(I've put this in the Haynes section, as I figure although this is bodywork related, its closely linked to my build)

After many, many hours spent in front of the computer I'm nearly there with my bodywork design. But being so close to it (sometimes literally, gotta zoom right in on the fiddly bits!) I'd like some opinions/constructive feedback from fresh pairs of eyes.

Below are a couple of screenshots of the design....let me know your thoughts What do you like? What could be improved?

Interesting,...would be good to see some renderings and wheels added. My first thought id that bonnet looks too flat, with the rest of the body being so curved. The whole bonnet/skuttle/screen remains to 7esq.

[Edited on 24-11-16 by loggyboy]

good sketchup skills!

there was an american / canadian doing something similar a number of years ago (i've been on this site too long).

Dale?

he was merging an old triumph MGA? and locost together. Hit lots of problems with the body work. Not sure how far he got / if he quit / finished.

worth looking him up.

I agree with the bonnet / scuttle. They also look quite tall from the rear angle.

How are you planning on making the parts in real life?

Looks interesting

As others have said, the bonnet & skuttle don't look quite right.

The windscreen for me doesn't work. A curved screen would be much better. Or a frame with 2 flat pieces like a XK120?

I was right, it was Dale.


Look up his posts, eg,

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=65619

Aah yeah look at that! Very similar back end design. Looks like he's got quite far with it aswell.

Yeah I can see the straight-ness is out of sync with the rest of the design now...see, this is good stuff! keep it coming
Better to get it correct now rather than when I'm building it up.

Screenwise...I'd love a fully curved screen. I've looked at mini or mg midget, but even those are too long. 7esq screens are usually flat. Is it possible to get a curved screen easily made?

The plan is to take cross sections of the design, print those templates out full size, stick to thin plywood/MDF, cut out the profiles and build up the framework. Fill in spaces with high-density foam, cover in something (Plaster maybe) then build fibreglass moulds around those bucks.
I'll then have moulds I can re-use for broken panels etc, or on a second build. (Even open to making a set or two if anyone ever wanted...it'd mount straight to a standard Haynes chassis)

[Edited on 25/11/16 by christim]

Front end reminds me of this

Interesting. I got the idea from this poster:


Grille Inspiration

[Edited on 25/11/16 by christim]

Any doors or are the sides going to be exposed?

Well I like it a lot, just change the screen.

Shooter

How about these minor adjustments?


Inspiration!

That's great... thanks all for your input! I'm working on a few tweaks now. It is having doors so I'll finish that bit off too.
I'll put up some pics when I'm done

Still going on mine , just very little time to work on it. It should be on the road this spring summer.
Dale

Hi Dale, I looked through your album and the bodywork looks great! I've slowed up a bit too, not much time for it the moment. But got some holiday coming up so hoping to at least get started on the bucks

Hi there, best of luck with your project

quote:

---

plan is to take cross sections of the design, print those templates out full size, stick to thin plywood/MDF, cut out the profiles and build up the framework. Fill in spaces with high-density foam, cover in something (Plaster maybe) then build fibreglass moulds around those bucks.

---

Hello Fred, Any of could only aspire to come remotely or in my case distantly resembling your level of workmanship on that body.

Christim I would look at your front wings/fenders to make sure that you have the section over them wide enough to allow full wheel turn in both direction during bump. I had to make mine much wider than I wanted to avoid hitting the front inside tire edge during turn.
Dale

[Edited on 22/12/16 by Dale]

Thanks Dale thats a good point. I may have to revisit that bit. Loved looking through your pics, its a great design I like it!

Fred I've spent the evening reading through your build thread is an inspiration! I dont think i'll come anywhere near close to that level of perfection. It's definitely given me some ideas, and reinforced my thoughts that this'll be the biggest job of the build by far

I think I'm about as far as I can go with designing the bodywork now. I've made tweaks based on feedback on here and from friends & family, and I've been going over the IVA manual making sure lights are the correct height and distance from each other, numberplate's the correct size, etc, etc.
I'm ready to start making it come to life! Here's what I have ended with...what do you think?:





I'm not sure about the windscreen size/shape yet, but plan to build that up after IVA, so will leave it like it is for now.

(I did try making the arches more of a teardrop shape, but on such a small car they look too big I think):



[Edited on 1/3/17 by christim]

Have you seen this kit from tribute, may give some inspiration?

Tribute Automotive - AUBURN SPEEDSTER replica bodyshell, KIT CAR, HOT ROD KUSTOM

Ahh no I've not seen that before..looks good! I like that classic shape

I am really liking that, I would consider pulling the windscreen farther back and then tilting back another 10 degrees or more. Vee-ing the windscreen might look really good.
Dale

Thanks Dale! Yeah i think it might do to be a bit taller as well. Im going to wait till its finished then work on the windscreen separately, so I can figure out the best height, angle, what a split screen would look like, etc.

I've also ordered a 3d print model of it! So i can see what it really looks like. Modern technology eh

It's arrived!:


I painted it