Project: Geo Metro boat tail prototype - 15% MPG improvement @ 90 kph / 56 mph

[dremd]

Subscribed, very cool.

[Old Tele man]

...hm-m-m-m-m, how about looking into using "folding elbow" mechanisms ala' umbrellas? Taught fabric when open, collapsable when "folded."

...wonder just "how big" those "folding elbows" come?

[Funny]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...hm-m-m-m-m, how about looking into using "folding elbow" mechanisms ala' umbrellas? Taught fabric when open, collapsable when "folded."

...wonder just "how big" those "folding elbows" come?

Something like a longitudinal version of this??? A Hoberman Sphere?

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for all the construction ideas - haven't settled on the final, non-cardboard approach.

But the cardboard internal structure is done. Finished the final bulkhead this evening, will start cutting, piecing and taping on the outer load-bearing skin tomorrow. It's supposed to be really nice out, so I'll be taking advantage of the nice weather.

Then it's mounting the tail lights & number plate on the transom, and after that, tuft testing.

I'll be incorporating a camera "boom" into the cardboard structure as well.

[Cd]

Getting very interesting.

[pgfpro]

Very informative thread!!!

I'm picking up some new ideas.

[MetroMPG]

Started adding the skin this afternoon. It's taking a lot of time for a cardboard prototype.

I'll get some pics tomorrow.

[MetroMPG]

Forgot to say:

I'm getting hints of what Mike deals with in the Aerocivic: at different times today, five people stopped and asked me what I was doing. Three who were walking by, and two actually stopped their cars and got out to talk to me.

They all suspected it was aeromodding (I asked them "what do you think it is?" before I told them anything).

I suspect if you wanted to advertise on an attention-getting car, never mind smart cars or VW bugs or Hummers. Get a boat tail.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Forgot to say:


I suspect if you wanted to advertise on an attention-getting car, never mind smart cars or VW bugs or Hummers. Get a boat tail.

As I pointed out to Mike, you could actually make some free money on the side if you wouldn't mind having vinyl adds on your car.
According to a guy I met that posts on PriusChat, there is a guy around Austin that has done it to his car. Supposedly, he has a "boat tail" on his car too.

My mom even thought about doing it to help with gas money. The only draw back is that you are required to drive a certain number of miles per day.

[MetroMPG]

I think the boat tail will have a prominent "ecomodder.com" on the side of it.