A new fastback top coming to the Miata market....
12-21-2010, 08:04 AM
#61
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I did some 'chops that adjusted the roofline, but I didn't want to post them because the roof line has already been decided on and it's Jes's design...I didn't want to step on any toes honestly.
But since we're having a little fun....
But since we're having a little fun....
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12-21-2010, 08:07 AM
#62
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This is similar to a design I had over a year ago shown in the 3d render. Production realities killed it.
If we want to keep the strength AND have internal rollbar clearance, there is going to be a B-pillar, and it will probably be pretty thick. The option is overlapping the front of the 1/4 window over the shell a few inches and backing it with a solid black adhesive. First we are making sure the top is no wider then the side windows and eliminating the step the OEM top has to make to fit over the soft top strip. Then we are addressing the internal structure where the top attaches on the sides. Then we can see how much we can tweak the leading edge of the 1/4 window. The rest of the window can be tweaked as long as it doesnt interfere with the secondary gas filler door.
This 'chop is about as far forward as I think we can realistically stretch the window forward without overlapping it over the shell. I also edited the image to show the curve of the rear window more accurately.
If we want to keep the strength AND have internal rollbar clearance, there is going to be a B-pillar, and it will probably be pretty thick. The option is overlapping the front of the 1/4 window over the shell a few inches and backing it with a solid black adhesive. First we are making sure the top is no wider then the side windows and eliminating the step the OEM top has to make to fit over the soft top strip. Then we are addressing the internal structure where the top attaches on the sides. Then we can see how much we can tweak the leading edge of the 1/4 window. The rest of the window can be tweaked as long as it doesnt interfere with the secondary gas filler door.
This 'chop is about as far forward as I think we can realistically stretch the window forward without overlapping it over the shell. I also edited the image to show the curve of the rear window more accurately.
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12-21-2010, 08:57 AM
#65
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This exactly. The window looks retarded and ruins the entire thing for me. If they dropped that and did something else, or just left it blank, I would love it. Rear is too high.
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12-21-2010, 09:13 AM
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The window needs to match the curve of the roof as well, and needs to be shorter front to back. Also the "b pillar" needs to be a bit wider. Also a slight taper of the b pillar from top to bottom (bottom slightly wider). Even or straight lines on a curvy car just doesn't work.
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12-21-2010, 10:29 AM
#69
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Good news on the wing mount. Interesting idea about how to hold it. I was considering something similar for the wing mount I have now. It would be very nice for the wing to lift with the hatch.
This one. I like the reduced height of the rear slope, and the tweak to the side window.
LOL at the previous Panamera comment. I was thinking the same thing. Stay away from the Panamera, probably the ugliest car ever made by Porsche.
This one. I like the reduced height of the rear slope, and the tweak to the side window.
LOL at the previous Panamera comment. I was thinking the same thing. Stay away from the Panamera, probably the ugliest car ever made by Porsche.
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12-21-2010, 11:27 AM
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I need to try and keep this quick and still try and hit on the concerns I have read.... I have a lot of work to do today.
NA GUYS.... we're going to get to you ASAP. As soon as I get my NB back I'm going to send the NA I picked up for a song (specifically for this project) down there.
NC guys... want something like this? No problem, we just need a car to borrow for 6-8 weeks!
Like the hood? That was just a heat extractor design I was playing with for V8 conversions. We've been talking about doing that as well. Are you really tall or do you have a big mellon? We can build in a gurney bubble for you.
First, the tapered fastbacks you guys are doing look great, but that is from a profile. Once you start messing with the cross section it gets a little funkier trying to get a shape that looks good from other angles. We went there and decided to go a different direction. Remember we're not just designing a profile, but a 3 dimensional shape to be mast produced from a single piece mold. Second, if we went along those lines I'm sure there would be plenty of screaming that we copied AK. Third,if we're doing a hatchback why not give it a nice kammback design for aero and add a little space to the trunk as well? We're juggling several design goals here, and one of them was adding a bit of practicality
I dont know about you guys, But I liked taking long trips with my NB whenever possible. A little more space and ability to put longer items back there can go a long way. We took the stock roofline and extended it back to the stock trunklid contours. It looks high in back because the rear quarters taper and slope down. The top of the tail is actually pretty even with the top of the rear 1/4 panels. With the exception of the 1/4 window issues with the B -pillar, e really worked on getting the lines to look like mazda designed them into the NB.
