SEMA '11 recap

[Cooluser23]

Since many of us couldn't attend, could we get a recap, pictures etc. of the reception of the 818 at SEMA? Maybe another video from Dave?

[Hiryu]

Here are some pictures I took:
6267626862696270627162726273

[kach22i]

The computer screen shot is funny, the female passenger seems to have her legs quite far apart in a braced position.

The more I see of Jim's unaltered design, the more disappointed I get. I don't think it's that far off from being a good car based on the overlays (all top cars more or less fitting a similar template), but the devil is in the details.

[blueafro]

Here are some pictures I took:
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Wow, I recognize that not everyone's taste is the same, and I don't mean to be unkind, but I sure hope the production kits look precisely nothing like that model.

[3000gttom]

looks just like the other subie kit car

[Best of the best]

Maybe Dave just want to show only the worst design first and than slowly moved to the winner design in the end. It wouldn't be exciting if they show the best design first. Or Dave might just want to keep the winning design under cover so competitors won't steal some of the design elements. Just....Maaaaaay...be.

[Movieman]

I think how the cars affect us are like when one reads a book.
We all envision the charachters differently but when we go to see a movie from that book
we get another persons perspective and sometimes it's close to ours and we love the movie and
sometimes it's very different from what we envisioned and we wonder what book he read.
When the first 4 models were shown there was one that grabbed me but I wasn't in the majority on that choice.
We all have different ways of seeing and different likes and dislikes.
What I personally think is fascinating is that in all the suggestions I've seen some incredible talent in the designers whether or not I liked their particular design.
What I am sure of is that no matter what variant is built by FFR it will be a good one.
Look at their current linup. No losers there at all and that isn't by accident.

[Xusia]

What I am sure of is that no matter what variant is built by FFR it will be a good one.
Look at their current linup. No losers there at all and that isn't by accident.

I share your optimism and agree whole heartedly. Now let's fast forward a year so I get started! LOL

[skullandbones]

I still believe that the silver model shown at the SEMA show was just a filler (an incubator project for the process development). It was a diplomatic move to keep from showing any bias or direction the company is leaning. It would be very surprising for the in house design to be used with all the alternatives (especially after improvements). Also, the real star of the show was the chassis. I will "eat crow" if I am wrong! WEK.

[Flamshackle]

I still believe that the silver model shown at the SEMA show was just a filler (an incubator project for the process development). It was a diplomatic move to keep from showing any bias or direction the company is leaning. It would be very surprising for the in house design to be used with all the alternatives (especially after improvements). Also, the real star of the show was the chassis. I will "eat crow" if I am wrong! WEK.

I couldn't agree more! They will blow away expectations if they choose another body for the first car. Even Jims design will be receiving a major makeover so nothing to worry about here other than a cleaver ploy and smart marketing.

[Cooluser23]

I really hope the pictures (and video) I've seen so far are to mislead us. The car looks like a bad kitcar based on a Mazda Miata. I know FFR can make better looking cars. Look at the GTM, or others.

I really want to see which other submissions look good, but weren't chosen by the "judges". I'm an optimist and will say that Dave is holding out on us, just to build up exitement. Also I still haven't seen any interior sketches.

[AVIONX]

There is one very valuable picture there if you ask me (I know....you didn't :) ) This is the first time a question I asked the day the frame was unveiled has been answered. How will the doors work with a huge beam going right accross both door openings diagonally? It looks like it will toally be in the way, but at least it will be something strong to hold on to to help you get in/out though. The next very interesting pic that will reveal a lot (KACHI??? Can you help with this?) will be what happens when you ad a roof to the equation? I am concerned that getting in over the bar but below the roof ( a wicked low roof on some models) will require above average dexterity (i.e. wife won't wanna go for a ride.) Thoughts?

[kach22i]

The next very interesting pic that will reveal a lot (KACHI??? Can you help with this?) will be what happens when you ad a roof to the equation?
GT-40 type doors in which part of the roof opens up, gull winged doors, scissor doors and so forth are used just for the reasons/concerns you have pointed out.

Even the much maligned Bradley GT-1 (which I still hold dear in certain respects) had their own version of this.

http://www.productioncars.com/vintage-ads.php/Bradley/GT

If not in by the side, must go in by the top.

[crash]

I don't know why you guys are dumping on that silver model. I think it looks pretty darn good. Like the GTM that looks much like a Vette, the proof is in the layout and vehicle performance, and I think the 818 will drive circles around a Miata or BMW that look similar. The fact that you guys are comparing the 818 to one of the best ever selling sports cars of all time is telling to me. I don't see it as a negative, but a positive. It may look very similar, but the fact is that it is a VERY different vehicle.

