Interesting Aerodynamic Cars (Mike Vetter's ETV, also Avion)

[sgtlethargic]

Tucker Talisman prototype (I hope it's not a repeat):

Rare Tucker Automobile Prototypes (Wizbang Pop!)

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by sgtlethargic

Tucker Talisman prototype (I hope it's not a repeat):

Rare Tucker Automobile Prototypes (Wizbang Pop!)

Nice, I don't recall seeing the first picture in that link, which matches the attachment.

[kach22i]

Re: VW land-sea-air link.

A Land Rover loving buddy of mine recently explained to me that the early "Series" could float, and the rear hub could be removed to allow a propeller to be installed.

I've also seen one with a hovercraft platform attached, so I guess they can sort of fly too.

The Brits also did a one off Mini Cooper-hover as well.

[freebeard]

Needs:

• tub made of basalt fiber and high-temperature resins (fireproof)
• top made of basalt fabric canvas (bulletproof)
• hybrid-electric front axle
• hydro-jet water propulsion
• air or hydraulic suspension
• Subaru drive-train with Subaru Gears reverse pinion

[kach22i]

.....................and it needs to be aerodynamic to fit in this thread.

Mazda shows windswept Taiki concept car
Oct 2, 2007
Mazda shows windswept Taiki concept car - SlashGear

Practically speaking, the design is also meant to improve aerodynamics and, in turn, reduce the amount of energy wasted pushing a big chunk of steel through the air.

https://www.mazda.co.nz/innovation/c...ars/taiki-2007

Aerodynamic performance with a drag coefficient of 0.25 and zero lift

The design team sought to achieve an extremely high level of aerodynamic performance through a combination of design and technologies. A bird's-eye view of the Mazda Taiki body shows how much its width is tapered from front to rear. From the side, one sees the smooth line of the flat underside kick up dramatically at the rear of the body. Validating the designer's wish to visually capture the motion of flowing air, wind tunnel testing proved the excellent aerodynamic performance inherent in the design.

The distinctive shape around the rear wheels, which channels air flowing back from the front fender through a 'tunnel' formed between the body and rear fender, also proved effective in creating down-force.

The already high aerodynamic potential of the original form was then fine tuned, the end result being an excellent drag coefficient of 0.25 and zero lift.

http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2015/0...7-mazda-taiki/

[kach22i]

ABARTH STOLA

As the name suggest, the Abarth Monotipo 98 has been created by Stola to honour Carlo Abarth and his heritage............................

Quite significantly, the new dream-car presented by Stola has been allowed to take the name and logo of Abarth, the famous brand owned by Fiat Auto. The top Italian carmaker has actually agreed to the use of the name, and has supported the development of the project, after realising that Alfredo Stola was working at a truly high performance, high quality, automobile conceived and developed with the same spirit and commitment Carlo Abarth used to put in his creations.

The project for the 1998 Turin Motor Show was started late in 1996, on the wave of the outstanding success the Stola Dedica met with the industry, the press and the public and some 18 months before its unveiling with a deep and accurate brain storming and preliminary investigations.

I suspect this has been translated.

[Frank Lee]

It's got Pontiac Banshee on the hood and vintage Mako Shark on the backlight.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by kach22i

.....................and it needs to be aerodynamic to fit in this thread.

It's chopped and slammed. What else does it take?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It's chopped and slammed. What else does it take?

I see your point.

I suppose under those guidelines many old 1950's Hot Rods would qualify.

Here is quite an unexpected version along that theme (meme).

Post By Mikelrome
Alt Car Expo: 1980 VW truck becomes a biodiesel Eco Rat Rod
VW Biodiesel rat truck. - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

Who says environmentally sensitive vehicles have to be plain? Gene Schudlich used traditional hot rod tricks of chopping and sectioning to reduce aerodynamic drag on his 1980 VW diesel truck. The flat-black paint probably wasn't squirted on to absorb police radar waves, but rather gives the truck a hint of menacing, do-it-yourself rat-rod appeal.

Follow the link for another photo and more information

Schudlich has experience improving fuel economy with backyard driveway engineering. With a 1991 Geo Metro he chopped six inches from the roof, added high-pressure tires, switched to synthetic oils and modified the air intake to provide warm air. Fuel economy improved from an average of 36 to 42 mpg up to 47 mpg with a high of 70 mpg.

Believing that biodiesel was a better way to go, Schudlich found the aging VW truck and promptly hacked 12 inches out of the roofline. He also narrowed the front nose slightly and added a 5-speed manual transmission.

When all the metal surgery was finished, the VW lost 750 pounds. Schudlich uses B20 fuel. He hasn't changed any fuel lines but says he's keeping a watchful eye for deterioration.

He has a goal of 80 mpg. Schudlich's craftsmanship may be a little crude--he admits he's not a great bodyworker--but he has more environmental spirit than those who buy hybrids out of fashion.

I hope to see this VW at the next Kustom Kulture gathering with all the other rat rods. All Schudlich needs are a few tattoos, blue jeans with rolled-up pant legs and a skull's head shifter.

I could be wrong, but there seems to be an attempt at under tray aerodynamics swooping up at the tailgate edge.

Here is a link the original post by Mike Magda on Autoblog.

http://www.autoblog.com/site-map/?sid=1

Here is a video on the Geo-Metro they talked about.


58-166 MPG Hypermiler Rat Rod Is a Geo Metro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8frtH9E0hsA

We've managed to find some detailed pictures on Reddit and are now trying our best to answer the questions about its existence. ...............

Again using the awesome power of the internet, we've been able to guesstimate that this weird car should belong to Gene Schudlich, a passionate car builder who in 2006 made headlines with a 1980 VW truck that he converted into a biodiesel rat rod that he claimed did over 70 mpg.

This Geo has been posted in ecomodder before.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...o-30480-2.html



The VW is also posted in the above e-thread.

[kach22i]

Thread says "cars", how about some train cars?

CRO - http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com - CN Rail

At the Spadina loco facility in downtown Toronto June 22nd, 1973. John Eull snapped this aerodynamic looking Turbo Train set resting between assignments.

Blerf Blog: Glorious Failure

The progenitor of all streamliners, "Pioneer Zephyr" now on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

And since we all know the aft end is far more important, a caboose.


Blerf Blog: Glorious Failure

Like a caboose on a freight train is like a period on the end of a sentence, the tail car defines the end of a streamliner.
Here is the crem-de-la-crem of tail cars.
This is Wick Moorman's ex-20th Century Obs car, Sandy Creek.
He once told me he collected models of passenger cars. Guess he's now modelling 12" to the foot!

Back to cars/trucks..........................


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/463518986622540497/



Old Trailers Sport Aerodynamic Look - Article - TruckingInfo.com

Labatt's Streamliners of the '30s and late '40s featured radically curved surfaces and Art Deco graphics, but they were built to promote beer sales, not to save fuel.