Aeromodability of a VW Bug?

[Frank Lee]

Cali is probably OK but in some places if the cops see you w/o fenders and/or bumpers YOU WILL PAY THEM (ask me how I know).

[Quasimoto]

O.K. Frank, how do you know?

[Frank Lee]

Well I have a VW Bug. And I used to get the VW magazines which all seemed to feature the "Cal Look"- that means nerf bars instead of factory bumpers. Some ***whole MN cop decided that was no bumpers and I guess there was a statute he used to write me a ticket for that grievous offense that Harmed The Great State Of Mn.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Sven7

I would like to introduce you guys to Google Search by Image.

I found out about that Google feature last month from my wife. It's awesome.

Tineye used to be good, now it just sucks, I'll never go back to it.
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Bumpers are a good idea, but not having them really only hurts the driver and passengers. It should be a matter of choice in my opinion.

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by gtkid2002

Those little racers look just about exactly what I'd love to build. But would a body that covered the wheels be better or having them exposed like they are?

Yes, covered wheels are almost always more aero than exposed wheels. Even counting any extra frontal area you have to add to do that.

-soD

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Bumpers are a good idea, but not having them really only hurts the driver and passengers. It should be a matter of choice in my opinion.

Bumpers do little if anything for occupant protection. They're supposedly for some measure of protection for the CAR so that every little thing doesn't send it to the body shop.

[gtkid2002]

Luckily since the chassis is a '75, and they still used oldish style bumpers, I'm thinking a large section of square steel tubing will be enough to at least pass as a bumper. Something like that could be easily tucked under the aero skin as well.


And since covered wheels seem to be a bit more of the way to go, a bumper will be a safer option and provide a mounting point. That and they'll cover the wheels. I always wondered how the rat-rods got away with the exposed wheel look.

[Frank Lee]

I always wondered how the rat-rods got away with the exposed wheel look.

Me too. I don't recall seeing any fenderless, bumperless Model A and T rods pulled over and ticketed for that.

[gtkid2002]

At least in WA it might have something to do with the plates. Since they're not daily drivers, they don't have to buy yearly tabs, and I think special rules apply to them. Everywhere else however, I have no clue.

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by JackMcCornack

I'm easing my way to a Kamm back, currently MAX has Bonneville spoilers top and bottom. And 115 mpg at a steady 45mph.



45mph was the minimum for the X Prize roundy-round race, and it's also the usual freeway speed lower limit, so I took it as my success-or-failure benchmark speed. At 55, I'm just barely under 100 mpg and at 50 mph I'm slightly over 100 mpg.

I'm confident I could break 100 mpg at 55 if I'd...

--do my mileage tests without unnecessary weight on board (no luggage and less fuel would knock off a hundred pounds)
--close in the back and sides of the stern
--add spats to the rear fenders
--cover the front wheels with pizza pans (I lack the fender overhang I'd need for Basjoos-style front spats)
--put a fairing on the headrest/rollbar
--put a tonneau over the passenger's seat
--do my testing in warm calm weather
--put the mirrors inside the windscreens

...and probably any three of the above would tip the scales.

But I'm probably going to pursue weatherproofing before I get into much more ecomodding. It doesn't matter how good the mileage is if I don't drive it, and non-roadster season is rapidly approaching. Besides, once mileage is sniffing at triple digits, the rewards from improvements diminish. The difference between 95 mpg and 100 mpg is a gallon every couple thousand miles.

This car started out as an open wheel replica but it got a rebody in an effort to improve aero and mpg.