Random Aerodynamic Oddity of the Day Thread

[freebeard]

Well, it's better than Will.i.am's 1958 Beetle.

www.sub5zero.com/will-ams-custom-1958-volkswagen-beetle-proves-success-doesnt-bring-taste/

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

it's better than Will.i.am's 1958 Beetle

You mean Will.i.am's way to destroy a Beetle?

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

You mean Will.i.am's way to destroy a Beetle?

It doesn't deserve recognition as an aerodynamic oddity - just for trying too hard.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Well, it's better than Will.i.am's 1958 Beetle.

Is there a build thread on this car?

Engine still in the rear?

It's terrible, his money.

In a search for more information I found the below - unrelated.

May 2020
Former F1 driver builds insane prototype racer
https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-ne...rototype-racer

Built by Tarso Marques Concept (TMC), the racer is powered by a turbocharged V6 engine and was filmed testing at Curtiba two weeks ago. Dubbed the TMC M1, it will compete in the prototype class of the Brazilian Endurance Championship later this year, where it will race against the Metalmoro AJR racer.

Well, it's maybe more interesting than odd, but it's not normal.

[freebeard]

Your search engine of choice led you astray? First result at duckduckgo.com/?q=will.i.am+1958+beetle:

Auto Body Design: Will. I. Am. Customized 1958 VW Beetle
https://www.autotraining.edu/blog/wi...958-vw-beetle/
In 2009, Will. I. Am brought the body of the old 1958 Beetle to Austin Weiss, owner of The Garage in Stuart, Florida. Originally, Will wanted a twin turbo Porsche flat six in the rear of the vehicle (the engine for the Beetle is located in the rear, which makes the customization flow naturally with the original design and body work of the car.

Scanning the other summaries, it looks like he dropped $900K into that hole, and he's a member of Black-Eyed Peas.

The TCM M1 is your typical five-half-bodies-on-a-plate form. Interesting cut-outs on the back of the front fenders.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Engine still in the rear?

Converted to a front-mounted V8.

Well, there were better-looking front-engined V8 conversions done even here in Brazil...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrRzpEPSLOU

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Converted to a front-mounted V8.

I read LS3 Vette engine, but a text also said RX7 engine elsewhere, they probably looked at different power plants at one time.

That driveshaft tunnel is huge.

An excess of money thrown at a mishmash of design efforts.

Too many drugs?

I've seen this problem in architecture, usually not an architect in sight and product of an untrained mind.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by CR

Well, there were better-looking front-engined V8 conversions done even here in Brazil...

A front engine in a Beetle ruins it, IMHO. But what about the Berlin Buick:




justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-berlin-buick-very-nice-bug....

Note the reversed pop-outs over the Buick Roadmaster 'Ventiports'.

Interesting:

Buick Portholes: A 10-Minute History | Mac's Motor City Garage
https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/...inute-history/
In Buick lore, portholes came to be when noted General Motors stylist Ned Nickles designed and installed a set of round fender vents on his personal 1948 Roadmaster. As the story goes, Nickles incorporated small electric lamps (probably neon or similar) wired to the ignition system so they would flash in sequence with the engine.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Note the reversed pop-outs over the Buick Roadmaster 'Ventiports'.

Interesting:

Those are not just "Ventiports," they are "CRUISERLINE Ventiports." :-)

[freebeard]

I think they work really well over the en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick#Sweepspear