Wide body, side skirt, ground effect, fiberglass enchancement.
Wide body, side skirt, ground effect, fiberglass enchancement.
Hello. It is just about a time to document the next process in the game. This one will include enhancement of Mariah body kit. Per my opinion I've always thought that this amazing kit was under designed, missing a crucial element which was a connection of the flairs. Without these car look fragile, and not balanced. I am deciding to alter it a bit. I will add "volume" to the body by connecting the flares with a side skirt. Also it has a very important practical value for me. Since i will panel a whole bttom of the car w/ plain panel for aerodynamics, as well to force it down at movement, this extension will allow me to create mounting points for the panel.
This is a basic brainstorming done off a foam core and hot glue gun, as discovered, the best materials to run such of analysis. This can also be used as a template for positive glassing. If doing such, remember to work "smaller", allowing for fiberglass and bondo build up. This process will take weeks before i lay fiber, and will be much longer that last: "3 beam lenses project" (https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/3-beam-light-sleepy-eye-hd-headlight-conversion-800210/).
Also i am at preliminary stage, where i am fighting with curvilinear vs rigidity/geometric lines. I don't want to go too soft, but there is a limit to geometric shapes for this body. Therefore what you see is just a stage, but i am open to comments.






Thank You. Bartok
This is a basic brainstorming done off a foam core and hot glue gun, as discovered, the best materials to run such of analysis. This can also be used as a template for positive glassing. If doing such, remember to work "smaller", allowing for fiberglass and bondo build up. This process will take weeks before i lay fiber, and will be much longer that last: "3 beam lenses project" (https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/3-beam-light-sleepy-eye-hd-headlight-conversion-800210/).
Also i am at preliminary stage, where i am fighting with curvilinear vs rigidity/geometric lines. I don't want to go too soft, but there is a limit to geometric shapes for this body. Therefore what you see is just a stage, but i am open to comments.






Thank You. Bartok
Last edited by drifted; Nov 21, 2008 at 01:57 PM.
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Any eventual girlfriend you may acquire will not thank you for making it nearly impossible for her to get out of the car without flashing her panties at the valet.
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1) I don't believe that's a true Mariah Kit.
2) Mariah sells a rocker panel for it's Mode 4 (non-widebody) kit.
I bought the rocker panels to integrate with my Mode 1, eventually when I can afford to do it again.
2) Mariah sells a rocker panel for it's Mode 4 (non-widebody) kit.
I bought the rocker panels to integrate with my Mode 1, eventually when I can afford to do it again.

replacing crooked section of the curve

puma

you can shave foam core to transition volume of the add on

diamond plate?

geometrically, the focal element will be the tip of the skirt. Like a wing, slim, but rigid at the very tip
Last edited by drifted; Nov 22, 2008 at 10:10 AM.
or polished aluminum. this element will be repeated few locations, sides of the lights and the bumper (rubber replacement) tip of the skirt wing, handle to the door and the kick plate. it will not be an application, but independent section possibly tilted an angle to the wing. it will be classy!
Last edited by drifted; Nov 22, 2008 at 12:19 PM.
I have the same kit, and it's not a Mariah product. Mine was made by the infamous CP Racing. Same kit is now offered by Black Dragon, made in Ohio. Both of which I believe are knockoffs of the old Pacifica kit.
I considered doing something similar to my rockers, until I cracked my lower shin on the lower front lip of the rear fender, ouchie.
My widebody is in the following link.
https://www.rx7club.com/build-threads-293/unvieling-12a-bp-widebody-462184/
I considered doing something similar to my rockers, until I cracked my lower shin on the lower front lip of the rear fender, ouchie.
My widebody is in the following link.
https://www.rx7club.com/build-threads-293/unvieling-12a-bp-widebody-462184/
yeah, after directfreak comment i have realized it is not mariah. i knew it was fairly similar to red dragon, but for a long time i was under impression that mariah and red dragon is the same thing. thanx for bringing some history to my knowledge, and thanx for the link- nice job. i see you've had the same dilemma with the wheels size. also i am considering narrowing the front flares a bit, or maybe just the first curve of the fenders, but i have to wait until skirt is done so i can see overall. are you having any more body modifications coming up? good luck
ps: perhaps someone could edit the title, and put panama sport instead of mariah as i like the name a lot
ps: perhaps someone could edit the title, and put panama sport instead of mariah as i like the name a lot
Last edited by drifted; Nov 27, 2008 at 12:20 PM.
hello.
now the other side

transfer the curve, here done on this corrugated sheet of plastic. its transparent, but hollow- easy to cut

i run short on the material on the tip of the wing, so just added a bit. Also look: about 3/8 inch recesses along the side, as well little triangle piece is set in- thats for a build up of material (epoxy and fiber)

also as you look on the bottom of the triangle piece, the foam core is notched, that's the trick to gain larger angles than material flexibility.
thank you
now the other side

transfer the curve, here done on this corrugated sheet of plastic. its transparent, but hollow- easy to cut

i run short on the material on the tip of the wing, so just added a bit. Also look: about 3/8 inch recesses along the side, as well little triangle piece is set in- thats for a build up of material (epoxy and fiber)

also as you look on the bottom of the triangle piece, the foam core is notched, that's the trick to gain larger angles than material flexibility.
thank you
Last edited by drifted; Nov 28, 2008 at 07:21 AM.





