car design thread | Page 515 | FerrariChat

car design thread

Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by jm2, Oct 19, 2012.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 330 4HL

    330 4HL Formula 3

    May 12, 2005
    1,540
    Vancouver
    Full Name:
    Rick Bradner
    Pretty little car, but I'm seeing more than a little '49 Ford Shoebox there.;)
     

    Attached Files:

  2. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    :eek:
     
    330 4HL likes this.
  3. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2012
    26,812
    West of Fredericksburg, VA
    Full Name:
    John
    jm2 and 330 4HL like this.
  4. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2003
    6,863
    On the Rock
    Full Name:
    James
    Always a favorite; very nearly got one to restore in the '90's.....got outbid.
    Look how tiny it is too! looks like a 3/4 scale version.....
     
    jm2 and 330 4HL like this.
  5. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2012
    26,812
    West of Fredericksburg, VA
    Full Name:
    John
    The Frankenstein reminds me a lot of the first replacement NSX the was cancelled when the financial crisis hit, and before carbon fiber became a big thing.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

    Attached Files:

    jm2 likes this.
  6. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 6, 2004
    16,445
    ON
    Full Name:
    CH
    Interesting background but wasn't the real bonus being closer to Pininfarina and Ferrari on someone else's dime?
     
    330 4HL likes this.
  7. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 8, 2005
    72,468
    Las Vegas Nevada
    Full Name:
    Jerry
  8. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    You got that right!
     
    330 4HL and anunakki like this.
  9. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    330 4HL and jm2 like this.
  10. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2010
    9,471
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Full Name:
    Fred C
    Book Review: The Cars of Harley Earl
    OCTOBER 11, 2021 BY MIKE GULETT

    ((It is almost incomprehensible to size up the impact of Harley Earl on American car design in the 20th Century. The 6′ 6″ giant of a man was born at the right time in the 19th century (1893) and he grew up along with the American auto business.

    His father in California was a wagon and carriage builder–but when cars came along he segued right into modifying cars, building special cars for early movie stars like “Fatty” Arbuckle. As a child, young Harley simultaneously began building clay models of cars with mud from the riverbed near his Pasadena home. When he grew up, he joined his father building the custom specials. Later, when he went to GM, he took along the idea of making cars of clay while deciding on the final design.))


    https://**********.com/2021/10/book-review-the-cars-of-harley-earl.html
     
    330 4HL, of2worlds and jm2 like this.
  11. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    Great book.
     
  12. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
  13. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 6, 2004
    16,445
    ON
    Full Name:
    CH
    jm2 likes this.
  14. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2003
    6,863
    On the Rock
    Full Name:
    James
    mmmm...., those seats are just a bit skeeery lookin'........and those headrests..........or head-clamps........dunno......:eek:
     
    330 4HL and jm2 like this.
  15. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    Yeah, the seats make be think of a ceremonial dentist's chair. Otherwise, great looking car.

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
    energy88 and jm2 like this.
  16. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    Have always been fascinated with the 'Round Door' Rolls.

    December 12th, 2019
    The Round Door Rolls – 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    1920s
    [​IMG]


