[Designstar]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Drawings look superb. I think you captured the essence of the 275 GTB very well and did not loose it in the "modernization",

That was the most difficult part, finding that balance. It's funny and somewhat ironic that the last vehicle I designed before leaving Chrysler was the 96-06 Jeep Wrangler which Ezno Ferrari called "America's only true sports car". That project and this have had quite a bit in common. There are hard core Jeep guys that love the Jeep aesthetic and do not want you to ruin what their image is of the car. At the same time you're getting paid to move the theme forward.

If you don't push it far enough, what's the point and everyone says you've failed. Push it too far and you alienate the faithful and all the fans and everyone says you've failed. Finding that balance is the art. It was the same on this program as well. That's why I referred to trying to do this as a suicide mission. I am glad the response has been so positive.

[Designstar]

Originally Posted by bobzdar

I think you hit the design out of the park...Only concern is will a 456up v12 fit under that hood? If I understand the dimensions right, it's going to be a 355 sized car. How about your frankenrossa v12?

The side view drawing is done over the original 275 package. Mark will work some magic and hopefully we will not have to move too many things around. But you have to start somewhere. :-)

[Designstar]

For everyone else who has posted their comments about the design, thank you very much. Early on, when I felt like I had something, Mark and Dave pushed me to keep going, to take it to the next level and I am sure glad they did.

[mk e]

Originally Posted by Brian.G

Throw in a torque tube while your at it

Brian,

yes of course!

[tazandjan]

Mike- You have real design talent. Keep at it.

[notoboy]

The designs look fantastic! Excellent work! I look forward to seeing this turn into a real car!

[a1exander]

Wow.
One certainly recognises the DNA immediately.
Looks stunning.
Really well done to all involved.

[mk e]

Originally Posted by a1exander

Wow.
One certainly recognises the DNA immediately.
Looks stunning.
Really well done to all involved.

Thanks from all involved!

Mike is planning to have the interior concept work done in March and I'm really looking forward to seeing what he's got.

Dave(the CAD guy) is chomping at the bit to jump in and start modeling.


What I'm planning for the structure and mechanics will make the V12 project look like child's play.

This is going to be a cool project

I registered gemellocattivo.com (evil twin) last week which I am going to badge my 308 and I'm thinking this might be a "275 Gemello Cattivo" and hopefully I won't get sued.

I'm leaning more and more toward making these available when the time comes. The frikin regulations to sell a car are just insane these days but a kit it pretty easy to do. I'm thinking doing something I've seem with aircraft....you buy a kit then assemble it in my shop so there is no question it will come out right and exactly the way you want......but it's not a car because I didn't actually build it. Mike, Dave, and I need to sort out what the plan is........but mostly we need to finish the design I guess

[desotodave]

Mike,

When you get to the point you want to put this in metal, you may want to chat with the boys over at Kirkham Kirkham Motorsports. They do amazing metal work on their cobra replicas. They mainly work in aluminum, but have also done cars out of copper and brass.

[desotodave]

Here are a couple of pictures of what Kirkham does. Most of the cars they produce, the owners leave them in the bare metal, as you see here. Pretty easy to tell the level of craftsmanship they have if you can just polish the metal and get your drive on. Yes the stripes on the cars are just brushed aluminum and not paint. They make some of their bodies in Poland, and craft the remainder here in the US.

[mk e]

Originally Posted by desotodave

Mike,

When you get to the point you want to put this in metal, you may want to chat with the boys over at Kirkham Kirkham Motorsports. They do amazing metal work on their cobra replicas. They mainly work in aluminum, but have also done cars out of copper and brass.

That is some beautiful metal work!

This project will be carbon fiber, or at least that's the plan but I now know who to call if I change my mind.

[desotodave]

Okay, you got me there, don't know a good CF person. Is the reason you want to go CF more for weight, or strength purposes?

[mk e]

Originally Posted by desotodave

Okay, you got me there, don't know a good CF person. Is the reason you want to go CF more for weight, or strength purposes?

Well....I say weight and "modern technology" to fix the modern 275 theme but to be very very honest its probably mainly because I know how to build molds so I know I can do a nice job in CF and I don't know how to do the kind of metal work that Kirkham does.

[Boxer]

Mark, Do you have a weight target?

[mk e]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Mark, Do you have a weight target?

1800 lbs is where I'd like to see it finish up in basic trim. There will most likely be optional equipment like power steering, power brakes, sound system (which means sound deadening too) and such that would push it into the 2200-2400 range but I'm designing a scary fast 1800 lb 500+hp car ..... can help if someone else buggers up later

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by mk e

1800 lbs is where I'd like to see it finish up in basic trim. There will most likely be optional equipment like power steering, power brakes, sound system (which means sound deadening too) and such that would push it into the 2200-2400 range but I'm designing a scary fast 1800 lb 500+hp car ..... can help if someone else buggers up later

I would think that anything around the 1000 kg mark would be an amazing achievement.

[mk e]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I would think that anything around the 1000 kg mark would be an amazing achievement.

I think that's a pretty easy target to hit. My thinking is that modern materials and designs have come a very long way but all the frikin regulations the OEMs have to deal with have forced the weight way up.

For this project I'm thinking keep it simple but use all the latest performance technology. A steel 275 was what 2400 lbs and the alloy 2000ish? In CF that would be maybe under 1500. I'm figuring start there then add some additional stiffness and maybe AC because I really like AC.

I'm talking to another designer about a mid engine project that's floating around my brain... because I'm just not busy enough. More to come.

[Admiral Goodwrench]

Dear Mark,

It seems to me that your target ought to be easily met with todays materials. Please see my post #192 at:
500 Mondial Series 2

Best regards,

[mk e]

Originally Posted by Admiral Goodwrench

Dear Mark,

It seems to me that your target ought to be easily met with todays materials. Please see my post #192 at:
500 Mondial Series 2

Best regards,

That's what I'm thinking. I've had a coupe street cars that were under 1500 lbs...and could have been a lot lighter.

[wysri9]

Stunning thread! The design looks fantastic (and at that weight too...) although those haunches need to show the 250, 275, etc "kick' for my eye! Look forward to following the thread as it progresses. As to whether such a car should grace the roads of Scotland, well.............