The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[Bill the Engineer]

I found an amusing web page from an Asian website where they had translated the Green Cars Report article into their language and then back into English again. On that page they say my screen name is "Invoice Engineer."

Gotta love Google translate.

Bill (whose occupation is) the Engineer

[MetroMPG]

Welcome to the thread (and site), page2171.

[MetroMPG]

Bill, you may also be an invoice engineer by the time this build is said & done!

[page2171]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

I found an amusing web page from an Asian website where they had translated the Green Cars Report article into their language and then back into English again. On that page they say my screen name is "Invoice Engineer."

Gotta love Google translate.

Bill (whose occupation is) the Engineer

I use Google translate a lot here in Okinawa. It's very handy, but sometimes I just translate stuff for the entertainment value.

[elhigh]

I love this thread. Gonzo hotrodder project, lost-in-translation humor, it rarely gets better than this.

I'm a sometimes purist but I can totally get behind keeping the old iron rolling, even if it means you shove a Prius under the classic steel to do it. Keep going Bill, you're the man.

[crashnzuk]

Is the firebird body going to fit down on the chassis further than the images already posted of the body and frame mated? Having that large rocker hanging down and the huge wheel well gaps above the tires is going to make it look like an amusement park ride. Very interested to see the final product.
Travis..

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by crashnzuk

Is the firebird body going to fit down on the chassis further than the images already posted of the body and frame mated? Having that large rocker hanging down and the huge wheel well gaps above the tires is going to make it look like an amusement park ride. Very interested to see the final product.
Travis..

I will get the body as far down as I can, but the rocker panels from the Prius V need to remain for chassis strength, and there needs to be enough of the Firebird's rocker panel left to weld to it. The combined welded rocker panels will be covered over by tilting the lower portion of the body panels of the Firebird outward similar to an aero package on other cars, and by lowering springs once I know the final ride height when everything is reassembled.



Remember that the Firebird body is an empty shell at the moment until all of the welding is done. The interior and convertible top will bring the ride height down some, and I expect the Firebird front bumper to bring the nose down a little more. The final ride height will look more aggressive than in the current photos, but still keep the overall appearance of the original car.

Bill the Engineer.

[MetroMPG]

I showed the images to my brother and he had the same question (Prius rockers). His suggestion: disguise them as side pipes.

[mcrews]

sound and furry!!!! (you'll have to use a recording!!! lol)
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...7701&FORM=VIRE

[Xist]

Would it be easier or more difficult to make a fiberglass plug of the Firebird, and then drop a fiberglass shell on a Prius chassis?

"You are a bad man, destroying a classic like that!"
"This classic--rust bucket? Still there, just cloned it."