When i look at custom builds i look at both form and function. The car needs to feel great to drive, not just look pretty. Remember, these customers who can afford these cars are use to driving newer, high performance cars in which ergonomics are far better than what they were in the 50's-70's.
The customer needs to feel like they'd RATHER drive this than their Porsche. If the car is a pain in the ass, they're less likely to want to drive it over whatever else is in their garage, and thus they may start to think of it as more of a pain than what it's worth. Next thing ya know, it's up on the auction block.
There's a couple glaring issues i have with this one, and it's symptomatic to a lot of custom car builds. [Reply]
When i look at custom builds i look at both form and function. The car needs to feel great to drive, not just look pretty. Remember, these customers who can afford these cars are use to driving newer, high performance cars in which ergonomics are far better than what they were in the 50's-70's.
The customer needs to feel like they'd RATHER drive this than their Porsche. If the car is a pain in the ass, they're less likely to want to drive it over whatever else is in their garage, and thus they may start to think of it as more of a pain than what it's worth. Next thing ya know, it's up on the auction block.
There's a couple glaring issues i have with this one, and it's symptomatic to a lot of custom car builds.
Other than the dash pad upholstery (seam on left center) and the steering wheel, I actually like this look. I think it is a nice blend of classic muscle car and modern tech. I don't know why anyone would put a lipstick whore red interior into a car like this but remember this shop caters to customers and they are located in St Louis not LA.
There is a lot of their best work that is never seen in public media due to the customers requests.
There are things I dislike such as the holes they press into everything they do. I hate it even though i have used the same jig on various projects.
When i look at custom builds i look at both form and function. The car needs to feel great to drive, not just look pretty. Remember, these customers who can afford these cars are use to driving newer, high performance cars in which ergonomics are far better than what they were in the 50's-70's.
The customer needs to feel like they'd RATHER drive this than their Porsche. If the car is a pain in the ass, they're less likely to want to drive it over whatever else is in their garage, and thus they may start to think of it as more of a pain than what it's worth. Next thing ya know, it's up on the auction block.
There's a couple glaring issues i have with this one, and it's symptomatic to a lot of custom car builds.
Reminds me of Joe Rogan and the Hemi Cuda he sold.
Other than the dash pad upholstery (seam on left center) and the steering wheel, I actually like this look. I think it is a nice blend of classic muscle car and modern tech. I don't know why anyone would put a lipstick whore red interior into a car like this but remember this shop caters to customers and they are located in St Louis not LA.
There is a lot of their best work that is never seen in public media due to the customers requests.
There are things I dislike such as the holes they press into everything they do. I hate it even though i have used the same jig on various projects.
The sheetmetal fabrication doesn't bother me. That look is popular, customers like it. The overall look doesn't bother me. But that car can't be as fun to drive as it looks.
1. Why are the door pulls at the bottom of the panel where your shin would be? They chose form over function. I'm curious as to how well they operate as well considering they completely changed the angle in which the mechanical components were originally designed.
2. The shifter itself is too far forward. I understand that this is a challenge that's inherent with classics, but @ $100K+ it should be corrected. We corrected that issue in the Mustangs by developing our own kit and had it machined out by a local CNC shop. They undoubtedly widened the trans tunnel. They need a relocation kit to scoot the shifter back. As it is, the driver will have to reach forward to shift the car, which means he has to hunch over. Hunching over in a car with that much power is not a fun driving experience.
3. The switches on the console. I agree that the switches belong on the console and not on the door, but the arm rest pad is too high, which makes for an awkward angle when reaching for the switch.
4. Two monitors? Redundant. And why not finish the console all the way up the dash? The gap looks weird, especially with two touch screens.
5. The seats have no headrests and little to no side bolster support. You already have to hunch forward to drive it, this continues to take away from the driving experience.
6. In the engine bay, the AC lines come off the compressor, upwards. That's just lazy. March Performance makes a manifold that curve the AC lines downward for a cleaner look.
7. That Chevelle has a manual brake master cylinder. Really dudes? All that ****ing money in that car, those big expensive Wilwood brakes and then a Manual master cylinder? I mean, that's fine for a guy building a nice car in his garage, but a pro-shop on a $100K+ build? No ****ing way that car should have manual brakes. [Reply]
In our cars, we re-designed the seat boxes and move them several inches back. The shifter is also pushed back so that it's in a more natural position. We use modern seats, such as the Recaros i posted, so the driver has ample support. We cut out the factory dash and replace it with a 2-piece fiberglass dash, and scoot it back several inches as well. This allows us as much room as needed to fit modern electronics behind the dash, as well as extend the cabin so it looks more modern.
