Honda Insight Tail Extension Project

[Legend_Master]

You really have put some time into this, awesome project!

[botsapper]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Well, I finally got a chance to get a nice overhead picture of the tail!

There is a new over head bridge going in not too far from the house, and I was watching with an eagle eye for a good time in the bridge construction to drive the car over and get a high elevation picture.



When I get a chance I will analyze the shape against AeroHeads Streamlining Template.

Jim.

...reality>virtual

[MetroMPG]

Jim, I just reviewed this epic thread after slapping the cardboard tail on my Insight.

So I'm wondering: any fresh/additional insights into living with a tail on your, um, Insight as long as you have? Any further plans?

I'm fairly certain the curvature in the side of my tail (which I freely admit I just "eyeballed") is too "fast" compared to yours. However both my top and bottom surface curves are less aggressive than yours - particularly the bottom.

That last photo you posted -- the overhead shot -- has inspired me to get a similar one of mine. It's a really lovely & useful picture!

Thanks again for documenting this as well as you did!

Darin

[elhigh]

Beautiful overhead shot.

Doing some careful on-screen measuring it appears to me that with the tail your Insight comes out to 4.644m long, AKA 182.8 inches. Very long for an Insight, but pretty modest compared to other cars. It's still three inches shorter than my daily driver.

Beautiful work, it looks factory.

[NoD~]

Curious: How hard would it be to make a mold of this? Reason I ask is (and knocking on plenty of wood for ya!) is somebody rear ended you... all that work... I couldn't imagine having to redo all of it! If you made a mold of it, something bad happens... you can more-quickly remake the skin of it. Just a thought!

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

.....So I'm wondering: any fresh/additional insights into living with a tail on your, um, Insight as long as you have?

I've really gotten used to having the tail on the car. I typically drive pretty slowly on backroads, and having the tail usually gives people the idea right off, and they typically pass without too much fuss.

And as noted previously, the car still pushes in the front in high sidewinds.

The tail just seems like the rest of the car now.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Any further plans?

Yes, actually I would not mind another pass at a second tail, and modify the construction technique without using lightweight spackling. No more ripples in the finish of the once smooth tail !!

But, this will have to wait, as an automatic grill block needs to get done, hopefully this season. We will see. And the pack needs tending to.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm fairly certain the curvature in the side of my tail (which I freely admit I just "eyeballed") is too "fast" compared to yours. However both my top and bottom surface curves are less aggressive than yours - particularly the bottom.

Actually I believe the sides of my tail are actually curving in too steeply as well. That's something I would change on the next design.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

That last photo you posted -- the overhead shot -- has inspired me to get a similar one of mine. It's a really lovely & useful picture!

Thanks.

Jim.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by NoD~

Curious: How hard would it be to make a mold of this? Reason I ask is (and knocking on plenty of wood for ya!) is somebody rear ended you... all that work... I couldn't imagine having to redo all of it! If you made a mold of it, something bad happens... you can more-quickly remake the skin of it. Just a thought!

The surface finish of the tail is rippled from the generous use of lightweight spackling, which reacts to the heat of the summer sun.

There are many portions of the tail where I should really sand down the entire area and smooth things out.

But this will have to wait as mentioned above.

Jim.

[tayjo22]

I want this car! She is a thing of beauty!!! What's next on the list?

[mikeyjd]

I read this whole thread over the last 3+ hours and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. I think there are many people that have been inspired to streamline their aerodynamics as a result of your work.

[xpedro01]

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

I read this whole thread over the last 3+ hours and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. I think there are many people that have been inspired to streamline their aerodynamics as a result of your work.

Mikeyjd, l agree. These professional jobs made me decide to attempt to do a short version and hopefully get some, if smaller, gain. I am very old (87)and wobbly, but this project was completed in one very cold week, in the living room and attatched garage, with the door that connects left open to warm the garage.
My method was to take a second rear bumper and cut it in two, both horizontally and vertically, overlap both 6" and use sheet metal screws to make it into a bumper with about 50% of the area compared to the original. The rear light wires were all lengthened to move them back to the new smaller bumper.
Since I have the freedom to drill holes and not be concerned about the next owner, l used .031" lexan to connect the new bumper 16" behind the existing one. The 31" height of the sides and the inward angle +the bottom made a very rigid structure. A piece of .090 lexan attatched to the Hatch Lid extended the airflow on the top. A vertical piece of 1/8" brass rod was shaped to release the "latch on the hatch". MPG info to come next.