    Custom coachbuilding of the 1920s and 1930s was the ultimate form of self-expression for the rich and famous. Whether it was a Waterhouse-bodied Packard, a Figoni & Falaschi-bodied Delahaye or a Murphy-bodied Duesenberg, the affluent could essentially own a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Each of these famous coachbuilders was known for their specialized workmanship and was commissioned to build custom bodies over the years. Conversely, a company more accustomed to clothing buses and trucks with their commercial styling wouldn’t be the typical choice to build the coachwork for a Rolls-Royce, yet Jonckheere Carrossiers of Belgium did just that when they re-bodied a 1925 Phantom I with what could arguably be considered the most ominous Rolls-Royce coachwork ever created.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    In May of 1925, Rolls-Royce launched the New Phantom (today noted as the Phantom I) to replace the 40/50 model, which was from then on referred to as the Silver Ghost. With increasing competition from the likes of Hispano-Suiza and Isotta Fraschini, a power boost was the logical upgrade. The New Phantom was, in fact, only the 40/50 chassis with a slightly larger engine. An increase in displacement from 7428cc to 7668cc and the change from side valves to overhead valves were the only major powertrain improvements! The braking system on the other hand was dramatically improved when front wheel brakes were installed. The conversion from side valves to overhead valves also meant a slightly higher bonnet and that would come to influence styling as PI chassis began the trek to various coachbuilders.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Beginning its life with a stately Hooper Cabriolet body, this particular Phantom I was never delivered to its original purchaser in Detroit, after a last minute change of opinion. Instead it was re-sold as new to the Raja of Nanpara. It left northern India and passed through several more owners before making its way to Belgium in 1932. Two years later the Hooper Cabriolet found itself in the Jonckheere shops undergoing an extensive makeover.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Established in 1881 as a carriage-builder, Henri Jonckheere built his first luxury automobile in 1902. Henri’s son and successor Joseph, built his first bus body (and the company’s fortunes) in 1922 although car bodies were still a large part of production into the early 1930s. The fashionably aerodynamic fastback body fitted to the PI today was undoubtedly inspired by the French luxury chassis of the day sporting coachwork from designers like Jacques Saoutchik, Joseph Figoni, and the house of Letourneur et Marchand.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    In the early 1930s very few designers had considered (or dared) to modify the traditional Rolls-Royce vertical grill but that alteration became essential to Jonckheere achieving a more streamlined profile for the Phantom’s new body. Bullet-shaped headlights, flowing fenders, and a long vertical tailfin down the boot lid finish off the sleek contours. As Figoni experimented with oval doors, Jonckheere went with unique, large round doors which operate flawlessly and allow passengers into either row of seating. As attractive as round doors may seem, they did however present an issue for operating windows. The solution was to fabricate a two piece window that simultaneously split like scissors down into the door. At nearly 20 feet in length, it could very well be the largest 2-door coupe in existence. Unfortunately a few years later, the Jonckheere records were destroyed in a fire and it remains unknown who commissioned or designed this one-off masterpiece.

    [​IMG]
    The flying lady right where she belongs.
    Although not a favored design by most die-hard Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, it did succeed in winning over the Concours d’Elegance judge’s hearts. In 1936 it received the Prix d’Honneur at the Cannes Concours d’Elegance. It then passed through several other owners before making its way to the United States just before WWII. In the U.S. the exuberant styling was more openly accepted but due to owner neglect, the car fell into disrepair. Thankfully it was discovered once again in the 1950s but in near derelict condition and eventually acquired by East Coast entrepreneur and early classic enthusiast Max Obie, who began refurbishing it. He proceeded to paint it gold with several pounds of actual gold flake added to the paint for maximum visual impact. Even painted in gold, this monstrosity wasn’t enough of a spectacle for Obie, who then initiated false rumors that it was once owned by King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor. As outlandish as this statement sounded, it did its job to make excellent press. All of this assisted Obie’s new money-making scheme. He toured the car around to shopping centers and other public areas offering a secretive peak at a “Royal Rolls” for a fee much like a freak show.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    The Jonckheere Phantom or “Round Door Rolls” as it’s commonly referred to today, remained on the East Coast, changing hands and color once again; now an unappealing off-white. Jumping ahead to 1991 and the peak of the international Classic Car craze, this unique Rolls-Royce crossed the auction block for the amount of $1.5 million to a Japanese collector. There it sat, un-shown and almost forgotten until the Peterson Automotive Museum obtained it in the spring of 2001. As with all of the Peterson’s prized exhibits, this new acquisition deserved immediate attention and underwent an extensive ground-up restoration.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    It was discovered that over the years the previous owners had taken upon themselves to renovate the car in certain ways, albeit not up to concours standards. That meant a lot of additional time spent on researching and checking virtually every component for wear and authenticity, then reconditioning or replacing parts as needed. Originally built in 1925, the chassis and drivetrain components were period correct while the body and interior, including the gauges were fittingly suited to the mid 1930s as expected. During the body preparation process, it was clearly determined that the existing white, nor the gold, or even the specks of robin’s-egg blue paint found underneath were the car’s original color. The decision to paint the Phantom black was made to help accentuate the flowing curves and massive proportions of the car. Nothing defines shapes better than a dark color.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Custom fitted luggage neatly tucked into the sweeping tailfin boot lid.
    As with all Phantoms, this Rolls-Royce requires a lot of input from the driver. It’s a beast to steer at low speeds, requires double-clutching during gear changes (much like an old Jonckheere bus), and understandably due to its weight needs adequate distance for braking. As for its turning radius, U-turns were probably not part of the driving experience. The car’s very low ground clearance suits the overall silhouette but can also be troublesome when approaching slopes (driveways) or speed bumps due to the long rear overhang. The vehicle’s high seating arrangement provides a great view of the road for the front occupants but the rear sloping roof cuts into rear passenger headroom to the extent of uncomfortable slouching.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Beautiful chrome and woodwork proudly displayed on the dashboard.
    All of these apparently faulty design elements mean absolutely nothing when reflecting on the real purpose of this car; to impress all who see it. Whether it’s viewed by pedestrians, other motorists or even concours judges, this behemoth makes a serious statement.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Occupants are pleasantly reminded of the custom coachwork each time they climb into this unique Rolls-Royce cabin.
    Since its spectacular restoration, the Round Door Rolls has prestigiously been shown at both the Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance. Due to missing historical records it was regrettably ineligible for any top prizes, but did receive the Lucius Beebe Trophy reserved for the finest Rolls-Royce. At Meadowbrook the Peterson Museum appropriately collected the People’s Choice Award for its appearance. And at Keels & Wheels in Houston, it won Best of Show European. Like countless other classic automotive beauties, this fine piece of art deco design has traveled a rough road and gratefully received the attention it so richly deserves.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    The typical Phantom I straight 6 engine has been meticulously restored.


