Here I go again

Peter Lombardo · March 24, 2019

It is not like I don't have enough projects underway...... a custom 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix with vacuum formed custom chopped top and the remaining 4 GT 40's from the starting grid from 1966. Numbers 1, 2, 5 and 8 are complete and shown before, Numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7 have the bodies painted (obviously) and just need their chassis finished, mated to the body, and I will have the complete factory starting grid. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 where entered by Shelby American, Numbers 5 and 6 were entered by Holman and Mooney and Numbers 7 and 8 were entered by Alan Mann team of Great Britain. All the cars were identical and prepared to the exact same standards by the Shelby factory team. I just completed a Hasegawa limited edition STP Toyota 87C, which is a curbside, I have the Tamiya Mercedes Benz 300SL about 85% complete, just need to complete working struts for the gull-wing doors and then final assembly. Just started the brand new Hasegawa Calsonic Nissan R91CP. This model has be dumb founded. They molded the body, and I must add, it is a gorgeous molding with wonderful detail and beautiful open front fender vents.... just perfect, BUT, they molded the body in 3 pieces, which also, is a great thing except they include no engine for the car..........what are they thinking? Even if they raised the cost of the kit by $5 or $10 bucks, give the engine since you gave me the lift off rear, and front, sections and we all love to detail and complete the engines, Right? Now I am either going to have to cast the parts for the engine from the Tamiya Toyota R90V Cabin version in my stash or pickup another R390 kit..... this just doesn't make any sense to me.

Anyway, this is not the point of the post. I have been playing around with a car design that has been rattling around in my head and finally put it down on paper. Then I, the last few days got around to shaping the design from a block of sign foam. Now the tricky part of this design is that it does not lend itself very easily to being vacuum formed since the design has complex curves that cut in at the bottom giving it a curved round side, front and rear contour. Because of this, I have to form both a top and bottom portion and once cleaned up, mate them to form a complete body. The shape, at least I think, is rather smooth and rounded with a very distinct"Cab-Forward" design. Cab forward was a popular design element back in the early 1990's. The main design feature of a cab forward design is when the leading edge of the front windshield is level with the mid point of the front wheels Classic examples of this which were mass produced were the Chrysler "LH" cars of the 1990's. Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde to name a few. Infiniti used to consider the G20 as a cab forward.... it was close, but not as clear as the LH cars.

Anyway, a number of the Chrysler Concept cars from this era where very obviously Cab Forward. Being concept cars, the look was exaggerated to make the point, but it stuck in my mind. here is the Chrysler Millennium from 1989 which, you can see was a predecessor concept to the mid 90's LH cars. So here is my idea of a semi-future cab forward sports coupe. Originally , I was thinking it could be an all electric car, but now I think I will keep it as a traditional gasoline powered car..... after all, if the Government has its way, the internal combustion engine will go the way of steam powered cars. So I will not hasten the move. I am planning on larger sized gull-wing doors about the size of 1 and 1/2 doors, a small block front engine and 4 individual bucket style seats. We'll see as the build progresses.... I have a tendency to change my mind and rethink prior plans as I move forward.

ismaelg · March 24, 2019

Peter,

That is a GREAT looking concept! It would also look cool as a mid engine 2 seater.

Thanks,

Peter Lombardo · March 25, 2019

Thanks, I have to admit, the same thought has been going through my head, so maybe it will change direction.... it could happen.

Jantrix · March 25, 2019

Looking forward to seeing more.

Belugawrx · March 25, 2019

Excellent..another Peter Lombardo custom..I'm watching.

I like Ismael's idea of the mid engine too

Gramps46 · March 25, 2019

22 hours ago, Peter Lombardo said:

It is not like I don't have enough projects underway...... a custom 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix with vacuum formed custom chopped top and the remaining 4 GT 40's from the starting grid from 1966.

Peter,

I am working on converting the WIX Anniversary GT40MKII the #8 XGT-1 like yours. I am using the IndyCals decal and the hood roundel looks to be too big and yours look to be correct. Could you please measure the diameter of yours and let me know. Thanks, Gary

Peter Lombardo · March 25, 2019

Sure thing Gary...... when I get home, I will check it out for you. Pete

Howard Cohen · March 25, 2019

Wow! Very sporty and racy looking! If you put the engine behind the driver, the Revell Aerovette has a great engine cradle to start with and enough space for a big block if needed Or you could borrow a drive line from one of your GT40 cars

Peter Lombardo · March 25, 2019

1 hour ago, Howard Cohen said:

Wow! Very sporty and racy looking! If you put the engine behind the driver, the Revell Aerovette has a great engine cradle to start with and enough space for a big block if needed Or you could borrow a drive line from one of your GT40 cars

Thanks Howard......... now I am getting very confused as to what to do for the drive train..... I have a Ferrari 360 Modena that was given to me after the previous owner made a mess of the body..... so with a little work that could fit it..... well see.... thanks for the kind words

Peter Lombardo · March 25, 2019

6 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Peter,

I am working on converting the WIX Anniversary GT40MKII the #8 XGT-1 like yours. I am using the IndyCals decal and the hood roundel looks to be too big and yours look to be correct. Could you please measure the diameter of yours and let me know. Thanks, Gary

Okay, I took a measurement and the roundel is 22mm or 7/8th inch. take your pick. I got mine from spot model made by Renaissance.... stock#Tk24/347 It will allow you to do either of the two Alan Mann Racing cars from Le Mans 1966. Hope this helps.

Gramps46 · March 26, 2019

13 hours ago, Peter Lombardo said:

Okay, I took a measurement and the roundel is 22mm or 7/8th inch. take your pick. I got mine from spot model made by Renaissance.... stock#Tk24/347 It will allow you to do either of the two Alan Mann Racing cars from Le Mans 1966. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for the measurement. That is a big help.

Peter Lombardo · March 26, 2019

If you look closely at the two body pieces I posted before you can see an upper half and a lower half. I now have mated to two pieces and roughly sanded the joints. Obviously they will need a little putty and more sanding to get them smooth. I also cut out the wheel openings. I will then, once the joints a tight and smooth, cut away the center of the bottom and begin work on the windows. I hold back on these as long as I can since they add substantial strength to the body while I am giving it some rough tough handling.

Peter Lombardo · April 7, 2019

Made a little headway on this one (no name for it yet). As I said before, this cars tend to evolve as I build them as I make many "field changes" to them as they go forward. I have modified the nose and tail and opened up the doors which will be "gull-wing" and opened up the windshild and rear deck area. Looks like this will end up as a rear drive 2 or 3 seater, not sure which yet. I haven't opened up the bottom yet as I need the structural integrity as I man handle the thing. Not exactly sure what is next on this one but it will be different.