New Design Concept--Feedback Please

[Chris @ Forma]

As you may know, FormaCars has broken many molds with regard to the designs of our interiors. Our first foray into this space was 5 years ago with what came to be known as our signature interior. While we still really like it, we thought that we should broaden our offering and so a couple of months ago we starting designing an all new roadster interior. Attached is where we landed with a couple of different color schemes. Certainly, there is no limit to materials that could be applied to this design. Please share with us your opinions, love it, hate it, other ideas. All feedback is valuable. Thank you in advance for all of your thoughrs

[phileas_fogg]

Hi Chris,

I like the rendering well enough, but it looks to me like it would be more at home in a BMW coupe. Styling aside, it appears that the center console is at more of an angle than the current F5 dash (which is almost vertical). Presumably the side trim for the center console is going to vary in thickness to transition from the more vertical dash sections to the angle of the console. Is that correct?

Do you intend to accommodate a variety of transmissions and/or shifter positions? That and the throw of the shifter may influence how "flat" you can make the center console.

The cup holder at the rear of the armrest will be difficult to access while driving.

There's something "off" about the placement of the dash vents, but I'm having a hard time figuring it out. To be placed as you have pictured, the bottom edge of the current dash will need to move downward. It's already tight to get one's legs under the dash when getting into and out of the car. Alternatively, if the bottom edge of the dash remains as F5 provides, the vents will seem too high.

I hope you move forward with a prototype of this interior. While not the styling I prefer in Cobra, I'll be interested in seeing how you fit this interior into the small cockpit.


John

[David Williamson]

I like it and it gives the car a modern look but not something I would put in my car. I like the more traditional look. I do have high back seats and dual roll bars on my car along with the wood rim steering wheel.
David W

[Al_C]

It's a very interesting design. I'm wondering how it would look if you could include a windshield into the rendering. I wonder if the dash angle is going to look "off" when you include the windshield, which has its own angle. I agree with John that it is much less vertical than a standard FFR dash.

[Wingman06]

I like it a lot. Do you plan to offer this as a kit for the Mk4?

[Railroad]

I only say this because you asked for all types of feed back. I like your design. It does not fall in line with what I expect to see in a Cobra styled vehicle.
It is very nice looking and flows well inside the cockpit.
If it was inside a coupe, not an immediate part of the picture, it might be more acceptable to me.
Nice work.

[John Ibele]

Hey Chris, I appreciate your efforts to keep the design fresh, and continue to figure out how to get this great car to appeal to more people.

I like the black and silver color scheme, which has always said "all business" to me, and fits with the legacy of the car. I'm with John, though, in thinking that since the appeal of this car is as much its history as its performance, the modern interior is going to appeal to a minority of buyers. Certainly fans of all sorts of takes are out there, with plenty of examples on the forum. But that's my sense.

Since it is a driver's car, I don't think most folks are going to want all the gauges above the center console. I really like the tach, oil pressure and coolant temp in front of me, with the other stuff in the center.

I like the door panel treatment. That looks cool.

Good luck with your efforts! Cheers - John

[MB750]

I agree with some of the others. It's beautiful, but too modern looking for the Cobra aesthetic.

[dbo_texas]

I'm in the camp of liking more modernized look vs. traditionalist so I dig the design. I think yes, the general sentiment is that the majority of the builders will go for the more traditional interior look, but there will be some that aim for more of a modernized take on the classic. After all, we don't own originals so a whole lot of what people do on their builds is a deviation from the original. I dig it and probably would have tried something similar on my build if I had the skills. The FFR carbon fiber dash is about as "modern" as I could get at the time.

[MSumners]

Love it. Only thought is a second ( or only) tach behind the steering wheel.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Hard pass, already have a modern roadster. Design is very nice on its own, just don't see it in a Cobra. I have taken liberties with my build starting with a Coyote in 2014 back when single & 2X4brl. carbureted small blocks with Cobra valve covers & air filter assembly were the go to choice.

My thought is the engine is invisible but the body & interior are what makes the FFR Cobra look like a Shelby Cobra.

[jgray]

I’m in the traditional camp but I love your design. It really flows and has a simplicity and elegance to it. It absolutely does not look kit-carish or homebuilt. I am building a coupe and am doing the interior myself with the 60s track car look partly because I like it but it is also what I am capable of producing. I will have a 302 with carbs under the hood so an older look fits the car. The 60s sports cars were handbuilt. But if I had a Gen 3 coyote and was putting in modern electronics then your look would fit.
I just looked at the BMW z8 - they should have had you design the dash for that car!