I hope to have pictures of the actual outer shell on a car by next Monday the 27th. The mold is done, radical changes to the roofline are not going to happen at this point.... probably not for the NA version either. The NC is a different story. We were going to keep it fairly similar, but are open to more radical changes.
Side windows... yes, there is a possibility that we can leave them out and let the customer cut their own. We also considered "routing out" the fglass for a nice overlap that will keep the lexan flush. We are trying to keep the surface nice and smooth and dont want lexan sticking out beyond the fiberglass. The only issue we have with that is customers that may not have the skills to do it right and are just concerned with saving $ and cutting corners doing a half *** job. Then we have a POS top out there with our name on it. Not good, and we have run into that issue before. Now, if you can show us that you are a serious racer and/or have the skills to finish it up properly and dont mind the fact that not having the windows cut out for you isnt going to save you a bunch of $, then yes I'm sure we can figure something out for you on a case by case basis. We can consider a lot of things on a case by case basis!
You overseas guys.... we ship a lot of big heavy stuff overseas already, including entire cars. I wouldnt be opposed to shipping 2 or more at a time to single locations on your continents and you guys handling the logistics from there. They will stack well and shipping 5 should be marginally more expensive then shipping one. Hell, I'd even consider setting up some sort of distributorship.
NA GUYS.... we're going to get to you ASAP. As soon as I get my NB back I'm going to send the NA I picked up for a song (specifically for this project) down there.
NC guys... want something like this? No problem, we just need a car to borrow for 6-8 weeks!
Like the hood? That was just a heat extractor design I was playing with for V8 conversions. We've been talking about doing that as well. Are you really tall or do you have a big mellon? We can build in a gurney bubble for you.
First, the tapered fastbacks you guys are doing look great, but that is from a profile. Once you start messing with the cross section it gets a little funkier trying to get a shape that looks good from other angles. We went there and decided to go a different direction. Remember we're not just designing a profile, but a 3 dimensional shape to be mast produced from a single piece mold. Second, if we went along those lines I'm sure there would be plenty of screaming that we copied AK. Third,if we're doing a hatchback why not give it a nice kammback design for aero and add a little space to the trunk as well? We're juggling several design goals here, and one of them was adding a bit of practicality
I dont know about you guys, But I liked taking long trips with my NB whenever possible. A little more space and ability to put longer items back there can go a long way. We took the stock roofline and extended it back to the stock trunklid contours. It looks high in back because the rear quarters taper and slope down. The top of the tail is actually pretty even with the top of the rear 1/4 panels. With the exception of the 1/4 window issues with the B -pillar, e really worked on getting the lines to look like mazda designed them into the NB.I hope to have pictures of the actual outer shell on a car by next Monday the 27th. The mold is done, radical changes to the roofline are not going to happen at this point.... probably not for the NA version either. The NC is a different story. We were going to keep it fairly similar, but are open to more radical changes.
Side windows... yes, there is a possibility that we can leave them out and let the customer cut their own. We also considered "routing out" the fglass for a nice overlap that will keep the lexan flush. We are trying to keep the surface nice and smooth and dont want lexan sticking out beyond the fiberglass. The only issue we have with that is customers that may not have the skills to do it right and are just concerned with saving $ and cutting corners doing a half *** job. Then we have a POS top out there with our name on it. Not good, and we have run into that issue before. Now, if you can show us that you are a serious racer and/or have the skills to finish it up properly and dont mind the fact that not having the windows cut out for you isnt going to save you a bunch of $, then yes I'm sure we can figure something out for you on a case by case basis. We can consider a lot of things on a case by case basis!
You overseas guys.... we ship a lot of big heavy stuff overseas already, including entire cars. I wouldnt be opposed to shipping 2 or more at a time to single locations on your continents and you guys handling the logistics from there. They will stack well and shipping 5 should be marginally more expensive then shipping one. Hell, I'd even consider setting up some sort of distributorship.
