The *Ultimate* Aerodynamic Car? Dave Cloud's "Dolphin"
 

I just about swooned when I saw this car! Someone on the EV Discussion List mentioned it, and posted a link to these pictures:

Picasa Web Albums - lektwik - Dave's Stream...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...7TN0/DD001.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9..._nFQ/DD003.jpghttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...REVQ/DD004.jpghttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...0EWY/DD005.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...1cCI/DD007.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...zH_M/DD008.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...3eHI/DD009.jpghttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...BEkk/DD011.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...R_Oc/DD013.jpghttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...tVZQ/DD014.jpghttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...IC5s/DD016.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...o6Pg/DD017.jpg

If you are not blown away by this, then you need to check your pulse...

This is as near to perfect an aerodynamic package as I have seen, period. Sure, it is a little bit long, and the front license plate needs a spot other than the windshield... but this car is a stunningly beautiful thing.

Apparently, Dave Cloud wanted to enter in the X-Prize, but was prevented from doing this because of the expense and difficulty of entering. And no surprise, he wins the contests he enters...

Here's what we know (so far):

[Edit: I found a page with more technical info: Dave Cloud's Rally Car. It is heavy, using sixty lead acid batteries that each weigh 33 pounds; totally 1,980 pounds for the batteries alone. The car weighs 3,200 pounds.]

I am going to find out more about this car, and it's builder. He has got more Bassjoos than Bassjoos!

That's wild looking. Needs to paint it yellow, and name it the Electric Banana.

When I read the thread title, I kind of rolled my eyes, thinking "ultimate" is not a title that should be awarded lightly.

But, wow.

I want my Insight to look like that. Also, I want to know all about this car. What did he build it out of? What are the dimensions and drag area? Static rollover stability? (probably pretty good if it's got a lot of batteries inside) Cornering radius?

And look at the timestamp on the photos: 2004.

The date stamp maybe incorrect. When cameras reset their date stamp (from the lack of batteries, or etc), they goto the 1st of the year.

Photo data in the album say may 1st, so it's recent.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1273000868
It looks great to me. Having a roof that slightly exceeds the curvature of the template appears to work out as long as your sides curve inward, too.

I'd bet you a dollar it used to be a Metro, judging by the parts that I recognize (tail lights, wheels, front quarter, doors, windshield shape, steering wheel).

Also, I recognize the name. Dave Cloud has toyed with Metros before - aeromodding this sexy EV platform:

http://www.seattleeva.org/images/thu...x-P6250018.JPG

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ropped-90.html

PS: forgot to say... wow. This guy is my hero. :D

This is the photo that made me do a double take:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1264546553

Same tail lights.

Hey Neil - did you learn about this on the EVDL just today? I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else before...

That's gorgeous

Hi Darin,

Yes, Steven Lough posted it on an X-Prize thread. I got Dave's email from the Seattle EV group, and I've already emailed him -- trying not to ask too many questions right off the bat! I hope he's willing and able to share about how he built it!

If it is a Metro, it is stretched, pinched, pulled, and man it is sleek...