sgraber
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 03:37 AM |
|
|
La Bala hardtop - opinions
I've been busy designing a hardtop for my La Bala. It's a 3 piece design with vertical rear glass behind the seats, a fixed rollbar center
section and a removable targa section. The targa section will hinge or detach from the leading windscreen header edge (stowed under the bonnet) and
uses a gas strut to assist lift when not being removed. It latches to the rollbar section at the rear edge. This hinged targa design will allow the
driver to enter the car without requiring doors. I've made the design to fit on the existing no-door side panels or the new door side panels I
already have made molds for.
This week I've created a foam and cardboard mockup. Once I get a basic shape I like I'll cover it in a layer of fiberglass matte and
create the plugs.
I used photoshop to paint the foam and cardboard a uniform color. But I think the targa may be a lightweight fiberglass outer frame with tonneau cloth
cover and the 2 pieces that bolt to the rear decklid will be similar lightweight tonneau canvas stretched over lightweight frames. The center rollbar
section will be a more durable fiberglass construction with a real steel rollbar fitted inside that will bolt to the frame and this will replace the
existing rollbar design.
Comments appreciated:
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
|
|
james h
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 05:18 AM |
|
|
I do like that a lot!
I think if you followed the top curved edge of the window opening/side of the targa section down to the panel gap just forward of the aerocatch it
could look good (if you understand what I mean). But overall it does look very good and compliments the shape of the car very well.
|
|
|
Mr Whippy
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 05:54 AM |
|
|
yeah that looks just right 
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
|
|
|
speedyxjs
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 06:06 AM |
|
|
Mmmmm, nice 
|
|
|
Hellfire
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 07:13 AM |
|
|
I'm not sure the rear structures are wide enough, they look a bit of an afterthought at them moment to me. Though they would help with reducing
blind spots...
The rest is great!
S
|
|
|
hughpinder
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 07:30 AM |
|
|
To my mind, and from that angle, that design fits the car perfectly.
Regards
Hugh
|
|
|
Steve Hignett
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 08:09 AM |
|
|
The roof sections are very well proportioned (IMO) and look very professional.
But, I'm sorry, I agree with Steve Hellfire above that the rear uprights are overly long, even the off side one that's shorter...
ATB - Great work as always!
Steve
|
|
|
Ivan
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 08:15 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Hignett
The roof sections are very well proportioned (IMO) and look very professional.
But, I'm sorry, I agree with Steve Hellfire above that the rear uprights are overly long, even the off side one that's shorter...
ATB - Great work as always!
Steve
Agree fully
|
|
|
02GF74
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 11:05 AM |
|
|
very nice.
my 2 cents.
the uprights are bit too long IMO.
also check the angle of the rear side window - make it in line with the rear vent, that I assume is in lionewith the front bonnet (hood) gap - the
pink lines.
now wirth added rear vents - just to break up the area
 
Rescued attachment loBala.JPG
|
|
|
sgraber
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 01:45 PM |
|
|
By Jove I think you guys are right! Was there any doubt that asking for opinion here would result otherwise?
O2GF74 your edit shows the shorter sailpanels and I think that I will give that a go today.
I wonder if the vents along that area are correct for the principles of extraction from the engine bay? Or would they suck air in and compete against
my side intakes...
Further updates by tonight then!
It's 7am and raining in Phoenix today btw. 
Steve
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
cheapracer
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 02:23 PM |
|
|
May be an idea of help for the roofline you seek...
http://www.altblech.at/pages/gallery/maserati-merak-2-631.php
It's coming....
|
|
|
sgraber
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 02:31 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by cheapracer
May be an idea of help for the roofline you seek...
http://www.altblech.at/pages/gallery/maserati-merak-2-631.php
This is actually where I started from:
http://www.allsportauto.com/photoautre/ferrari/testarossa/1987_ferrari_testarossa_07_sb.jpg
but I can see the shorter sailpanel work well too, and so do the vents!
http://circleofwizards.com/Ferrari348Spider/Ferrari348SpiderRightSide.PNG
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
Confused but excited.
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 04:10 PM |
|
|
Ooooo! Positively pornographic.
Beeeautiful. 
If it was mine I'd clean it like this...
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
|
|
|
cheapracer
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 05:15 PM |
|
|
You may have missed my point Steve, I meant the way Massa did the 2 rails from the roof back to make it look like its part of the roof when its
actually not kinda thing. Very clever design I thought.
It's coming....
|
|
|
Gakes
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 06:33 PM |
|
|
I love your idea! It compliments your car so well. I not really feeling the Maserati style, no offense guys.heres my input:
 
