Honda Insight Tail Extension Project

[botsapper]

Love the workmanship & studious forms. Before your final rear construction, create an ablative bumper section. The majority of our beautiful work could survive minor 'bumps & taps'. This section is a separate structure but still conforms to your tapering boat tail and will take the brunt any parking/minor collision damage. Probably make a few copies in store.

[elhigh]

Beautiful.
[looks over at crusty old pickup] I really ought to get started on that thing before it rusts away.

[silverinsight2]

Any chance of a vacuum formed copy for other jealous Insight owners?
BTW, the tail plane is a little jewel. Great job!

[MetroMPG]

I was wondering when the "will you make copies" requests would appear. Later than I would have predicted based on past work!

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3-wheeler: regarding your VG question at the transition to ~12 degrees on the underside of the extension: I'd say they may work there. I bet the flow under your car is cleaner than Phil believes it is (I wonder if he remembers your excellent smooth undertray project that would have helped greatly in that area).

[RobertSmalls]

You've earlier mentioned that you can't make foam and fiberglass copies, but how about a fiberglass or carbon fiber monocoque copy? The overall shape may have enough curvature to make it strong enough, and internal ribs could be added if needed.

Sure, it would be heavier than your original, but it would have much better craftsmanship than anything I've produced so far.

[COcyclist]

Jim, how about a Get-Together next summer in Wisconsin so you can share your foam and fiberglass techniques.

Botsapper, give us a preview of what it will look like painted??

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by jimepting

It is a beautiful piece of work. Anxious to see the finished product when it is all smoothed and painted....

Well.... you might have to wait a while for that....

Next year there will be two months of filling, primer paint, and lots of finer and finer sanding, until the final color goes on the extension.

Originally Posted by jimepting

....What was the finished length say from the back of a rear fender skirt?

If I recall correctly, about 44 inches or so....

I'm positive that the length from the aluminum bumper to tail end is 3'-2", since it was measured this last weekend.

EDIT on 09-15-10:

jimepting,

The 44 inch length is actually 51.5 inches, and that's measuring the curvature of the tail as well.

Jim.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

Jim, how about a Get-Together next summer in Wisconsin so you can share your foam and fiberglass techniques.....

Sure.

How about meeting at Madison Hybrid-Fest next year?

Or, you could stop by the house, carve some foam, and make a nice pile of chips just for fun.

I'm not sure what else I can show you that hasn't been conveyed by the pictures already. If you have ideas, let me know.

And who can pass-up a captive audience.

Jim.

[theycallmeebryan]

Jim, absolutely inspiring work you are doing here! I'm sure your work is tickling all of our ecomodding senses. Can't wait to read the next installment, and also see the final product!

Quick questions. What foam are you using? Where are you sourcing it from? And what prices are you paying?

Thanks.

[botsapper]

A green metallic paint jobbie could be a great marketing color for all the eco, tech & lifestyle websites & blogs your project will be seen in.

Much speculation on your final flourish. I guess front & rear wheel spat extensions ala-Prius to clean up tire votices. Paint the under body surface areas in flat black, to integrate black rear wheel covers, it also lessens the perceived 'volume' of the tail section. Maybe de rigeur - splitter strakes on the rear diffuser (aero advantage - ?,) but for some cool factor. Also see rear diffuser solution on VW L1 concept.

Good luck on the final model!