A new fastback top coming to the Miata market....
01-13-2011, 12:09 PM
#163
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
Doppelganger doesnt work for us, but he does have "inside info" and will be the first person to have one of our tops. Everything else is speculation.
0
01-14-2011, 08:37 AM
#165
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
HBC has nothing to do wit hthe fastback...he is just bored and playing with PS.
I will say that the fastback details are coming together...
(thanks Pusha- going to fix that right now)
I will say that the fastback details are coming together...
(thanks Pusha- going to fix that right now)
0
01-14-2011, 11:23 AM
#166
Newb
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 11
Total Cats: 0
to all out there "NO" i don't work for nor have anything to do with the fastback design!
i just think its this is a great idea. and yes i am bored i have been layed up for the last 3 months with a broken back and leg. had a shunt at 280 kph during testing and have not much else to do.....
i just think its this is a great idea. and yes i am bored i have been layed up for the last 3 months with a broken back and leg. had a shunt at 280 kph during testing and have not much else to do.....
0
01-17-2011, 04:33 PM
#168
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
Update.
I have new pics I will be posting tonight.... Just one for now. We are not as far as we expected to be as we've been dealing with a big order of shelby fiberglass.
We pulled a mold of the wooden buck, made a part and are now tweaking that first part, making some changes and getting all the fitting right etc to we can pull production molds off of it. So, my point is this is still technically a "pre-prototype" and VERY rough.... but it should give you a better idea of where this is going. We still have aesthetic issues to work out, but right now we are concentrating on fit.
We have lifted the back end up a bit to get more rollbar and headroom without messing with the roofline much. This makes the back corners look a bit high (A little too much like a Z4 for my taste), but that is being addressed. It doesnt look so hunchbacked in person when you see the whole car, and it looks awesome from behind, very curvy.... and the rear "hips" of the cars are nicely accentuated .The ducktail spoiler is VERY rough piece of foam right now that will be made into a mold plug. The spoiler will wrap around the sides more and will help take care of the aforementioned corner issue as well. We will also make a smaller lip spoiler.
The side roll up windows have a very close tolerance with the top. The top is basically flush with the glass and the gap between them is less then 1/8 inch, including the back edge of the window where the OEM hardtop has a huge step. This step has always bothered me, and now its gone and its pretty damn slick. The seals are also pretty simple and slick. The window sealing and everything associated with it like wind noise, weather sealing etc should be noticeably better then OEM.
The 1/4 window shape is still driving me nuts, and is oddly the single biggest issues we have left besides the gas cap.... and the gas cap is pretty much figured out.
So, to re-itterate issues we are dealing with in these pics:
-Back corners above tail light are still being shaped, as is the spoiler.
-can't decide on 1/4 window shapes and I cant believe how varied opinions are on this.
I have new pics I will be posting tonight.... Just one for now. We are not as far as we expected to be as we've been dealing with a big order of shelby fiberglass.
We pulled a mold of the wooden buck, made a part and are now tweaking that first part, making some changes and getting all the fitting right etc to we can pull production molds off of it. So, my point is this is still technically a "pre-prototype" and VERY rough.... but it should give you a better idea of where this is going. We still have aesthetic issues to work out, but right now we are concentrating on fit.
We have lifted the back end up a bit to get more rollbar and headroom without messing with the roofline much. This makes the back corners look a bit high (A little too much like a Z4 for my taste), but that is being addressed. It doesnt look so hunchbacked in person when you see the whole car, and it looks awesome from behind, very curvy.... and the rear "hips" of the cars are nicely accentuated .The ducktail spoiler is VERY rough piece of foam right now that will be made into a mold plug. The spoiler will wrap around the sides more and will help take care of the aforementioned corner issue as well. We will also make a smaller lip spoiler.
The side roll up windows have a very close tolerance with the top. The top is basically flush with the glass and the gap between them is less then 1/8 inch, including the back edge of the window where the OEM hardtop has a huge step. This step has always bothered me, and now its gone and its pretty damn slick. The seals are also pretty simple and slick. The window sealing and everything associated with it like wind noise, weather sealing etc should be noticeably better then OEM.
The 1/4 window shape is still driving me nuts, and is oddly the single biggest issues we have left besides the gas cap.... and the gas cap is pretty much figured out.
So, to re-itterate issues we are dealing with in these pics:
-Back corners above tail light are still being shaped, as is the spoiler.
-can't decide on 1/4 window shapes and I cant believe how varied opinions are on this.
0
01-17-2011, 05:06 PM
#170
Definitely looking good so far. Already looks better then what is already available.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
0
01-17-2011, 05:39 PM
#172
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
As soon as I posted pics our server crashed.... so if you don't seem them thats whats going on.
Here is a pic of the tail where the hatch will open and the 3rd brake light will be so you can see some of the contours we are working with. A nice little narrow lip spoiler option would also be cool.
The bottom of the hatch will work with the stock latch, have provisions for license plate lights, bumpers etc.
The APR universal wing should work perfectly on the hatch with the 29.5" mounts and lift with it. I'm trying to figure out something for the 40" wide miata wings so they can be adapted that isnt totally inelegant, but chances are anyone running one will want to handle the "adaptation" themselves. I am also working on getting set up with APR to get wings made to our specs and sell as part of the package.
