Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-06-2010, 10:28 PM   #1 (permalink)
Coasting Down the Peak
 
skyl4rk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: M I C H I G A N
Posts: 514

Toyauto Pickup - '94 Toyota Pickup 2WD
90 day: 36.32 mpg (US)

Versa Base - '09 Versa Sedan 1.6 Base
Team Nissan
90 day: 41.69 mpg (US)
Thanks: 27
Thanked 42 Times in 35 Posts
Ultravan as a Dymaxion?

I saw an Ultravan for the first time last weekend.

It seems to be fairly aero. It is made out of aluminum and supposedly fairly light.

Some google image pics:











After cleaning up the body, get rid of the awning and A/C, it might make a reasonably aero shape. Maybe drop a VW TDI in there.

This could be somewhat close to a Dymaxion type vehicle. Except for rear wheel steering, which is better left alone.

__________________
Nissan Versa Aeromods
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 07-07-2010, 01:37 AM   #2 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,803

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 459 Times in 327 Posts
It lacks the gradual taper of the Dymaxion. Replacing the bubble back with a gentle taper and a kamm back would help a bit. The roof vents need fairing, too.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 02:14 AM   #3 (permalink)
Learning a lot
 
iplaysdrums's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 30

Tony - '15 Honda Fit EX
90 day: 40.3 mpg (US)
Thanks: 6
Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonusb3 View Post
It is made out of aluminum and supposedly fairly light.
The British say "aluminium."

I dig the built-in rear wheel skirts!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 03:21 AM   #4 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
Ehhhhhhh... Dymaxion like? Not so much.
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 04:58 AM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: belgium
Posts: 663

vectra a - '95 Opel Vectra GLS
90 day: 37.51 mpg (US)
Thanks: 14
Thanked 61 Times in 44 Posts
compared to it's modern counterparts that's a thing of beauty! looks like a good starting point when all the junk on the top and the sides is shaved off.

that said it doesn't have a basic teardrop shape but rather rounded ends that works on the front, but it's less ideal at the back (think VW beetle).

this makes me wonder however...if you'd saw a Dymaxion in half and add a center section, limmo style, what would happen to the Cd?
__________________
aer·o·dy·nam·ics: the science of passing gass

*i can coast for miles and miles and miles*
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 07:18 AM   #6 (permalink)
Recreation Engineer
 
KamperBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere USA
Posts: 525

Black Stallion - '02 Toyota Tundra 4WD xCab

Half Pint - '06 Yamaha XT225
Thanks: 333
Thanked 138 Times in 103 Posts
The rear shape may be better than many realize. Remember, it's a camper. It's not supposed to go 70 mph. 50-60 may be too fast to enjoy the ride. Think blue highways. The speedo may spend a lot of time between 30 and 45. When you slow down air softens, and sticks to sharper final tapers. That body transitions very smoothly. No first derivative discontinuities and second order looks very low. As for stripping creature comforts for a small MPG gain - phooey! Meet the functional requirements of the vehicle and it's intended purpose first. Not getting any sleep suffocating in your own sweat sucks the fun right out of travel.

Cheers
KB
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 09:07 AM   #7 (permalink)
Coasting Down the Peak
 
skyl4rk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: M I C H I G A N
Posts: 514

Toyauto Pickup - '94 Toyota Pickup 2WD
90 day: 36.32 mpg (US)

Versa Base - '09 Versa Sedan 1.6 Base
Team Nissan
90 day: 41.69 mpg (US)
Thanks: 27
Thanked 42 Times in 35 Posts


The tail end of the Ultravan is much wider than the Dymaxion.

However, the Dymaxion only seats four, while the Ultravan has much more interior room, enough to live in.

The Ultravans are relatively inexpensive and could be the base for an interesting ecomodmobile. However, they only come with Corvair engines and Chevy 350 V-8's, neither of which is a very good engine for fuel efficiency.

If one were to find an older Ultravan in rough shape, strip out and rebuild the interior to make it as light as possible, clean up the exterior and repower with a better motor, what type of mileage do you think it might get?
__________________
Nissan Versa Aeromods
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 09:30 AM   #8 (permalink)
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,257

Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C
Thanks: 79
Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts
Clean up the exterior, or do a complete aero rebody with a narrow rear track?

I like boat tails, but putting heavy components in the tail moves the center of mass rearward with negative implications for crosswind stability and rear axle placement.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 09:32 AM   #9 (permalink)
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,257

Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C
Thanks: 79
Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunarhighway View Post
...if you'd saw a Dymaxion in half and add a center section, limmo style, what would happen to the Cd?
Cd would increase as the relative size of its wake increases. Frontal area would increase as well.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2010, 12:58 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Patrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Florida, USA
Posts: 510

Hot Tamale - '10 Toyota Prius III
Thanks: 27
Thanked 96 Times in 70 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunarhighway View Post
this makes me wonder however...if you'd saw a Dymaxion in half and add a center section, limmo style, what would happen to the Cd?
If you cut it at the maximum cross-sectional area, the Cd would rise a little due to inceased wetted area. You would, in effect, have made an aircraft fuselage. The frontal area would remain the same.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion restoration botsapper General Efficiency Discussion 7 08-02-2023 01:43 AM
Which mass produced car is closest to a teardrop shape ? Cd Aerodynamics 125 10-26-2010 08:18 PM
Canadians make 4-wheel version of teardrop Dymaxion car in 1938 MetroMPG Aerodynamics 7 04-13-2009 11:36 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com