Binky the Civic Build Thread

[freebeard]

You’ve mentioned a bubble-top coupe before. I still don’t quite follow. All I can find is 50’s three box “bubble-top” coupes when I google the term. Copying pickup truck bed caps is a perfect idea.

Perhaps I misuse the term. I use it to refer to teardrop cabin on a square body. You might have found the '64 1/2 Mustang, '61 Chevy Belair or the Mercedes 300.

How about ecomodder.com: Ley T6 by Jaray: Information & Photos

[Ecky]

How did I miss this thread? Subscribed.

[JacobLeSann]

Ah, I understand. An old boat-tail corvette would be a bubble top, then?

Here’s where I’m at with design the kamm back extension. I like to be extra and I want something that works well with the look of my car.

My first option would be something similar to an old Mustang Fastback. I could build up two fibreglass or plastic C-pillar extensions (flying buttresses?) and have a hatch in the middle of each. This would be the lightest as it would reduce the amount of glass. I’d worry about blind spots, but I’m sure I could build a little window into each side, like on a 2007 Mustang.


My second option would be a full glass covering all over the rear. This might look the most correct for my car, and make it look similar to an RX7 or this Porsche 944. This image has a lot of louvres which I don’t care for, but I wonder if their shape could be applied to ventilate the kammback. I’d worry about a full covering because of complication in shaping it, but also because of scratching; I plan to use plexiglas. This would be heaviest.


Third option is almost an amalgamation of each, which I’m uncertain about cosmetically. This would use d-pillars, like on a Pontiac Aztek, Civic Wagovan, or this Merkur XR4Ti. I don’t know if I’d like the look of it, but this could be the best option for visibility and strength. This would probably be in between both weights, if not as heavy as the second option.


Lemme know any thoughts, I definitely want some of your opinions on this. I think I’m leaning towards the Mustang style rear end, as it’s lightest and I feel like it’s the easiest to make. Then again the 944 type window likely would look coolest, once you tint it.

[freebeard]

[JacobLeSann]

Another option is to copy what Aerohead did with his CRX. This looks pretty abstract but I find it kinda neat. Definitely would be lightest and use the least amount of plexiglas. I feel like this would just plug up with snow come winter, though.

[IMG]"https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31560&stc=1&d=16423492 23"][/IMG]

[IMG]"https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31561&stc=1&d=16423492 23"][/IMG]

Unless the problem of plexiglas windows scratching isn’t as bad as I’m thinking? I just know from working with the stuff that it is always scratched up. I’d like to know how it’s worked out for people who’ve built boat tail extensions with windows.

[Ecky]

Plexi scratches and discolors. I would only use it when there are no better options.

[freebeard]

Have you looked at the GTI W12-650?



Flying butresses and an internal duct for downforce.

I made this design for a VW Beetle.



The dashed line inside the leading edge is a Dyson/Jetoptera type Coanda duct using engine cooling air to generate thrust. I have the Beetle but no way to fabricate one.

For sheet plastic I would look for a polymerized coating of some sort, possibly hydrophobic.

[JacobLeSann]

Funny enough, I think this thread has looped and we’re discussing flying buttresses again. Now I’m a lot more interested in them. Even now, I don’t quite have that level of aerodynamic design prowess to understand them.

But I think I get your beetle design. Engine air is vented out of those raised louvres at the back of the car, so your using a dyson air blade design to flow that air out backward, right?
I’ve always wonder if you could do something like that to reduce turbulence in the wake, by just filling it with focused air.

Are the buttresses over the side windows and roof on the Golf funnelling air out backward the same way? Very neat stuff.

As for my glass, is polycarbonate different from plexiglas? Apparently it is. The sheet of plexiglas I’ve worked with before is very impact resistant, so maybe I’ve actually been using polycarbonate. Not sure as I found it for free. I bet whatever stuff they use for motorcycle windows or maybe race car windows would be decent.

[aerohead]

For some, 'bubble-top' refers to Zagato's Alfa Romeos, which raised the roof only over the driver and passenger seats to conserve frontal area.
I'll try for the 1956 version
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/570901690239765731/

[freebeard]

Predates the Gurney Bump?

Mercedes used a pagoda roof on the 280SL coupe, low in the center but high on the sides for ingess/egress.