Honda Insight Tail Extension Project

[sheepdog 44]

I intend to do a project on my Insight based on this thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ail-21455.html but it will be based on the shape of how you built your boat tail. The first build might be an agressive looking Kammback like i beleive "Kims CRXHF" if i'm correct; to test the durabilty of the structure. But will evolve to a full boat tail.

Do you know of any mounting points underneath the back of the car where i could attach two beams made of wood for the underbody support structure of the tail? It would have to allow clearance for the bumper as i do not intend to remove the stock plastic bumper? It would have to be an easy way to attach the two side structural beams cause i cannot weld. Lashing maybe?

That is the final piece i need to figure out in the planning stage.

[Weather Spotter]

Jim had recommended to me using some wooden blocks epoxied (to seal them) then use a thicker epoxy to attach blocks to car.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Jim,

If you have more recent pictures, don't be shy -- please post them!

Ok Neil, here goes....

The tail has been repainted for about three weeks now, and paint is actually still sticking.

Unlike last time when it was painted red with outdoor house paint, just to seal up the bodywork, this time it was painted with actual automotive paint, and just to keep things interesting, the paint still mismatches slightly.





I did not paint the upper section of the tail because I'm still not sure that the angle is shallow enough to prevent some flow separation. Need to do a tuft test.



Jim

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by sheepdog 44

I intend to do a project on my Insight based on this thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ail-21455.html but it will be based on the shape of how you built your boat tail. The first build might be an agressive looking Kammback like i beleive "Kims CRXHF" if i'm correct; to test the durabilty of the structure. But will evolve to a full boat tail.

Do you know of any mounting points underneath the back of the car where i could attach two beams made of wood for the underbody support structure of the tail? It would have to allow clearance for the bumper as i do not intend to remove the stock plastic bumper? It would have to be an easy way to attach the two side structural beams cause i cannot weld. Lashing maybe?

That is the final piece i need to figure out in the planning stage.

Sheepdog,

Take a look starting at:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/179658-post2.html

.... and read through the text and pictures and study carefully.

There is hopefully enough information there for you to duplicate my mounting system in wood.

Jim.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

Jim had recommended to me using some wooden blocks epoxied (to seal them) then use a thicker epoxy to attach blocks to car.

Weather Spotter,

I spent quite a bit of time trying to look for one of my posts on how the wood substructure was attached to the sheetmetal on the car, but could not find the information. Sorry.

Silicone adhesive was generously applied to the wood, and then the wood frame attached with the sheet metal with screws, and allowed to setup.

Because the sheetmetal is so thin and flimsy, I was afraid that any movement of the sheetmetal while being glued with epoxy, would allow separation of the two.

And by using silicone to adhere to the two together, it can be coaxed apart with a putty knife and elbow grease if needed.

The wood framework is designed to covered up with the stock plastic fascia without having to remove the framework, if desired.

Jim.

[NeilBlanchard]

Jim,

Thanks for the new pictures! That is the best boattail I've seen, and it goes with the best belly pan I've ever seen (if only in pictures). Question: do the people who see your car "get it"?

Is the inside of your boattail able to be used for storage? I like your solution for opening the stock hatch, by the way -- can you take a couple of pictures of the latch panel and then hatch open?

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Jim,

Thanks for the new pictures! That is the best boattail I've seen, and it goes with the best belly pan I've ever seen (if only in pictures). Question: do the people who see your car "get it"?

Is the inside of your boattail able to be used for storage? I like your solution for opening the stock hatch, by the way -- can you take a couple of pictures of the latch panel and then hatch open?

Thanks Neil, it's a labor of love for me, and I like working with foam/fiberglass. Really appreciate your kind comments!

And take a look below for some pictures of the hatch...


Here is a closeup with the hatch closed.


And a closeup of a side view.


Here is a view with the hatch open.


A view of the latching mechanism.


Both hatches open.


View with the large hatch open as well, and a view of the mounting system.


And a view into the "trunk", which as of now I have not used for storage. I did have an auditor at work who was "thrilled" with the extra storage space that the tail offered, in fact he though that was reason it was added to the car. Storage!. Ha!


You asked if people "get it". I have had only three people ask serious questions about the car during the last three years now, so I'm not sure how to answer your question.

I did run into the local high school "tech teacher" last fall, and he requested I drive the car over for the students to get a first hand view. The meeting went well, and the students mostly seemed genuinely interested in a high mileage vehicle.

Their high mileage entry got only about 150 mpg since they had the mentality of "keeping the powerful engine running at all times" approach. The team got a eye opener when other teams got 400 and 500 mpg out of similar sized cars due to P&G techniques and smaller engines. The teacher alluded to the fact it was hard to break the kids of the "big engine on" approach.

Most of my drive is on old country roads where I creep along. Most people who come up behind me pass almost immediately, which is great with me.

When the tail first went on the car, I used to have large pickups follow me for several miles before passing, but lately everyone passes almost immediately.

My neighborhood has more full size pickups now that I have the tail on than before it, so I'm not sure what is going on, but it seems that there are more pickups on other surrounding subdivisions as well, when I go out for a bicycle ride with my wife, so maybe it's just the Jones's keeping up with other Jones's. Don't know for sure, but it does seem that way to me.

I did run into another Insight owner MNDriver up at the Stevens Point WI Energy Expo back in June of this year, and it was fun to talk with other high mileage enthusiasts.

Jim.

[Cd]

That is a masterpiece of craftsmanship !

Can we get more images of the entire car ?
The more the better.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

View with the large hatch open as well, and a view of the mounting system.

A bit of black paint would finish off the interior.
Hint, hint

You asked if people "get it".

It'd be a shock if they did

Most of my drive is on old country roads where I creep along

Good for mileage, but it probably doesn't show the full potential of the boattail - i.e. when driven at speed.

My neighborhood has more full size pickups now that I have the tail on than before it, so I'm not sure what is going on

Fuel has been cheaper for a good while.
You'll hear them screaming when the next price spike comes along ...

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Cd

That is a masterpiece of craftsmanship !

Can we get more images of the entire car ?
The more the better.

OK Cd....













Jim.