Aeromodability of a VW Bug?

[Grant-53]

In the 60's Sports Car Graphic magazine built a Bonneville project VW with a Jamican Fiberfab body that hit 150 mph. The Corvette show car Aerovette had the same wheelbase as a Type I and a paper model was featured in Motor Trend I believe in Jan, 1974. The Laser 917 body might be found and the tail lowered. See the Citation IV or Probe low drag show cars for ideas.

[CFECO]

Take the Bonneville VW, and turn the body around, check out the "Template" threads here.

[kach22i]

I'm pretty sure unless you are planning to go super low profile a VW van or Boonie Bug type van set up (as a base) may fit the classic template best.

Boonie Bug
Boonie Bug: An Off-Road VW Chassis Based Van


Super low: Nova Kit Car
Nova Kit Car


I did some overlays just for fun.

Classic Template: (oops, need to put zero at high point)


Other Studies:
Automobile pictures by kach22i - Photobucket

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by gtkid2002

I'm honestly thinking about just going with the most extreme option. Ripping off the body, chopping the sides of the floorpans in half, shrinking the width of the car, making it an inline two seater, and then making an all out custom fiberglass body. The front would remind me of a prowler, with the hubcaps or wheels from the cars in I, Robot. Just a little smoother if memory recalls.

Inspiration..................
Derby Talk - View topic - Drop tank car


I trust you don't mind me sketching that idea of yours up for you gtkid2002.
Automobile pictures by kach22i - Photobucket

[CFECO]

Could someone do the template over the Bug, old and new, but with the rear of the car forward, please!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by CFECO

Could someone do the template over the Bug, old and new, but with the rear of the car forward, please!

Old.................
Automobile pictures by kach22i - Photobucket

New

Newest


Looks like the myth/legend applies to the front area, not the important aft area.

HERE IT IS GOING THE PROPER DIRECTION, AND ALIGNED OVER THE HIGH POINT.

[CFECO]

I always thought they looked better "from the rear"!

[Sven7]

Dang it Kach! I had to do one too. This is more stromlinet vogn style but it could use the original Beetle glass if done right.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Dang it Kach! I had to do one too. This is more stromlinet vogn style but it could use the original Beetle glass if done right.

Sven7, you are showing the original seating position, right?

Your scheme looks a little better than I expected based on the marked-up templates I posted.

I still think there will be slight bulges or blisters for the leading edges of the front tires (as in the 3-wheel red clay car I did), but it should all work out.

EDIT-1
Like this:
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x...2i/Automobile/


You could have a longer overhang in front and smaller wheel blisters, but every time I work it in clay, it looks better this way. Maybe not the best aero, but life is full of compromises.

EDIT-2
Porsche 944 style wheel blisters, might be the answer?

[CFECO]

This is beginning to look familiar, as it is the concept I used while designing my X-Prize car. If you took a new Beetle, and made a mold off of the rear, to use as the front of your body, it seems like it should be close to ideal. I used to let them pass just so I could study the rear and imagine that being the front of my car.