Considering the fact that this is the FIRST vehicle FFR has designed a body for from the ground up, I think it's a home run, not only in performance, but in body styling.

Well done guys!

[Draco-REX]

I don't know why you guys are dumping on that silver model. I think it looks pretty darn good. Like the GTM that looks much like a Vette, the proof is in the layout and vehicle performance, and I think the 818 will drive circles around a Miata or BMW that look similar. The fact that you guys are comparing the 818 to one of the best ever selling sports cars of all time is telling to me. I don't see it as a negative, but a positive. It may look very similar, but the fact is that it is a VERY different vehicle.

Considering the fact that this is the FIRST vehicle FFR has designed a body for from the ground up, I think it's a home run, not only in performance, but in body styling.

Well done guys!
The thing is, Dave has said that he specifically does not want a journalist to look at the 818 and call it a replica. So it cannot look like it was derived from another car, not a MR2, Miata, or S2000. The silver car has too many similarities to other cars out there. Even if there isn't a cohesive similarity to a singular car, there're enough recognizable elements that "replica" is likely to be attached to it.

He has also said that the 818 must "set people hair on fire when they see it." Now, what sets someone's hair on fire will be different from person to person. This is something that Dave is fighting with right now, I'm sure. But the definition of a HoF design tends to fall into two categories. Either: Wild and Aggressive, or Sleek and Sexy. Unfortunately, the silver car does not fit into either category well.

So, the Silver car fails both tests, which is why people have so much dislike for it. Jim works wonders under the skin, but I'm afraid body design isn't his forte. Nothing wrong with that though, because I'm sure the 818 is going to be a phenomenal handler.

[Xelerator]

If the design does not change drastically, I'm going to get something I like to look at.
http://hawkcars.com/hf3000/index.html

[Movieman]

If the design does not change drastically, I'm going to get something I like to look at.
http://hawkcars.com/hf3000/index.html
I always thought the Lancia Stratos was one of the sexiest things ever done on 4 wheels BUT there's a huge downside with these cars.
IF they are built to the orginals size the interior is sized for a dwarf or at best someone under 5'9" and hopefully very slim.
Then the handling. Dear Lord has to be one of the twichiest things ever made.
May be great for what it was designed for but for everyday street use I'd think not..
Now all that said it still causes my tongue to hang out when I see one..:D

PS: Top Gear did a segment on one of these. Find it if you can and watch.

Edit: found a few utube vids but this one works to make the point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esmdgBBh0zo&feature=related

[DrieStone]

If the design does not change drastically, I'm going to get something I like to look at.
http://hawkcars.com/hf3000/index.html

It was my intention to build one of these, but it's difficult in the US. The donor vehicle requirements are pretty hard to come by (although not impossible), and the kit is $20k before shipping. I think I was looking at well over $65k to build one, and that doesn't include the little stuff, or any of the extras.

Occasionally you'll find a completed (or mostly completed) kit on eBay for a reasonable cost which I've considered getting.

The Stratos is my ultimate "want" car, but alas it's probably never going to happen, even in kit form.

[AVIONX]

It was my intention to build one of these, but it's difficult in the US. The donor vehicle requirements are pretty hard to come by (although not impossible), and the kit is $20k before shipping. I think I was looking at well over $65k to build one, and that doesn't include the little stuff, or any of the extras.

Occasionally you'll find a completed (or mostly completed) kit on eBay for a reasonable cost which I've considered getting.

The Stratos is my ultimate "want" car, but alas it's probably never going to happen, even in kit form.
I love the Statos (and it's miniature cousin the almost free Fiat X-1/9 too), but every time i start heading down that path I remember that I can have a Ferarri 308/328 targa for way less than even a Stratos kit....or a 355 spyder for the same money and I just lose interest.

[DrieStone]

I love the Statos (and it's miniature cousin the almost free Fiat X-1/9 too), but every time i start heading down that path I remember that I can have a Ferarri 308/328 targa for way less than even a Stratos kit....or a 355 spyder for the same money and I just lose interest.

Yeah, when you can pick up a 308 for $25k it's hard to justify the cost of the Stratos kit although the Stratos kit does benefit from a more modern suspension, and may be slightly more reliable. In the end you'd have a real Ferrari vs. a fake Lancia.