In doing so, we have to redesign the door panels as well.
But the end result is a car with plenty of seat support, extra leg room, he can now fully sit back in his seat and shift comfortably from his heated/cooled leather seats. Everything is easy to reach. We also try our best to make sure nothing hangs below the rockers so the customer doesn't have to worry about scrapping.
There's a lot of really cool custom cars out there. And a lot of them are simply a pain in the ass to own and drive. [Reply]
Doesn't that make it an extensive job vs updating the gauges and screens. and keeping the classic looks of the late 60's early 70's. For a radical show car what you do is great but it takes something from the personality if the original car... Something I am sure is kewl but that I doubt i WOULD LIKE. Why not just put a full fiberglass and carbon fiber tub on it ?
Remember the customer has to want the inside to no longer remind them of a classic muscle car he either bought or has owned for a period of time. The red interior did just that.
Racaro does make the best seats IMHO but they are pricey. I have no use for heated seats for a car that I only drive during fair weather:-):-):-):-):-):-).
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
In our cars, we re-designed the seat boxes and move them several inches back. The shifter is also pushed back so that it's in a more natural position. We use modern seats, such as the Recaros i posted, so the driver has ample support. We cut out the factory dash and replace it with a 2-piece fiberglass dash, and scoot it back several inches as well. This allows us as much room as needed to fit modern electronics behind the dash, as well as extend the cabin so it looks more modern.
In doing so, we have to redesign the door panels as well.
But the end result is a car with plenty of seat support, extra leg room, he can now fully sit back in his seat and shift comfortably from his heated/cooled leather seats. Everything is easy to reach. We also try our best to make sure nothing hangs below the rockers so the customer doesn't have to worry about scrapping.
There's a lot of really cool custom cars out there. And a lot of them are simply a pain in the ass to own and drive.
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
The sheetmetal fabrication doesn't bother me. That look is popular, customers like it. The overall look doesn't bother me. But that car can't be as fun to drive as it looks.
When you do this, rear filler, to a Porsche you should consider a career at JC Whitney.
1. Why are the door pulls at the bottom of the panel where your shin would be? They chose form over function. I'm curious as to how well they operate as well considering they completely changed the angle in which the mechanical components were originally designed.
If the customer asked for it would you do it if it worked perfectly?
2. The shifter itself is too far forward. I understand that this is a challenge that's inherent with classics, but @ $100K+ it should be corrected. We corrected that issue in the Mustangs by developing our own kit and had it machined out by a local CNC shop. They undoubtedly widened the trans tunnel. They need a relocation kit to scoot the shifter back. As it is, the driver will have to reach forward to shift the car, which means he has to hunch over. Hunching over in a car with that much power is not a fun driving experience.
I believe that is a matter of opinion as it is an auto so your argument carries less weight. The shifter is in the same position as it was in 1969 and the camera angle , like a pic of set of titties look larger, makes it look out of reach.
3. The switches on the console. I agree that the switches belong on the console and not on the door, but the arm rest pad is too high, which makes for an awkward angle when reaching for the switch.
They seem to be out of the way and without sitting in it and operating them. I think you are being subjective.
4. Two monitors? Redundant. And why not finish the console all the way up the dash? The gap looks weird, especially with two touch screens.
Tthe entertainment center would be out of reach, something you are concerned with:-):-):-)
One is the Holley tuning system that I would assume the customer asked for or was in the engine tuning package to be able to deliver the 1000+ horsepower.
I don't know but the console looks like it belongs for the era.... IMHO it doesn't look weird if you were used to and liked sitting in a 69 Chevelle.
5. The seats have no headrests and little to no side bolster support. You already have to hunch forward to drive it, this continues to take away from the driving experience.
Once again, I would guess that was customer prefence as they look like the OE seat frames were reused and they didn't have headrests.
6. In the engine bay, the AC lines come off the compressor, upwards. That's just lazy. March Performance makes a manifold that curve the AC lines downward for a cleaner look.
It's a painted engine, who cares?
7. That Chevelle has a manual brake master cylinder. Really dudes? All that ****ing money in that car, those big expensive Wilwood brakes and then a Manual master cylinder? I mean, that's fine for a guy building a nice car in his garage, but a pro-shop on a $100K+ build? No ****ing way that car should have manual brakes.
I believe this is the same set up with a Wildwood master made for MANUAL BRAKES.
In this picture the dash is missing accessory pieces, such as the trim rings around the 2-1/4" gauges etc, but you can see how it fits in the car. We'll be making this available to the public soon. Sorry for the super sized pics.
