Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I think that handles the rear better; much cleaner finish.

jj_warhorse

Ummm, so you are basically saying you think we need to make the AK top?
Its not going to be tapered like the spoon or AK... never was never will be. What would be the point? If you like the tapered look, AK already makes a nice option for you.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I didn't say taper it. just needs less mx-3 and more nx2000.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

it's that weird double hump thing going on with the slope after the back window that kills it. you fixed it in the photoshop. also those side windows as others mentioned.

jj_warhorse

I'm not sure the double hump thing on the FatHatch. There is a flat spot where the back window starts because the lexan in there is slightly curved, but not vacuum formed to curve enough to follow the body without getting a flatspot. There is no double hump down the centerline, but I can see a perceived double hump further out twards the sides, say at the rear windows edge or the hatch opening lines (the hatch was not completely fit yet either) when you look at the rear 3/4 view. It looks like it slopes out to the end of the windshield and then changes to a slightly steeper slope. This has more to do with the transition from the curves above the back corners of the side windows that goes down to the back corners plus the bump in the center at the very back. There are no lines parallel to the centerline from the front to the back of the top that double hump. Regardless, a perceived double hump is still a problem so its getting fixed. Look closely at the profile, can you see the double hump? The centerline down the trunk bump is much darker and blends in with the background pretty well, is that what you mean? I'll have to trace it later when I have more time.

From the front of the rear window all the way back is being redone basically from scratch, including the rear window shape.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Agreed. I would really go for something like that.

buffon01

iTrader: (9)

Insert more Nx2000 here.

afc2112

I'm sorry but the NX2000 was a hideous looking car.

I much prefer the 240Z-esque and 911-esque lines Jess is going for.

jj_warhorse

We've cut the back end off about mid b-pillar and are now working with these lines.



Credit goes out to Pac-man 99 from CR on help with the lines.

viperormiata

iTrader: (24)

That looks fantastic.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

The top on the S2K looks like ***...sorry to say. I mean, it looks OK from a side-view profile point-of-view....but looking at the back and how it pinchs in narrower than the trunk is ****. The NB coupe, which is worlds better looking, isn't very pinched in at all and I think this fastback will be pretty close in design. C'mon, who here really doesn't like the lines of the NB coupe?

buffon01

iTrader: (9)

I likey the profile of the Nx2000. There's something odd about that last design, but is much better than the one with the hump

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Exactly.

I think I'd like to see the protoype narrowed slightly, and the bulk removed.


All I did here was shrink the width of the fastback back to a very stuble taper back to the width of the trunk, then shaved off a few inches of meat from the rear shelf height and squared off the window:




I was speaking specifically about how the rear is handled-where the MX-3's fastback cut off abruptly, the NX2000's back ends a few inches short of the corner.

afc2112

I agree with Doppelganger that the S2k top looks like "dogshit." To quote another member. It doesn't really suit the S2000's angular design from the rear view. It looks even worse on the Mazda, since it has more curves than the Honda.

And for those who wanted to say they wanted the rear end shorter, just say so. And besides there are better examples out there than that hideous Nissan. As a side note, I think the MX3 looks a million times better as whole.

But I'll agree that the steeper slope/rear end looks better on the Miata and I think it's already been established that the revision will take that into account.

shlammed

iTrader: (8)

IMO the trunk looks too bulky.

for design purposes, i would say leave the stock trunk lid in place and design the fastback to use half of the stock trunk. (steeper slope and the trunk doesnt look like ****) then you could incorporate a lipped trunk lid that moulds into the top for functionality purposes. The space between the bumper reflector and the tire on the side view should be stock height IMO.

I dont have an NB though, so who cares what i think

afc2112

You know, this is the only pic of the NB Coupe I've seen from the rear and I'll say that it's not its best angle...The side profile and the 3/4 view is far more flattering.

That said, the FBT has the potential to look even better from the rear...

jj_warhorse

Here is what we're looking at on the back end.
A and B curves are slightly different, so without a vacuum formed rear window, that creates flatspot around C. The Transition from B to D also creates problem spots at E as it drops down to the corners, and this looks strange from the profile view, especially when the reflection lights up the sides forward of F while E remains dark and the line from B to the "bump" at D sort of disappears into the background like in the most recent profile shot. These 2 issues seem to accentuate each other and create the awkward "Double Bubble" profile.
A B C and D are all being addressed in the FH highback version. D will be lowered and smoothed out vertically (which will also make it much more appropriate for the NA version and means we only have to alter the area where the top sits on the quarter panel ), but still bow out backwards a bit for some character. Mimicking the NB trunk bump seems to be one of those "better idea then reality" things. This should eliminate weird spot E and we will move forward on the spoiler that will address the transition to the body at F. We are also changing the 1/4, but have yet to decide if we will keep the entire hatch that pivots up around A. All the work has been done, so we will probably keep it.

For the FBT The same applies to A-E. D will be lowered very close to stock height and and H will be greatly reduced and open just like stock. The "bulk" of F should be eliminated completely.

VanMSM

With the top sitting so far out on the quarter panels (point F above) I'd be concerned that the paint could be worn down due to movement as the body twists. Or that the downforce from a wing could result in rubbing and the quarter panel paint also being worn?

jj_warhorse

The top is sitting on rubber seals and is attached at both the sides and back corners by hardware that not only holds it down, but also prevents it from being pushed down into the body.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

So Jesse sent me some pics of what they've been working on and you guys are going to like it. I'll let him post the details