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12-21-2010, 11:36 AM
#72
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You overseas guys.... we ship a lot of big heavy stuff overseas already, including entire cars. I wouldnt be opposed to shipping 2 or more at a time to single locations on your continents and you guys handling the logistics from there. They will stack well and shipping 5 should be marginally more expensive then shipping one. Hell, I'd even consider setting up some sort of distributorship.
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12-21-2010, 11:51 AM
#73
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ALMOST! But here it is done correctly sir...
The window needs to match the curve of the roof as well, and needs to be shorter front to back. Also the "b pillar" needs to be a bit wider. Also a slight taper of the b pillar from top to bottom (bottom slightly wider). Even or straight lines on a curvy car just doesn't work.
The window needs to match the curve of the roof as well, and needs to be shorter front to back. Also the "b pillar" needs to be a bit wider. Also a slight taper of the b pillar from top to bottom (bottom slightly wider). Even or straight lines on a curvy car just doesn't work.
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12-21-2010, 12:07 PM
#74
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OK, one more time in a short post so it doesnt get buried in all the crap I have to say.
The roofline is _not_ going to change at this point. Photoshop all you want, but the mold is made. If you want to start playing with a shape for a "designed by committee" NC, go nuts.... we may use it.
We wanted a true hatchback with a bit of added practicality and space. We could possible do more of a fastback like the chops, but at this point THAT would be a rather obnoxious ripoff of the AK top and I dont want to go there. I'd rather do a shooting brake.
The 1/4 window can be changed within reason and it will follow the lines of the car better and match the curves of the side windows, but the b-pillar needs to retain a substantial amount of material and cant be too thin (5in at the narrowest) and the window can't interfere with the gas door. It needs to be seen in all 3 dimensions as a real physical part matching the color of the car.... soon
The roofline is _not_ going to change at this point. Photoshop all you want, but the mold is made. If you want to start playing with a shape for a "designed by committee" NC, go nuts.... we may use it.
We wanted a true hatchback with a bit of added practicality and space. We could possible do more of a fastback like the chops, but at this point THAT would be a rather obnoxious ripoff of the AK top and I dont want to go there. I'd rather do a shooting brake.
The 1/4 window can be changed within reason and it will follow the lines of the car better and match the curves of the side windows, but the b-pillar needs to retain a substantial amount of material and cant be too thin (5in at the narrowest) and the window can't interfere with the gas door. It needs to be seen in all 3 dimensions as a real physical part matching the color of the car.... soon
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12-21-2010, 12:10 PM
#75
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First, the tapered fastbacks you guys are doing look great, but that is from a profile. Once you start messing with the cross section it gets a little funkier trying to get a shape that looks good from other angles. We went there and decided to go a different direction. Remember we're not just designing a profile, but a 3 dimensional shape to be mast produced from a single piece mold. Second, if we went along those lines I'm sure there would be plenty of screaming that we copied AK. Third,if we're doing a hatchback why not give it a nice kammback design for aero and add a little space to the trunk as well? We're juggling several design goals here, and one of them was adding a bit of practicality
I dont know about you guys, But I liked taking long trips with my NB whenever possible. A little more space and ability to put longer items back there can go a long way. We took the stock roofline and extended it back to the stock trunklid contours. It looks high in back because the rear quarters taper and slope down. The top of the tail is actually pretty even with the top of the rear 1/4 panels. With the exception of the 1/4 window issues with the B -pillar, e really worked on getting the lines to look like mazda designed them into the NB.
I was having a bit of fun knowing that it was not something to suggest. I like the original roofline that you designed just fine
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12-21-2010, 12:17 PM
#76
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I dont mind your photoshops at all, especially since you were sticking to the window.... That I can appreciate because it is an area that I still am not happy with. We need to stick to the window, thats all.
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12-21-2010, 12:27 PM
#79
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How about doing an NA with as close as possible to the roofline in the original photos? Thats what we're going to start working on next.
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12-21-2010, 12:41 PM
#80
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The window and duckbill that Brian did makes the top flow much better. With a third brake light installed it would look factory.
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