    Specifications
    Engine
    Location: front, longitudinal

    Type: naturally aspirated straight 6 with 2 cast-iron monoblocs with 3 cylinders each and detachable iron cylinder head

    Displacement: 7,668cc

    Bore × Stroke: 107.9mm (4.25”) × 139.7mm (5.50”)

    Compression Ratio: 4:1

    Valvetrain: pushrod overhead valves

    Maximum Power: 108 bhp @ 2,300 rpm

    Transmission: four-speed manual

    Dimensions
    Wheelbase: 3,822mm (150.50 inches)

    Track front/back: 1,485mm (58.50 inches) / 1,460mm (57.50 inches)

    Weight: N/A
     
    tritone, anunakki, 330 4HL and 4 others like this.
  17. colombo2cam

    colombo2cam Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2019
    827
    Full Name:
    Ted
  18. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2012
    26,812
    West of Fredericksburg, VA
    Full Name:
    John
    My interpretation was a bit more shocking!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    tritone, 330 4HL, NeuroBeaker and 2 others like this.
  19. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    The latest from Dean's Garage. Gil Spears, FoMoCo Designer.
    Ford Designer Gil Spear’s Idea Sketchbook
    October 12, 2021Leave a commentFord Design, Gil Spear
    A. G. Spear Jr.’s Idea Sketchbook
    Designer for GM, Chrysler, and Ford
    Gil Spear grew up in New York where both of his parents were commercial artists. Spear started as the first industrial design student at Pratt Institute in 1934 but had to drop out in 1935 because of a lack of funding. He took a job as a cartoonist and, in 1937, he was hired at GM as a designer in Bill Mitchell’s Cadillac studio. When Spear was laid off at GM in 1938, he took a job with Norman Bel Geddes designing theatrical sets. When Bel Geddes was hired to design the GM exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Spear assisted in building an elaborate city of the future ride. After the World’s Fair was over, Spear took a job in Chrysler’s design studio and was responsible for the design of the 1942 Chrysler grille. He left Chrysler in June 1942.

    During World War II, Spear worked for Briggs Manufacturing as an aircraft salvage engineer. Towards the end of the war, he also started his own industrial design business.

    In April 1947, Spear decided to build a new house for his family. To qualify for a construction loan, the bank told Spear he needed a regular pay check. Answering an ad in the newspaper, Spear applied at Ford’s Design Department, where he intended to work only long enough to make it look good to the loan officer.

    Spear’s first assignment at Ford was to complete the 1949 Ford clay model that Oros and Engel had started, so engineering drawings could be finalized from it When Oswald instituted the studio system in 1947, Spear was appointed first head of the Ford Design Studio and he was in charge of updating the 1950 and ‘51 Fords.

    In May 1948, Gene Bordinat asked Spear to organize Ford’s Advanced Studio as a means of getting fresh design talent into Ford and providing new ideas for future Ford products. In late 1954 Spear became head of the Special Projects Studio, where he supervised the design of the D-523 and the D-524. In mid-1955, Spear left the Styling Center to become the head of the Engineering Department’s separate design studio (Special Development Studio).

