http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/Bodywork%202.htm
for more pics
Finally made it.....
http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/Bodywork%202.htm
for more pics
Very impressive!
Well worth the wait.
Can I have those wheels when you've finished it?
Terry
Looking good. Did it come out of the mould easily or was there a bit of a fight? How much do you think the body weights?
Well done M8, and looking really good. Are you happy with it, or can you see any areas you'd like a second crack at?
Top effort old chap!
I'm impressed - It looks like a car body!
Wish I had the patience to attempt something like that.
Phil.
In case I haven't said it already.
Congratulations, outstanding job.!
Steve G
Well done Doc! If I had a hat I'd take it off to you. Weather (and missus permitting) I'll be battering away at the donor on Sunday
ATB
Ian
Guys, thanks.
Been away all week so i was interested in what you'd think.
Terry, Wheels? yes for a good price
PLMP, In terms of draft and release yes, but a couple of places stuck (maybe wax or PVA problem) however, it will fix OK. I'd guess about 50
pounds...will weigh it later though.
Rorty, yes fairly happy, but maybe I would change some things...I'll know better when it's finished......what did you think? Anything particular
offensive to the eye?
PhilG, Yes, it is odd, I'm not really a patient person....
SteveG, Thanks.
Robin, It's your doc I resemble IIRC?
enjoy the battering..
Again thanks all
AllanB:
quote:
Rorty, yes fairly happy, but maybe I would change some things...I'll know better when it's finished......what did you think? Anything particular offensive to the eye?
quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
AllanB:
quote:
Rorty, yes fairly happy, but maybe I would change some things...I'll know better when it's finished......what did you think? Anything particular offensive to the eye?
Not offensive, but there's a small niggle, that I know niggled you earlier on. It's the front wheel arch. From 12 O'clock to about 5 O'clock. It loses its flow, and carries a flat area at its perimeter from about 2 O'clock.
It's avery minor critisism to an otherwise excellent job....but you did ask!
Excellent job!
When does the bonnet get finished? I would like to see all the bodywork on this car. The more I look at it, the more I like it!
quote:
Originally posted by MattWatson
Excellent job!
When does the bonnet get finished? I would like to see all the bodywork on this car. The more I look at it, the more I like it!
Erm..............
quote:
From 12 O'clock to about 5 O'clock. It loses its flow, and carries a flat area at its perimeter from about 2 O'clock.
It's something to do with the way the afternoon sun hits it. 
My hat's off to you - fantastic job. While I'm comfortable working with steel and aluminum, the thought of messy, smelly, toxic, expensive (if I screw up) composite still has me scared. I'm to face my demons soon though as I need to get my own shell build up, regardless of who does it.
Thanks KB.
It looks like you are making good progress yourself, and nice work too.
Yep, I don't envy you at pre body stage....although you do have a mold already IIRC.....plenty of wax and you'll be fine...good idea to have some else
do one of the wax coats...they may get places you miss......
I'm looking forward to more welding and drilling etc.....almost forgot what it's like...
Alan,
I find the rear section a little strange.
Particularly the hump over the engine.
Whilst every other part has an upward rake towards the rear, the hump is just a "hump" and does not quite fit in.
Maybe if the radius was increased and moved rearward it would balance better.
I am being very critical here and it is not that major! I will have a play with editing the image and see what happens.
I've not made my mind up about the area Rorty mentioned as I would like to see the bonnet on to see how it then looks. However I did like the computer
graphic of this area in bodywork 1 "Rear_hoop_idea.jpg".
Looking at the scuttle area it looks as if the bonnet will continue and cover up your open wheelarches. Have you changed you plans there?
Looking at the front profile, I think the front valence need to be tapered in towards the bottom so that it follows the line of the wheel arch. This
would be a minor adjustment (he says cuz he doesn't have to do the work).
So as not to be all negative, I think the rear profile looks great (often a problem area on many a car)!
Terry
Terry, thanks for the feedback, it really is appreciated
Seeing as we are talking about opinions (which are highly valued) there is little point in me agreeing or disagreeing with your observations, but I
will try and comment on one or two points.
Rear hoop idea - I think there will be some form of roll hoop cover, but I'm not certain how far it will extend rearwards...I tried it like the
graphic, but wasn't too pleased with it.
Bonnet - This is the current plan:
The inner arch extensions will be able to be trimmed off if desired to create exposed suspension, but I wanted to have both options.
I should have some more pictures on the site today.