Here is a pic of the tail where the hatch will open and the 3rd brake light will be so you can see some of the contours we are working with. A nice little narrow lip spoiler option would also be cool.
The bottom of the hatch will work with the stock latch, have provisions for license plate lights, bumpers etc.
The APR universal wing should work perfectly on the hatch with the 29.5" mounts and lift with it. I'm trying to figure out something for the 40" wide miata wings so they can be adapted that isnt totally inelegant, but chances are anyone running one will want to handle the "adaptation" themselves. I am also working on getting set up with APR to get wings made to our specs and sell as part of the package.
0
01-18-2011, 08:58 AM
#173
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
Yummy. The rear shot showing the lift lines and window looks great...it can only look better once everything is cleaned up!
I think the spoiler should angle back and maybe even overhang the edge to help breakup the 'tallness' of the back.... al-la AutoExe duckbill-ish.
Or the NB coupe...
I think the spoiler should angle back and maybe even overhang the edge to help breakup the 'tallness' of the back.... al-la AutoExe duckbill-ish.
Or the NB coupe...
Last edited by Doppelgänger; 01-18-2011 at 09:14 AM.
0
01-18-2011, 05:24 PM
#174
Newb
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 11
Total Cats: 0
the rear view is sweeeeet!! the angle and thickness of the spoiler, and the 1/4 window shape will be hit and miss with what everyone likes/dislikes. Doppelganger hit the nail on the head with the spoiler. However with the window being so straight at the top it will be hard to get any type of profile lines for the 1/4 window to follow. but the package looks great!!!!!
0
01-18-2011, 05:29 PM
#175
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
cross posted from CR:
Dopp, I agree with what you are getting at. The great thing about removable ducktails is we can make several versions quickly and easily. Hell, so could other people.... options are good. I will probably want a small subtle wrap around lip that sits on the corner like you suggested for myself, and then swap it out for the APR wing for the track.
Dopp, I agree with what you are getting at. The great thing about removable ducktails is we can make several versions quickly and easily. Hell, so could other people.... options are good. I will probably want a small subtle wrap around lip that sits on the corner like you suggested for myself, and then swap it out for the APR wing for the track.
0
01-18-2011, 07:08 PM
#177
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
Yes, the spoilers will bolt on from underneath using the same holes you would use for an APR wing. The APR "universal" wing should be perfect with mounts at 29.5 inches. They will also make wings to our specs and it sounds like anyone with a miata spec wing could just send it in to APR and get the threaded inserts installed at the right width for a small fee... no need to buy a new wing. Actually, that is something I will look into doing myself for customers at no charge... I will check with APR.
Oh, as far as the rear height, one other thing I personally wanted was enough room to put my dog in the trunk and he could stick his head out over the bulkhead. Yeah, its goofy but whatever.
Plus the ability to carry longer items that wont fit the width of the trunk. Fishing poles, a rifle, a snowboard.... all things I've wished I could fit in my miata at times. I've taken some pretty long trips with my fiancee with the NB instead of my cherokee because of milage and of course the "fun" factor and ANY extra room would have been welcome. Roadster and/or grand touring car, you decide.
Oh, as far as the rear height, one other thing I personally wanted was enough room to put my dog in the trunk and he could stick his head out over the bulkhead. Yeah, its goofy but whatever.
Plus the ability to carry longer items that wont fit the width of the trunk. Fishing poles, a rifle, a snowboard.... all things I've wished I could fit in my miata at times. I've taken some pretty long trips with my fiancee with the NB instead of my cherokee because of milage and of course the "fun" factor and ANY extra room would have been welcome. Roadster and/or grand touring car, you decide.
Last edited by jj_warhorse; 01-18-2011 at 07:23 PM.
0
01-19-2011, 10:27 AM
#178
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
yes, the spoilers will bolt on from underneath using the same holes you would use for an apr wing. The apr "universal" wing should be perfect with mounts at 29.5 inches. They will also make wings to our specs and it sounds like anyone with a miata spec wing could just send it in to apr and get the threaded inserts installed at the right width for a small fee... No need to buy a new wing. Actually, that is something i will look into doing myself for customers at no charge... I will check with apr.
0
01-19-2011, 11:50 AM
#179
Newb
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 42
Total Cats: 0
looks badass. I think I like it more than the NB coupe.
0
01-19-2011, 04:05 PM
#180
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Total Cats: 0
More pics and cross posting from CR
The majority of the feedback I have received favors these "240ish" 1/4 window shapes. These slightly modified versions below are my favorites so far, but I'm still not sure.
I think once the rest of the stuff is sorted out and top is solid black we're going to cut out about a dozen potential window shapes from cardboard to mock up on the car and go from there. We've already did this with several shapes, but we need to do it again.
I cant wait to see this hatchback + the AK widebody.... should be an interesting combo. I think that is what I may do for my own car, plus the v8 of course.
The majority of the feedback I have received favors these "240ish" 1/4 window shapes. These slightly modified versions below are my favorites so far, but I'm still not sure.
I think once the rest of the stuff is sorted out and top is solid black we're going to cut out about a dozen potential window shapes from cardboard to mock up on the car and go from there. We've already did this with several shapes, but we need to do it again.
I cant wait to see this hatchback + the AK widebody.... should be an interesting combo. I think that is what I may do for my own car, plus the v8 of course.
0