    While at the Special Development Studio, Spear supervised completion of the D- 523 and D-524 and development of the Bimini, the Midshipman and the Personal Safety Vehicles. In February 1958, Spear returned to the Styling Center as an executive designer in the Ford pre-production studio. He later became an executive designer for international operations and in the Lincoln- Mercury studio.

    From 1967 to 1971, Spear was chief designer at Ford of England. He retired in 1974. Spear (as of 1999) continues to work with patent attorneys perfecting new products.



    Posted by permission.

    From Ford Design Department—Concepts & Showcars, 1932-1961 by Jim and Cheryl Farrell

    ISBN 0-9672428-0-0

    Book review to come.

    For book ordering information, email: [email protected]

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

    Attached Files:

    Schultz, Tenney, anunakki and 2 others like this.
  20. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    The latest from Dean's Garage. Gil Spears, FoMoCo Designer.
    Ford Designer Gil Spear’s Idea Sketchbook
    October 12, 2021Leave a commentFord Design, Gil Spear
    A. G. Spear Jr.’s Idea Sketchbook
    Designer for GM, Chrysler, and Ford
    Gil Spear grew up in New York where both of his parents were commercial artists. Spear started as the first industrial design student at Pratt Institute in 1934 but had to drop out in 1935 because of a lack of funding. He took a job as a cartoonist and, in 1937, he was hired at GM as a designer in Bill Mitchell’s Cadillac studio. When Spear was laid off at GM in 1938, he took a job with Norman Bel Geddes designing theatrical sets. When Bel Geddes was hired to design the GM exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Spear assisted in building an elaborate city of the future ride. After the World’s Fair was over, Spear took a job in Chrysler’s design studio and was responsible for the design of the 1942 Chrysler grille. He left Chrysler in June 1942.

    During World War II, Spear worked for Briggs Manufacturing as an aircraft salvage engineer. Towards the end of the war, he also started his own industrial design business.

    In April 1947, Spear decided to build a new house for his family. To qualify for a construction loan, the bank told Spear he needed a regular pay check. Answering an ad in the newspaper, Spear applied at Ford’s Design Department, where he intended to work only long enough to make it look good to the loan officer.

    Spear’s first assignment at Ford was to complete the 1949 Ford clay model that Oros and Engel had started, so engineering drawings could be finalized from it When Oswald instituted the studio system in 1947, Spear was appointed first head of the Ford Design Studio and he was in charge of updating the 1950 and ‘51 Fords.

    In May 1948, Gene Bordinat asked Spear to organize Ford’s Advanced Studio as a means of getting fresh design talent into Ford and providing new ideas for future Ford products. In late 1954 Spear became head of the Special Projects Studio, where he supervised the design of the D-523 and the D-524. In mid-1955, Spear left the Styling Center to become the head of the Engineering Department’s separate design studio (Special Development Studio).

    While at the Special Development Studio, Spear supervised completion of the D- 523 and D-524 and development of the Bimini, the Midshipman and the Personal Safety Vehicles. In February 1958, Spear returned to the Styling Center as an executive designer in the Ford pre-production studio. He later became an executive designer for international operations and in the Lincoln- Mercury studio.

    From 1967 to 1971, Spear was chief designer at Ford of England. He retired in 1974. Spear (as of 1999) continues to work with patent attorneys perfecting new products.



    Posted by permission.

    From Ford Design Department—Concepts & Showcars, 1932-1961 by Jim and Cheryl Farrell

    ISBN 0-9672428-0-0

    Book review to come.

    For book ordering information, email: [email protected]

    View attachment 3218527

    View attachment 3218529
    View attachment 3218531
    View attachment 3218533
    View attachment 3218535
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    tritone likes this.
  21. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2012
    26,812
    West of Fredericksburg, VA
    Full Name:
    John
    Somewhere along the road, Tell-Tale lights became Idiot Lights!:eek:
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    colombo2cam, of2worlds and jm2 like this.
  22. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
  23. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 6, 2004
    16,445
    ON
    Full Name:
    CH
  24. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    Yes, that’s just what it needs!!:eek:
     
    of2worlds likes this.

Share This Page