New from WA, Pretty big project

[Koji]

Howdy folks!

Joining up and I've got a project going that may be interesting to some folks. I'm trying to build a new style car that isn't based on anything or a kit of anything. In terms of the design the idea is: "if Toyota still made the MR2, what would the current model look like?".

Most of the panels will be composite as I've got a good amount of experience there, but I got into tinkering with steel a while ago because I knew I wanted to do panel appropriate construction on the final vehicle. The rear 3/4 panels and the doors will all be made out of steel.

I'm still in the process of building the buck but once that's done I'll be molding all the panels that will be composite and wheeling all the stuff that needs to be steel. Should be fun and I'm looking forward to it.

Here's where I'm at on the buck. Should be done in a month and a half:


Here's what the whole design looks like:

[Johnny C.]

Wow Koji, The project looks great, if the finished car looks anything like the rendering in blue it will blow everyone away. I wish I had the time and aptitude to learn 3d cad, what software do you use?

[Koji]

Thanks! In person you can see the lines a lot better as most of them are "drawn" out of metal rods like so:



Right now I'm just doing finishing work which isn't terribly hard but it is time consuming.

I didn't actually draw the blue render - I've got a kid working with/for me who does all the concept and artwork stuff as I can't draw for crap. I'm pretty sure that's Adobe Illustrator he used to make that one.

[David Gardiner]

Welcome to the site! that looks like quite a bit of work. What parts do you intend to make from steel?

David

[Koji]

Originally Posted by David Gardiner

Welcome to the site! that looks like quite a bit of work. What parts do you intend to make from steel?

David

Hi David,

Thank you sir! I've been at it roughly 6 months so far building this version of the buck. About 15 months total since I first hatched the idea. The buck probably looks excessive to someone with your skill but my intent there is that even if I can't make the metal panels myself - which is the goal - I can drop off a section with someone who can.

In terms of the outer shell - the doors, rear 3/4 panels, and the support beams that are going across where the T-Tops originally were are going to be steel. The rest will be composite - a combination of fiberglass and carbon/aramid blend depending on the panel.

I'll need to make a significant number of patch panels to go under the composite pieces to achieve a good fit and finish so those will be steel as well.

Cheers,
Koji

P.S. Love your video - I can't count how many times I've watched it over the past year.

[Toprodz]

Welcome aboard, thats a great looking project that you have got going there Koji, Looking forward to the progress