[rx7922]

love the all black

[Alan_C]

That's a no. A good looking cockpit, but does not belong in a vintage Cobra.

[maclonchas]

Chris,
I think the renderings you showed are very well done and have introduced many of the modern touches to the interior that some members will find offensive or believe do not belong in this particular car. For a race car I am not sure all the elegance would be needed or wanted. On the other hand, looking at many builders and vendors, you can see the quality craftsmanship that many of us would like to achieve. I believe your business model is to compete with some of the other cobra builders that turn out high end completed kits. If that is what you are asking us to comment on, I believe these designs compare favorable with Backdraft and other manufacturers. As others have said, the cup holder ergonomics need to be re-evaluated for better positioning and use. With the more modern dash layout, I am not sure rotary knobs fit with the design and maybe should be incorporated in the digital display (maybe a bit larger display). Finally, you might want to think about the location of the vents and where they might serve in an open top roadster.

I hope this was helpful.

Thanks

Bill

[Tooth]

I like it, but get how most of the guys on here just love the original cars. My build wouldn't be to the taste of the traditional guys. I like both, just like stuff with a motor.

[Cutter 54]

I like it. Modern, clean and uncluttered. Will appeal to a minority of Cobra guys.

[rthomas98]

Chris I really like the design as well. The only concern I have is the doors. This design does proclude the larger guys a bit as the new interior bits you are putting on the door cuts into the interior space a little bit. Us fluffy guys might have a harder time with this. I also agree the cup holders would never get used being too hard to reach. The final question why the raised arm rest? Where the tunnel sits today is plenty high for your arm I feel a raised arm rest would make it really awkward to drive.

[john42]

I agree with some of the others. It's beautiful, but too modern looking for the Cobra aesthetic.

I share this opinion.

[GoDadGo]

The concept looks great, but is a bit overly modern for my taste; however, it would look great in Viper.
Those cars, the early Vipers, have a cobbled together mess for the dash and interior.
They have lots Dodge Dakota Plastic Parts on those Snakes.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hi Chris,

I'm not a hard core traditionalist but it's still not my cup of tea. With that said though it's well executed and will appeal to builders (or more likely the buyers of the turnkey cars your company builds) who wish to take the "Cobraness" out of their Cobra.

That's OK, there's room for all kinds!

If the F9 ever comes out of mothballs to progress any further this sort of concept would work there.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Not to be too negative, but no way

[Ted G]

I'll also say no for me, however this does look great for those few that want to go with a "restomod" look. This may also be unique in some of the few Tesla powered roadsters. Honestly, I think you would be better served doing this in some of the other FFR vehicles. This just may be a little too modern looking for the roadster.

Ted

[egchewy79]

appreciate the innovation, but too modern for my taste, at least in this car.
as mentioned before, might look cool in a F9 or 818.

[Jim1855]

Chris,
The designs look great and I'm sure that there will be interested parties but it's not for me. I do appreciate the form and flow of your design and can only imagine how much work you have into the CAD models.
I like the raw, brutal and dangerous aspects of the cobra design and that extends to the dash and interior. I've gone as far as straightening the dash angle to about 8 degrees off vertical and have designed a modified competition gauge layout. I won't cover it in padded material but may use some form of leatherette/vinyl covering. This kinda shows where my preferences are.
Good luck,
Jim

[gbranham]

I love it...I want a more modern interior. Would be interested to learn more about pricing, how it's packaged, installed, etc. If it comes as a package you ship to me so that I can install it, I'd be even more interested!

[TBull]

I'm intrigued by the design. My dash isn't classic either, but the FFR dash came down too close to my legs. I'm a little bigger than "Average", so made some concessions. Yours is an even more modern twist on what I have done. Like the others have said, the cup holders need a new location. I like the door mods as long as they don't intrude too much into the cockpit. Maybe don't flare the center console out as much. As for the vents, if they are primarily for heat, then they should be down and farther back. Some people have a lap blanket that attaches up under the bottom edge of the dash. With the vent farther back the air stays under the blanket and legs and lower body are warm. I also added seat heaters as well as a dual USB charging port. The reconfigured dash means I have easier time getting in or out and I can bend my left knee up and put my foot flat on the floor. I really like the thought process put into the design. Not for everyone, but like Jeff K said "There's room for all kinds". I appreciate the look from a different perspective.
194634

[cv2065]

I didn’t think I’d like it, but I do. Reminds me of the new AC Cobra look. That said, the exterior would have to match by taking on a modern approach like with blacked out accents. This interior would not go with the chromed, vintage theme.