151 replies to this topic

[MAXR]

Ive not searched the internet for inspiration. However, when you have the identical base car and want to get air into the engine bay, there can only be cosmetic differences in how you can do that. Fundamentally, the front of my car is an Audi. Ive not seen any other VX or Lotus chassis based car looking similar at the front end. The rear will be very different too from anything I've seen. The only remaining area is the sides, which having the same doors and location for the intake doesn't leave a lot of room for radical changes. This is not a clean sheet design, it's just a revamp.

The image of the instagram VX in your link, is similar, I accept that. I personally don't like it that much, as it's too intrusive, too big an intake and a bit crude. But, it's what the owner liked. I think my side conversion is a little more sophisticated and better resolves the problem of getting air (for my track car) into the engine bay. But, that's just my view. Others may hate what Ive done to a VX or think that it looks like a Europa and that's fine too. We are all individuals and have our own likes and dislikes. Where you see the same, I see a different design with distinct differences.

[MAXR]

You think you can photoshop the orange over a full side picture of the car like you did the last one?
I think that would give us a good impression of where this is going.

Black is awful to show any detail or subtleties in the surface treatment.

[MAXR]

[SteveA]

That does look loads better, a bit similar to the Evora line. The symmetry part I was talking about was the rear vent compared to the front cut out. I think they need to follow a similar line.

Edited by SteveA, 23 September 2018 - 09:53 AM.

[smiley]

That last photoshop is lovely. Really complements the original vx lines

Is there any chance we can convince you back to oem side mirrors, and incorporate blinkers in them to freshen them up?
I believe someone here allready did that once.

 

Edited by smiley, 23 September 2018 - 11:12 AM.

[MAXR]

That last photoshop is lovely. Really complements the original vx lines
Is there any chance we can convince you back to oem side mirrors, and incorporate blinkers in them to freshen them up?
I believe someone here allready did that once.

I definitely won't be using the old VX mirrors, I just think they look pants. I actually like the seat Leon ones. They look big due to the iPhone camera, I think. On track and with no rearward visibility with the coupe back, I'd want reasonably sized mirrors. I may well go with a rear facing camera with screen inside? Anyway, the mirrors are easy to change. I'll wait and see if I come across any other one that takes my fancy, but it must be electrically adjustable.

Steve, im pleased with the look and especially the door re-design with the scoop and raked top section. I also like the way the door crease pierces the rear wing and the clam joint line lines up so that it looks like an arrow (Think Eugene Bolt doing his thang!) lol.

The smaller air intake opening will improve airflow and reduce drag. I sent some photos to my Mercedes F1 friend, who recommended reducing the a,punt it sticks out of the side of the car. He liked the door scoop and front wheel arch vent design. He also mentioned the new buttresses and said that would help smoothern out the air over the air wing or raised boot spoiler.

After all this effort, I hope my plasterer will do Justice to all my efforts. I just need to fibreglass some of the beads in place so that they are stronger and more rigid. They will all need to be able to take the pressure that he will exert on them whilst he plasters to the beads.

I'm looking forward to the rear end the most. But first I want to complete the front grill, bumper, radiator air shroud, sills, finalise roof / roll bar / coupe detail. So not much then!!!

[Ormes]

Mirrors... you saw my project thread and commented re: my mirror plinths etc... hence me commenting here.  I used aftermarket SPA mirrors.  I would say don't... they are a bit of a pain if I am honest... learned so much from doing that project, and really happy with the asthetics, but very much form over function unfortunately, so I will end up having another crack one day when I can be bothered... stick to your plans to use another OEM mirror

[Arno]

The image of the instagram VX in your link, is similar, I accept that. I personally don't like it that much, as it's too intrusive, too big an intake and a bit crude. But, it's what the owner liked. I think my side conversion is a little more sophisticated and better resolves the problem of getting air (for my track car) into the engine bay. But, that's just my view. Others may hate what Ive done to a VX or think that it looks like a Europa and that's fine too. We are all individuals and have our own likes and dislikes. Where you see the same, I see a different design with distinct differences.

 

That linked conversion/bodykit is (was?) a copy of the K1 Attack kitcar design:

 

 

 

The kitcar itself is not based on the Elise/VX chassis but a more traditional tubular frame design using donor parts from various cars for the engine and running gear (aka. standard kitcar setup), but it spawned several bodykits/clam-sets in germany, hungary and others that were fitted to Speedsters.

 

I think there were quite a few versions/iterations of 'K1' bodywork for the Speedster/VX made depending on how far you wanted to copy the look up to and including changing the roll-over bar to the 2-hoop setup on the K1 and losing the roof in the most extreme ones.

 

For a kitcar the K1 actually worked reasonably well design-wise (although it's obviously a late 80's, early 90's style car..    ) . Many kitcars tend to be quite awkward from various angles, especially the back and rear three-quarter view.

 

Bye, Arno.

[MAXR]

Arno,

There are some nice lines on the K1 car image you posted. It has more than just a hint of Lamborghini Gallardo about it and overall looks good. I don't like the sills though, they look a little bit like an aftermarket Kahn Design style body kit.

[Arno]

It's definitely not terible looking.

 

Rear is IMHO a bit too 'fussy' looking:

 

 

But the proportions are pretty OK all around.

 

Bye, Arno.

[FLD]

For me I'd keep the side scoops as I find the break line in the panel looks odd if it's missing. The scoops could be less scoopy but it's just to keep the line. This is getting down to personal taste so do what you like. This is just my opinion. The big changes are there, it's just details now. I'm looking forward to seeing future stages.

[MAXR]

For me I'd keep the side scoops as I find the break line in the panel looks odd if it's missing. The scoops could be less scoopy but it's just to keep the line. This is getting down to personal taste so do what you like. This is just my opinion. The big changes are there, it's just details now. I'm looking forward to seeing future stages.

 

The problem now is that since I've moved out the rear wings by 50mm, having any kind of side ears that stick out, will make the air intake opening just too big. The only option perhaps is to have a separate flush panel with the bodywork in a different colour? I was going to curve the lower air panel, but that would have looked more like a Lotus Europa, so I left it straight. I may still look at a hockey stick style curve?

 

But, you're right, it's now just minor detail. The side of the car does not now require additional flares, curves or major adjustments now. Only the sills may have a bit of work, by way of flaring the ends towards the wheels or a slightly flared and raked side skirt? I don't want to make changes, just for the sake of making it look different if that makes sense? I know the car probably won't be recognisable as a VX, but I am hoping for an OEM, rather than a kit car look. Personally, I think I stand a much better chance because I have used production parts (bumpers, lights, grills etc) from mainstream quality car manufacturers, such as Audi, Seat & Toyota.  Time will tell!