photoshop request. Coupe out an fc hatch.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 644
Likes: 1
From: scranton nd
Well just about done. I have some block sanding to do and then I can seal the glass with urethane and spray the frame and deck.
I made a top retainer bar. It got rid of some wavyness I had by the bolts. The glass is about flawless now. No waves, very happy
It looks different for sure. I like it though. Glad it is coming together for me
I added some dowel reinforcement on the back and wow it is rigid now. I could sit on the deck without cranking anything
Should look alright done up
.
I made a top retainer bar. It got rid of some wavyness I had by the bolts. The glass is about flawless now. No waves, very happy
It looks different for sure. I like it though. Glad it is coming together for me
I added some dowel reinforcement on the back and wow it is rigid now. I could sit on the deck without cranking anything
Should look alright done up
.
I didn't really think I was gonna like that, but it turned out pretty well. Isn't the stock rear window more aerodynamic though? As far as burning down the 1/4 mile track goes...
Congratulations zbrown for following through, I admit I was skeptical when I first saw this on norotors.
I was never really sure what the ultimate motivation/desired result was for this modification, I assumed from the big tires and parachute that drag racing was the venue and weight reduction (which you apparently achieved) the primary goal.
If that's the case, the project as a whole is a success.
From an aesthetic standpoint I was going to say that I still think OEM rear glass (from some sort of sedan) would work better but after studying the final outcome I think the whole premise is flawed from a design standpoint.
I completely understand that using the stock hatch frame as the basis of the project makes a lot of sense from a fab standpoint and basically eliminates major metalwork from the process but to my eye, the end result doesn't read so much as a sedan/notch profile but more as a weird hatchback.
It's the visual weight of the frame you start with, none of which would be there in a scratch designed sedan. Starting with a clean sheet (or being capable of advanced metalwork), the b-pillar and trunk profile would be very different and that's not an option when the hatch frame is retained.
As a learning process and a way to scratch a "what if" itch, I like it and the moxie you displayed in the execution but I'm not a fan of the visual result (and suspect your aero- to whatever extent that's applicable- has been degraded) and I'd guess that simply replacing the rear glass with Lexan would have netted more weight savings.
It's not like I haven't blown a few bowls and stared at the hatch, thinking exactly what you did...I'm really pleased you carried through and saved me the effort.
I was never really sure what the ultimate motivation/desired result was for this modification, I assumed from the big tires and parachute that drag racing was the venue and weight reduction (which you apparently achieved) the primary goal.
If that's the case, the project as a whole is a success.
From an aesthetic standpoint I was going to say that I still think OEM rear glass (from some sort of sedan) would work better but after studying the final outcome I think the whole premise is flawed from a design standpoint.
I completely understand that using the stock hatch frame as the basis of the project makes a lot of sense from a fab standpoint and basically eliminates major metalwork from the process but to my eye, the end result doesn't read so much as a sedan/notch profile but more as a weird hatchback.
It's the visual weight of the frame you start with, none of which would be there in a scratch designed sedan. Starting with a clean sheet (or being capable of advanced metalwork), the b-pillar and trunk profile would be very different and that's not an option when the hatch frame is retained.
As a learning process and a way to scratch a "what if" itch, I like it and the moxie you displayed in the execution but I'm not a fan of the visual result (and suspect your aero- to whatever extent that's applicable- has been degraded) and I'd guess that simply replacing the rear glass with Lexan would have netted more weight savings.
It's not like I haven't blown a few bowls and stared at the hatch, thinking exactly what you did...I'm really pleased you carried through and saved me the effort.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: WA state
