcornish friend. I've run thru a thousand scenarios and the affordable roadster-track version is pretty easy to bridge but the hi mpg body requires some substantial changes for flow and even appearances that look like body shape #3 cannot share #1 and #2 purposing. Still lots to consider. I am torn because I am, by nature, impatient and unreasonable, setting impossible goals on overly aggresive timelines (according to the FFR crew)... but this project has been text book discipline since we know how good the car will be and we think the only risk of failure is if we deviate from our development path too much. I am torn because I want to do all designs concurrently and that's just not the most wise use of resources. Back to your point though, the street and track versions are closest in my mind. I've been looking at Xabiers design closely as I think it can do both but needs some body tweaks as I dont like the fly-bridge as it sits.

[BipDBo]

[QUOTE=Dave Smith;38912]...I am torn because I am, by nature, impatient and unreasonable, setting impossible goals on overly aggresive timelines (according to the FFR crew)...QUOTE]

LOL. I'm sure the demands from the forum haven't made the job for your crew any easier. If you have any mechanical engineers walk out on you, let me know. I'll shot over my resume'.

[picaman]

I am so sorry that I offended your delicate sensibilities.

[BipDBo]

Here is a photo of the Nuophone model at ground level that factory 5 recently posted on facebook. It is from Grassroots motorsports magazine. I was a big fan of this design, but now looking at it from this angle, I'm not so sure. It doesn't sound like Dave wants to build it anyway. I look forward to seeing what they are cooking up right now.
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[kach22i]

Thanks for posting it.

I agree a terrible photo and angle of it.

It would help if they used a professional camera, taken the shot much further away, but zoomed in on it.

It looks terribly fish-eyed to me. Like a convex fun house mirror. My cell phone takes better pictures.

[mekeys]

Funny Nouphone's picture looks O.K. on my screen.Just not crazy about the design tho..

Mel :)

[kach22i]

Really?

You don't think the lens is doing one of these?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/125505-more-random-pics-2017.html
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[mekeys]

Interesting link.I liked the concept car at the top..I don't see Nouphone's picture as quite that distorted..I would say that for a 3/4 front view that close up it looks pretty normal..

Mel Keys :)

[WonderDude]

10380

This is one design that lights my hair on fire. I cannot understand why this is not a runaway favorite. It's the love child of the Porsche 550 Spyder and the Porsche 918.

EDIT...I guess Kachi kind of mentioned why above. Does the elimination of the fuel tank below the seats and the fact that FFR never reuses stock seats bring it any closer to being buildable?

Sorry I'm so late to the party. Anyway, I gotta say this is beatiful! I know it's probably not gonna work. But I can still look at this design! :)

[LS1RX7owen]

Sorry I'm so late to the party. Anyway, I gotta say this is beatiful! I know it's probably not gonna work. But I can still look at this design! :)I agree with yuo, that design is sexy enough to have some classic lines but is unique enough to know from a mile away just exactly what it is and not mistake it for something else.

I'd be all over that if it was up for grabs.

[slopoke]

I agree with yuo, that design is sexy enough to have some classic lines but is unique enough to know from a mile away just exactly what it is and not mistake it for something else.

I'd be all over that if it was up for grabs.

Just so you know, there is also a coupe version of the roadster...11219 I had it as my desktop background for months ... (sigh)

[Nelff]

yeah, zactly...