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Old 05-07-2008, 12:32 PM   #10 (permalink)
Bearleener
Efficiency freak
 
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posts: 58

Frugolf - '96 VW Golf wagon
90 day: 40.36 mpg (US)
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diesel_john, what does your stepped tail look like? How is it fastened/reinforced? Thanks!

Has anyone thought about a retractable Kammback? Sure would be nice if it would fold together at low speeds, reducing vehicle length for easier parking and making it slightly more street-legal.

One possibility would be, say, 3 panels that fold out at the top and sides, perhaps deployed with a pull string arrangement through eyelets at the corners.

Or how about a clear plastic, inflatable, conical bag (something like those temporary bouys used for sailboat regattas), which would roll up into a little box when parked? Maybe you could even use the low-pressure area back there at speed to inflate it. Or exhaust gases at the tailpipe: pump directly to inflate, use a venturi with side tap to create vacuum to deflate.
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You ever notice that birds pulse & glide, too?

Last edited by Bearleener; 05-07-2008 at 12:42 PM.. Reason: Add exhaust idea
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