I liked the zagato inspited Z300s but the more I looked the more it should be a modified swb - as others have commented the rear is much closer to the DB4 Barchetta.
So It was back to the drawing board literally.
I love the classic swoopy lines most modern cars lack but I didn't want an old looking car.
I was tempted by the concept cobras in the Kobra and Danny's thread.
Especially when I saw Danny's finished car - looks great and the colour is perfect.
I showed my son and he said "yeah looks good but still looks like an old fashioned car"
So I sat on google images and youtube trying to find inspiration.
I wanted the presence of a cobra with its purposeful stance.
I still love the zagato with its low slung nose.
Add to that Listers and Lolas and I still want to use 18" wheels and modern lighting.
Sketch after sketch I started looking for the answer.
Im still refining the details but I have the basic concept pinned down.
No photoshop here im afraid - just pencil and paper
Im still undecided on the rear diffuser details and each sketch they still change.
As does the wing vent.
In an attempt to visualise it further I tried using paint but im not very good with it.
The front is under wraps at the moment as Chris will help me turn a sketch into a reality.
Feel free to comment but please don't slag off my drawing skills
Thanks Nick
I was worried taking a handful of sketches to Chris but it was a joy when he said "I get it"
I could see he had the design in his head and as we found bits and pieces in the workshop that had the basis of the shapes I had drawn I knew that we were on to something
The rear is ok but its the front im proud of.
In fact the rear will be z300s based so part of your design evolves.
My toughest critic is my son, Owen. He has seen all my weird and wonderful creations.
He said its "awesome" lets hope I get the same approval on the finished car
yes its horrible
its sharp angles that in my mind don't match the front end and in the flesh it looks like not much thought went into it.
reminds me of a Dutton or early Silva Star/leader rear end
If you've seen an eagle speedster or bmw z8 that inspired the rear end then you will know what I mean
Thank you for your kind words
It will be built on a z3 I bought a donor and I like it a lot more than I thought I would.
Hopefully 18" wheels wont ruin its driveability too much.
I believe it will be available in some form but that's for Chris to decide and why I haven't posted pics of the front.
The rear is being played with by me.
Its a challenge- a great shape but not a single flat spot makes fitting modern lights something to think about.
I have chosen fiat coupe rear lamps all functions in 4 compact round lamps and an added bonus is they sit recessed into cups I can blend into the body.
The rounded back also makes cutting a diffuser in a little more interesting - no off the shelf bumper has anything like these curves.
However I think I have a cunning plan
Great job im jealous - I cant get on with photoshop
Its very close to my idea the front wing vent needs to follow the shape of the trailing edge of the wheel arch.
my idea was to exaggerate the front wheel arch.
What's the diffuser you found off of?
Ian no TVR styling cues - I don't want Chris to mould in huge panel gaps
Nick I confess the rear was heavily inspired by a post in "what do you want Chris to build you" and lots of Cobra concept rears
More like this
Im looking forward to the day I can reveal the front end.
Im a big kid and I have checked with Chris
I have to wait until Christmas to see in real
So heres the front
Im really happy with the styling cues from lots of my favourites
Grille and bonnet vent obviously a nod to the Cobra
The low sloping bonnet and low headlamp position a reference to the prototype Aston Zagato DP209's.
Colour scheme is still to be confirmed but Dannys Graphite coloured Kobra is impressive.
At the moment im leaning towards this....
Thanks DSG$ME
After the response I received when I posted the rear I was expecting more comments on the front.
So either you all like the rear more
or
You cant see anything wrong with the front
or
more likely no ones interested :P
Its ok I'll get my coat
Thanks DSG4ME I knew you would whip up a visual for me.
I have chosen fiat 500 front lamps - I tried bmw mini but they look huge in the new lower position.
Danny I know what you mean about the fiat coupe lamps - I intend to tint all 4 of them smoke colour.
Its not a perfect soloution but the fiat bezels lend theirselves to the curves of the boot and they contain fog and reverse in a very small area
She is Z3 based and I believe Chris will have the project ready in December but worth giving him a ring
I hope you don't mind DSG but I used paint again crude but im trying to show whats in my head
Y cymro I agree im not sure on the wing vent but I think I need to see in the flesh before I finalise.
Bertini is a Jag D type front end with a XK8 bumper blended to it.
The Austin Morris Mini is small cute looking car.
But it has a 7" sealed beam that was in C type D type E type and AC Cobras
I know what you mean but its all about how you use parts in a holistic approach.
Its common place in the specialist car market to use mundane parts Lotus and TVR are obvious with it.
Seeing my idea what headlamps would you choose.
Yes these are great and 993 but cost is an issue cheapest I can find in a £1000 for the pair - same as my donor
Once again I agree great choice - superleggera have not used production lamps - shame these would be an option
I need to do some research I don't recognise these but if price is realistic they might make a better option
The Puritalia is in the same direction as my sketch - I had never seen it when I searched cobra concepts.
The headlamps look bespoke with projector units behind covers.
Maybe that could be a solution to losing any references to other cars
https://youtu.be/wKzyJ-4IeVQ
My original sketch - the idea was there but my proportions almost mid engine.
The lower lamps were added when I realised that the fiat 500 main lamps were only dipped and indicator.
The bonnet scoop was added after I visited Chris and had a chat
Thanks DGM
The lights I looked at in EuroCar Parts didn't resemble those
Mini 2014 on F56 lamps
More expensive but worth a try - maybe I will take my tape measure to a dealership first
Sorry DSG im with Garry you do great work but the bonnet and wings have been blended together.
My original design harks back to the time when wings and bonnet were separate units.
They of course will not be but the contours suggest they are
[QUOTE=Roadster;69779]
Maybe if you can get your mini lamps onto this and loose the mini side / indicator lamps - perhaps spot lamps instead.
Ive been to a dealership - nice lamps £1000+ ballasts etc for the Xenon lamps in your pic
Only £400 a pair for the non Xenon version
The fiat units were £38 each
I know the mini lamp looks better but I wonder how commercially viable the front end becomes when the lamps cost so much.
After all Tribute doesn't sell this sort of kit in £4000+ price range which is why we love them.
They are well made and as economic as we want them.
Sure the SWb ,Kobra and GTO could all have lots of money spent on them but you can build a budget version if that's what you want.
