I want to build a 100-mpg car (and I want it to look vintage)

[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by JulianEdgar

But I liked this one the most!

You are correct on which version I was talking about.

I've never seen either one in person. Only read about the L1 and xl1. I dont recognize the second car you pictured.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by M_a_t_t

You are correct on which version I was talking about.

I've never seen either one in person. Only read about the L1 and xl1. I dont recognize the second car you pictured.

The ARVW is the speed record breaker (at the time) for diesels.

Wikipedia: In 1980, it was the fastest diesel car in the world, reaching the top speed at 362.07 km/h. (224.9 mph).

6.5 litres/100km (36 US mpg) at a constant 250 km/h (155 mph)!!

Cd = 0.15 and frontal area = 0.73 square metres.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by sgtlethargic

What modern cars weigh less than 2400 and 1750 pounds like the examples I gave do?

Grab a Mitsubishi Mirage, it's closer to 1750 than 2400. Aero the hell out of it and work on tuning and gearing. They're relatively cheap and plentiful compared to 50s and 60s cars, so if you mess up something while hacking in a Harbor Freight diesel, it's only a small setback.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by sgtlethargic

What modern cars weigh less than 2400 and 1750 pounds like the examples I gave do?

Not sure if you consider it to be modern, but the G1 Insight weighs 1850lbs with A/C, airbags, power steering and ABS.

Another car that comes to mind is the Miata. The NA weighs in at 2160lbs, and the ND (newest, 2020 model year) weighs around 2350.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by JulianEdgar

But I liked this one the most!

Given the use case and among newer VW concepts, I'd go with the Nils

Why? You have to brace pretty much any car you chop.

Not as forgiving as body on frame/floorpan. The top is the least of it (start with a convertible).

But the boxy shape could be chamfered like the B2 Audi/Passat.

Why?

The overall shape. The Volkhart-Sagitta V2 that you said you like has fenders that fall away from a cabin that's a half-body of revolution. Look at the crease that runs under the windshield wipers and down the doors. No way to get there from a Metro or the L-1

[Grant-53]

How much does a Formula Vee chassis go for these days?

[freebeard]

I poked around a bit and saw $8-10K for a running car. An engineless roller would be preferable, they all have drum brakes.

OTOH, a similar tube frame could have the Superbeetle MacPherson strut front end. Upright seating. Tropfenwagen fenders and pyramidal side anti-intrusion bars.

[sgtlethargic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

The big tension nowadays is the grounded half-Zeppelin and modern [electric] sedans and CUVs.

Going back to the above comment: What message are you wanting to convey? I take "grounded half-Zeppelin" to mean a car body resembling the Aerodynamic Streamlining Template (AST).

[sgtlethargic]

The narrower vehicles seem to offer a little more crash protection than a motorcycle.

[freebeard]

What message are you wanting to convey?

There are two users in the Aerodynamics subforum that advocate for The Template and for a less specific, more modern approach. It was a veiled reference, not wanting to drag the thread down — thanks for asking.

The Volkhart-Sagitta to me represents a Jaray two-body melding of the two, with the retro look you want.