The Phil Knox fleet - 34 years of aeromodding
 

I talked to Phil on Saturday - I was hoping to meet up with him in Texas this weekend, but unfortunately my trip was cancelled, so it'll have to be another time.

I didn't realize until I read the edmunds.com piece featuring several ecomodders from this forum that he's been doing this stuff for so long!

Anyway, we talked about a bunch of stuff, including many of his vehicles, and I thought it would be interesting to present his "aero fleet" in a single thread. So, with Phil's blessing, here it is:

The first one he aeromodded was his...


'64 VW Karmann Ghia

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-karmann-ghia-s.jpg

• bought to replace a thirsty El Camino with a v8 that could get 18 mpg at best
• the Ghia was purchased wrecked - the previous owner had smacked into the back of a big Caddy, braking on a wet road.
• Phil put the front clip from another Ghia on it, and then started modding it after reading about Car & Driver magazine's Crisis Fighter Pinto
  
• Reshaped the front to mimic a Porsche Carerra
• was good for 41 mpg @ 70 mph

'62 Dodge D-100 pickup

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-1962-dodge-s.jpg

• this was his grandad's truck (still has it!)
• the shape of things to come?

'70 VW bus

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...6&d=1244319471

• link to thread with more details of this project: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-van-8675.html
• Modding this VW was Phil's thesis project, and he used many of the same techniques NASA did for its van testing:
• full belly pan
• skirts on rear wheels
• 18 inch tapered rear extension

1984 Honda CRX

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-crx-side-s.jpg http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-crx-front-s.jpg http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-crx-rear-s.jpg

• ultimately, the mod set included: nose, hatchwing, gap-fillers,wheel skirts,wheelcovers,bellypan,and boattail
• 18% improvement in mpg, 36% drag reduction, 9mph improvement in top speed
• Estimated Cd: 0.23
• tested at Bonneville, and systematically at Chrysler Proving Grounds, in Michigan in 1991.
• Still has it! (On guard duty - long story)

'94 Toyota T-100

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-toyota-s.jpg http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-toyota-skirts.jpg http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-sailboat-hull-s.jpg

• what *hasn't* Phil tried on this famous truck? :)
• @ 75 miles per hour, with aero mods fuel economy improved to 32 miles per gallon from stock 23.3 mpg.

Custom mini hypercar

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-...ar-front-s.jpg http://ecomodder.com/imgs/knox/knox-hypercar-rear-s.jpg

• under construction
• motorcycle based
• VW front end?

Did I get all of them, Phil? :)

Thanks for the inspiration and the education!

More pictures/info on hyper car!!! please :D

I'm really digging the KG!

Phill has been at this for quite some time eh? Kudos!

Very nice work.

Love the CRX and the Ghia

I always loved the look of the KG. An e-KG would be a nice project.

I will second that. That bike/car looks interesting.

Heh, all I could think of is electrocardiogram. An EV conversion on that car could only be called "The EKG Machine" in my eyes. :thumbup:

Hyper car!!! I've wanted to build something like this for 20 years!!!! I might have to now. I always thought it would be best to use a 700cc or larger shaft drive (or belt drive) motorcycle for the rear. But always thought using a Mustang II style front suspension would be better and help to keep a lower profile.

Is that a Goldwing fairing turned upside down on the front of that?