Well, I believe the Vector layout would be superior, since the F1's additional seats are behind the driver a bit. I think Jerry hinted at this or a least being able to sit next to yr girl, instead of being separated by a console & shifter...
Well, Matchbox wanted the banners and there were three different designs. This one was was the most acceptable. Same with the two wheel designs. This design came closest to the original wheels.
It was just the same with the RICKO 1/18 scale model of the W8: About 10 years ago a good friend of mine discovered the Ricko W8 prototype at the Nuremberg toy fair and instantly sent me a photo of the wooden model. I noticed the 5-spoke wheels of the WX3 and called Ricko HQ in HongKong about the error. They insisted on the 5-spoke wheel design as this design had been approved by Jerry Wiegert himself. So I called up Jerry and told him that the VECTOR fan community had been waiting for a genuine W8 model and that noone would want WX3 wheels on this otherwise very detailed and original model. It was only 3 days before the deadline before the production of the models would commence. Eventually I could convince Jerry to have the original wheels applied. I am glad he gave in. For the SPARK 1/43 model I took an even more intense approach to overseeing the design process of the model. Right after I got wind of SPARK´s plan for a W8, announced in their catalogue, I called them and skype linked with the head engineer who was in charge for the W8 model. He then asked me what details were important, what original colors were made etc I then pushed him towards building the chassis 015 model and provided him with tons of photos of Kurt´s car. They got it all right except for the grille color on the engine decklid which is black on the original car. The model has the white grille from 1992 chassis 008 after the crash. Before the crash chassis 008 had had a black grille, too. I would now wish for some company to build 1/18 models of the Avtechs, different W2 versions and the early W8 version.
I do wish I had bought a couple more of the Ricko models. I only have a black one & now they seem to be outrageously priced. A big thanks for your input on making these as accurate as possible!
kevlar canbe used in combination with F or S glass, the kevlar cloth provides light weight (less glass or matt needed) and helps the integrity of the panel, it's isn't excusive to use with CF, but the combination of CF + kevlar cloth is even lighter, and the kevlar provide the same integrity to the CF part that photo is deceiving, we aren't seeing a central drivers position 3 seater vector interior there, we're seeing a slightly distorted camera angle, the same driver + passenger arrangement ...the bench style seat certainly would allow for a couple of lady friends than say a lambo or ferrari would
I've been writing a script for a video on the W8, and I want to make sure I have the facts straight. I figured I'd call in the experts! They built two PP units, and 17 production units of the W8. Is that correct? The Electroluminescent display panel is the same as used on the F-117A Nighthawk. Some other parts were aircraft derived, which parts were they and which aircraft did they come from? I have read the story about Andre Agassi and how he ignored the orders not to drive the car and did serious damage to it. I was told by a Vector owner that the story on the internet was not entirely true. It states that Agassi demanded his money back, and Jerry reluctantly agreed, trying to avoid bad press. Can someone please clarify this story? I may have other questions as I continue to write. Thanks! Chris
4130 Chrome Moly steel semi-monicoque, with about 5000 aircraft quality rivets, and honeycomb epoxy-resin. I think it was about 230 lbs. for the chassis. The engineering was such that the car was built to last the life of the owner with regular maintenance. Many have commented on how the panel gaps from car to car are so incredibly precise... even with so few cars built. The car was a definition of over-engineering because of the goal of having it last the life of the owner; from the custom 3 speed gearbox being designed to withstand 1,800 HP; to the reselevable Rodeck Y block, and Indy-car derived exhaust.
The display panel was reconfigured by Lockheed engineers for use in the car. Wiring was teflon coated aluminum wire such as the type used in aircraft. Switchgear have gold plated connections. The fuel cell is also the same type as used in the Apache attack helicopter. Foam filled & explosion proof. Hoses & seals are silicone instead of plain rubber. Stainless braided hoses with aeroquip fittings are also used. Body construction methods follow that of aircraft. These are just a few things off the top of my head, so don't quote me Also, check my post where I combined a bunch of things Kurt said about Vectors. It's the really long one, lol #223 page 12 I'd have to go through all the literature I have & start taking notes, & I don't think that would even come close to covering everything... Maybe you could get in touch with Kurt. I pm'd him on here but never heard back. Good luck!
I almost forgot, the fuse relay is all aircraft style; and speaking of style, the shifter is styled to look like the throttle on a jet aircraft.
Not sure why this bit of trivia sticks in my mind, & not really aircraft related, but a lot went into designing the air conditioning system. It puts out 18,000 btu!! Not very typical of a high perf exotic of the day
Possibly, however, #1 looked just as shiny... 15 has less than 700 miles on it, I'm not so sure it would look much different than new anyway. Why "likely better" ?? The W2 was essentially the same chassis, with more rivets (more than 2x I think). 1 W2 prototype 2 W8 pree-production 17 Production 2 Avtech WX-3 prototypes. (W8 chassis) 22 altogether.
Since I mentioned the air conditioning, I remembered that the "eyeball" vents are aircraft derived &/or styled...
