Reversed 63 Avanti

[Ridge Rider]

Several years ago one was posted as a WIP and it gave me the idea to get my saw out.  As it sits now the cabin and engine bay have been turned around and rear wheel wells reshaped.  The hood was shaped to fit the trunk opening and a nascar hood is being used as a new trunk lid.  It's looking like a lot of  bodywork and custom fabrication ahead.  I hope starting a thread will get the juices flowing.  For those following my Gigahorse build, it's back on the bench being foiled (what a project that is).  This one is to keep my sanity when I need a break from that.  Wish me luck?

[jaymcminn]

Very cool. With the new proportions it"s begging for a rear/mid engine layout!

[Dann Tier]

NICE!!...this is so clever!!!, and with your talent, its gonna turn out great!!!

[Belugawrx]

Good luck Steve..I like it already ?

[Lunajammer]

I love the imagineering. Lots of work ahead but you're halfway there already. Looking forward to more. Just peanut gallery opinion, but I wonder if sail panels could help balance the back with the front angles? Something clever could help fill the big blank spot it creates.

 

[DrKerry]

Looks kool!! 

[#1 model citizen]

Very interesting... The profile of the now front fenders is reminiscent of the late '40s - early '50s (bullet nose) Studebakers. Don't know your plans for taillights, but the old headlight buckets might house the large round taillights used on some years of Matadors(?) GOOD LUCK!

[Ridge Rider]

The more I fiddle with this, I remember now why I put this back in the box? The problems and fitment are many, this will definitely be a curbside build.  All the suggestions are awesome and will be considered.  After trying to mock up a ride height the back of the cabin looks too low for my taste.  I will raise it up some more and add panels similar to Mikes illustration.  I'm not sure what it will end up looking like but it's fun to mess with.  Thanks guys

[Ridge Rider]

I raised the C-pillar about 3/32" and mocked up a panel using the obnoxiously thick stock rear window.  I think it flows better with rest of the car.  I was liking the look of the longer trunk until I mocked up tires in the wheel wells, made it look weak in the back end.  Still not sure about the valence widow, might have to open it up more into the C-pillar.  I'm going to think about it for a bit before moving on.  Any thoughts would be welcomed.  Thanks for looking.

[Belugawrx]

It's entirely up to you, it's your build, but..lol

if it were mine, I would flip the window, top for bottom and decrease the sail panel to the middle of the wheel arch...$0.02

Cheers

[Russell C]

On 4/22/2020 at 12:09 AM, Ridge Rider said:

Several years ago one was posted as a WIP and it gave me the idea to get my saw out.  ......

Was it this one by "NTS"? I was rummaging around in my really old bookmarked thread to follow, it looks like the builder hasn't been active on MCM in for or so years. Pickup going the other direction would be neat, too.

 

[Ridge Rider]

As with most my projects, it looks and sounds simple but the reality is the opposite.  I had to create a new front and back for this but wanted to respect the styling of the era. I'm happy with the front although it reminds me of a Jaguar. It still needs a spoiler or some kind of treatment under and around the license plate area. The back is giving me more fits and is still in design to put it mildly but sharing the progress as slow as it is.

[#1 model citizen]

I like the rear treatment so far. Taillights in the surrounds on either side of the license plate would be cool  if you went bumperless. If you go with the thin chrome bumper the taillights would be somewhat obstructed. They would probably be too low in a real world application without a high center brake light in any event. Still looks cool, though!

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi !

Fun project. A few years ago, I posted one on this forum under cars (not a WIP) as "Custom Avanti Inverso concept". It was fun to build...

Keep going!

CT 

[TarheelRick]

On 4/22/2020 at 3:09 AM, Ridge Rider said:

This one is to keep my sanity

First off, what is this sanity you are speaking of? Really like the imagination you have to build this one.  This is what concept builds are all about anyway, throw something out there and see what sticks. Keep working with it and it will eventually take the shape you want it to have.

[misterNNL]

IMHO the sail panels really define the direction of travel and make the whole reversal work. Very creative and cohesive design.