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Posted (edited)

I can't help thinking about the Lancia Stratos.

The original prototype was a ridiculous looking thing, but some how it birthed one of the best looking cars of all times.

Edited by CAL
Posted

I know hubless wheels are all the rage in prototype cars but I really do hope they never make it to main stream real world applications. They look neat but in real life are very impractical and dangerous.

Posted

I know hubless wheels are all the rage in prototype cars but I really do hope they never make it to main stream real world applications. They look neat but in real life are very impractical and dangerous.

No such thing as "hubless"....the hub is not in the center, but outside . It is the same engineering as helo rotors...Billy Lane used a bearing set from a helo to build the first "hubless" motorcycle.."psycobilly"......If you are an engineer, explain why its dangerous please.:rolleyes:B)

Posted (edited)

I see nothing wrong with any of the innovative concepts shown at the link I supplied, where they acknowledged that artistic designers had the benefit of not having to deal with real-world manufacturing issues. So, many of them would have issues with ground clearance and other questions. But is every new idea supposed to follow an existing process? The Cadillac shown above is totally doable, even with a fully exposed driveshaft if it had an engine in the front and rear-wheel drive. None of these ideas has to come to fruition as a dangerous product (which the manufacturers will not allow), and they can still look amazing.

There are lots of great ideas out there (though Chuck's example of an Aston-Martin mini may set a new standard for bad ideas).

Edited by sjordan2
Posted

No such thing as "hubless"....the hub is not in the center, but outside . It is the same engineering as helo rotors...Billy Lane used a bearing set from a helo to build the first "hubless" motorcycle.."psycobilly"......If you are an engineer, explain why its dangerous please.:lol: :lol:

Not so much dangerous as totally impractical for most automotive applications.

1. How do you attach the wheels to existing shock/steering/drive technology? Is the car manufacturer going to completely re-engineer existing chassis technology just so they can use "cool" wheels?

2. The bearings are exposed to the weather and will be in mud, under water, etc. depending on the driving conditions.

3. The slightest damage to the rim (pothole, etc.) and the wheel will not rotate, so you're stuck right on the spot.

4. Incredibly tight machining tolerances needed, incredibly high cost to manufacture.

5. All driving/cornering forces are concentrated on the bearing area, making them highly susceptible to quick wear and/or failure.

6. What benefits offered over existing wheel technology?

Posted

There are lots of great ideas out there (though Chuck's example of an Aston-Martin mini may set a new standard for bad ideas).

Wait until you see my Bugatt-Smart! :lol:

Posted

That first car for some reason makes me think of a wasp? The snowscooter thing makes me think of a grasshopper? Now where did the number go for my shrink? LOL. Now the motorcycle is cool of course!! Love the buggatti! Why not electric for it? Come one, wouldnt they have a edge being the first energy smart luxury sports car? I do have to agree with Harrys input on the "hubless" wheels! The way I love to race like a bat out of heck and take corners fast, I would hate to think how many bearings I would have gone through already if they were on my custom conversion van!!

Posted

I do have to agree with Harrys input on the "hubless" wheels! The way I love to race like a bat out of heck and take corners fast, I would hate to think how many bearings I would have gone through already if they were on my custom conversion van!!

And where would the brakes go??? :D

Posted

How's this for outrageous... an Aston Martin that's nothing more than a badge-engineered Scion, and looks like a tranvestite Smart!

aston_martin_cygnet-vi.jpg

That Aston... doesn't... bother me... no, not at... IEEEEEYYYYY!!!

Stupid-vi.jpg

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