[powerrodsmike]

Originally Posted by BobbyG-39

As far as the visibility comment, remember this design was for a Hot Wheels, and Steve hit the nail on the head as far the proper proportions for that size. In other words, the design has to scale down to 1:64 ( the big model is a 1:5 scale ) so in the larger size, it will of course look somewhat cartoonish with mafia-slit windows....Look at any Hot Wheels car and you will see the proportions have been modified to work at the smaller size ( scaled up, most of the wheels would be something like 30s, too. )


Of course, I am biased

I thought the same as Malc, that the window area was way too small, so small in fact that it would be illegal. (I'm sure that there are visibility standards set by FMVSS somewwhere) Also, it seems the hood line would further obstruct vision to the point that you would need a periscope to drive it.

When you said that this would be a car that could actually see production, I didn't realize you meant as a toy. Nowhere in your post did you say this design was for Hot Wheels.

It is a cool design though. It reminds me of a comet with it's fireball following it around.

Later, mikey

[malc]

I was looking at one of these downtown today parked amongst our European egg shapes.
I like the short windows, which I feel could´nt be any shorter, and deep sides.

[malc]

For cars shaped like t66turbocobro drew we over here in europe have plenty,
check this thing out from Seat, owned by VW

[Job~Rated]

Originally Posted by powerrodsmike

(I'm sure that there are visibility standards set by FMVSS somewwhere)

We don't seem to have those kinds of restrictions here in the UK...

[malc]

That´s an altered vehicle not production.
Vehicle makers have to abide by construction laws.

[Job~Rated]

I agree, but an altered or fabricated vehicle also has to fall within certain guidelines - height of headlamps from the ground etc.

[Rob Keller]

Looks Like Cadzilla Got left @ Pixar studios In da hood.





Grillz






R

[BobbyG-39]

Originally Posted by malc

For cars shaped like t66turbocobro drew we over here in europe have plenty,
check this thing out from Seat, owned by VW

Yep, the two-box ( hatchback in US ) or one-box ( minivan ) shapes are very popular in Europe due to their space efficiency ( big inside, small outside for cheap petrol and limited physical space for roads and parking ) Virtually every European manufacturer has them. The Renault Espace and Megane are good ones, as are several Citroens, Fiats, Peugeots, etc.

Even good old Ford has plenty:
Ford Ka
Fiesta, and Focus C-Max and S-Max.

I look at these, especially the Focus C-Max and S-Max as 21st versions of my panel wagon, even more so than the HHR. Because the HHR is purpose-built, whereas these were adapted from normal passenger vehicles in the way panel and sedan deliveries were....


The Seats are essentially more stylish VWs- I think its the Cupra is a re-bodied Lupo, whereas the Leon is a re-bodied Golf ( Rabbit here in the US ). When VW bought Spanish automaker Seat, it blew away all the old stuff, and based new Seats on VW platforms.

Anyway, I drove a Megane Scenic when I was in Spain a few months ago, and I loved it. I wish I could have one of those here to make into a Panel Wagon and hot-rod it with some Alpine or Abarth performance parts....

[BobbyG-39]

Originally Posted by Job~Rated

I agree, but an altered or fabricated vehicle also has to fall within certain guidelines - height of headlamps from the ground etc.

Depends on the state and who pulls you over

I've seen many deuces with headlights dragging the ground. Check these as well:

Billettproof pix on VW Vortex

Billettproof Gallery on Webshots

[BobbyG-39]

Originally Posted by malc

I was looking at one of these downtown today parked amongst our European egg shapes.
I like the short windows, which I feel could´nt be any shorter, and deep sides.

This the Dodge Magnum in the US sold w/ the Chrysler front end in Europe. What sucks is they're cancelling it. It was a great interpretation of the old cool wagons of the 60s and 70s.

The short windows to high bodyside is nothing more than the old hot rod trick of chopping the top to get a down-low mean look. Though we have fancy professional phrases for that. In this case its the "low-greenhouse ( roof/glass- get it ? ) to high bodyside", or "chopped DLO ( Day Light Opening) to a rising beltline." Any way you say it, it looks cool...

Compare it to the competing Ford Taurus X ( nee Freestyle ) and you'll see what I mean:

[BobbyG-39]

Originally Posted by powerrodsmike

I thought the same as Malc, that the window area was way too small, so small in fact that it would be illegal. (I'm sure that there are visibility standards set by FMVSS somewwhere) Also, it seems the hood line would further obstruct vision to the point that you would need a periscope to drive it.

When you said that this would be a car that could actually see production, I didn't realize you meant as a toy. Nowhere in your post did you say this design was for Hot Wheels.

I actually meant it was more "producable" than the yellow one shown earlier. Both were HotWheels designs, which you are right, I neglected to mention.

yep there are visibility standards, but it depends on the H point ( driver's hip point ) which sets the eye ellipse in relation to the glass. But look at the Audi TT, and you will see its dropped chopped top requires you to sit back one car length from the street lights ( like a chopped deuce ) in order to see it. Its a delicate balance between accepting a decrease in usability for coolness. But judging by how many hot rodders there are, I think the choice is clear!

[DVierstra]

Originally Posted by BobbyG-39

I prefer this one, designed by my friend Steve Gilmore. This is something actually realizable as a production car, too!

I guess you are somewhat biased because he's your friend. To be truthful I think they are both cool designs. But I also heard that they may both end up as Hot Wheels die cast models. Let's be realistic...neither one would make it to production...at least for the next five to ten years...then cars will drive them selves!

Here's on that may Actually be produced: The Chevy Volt.


Went to the EV show in Anaheim CA over the weekend and there was the Volt and this 2007 Electric Mustang that went from 0-60 in four seconds flat! Electric Muscle cars are coming!!