Again, thanks for the critique..more are welcome....
Oops!
I think we are talking about different things.
I wasn't talking about the rear hoop, but just using the image as that showed the front wheel arches as I liked them.
The hump at the rear is the engine cover bulge. I was only refering to this in side profile (maybe I should have made myself clear).
I'll edit some images and send them. They will explain better than I can!
Might not get them done this week though as I'm in Court all week again.
Where will the hot air from rad be exiting?
Terry
No Terry it's my fault I didn't read it correctly...
I see what you mean, that area behind the arch was done to balance out the area front of the arch...hopefully it should look right when the bonnet is
done....we'll see then I guess.
In court huh?.....just deny everything..
Hot air...most of it will exit through the forum.....seriously, I'll probably have vents in the bonnet.
Good luck next week...
Alan,
It's not me that needs the luck, it's all the poor buggers on trial! I'm on Jury Duty!
Hang Em All! That way the guilty never get away!
Terry
Top vents or side vents on bonnet?
Won't that remove any chances of making front boot space water proof?
[Edited on 24/2/03 by Bull]
Alan
It's looking good and like the other posts I'm very impressed
Keith
Alan,
Did you get email I sent?
Terry
Terry, yes thanks...been away all week so sorry for the delay.
Keith, cheers
Alan
Just had a look at the latest pictures on your site and its looking better all of the time. One comment on the start of the bonnet though, it looks
from the pics as if you have it convex at the scuttle and nose but it looks like it might be concave in line with the top of the wheel arches.
It might look a bit odd like that won't it?
just an observation as I can see it's in the early stages
regards
keith
Keith,
Thanks for the nice comments.
I see what you mean about it looking concave across the arches. In fact that is actually the line of the inner arches and the main bonnet line is
convex all the way. Both inner arches are very shallow angle truncated cones which intersect with the main bonnet.......should be a lot clearer in the
next few updates.
Cheers,
Alan
Alan
Just had another look at the site and see it makes more sense now ;-}
Keith
Keith, I'm glad you can see what I'm trying to do....photo's don't always tell the full story without further explanation.
I should have some pics on site later today showing the first covering of plaster....the shape should be more obvious, but again maybe not as the
white is hard photogragh and show the shape.......we'll see I guess..
Alan
I'm looking for a new build project and I am waiting for the Mercat to come on sale in the UK ;-}
BTW I noticed that you have used the MR2 as the basic donor which in your case was FWD but I thought all of the MR2s here were mid engined RWD? or
maybe I am just going off my head;-}
Keith
You are correct all MR2's are mid-engined RWD (AFAIK).....I was looking for a FWD unit to put in the back when the MR2 came along and was largely
pre-engineered in terms of gearchange, handbrake etc.
The car will be available with alternate FWD power units.....mainly because of the scarcity of MR's and peoples reluctance to break them.
A possible UK spec would be something like say a Honda or Toyota FWD powertrain with perhaps adapted Sierra front uprights....maybe even use the
Sierra rear uprights and brakes if possible....it would certainly help the wheel stud and handbrake issues.
Just a few thoughts....
I'm using the fwd Toyota Corolla gti16v as the donor,but Ford uprights-Corblimey at front a la Book,and possibly mk4 Escort front uprights,Fiesta disc
and Sierra/Granada rear caliper. IIRC that lot fits together fairly well!?! MR2's have gained a cult status,and consequently the prices are getting
silly. I paid £200 for my 91 Corolla.
Regards
Ian
Ian,
Hmmm...very interesting.
Sounds like you are well into the chassis/powertrain research end of the project...what is your intended body style?
I'm in the UK and only paid £130 for my MR2 to use as donor.
There are now a lot of tatty cars and MOT failures about which you should be able to pick up cheaply. It is just that there are less MR2's than other
models
Terry
Terry- being at the far end of Cornwall makes finding donors more difficult,if I went 40 miles west I'd be heading towards AlanB. Anyway,cant complain
too much about the donor as that model Corolla has the 7 rib 4age engine,etc.
Alan-As far as bodywork goes there wont be a lot! A bit Lotus340,a bit Aerial Atom!
I have no intention of making more than one,so will not be making moulds,just laying up grp over foam. I am lucky to have a good fibreglass supplier
(cfs) a few miles away,so will glean some help in that direction.
The workshop has got a roof again,I have got a chassis,all I need is enough hours in the day!!!!!!!!! Earning a living does get in the
way.................
Regards
Ian