A new fastback top coming to the Miata market....
07-08-2011, 09:56 PM
#282
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tallahassee, FL
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I really, really want to get this when it comes out.
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07-09-2011, 01:12 AM
#283
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Ok, here's a little teaser.
How about something like this:
With a removable 1 piece spoiler similar to this:
The front edge of the 1/4 windows do match the back edge of the roll up windows... the picture is deceiving.
How about something like this:
With a removable 1 piece spoiler similar to this:
The front edge of the 1/4 windows do match the back edge of the roll up windows... the picture is deceiving.
Last edited by jj_warhorse; 07-09-2011 at 01:37 AM.
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07-10-2011, 10:06 AM
#284
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Looks significantly better than your old mockup! Nice job. I like the two step rear lip thing.
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07-10-2011, 10:56 AM
#286
This looks much better than the first by far. However, I may go so far as to say that personally, I feel like this top is going to be strictly an NB piece, as I feel the autokonexion flows well with the NA body lines.
Nonetheless, great work!
Nonetheless, great work!
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07-10-2011, 12:12 PM
#287
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NB only? Nah, I think a few tweaks will make it look good on an NA. Change the 1/4 and maybe flatten out the hump in the very back. We wont know until we finish an NB and set it on an NA and see what needs changing.
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07-12-2011, 03:21 AM
#291
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White looks good, what size wheels can you fit with those flares?
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07-20-2011, 10:42 AM
#293
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Spoiler update. Still shaping the foam and extending the front corners, but its coming together.
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08-21-2011, 10:02 PM
#295
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We're still working on this project daily and have made a lot of progress. The first spoiler is done and the first outer shell has been laid-up. I hope to have major updates in a few weeks.
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08-22-2011, 02:23 PM
#296
The rear lip is looking good. A little 911 ducktail which is great in my book. The 1/4 window looks better now than before. Somehow I know that someone will buy this beautiful piece and glue a escort cosworth double whale tail to it. Now that I say that who can Photoshop? I need a laugh.
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08-23-2011, 04:30 PM
#297
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I love that white Miata.
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08-27-2011, 12:46 PM
#298
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08-30-2011, 12:29 PM
#300
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Thanks Tim, that seems to be the consensus! We've had a several people check out the progress in person, most of which are automotive professionals including high-end body guys. They were all impressed and said it was a night and day difference from the old design and this design "nails it", especially with the spoiler. Only one was an actual "miata guy", but they've all been checking back just to see the progress. All of the non-miata guys said they've never considered buying a miata before, but this has changed their mind. I hope the reaction from the miata community is as positive.
The irony here is that he current design (except 1/4 windows) is _very_ similar to the original wooden buck and mold we made. We spent months transforming it into the FatHatch for more helmet clearance, hatch volume etc. only to turn it into something looking about as proportionate as a Porsche Panamera. Not Good. Taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps back may have "wasted" time, but I think the results are undoubtedly better. The height and "bulk" of the FatHatch caused compromises and added complexity the trunk latch and gas cap latch mechanisms. The new design will function just like a stock miata with the release lever and button just like the FatHatch was being built to, but it will be slicker/simpler. The "full hatch" itself sounded great. In reality added quite a bit of weight and complexity through compromises needed to compensate for the rigidity lost from making such a huge portion of the back end open up while making sure it was strong enough to support a spoiler or full APR wing. The accessibility added by the full hatch was minimal (its it really that hard to load up the rear tray through the cabin?)
The new trunk opening is still an improvement over stock from a practicality standpoint (volume and accessibility), but without all of the compromises associated with the full hatch. It will allow taller items to fit in the trunk as well as longer items to run from the trunk to cabin and generally adds storage space while still looking good doing it. I know I'm repeating myself on some things here, but I've learned that doesnt hurt with these threads and I havent posted much here in a while.
I'm extremely busy with several projects outside my regular job, but one other thing I'm working on is substantial updates to the website. As anyone who's visited it knows, the only thing I've touched in months is the blog. This will change once the first production top is complete, and that is coming up pretty quickly as we have at least 1 person working on it 5 or more hours a day 6 or more days a week.
The irony here is that he current design (except 1/4 windows) is _very_ similar to the original wooden buck and mold we made. We spent months transforming it into the FatHatch for more helmet clearance, hatch volume etc. only to turn it into something looking about as proportionate as a Porsche Panamera. Not Good. Taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps back may have "wasted" time, but I think the results are undoubtedly better. The height and "bulk" of the FatHatch caused compromises and added complexity the trunk latch and gas cap latch mechanisms. The new design will function just like a stock miata with the release lever and button just like the FatHatch was being built to, but it will be slicker/simpler. The "full hatch" itself sounded great. In reality added quite a bit of weight and complexity through compromises needed to compensate for the rigidity lost from making such a huge portion of the back end open up while making sure it was strong enough to support a spoiler or full APR wing. The accessibility added by the full hatch was minimal (its it really that hard to load up the rear tray through the cabin?)
The new trunk opening is still an improvement over stock from a practicality standpoint (volume and accessibility), but without all of the compromises associated with the full hatch. It will allow taller items to fit in the trunk as well as longer items to run from the trunk to cabin and generally adds storage space while still looking good doing it. I know I'm repeating myself on some things here, but I've learned that doesnt hurt with these threads and I havent posted much here in a while.
I'm extremely busy with several projects outside my regular job, but one other thing I'm working on is substantial updates to the website. As anyone who's visited it knows, the only thing I've touched in months is the blog. This will change once the first production top is complete, and that is coming up pretty quickly as we have at least 1 person working on it 5 or more hours a day 6 or more days a week.
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