Rescued attachment La-Bala-Hardtop-Proto-3 copy.jpg
 
Description
|
|
|
sgraber
|
| posted on 22/5/09 at 11:23 PM |
|
|
Made some changes today based on suggestions. Then I just used photoshop to clean/clone the cardboard and foam again, but that's the actual
shape on the car.
I uploaded a video to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQxveGQYnuw
Gawkes I like the idea of a small spoiler across the back and may test one out later. Depends on the aero really as I am currently getting 45mpg
topless, should improve drastically with the top, then fiddle with spoilers at a later date. I'll also look into making the decklid vented.
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
cheapracer
|
| posted on 23/5/09 at 03:37 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gakes
I love your idea! It compliments your car so well. I not really feeling the Maserati style, no offense guys.heres my input:
What you don't think people will notice you in a La Bala? You think you need a big red arrow to say "hey look at me everybody"? Wow
talk about attention deficit syndrome!
It's coming....
|
|
|
akrallysport
|
| posted on 24/5/09 at 01:38 AM |
|
|
From your initial picture, my first reaction was to shorten it. I'm glad that I wasn't alone.
You'll eventually need to add a more distinctive lip on the rear deck as I'm sure the roof has added some rear lift.
[Edited on 24/5/09 by akrallysport]
|
|
|
cheapracer
|
| posted on 24/5/09 at 05:49 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by sgraber
Depends on the aero really as I am currently getting 45mpg topless,.
ewww, put a shirt on will ya!
It's coming....
|
|
|
geoffreyh
|
| posted on 24/5/09 at 04:22 PM |
|
|
It looks already really good.
I have some questions however.
The first try was definitly too long but the second trashes a nice curve. Is there a way to get something in between?
The other question would be: How does it look from the back? A nice sideline and a bad view from the back would be pitiful.
Geoff
|
|
|
sgraber
|
| posted on 24/5/09 at 06:31 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by geoffreyh
I have some questions however.
The first try was definitly too long but the second trashes a nice curve. Is there a way to get something in between?
The other question would be: How does it look from the back? A nice sideline and a bad view from the back would be pitiful.
Geoff
Agreed regarding length. I'm already on v3 which looks much more like Gakes rendition in length.
The rear view is definitely a concern. I'm not particularly happy with it yet, but it's getting better as I tweak the angle of the panels.
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
dr-fastlane
|
| posted on 1/6/09 at 08:01 AM |
|
|
Steve first of all I like the La Bala very much. Here is a rendering of the roof line if the La Bala stood in my garage
 
Rescued attachment roofline.JPG
------------------------------
I have not failed once. I have successfully found ways that will not work!
https://www.motor-forum.nl/threads/hardtail-dragstyle-project.343482/
|
|
|
violentblue
|
| posted on 4/6/09 at 01:47 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by dr-fastlane
Steve first of all I like the La Bala very much. Here is a rendering of the roof line if the La Bala stood in my garage
thats got my vote
a few pics of my other projects
|
|
|
sgraber
|
| posted on 7/6/09 at 03:16 AM |
|
|
I've made a bit of progress today. I lengthened the side panels and did play around with the window treatment as was suggested, but the new
rollbar configuration places it up next to the leading edge of the opening, it's just not ideal to reverse the line of the opening. I also
prefer to continue the upper curve of the roof line as shown by the blue tape.
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhnm5NXCHE
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
|
|
|
Garbrand
|
| posted on 8/6/09 at 08:45 PM |
|
|
My (late) 2 cents - La Bala hardtop
Here is my (late) 2 cents.
A quick sketch. I've made the roof more related to the shut lines you already have on the car, to make it blend in more. Also moved the
'bulge' of the roof a little closer to the windshield so it looks more dynamic.
And while I was at it, quickly changed some of the graphics and the color, just because I can ;-) Adding some graphics to rear of the sill instead of
the front helps to pull the eye to the back, were the design is more interesting (in my humble opinion).
 
Description
Garagistes!
|
|
|
