05-04-2010, 03:48 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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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...
           
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):
Quote:
He drove it over 75 miles on USED Batteries, from Woodinville Wa. to
Lacy Washington last week end for an Electrathon Race. (something close
to 170 watt hours per mile...)
Of course his Electrathon cars came in 1st, and 2nd !! as usual....
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[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!
Last edited by NeilBlanchard; 05-05-2010 at 09:55 PM..
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aerohead (05-04-2010), bertb (06-14-2011), Bicycle Bob (05-04-2010), Cd (05-08-2010), cfg83 (05-04-2010), cfguy2000 (01-25-2011), Chuck. (02-09-2011), CigaR007 (01-06-2011), Daox (05-04-2010), dremd (05-04-2010), euromodder (06-10-2011), Frank Lee (05-04-2010), fusion210 (05-12-2010), HHOTDI (05-31-2012), jason1973tl (12-12-2010), JasonG (05-11-2010), KamperBob (05-05-2010), KY Metro (10-06-2010), mcrews (05-07-2010), MetroMPG (05-04-2010), Nevyn (05-04-2010), OG VX (10-02-2014), PaleMelanesian (05-05-2010), Pawtuckett (03-16-2012), Piwoslaw (05-06-2010), rbrowning (05-04-2010), RedDevil (01-28-2020), richtate (01-05-2011), robertwb70 (06-02-2010), Ryland (08-15-2011), ShadeTreeMech (05-10-2010), tasdrouille (05-05-2010), UltArc (10-29-2012), vtec-e (05-04-2010), whatmaycome14 (08-12-2014) |
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05-04-2010, 04:01 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Formula - '96 Firebird Formula/Trans-Am 90 day: 19.31 mpg (US)
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That's wild looking. Needs to paint it yellow, and name it the Electric Banana.
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Lets see how far it can go
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05-04-2010, 04:14 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Left Lane Ecodriver
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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.
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05-04-2010, 04:19 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Formula - '96 Firebird Formula/Trans-Am 90 day: 19.31 mpg (US)
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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.
Quote:
Photo information
May 1, 2010
720×540 pixels – 114KB
Filename: DD012.jpg
Camera: n/a
Model: n/a
ISO: n/a
Exposure: n/a
Aperture: n/a
Focal Length: n/a
Flash Used: n/a
Latitude: n/a
Longitude: n/a
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__________________
Lets see how far it can go
"All I know about music is that not many people ever really hear it. [...] But the man who creates the music is hearing something else, is dealing with the roar rising from the void and imposing order on it as it hits the air. What is evoked in him, then, is of another order, more terrible because it has no words, and triumphant, too, for the same reason. And his triumph, when he triumphs, is ours." -Sonny's Blues
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05-04-2010, 04:26 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Left Lane Ecodriver
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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.
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05-04-2010, 04:39 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertSmalls
What did he build it out of?
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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://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ropped-90.html
PS: forgot to say... wow. This guy is my hero. 
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05-04-2010, 04:47 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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This is the photo that made me do a double take:
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
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Same tail lights. |
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05-04-2010, 04:57 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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Hey Neil - did you learn about this on the EVDL just today? I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else before...
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05-04-2010, 04:58 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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That's gorgeous
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05-04-2010, 05:08 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Hi Darin,
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
Hey Neil - did you learn about this on the EVDL just today? I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else before...
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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...
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