03-05-2008, 01:26 PM
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This thread is in the EcoModder Project Library |
#1 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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The Phil Knox fleet - 34 years of aeromodding
I talked to Phil on Saturday - I was hoping to meet up with him in Texas this weekend, but unfortunately my trip was cancelled, so it'll have to be another time.
I didn't realize until I read the edmunds.com piece featuring several ecomodders from this forum that he's been doing this stuff for so long!
Anyway, we talked about a bunch of stuff, including many of his vehicles, and I thought it would be interesting to present his "aero fleet" in a single thread. So, with Phil's blessing, here it is:
The first one he aeromodded was his...
'64 VW Karmann Ghia
 - bought to replace a thirsty El Camino with a v8 that could get 18 mpg at best
- the Ghia was purchased wrecked - the previous owner had smacked into the back of a big Caddy, braking on a wet road.
- Phil put the front clip from another Ghia on it, and then started modding it after reading about Car & Driver magazine's Crisis Fighter Pinto
- Reshaped the front to mimic a Porsche Carerra
- was good for 41 mpg @ 70 mph
'62 Dodge D-100 pickup
- this was his grandad's truck (still has it!)
- the shape of things to come?
'70 VW bus
- link to thread with more details of this project: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-van-8675.html
- Modding this VW was Phil's thesis project, and he used many of the same techniques NASA did for its van testing:
- full belly pan
- skirts on rear wheels
- 18 inch tapered rear extension
1984 Honda CRX
   - ultimately, the mod set included: nose, hatchwing, gap-fillers,wheel skirts,wheelcovers,bellypan,and boattail
- 18% improvement in mpg, 36% drag reduction, 9mph improvement in top speed
- Estimated Cd: 0.23
- tested at Bonneville, and systematically at Chrysler Proving Grounds, in Michigan in 1991.
- Still has it! (On guard duty - long story)
'94 Toyota T-100
  
- what *hasn't* Phil tried on this famous truck?
- @ 75 miles per hour, with aero mods fuel economy improved to 32 miles per gallon from stock 23.3 mpg.
Custom mini hypercar
 
- under construction
- motorcycle based
- VW front end?
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03-05-2008, 01:33 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Did I get all of them, Phil?
Thanks for the inspiration and the education! |
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03-05-2008, 02:19 PM
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MechE
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More pictures/info on hyper car!!! please 
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03-05-2008, 02:28 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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That VX guy!
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Location: Mini Soda
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I'm really digging the KG!
Phill has been at this for quite some time eh? Kudos!
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03-05-2008, 02:34 PM
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Administrator
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Very nice work.
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03-05-2008, 02:48 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Love the CRX and the Ghia
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03-05-2008, 04:07 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I always loved the look of the KG. An e-KG would be a nice project.
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03-05-2008, 05:04 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trebuchet03
More pictures/info on hyper car!!! please |
I will second that. That bike/car looks interesting. |
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03-05-2008, 05:43 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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That VX guy!
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Location: Mini Soda
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tasdrouille
I always loved the look of the KG. An e-KG would be a nice project.
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Heh, all I could think of is electrocardiogram. An EV conversion on that car could only be called "The EKG Machine" in my eyes. 
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03-06-2008, 11:46 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Ecomod noob
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tooele, UT
Posts: 412
ZJ - '95 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Upcountry 90 day: 20.57 mpg (US) Neon - '03 Dodge Neon SE 90 day: 33.46 mpg (US) S'Crew - '02 Ford F150 Supercrew XLT 90 day: 16.4 mpg (US) Ranger - '90 Ford Ranger Last 3: 28.02 mpg (US) Not the Jeep - '03 Dodge Neon SE 90 day: 34.11 mpg (US)
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Hyper car!!! I've wanted to build something like this for 20 years!!!! I might have to now. I always thought it would be best to use a 700cc or larger shaft drive (or belt drive) motorcycle for the rear. But always thought using a Mustang II style front suspension would be better and help to keep a lower profile.
Is that a Goldwing fairing turned upside down on the front of that?
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When it comes to Heroes, RENEGADES are mine!
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