Project: making a permanent Metro Kammback extension

[cej93]

Originally Posted by hotrodfeguy

That 2.0 version looks really nice. You have me thinking of doing one for my first gen Metro.

I know I'd like to do try to do one for my 90 Metro as well.....

[BillHoo]

I just picked up an 89 Metro. Do you have a cardboard pattern available for download?

[MetroMPG]

Hi - sorry, no.

Also, my car is a 1998 model, which uses a different hatchback.

You should be able to come up with something without too much work.

[Geo Metropolis]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Well, I'm telling anyone who will listen: the easiest way to do this is a sheet of plastic (ABS?). Since there aren't really any compound curves in this shape, that's the most sensible approach. I'll happily make a pattern people can use to quickly make the same thing I'm spending too much time on...

Working away, sanding, fairing, sanding, fairing...

Ok I've read through this forum twice and I absolutely love it! I can't wait to do one for the metropolis and I'd like to start asap . I've worked with fiberglass before and my findings, like yours, are that the amount of trouble to get it to look good is way to time costly when other means are available.
I have purchased some plastic and aluminum and want to make one for my identical metro. Could you please share some measurements to help me out?
I'm thinking what would be most helpful would be:

• The length from roofline to back edge of kammback
• The width of the camback's rearmost top edge (looking at post #29, the distance between the two pieces of tape running front to aft)
• The length of the distance from taillight to back edge (how far does it extend back?
• The distance from the bottom of the hatch to the back edge of the kammback (this should help me duplicate the angle)

I think if you can measure these dimensions I should be able to replicate this fairly well. Any recommendations or changes I should consider?

Thanks by the way for all you've done, it's crazy inspiring. My goal is to create a green version of the blackfly and I'm well on my way.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Geo Metropolis

• The length from roofline to back edge of kammback
• The width of the camback's rearmost top edge (looking at post #29, the distance between the two pieces of tape running front to aft)
• The length of the distance from taillight to back edge (how far does it extend back?
• The distance from the bottom of the hatch to the back edge of the kammback (this should help me duplicate the angle)

Here's an image to get you started (roofline to edge measurement). This is from the boat tail construction/testing thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/156960-post450.html


I'll try to get those other figures today for you.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Geo Metropolis

• The distance from the bottom of the hatch to the back edge of the kammback (this should help me duplicate the angle)

It's ~20 3/4 inches, or ~15 degrees. But if you're staying with the OEM rear view mirror, I'd make the Kammback slightly shorter, or the angle slightly less. Otherwise you will *just* be able to see the horizon in your mirror on level ground, but not when on an incline or with weight in the back of the car.

The width of the camback's rearmost top edge (looking at post #29, the distance between the two pieces of tape running front to aft)

I forgot to get this one, but you can figure it out from the photo in post 29. The tape line is pretty well parallel to a line made by the outside edge of the plastic "drip rails" at the edge of the roof:

• The length of the distance from taillight to back edge (how far does it extend back?

It extends back as far as the rearmost extent of the rear bumper (vertical line would touch both). But again, I'd shorten it an inch or two, or raise the angle slightly for the inside rear view mirror.

Hope that helps.

[Geo Metropolis]

Thanks that's SO helpful! I'd like to start this project over the next couple of weekends. My plan is to stick with your angles but replace the backmost portion of the kammback with a clear window (I found a good scrap at the plastics place) to increase the visibility.

my plan is to construct an aluminum bar frame and screw or rivet on a coreplast outer. Then I'll cut out a window shape with a notched edge for the window to sit flush with the outside surface. I'll probably have to have a bar frame running the back edge so there will be a slight visibility block from the bar but overall improved visibility.

If it's not raining this weekend I hope to start and I'll continue to document my methods on my geo metropolis build thread. Wish me luck!

[Geo Metropolis]

Thanks so much for these measurements, they worked out great. I'm not sure if you saw my how-metro-kammback-window or not but I think you'll like it. I followed your advice of avoiding the endless hours of sanding that fiberglass entails and made it quick and dirty with some aluminum and coreplast. It's been a great aero benefit for me.
I did a quick overlay of the teardrop to see how it lines up and it looks like your measurements helped me get it pretty much spot on.

Thanks again, the blackly has been my inspiration since the beginning (though now I've added a few unique mods of my own). Now i need to begin to do some of the more mechanical modifications (5th gear swap, xfi cam, etc) if I want to continue to improve

[MetroMPG]

You're welcome. Happy to see the project going forth and multiplying.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Geo Metropolis

Thanks so much for these measurements, they worked out great. I'm not sure if you saw my how-metro-kammback-window or not but I think you'll like it. I followed your advice of avoiding the endless hours of sanding that fiberglass entails and made it quick and dirty with some aluminum and coreplast. It's been a great aero benefit for me.
I did a quick overlay of the teardrop to see how it lines up and it looks like your measurements helped me get it pretty much spot on.

Thanks again, the blackly has been my inspiration since the beginning (though now I've added a few unique mods of my own). Now i need to begin to do some of the more mechanical modifications (5th gear swap, xfi cam, etc) if I want to continue to improve

If your using the teardrop shown,you'll want to use only the upper half as your reference.The longitudinal cut line will be your groundplane.