WIDE-BODY KIT FROM SCRATCH

[Wide-body71]

Someone once told me that they thought the design I came up with was ( no offence ) reminiscent of the late sixties prototype cars and I kind of got his point and I can't say I was offended at all. Then I came across this sweet shot of a 70 Torino prototype car last night and now I really see what he meant. If I had seen this a couple of years ago I may have done mine a little thinner to have it look a little closer to these lines. It really captures the look of a car that I would gladly risk a speeding ticket for, trying to get a closer look if I saw it on the street. By the way, that's what is in my head when I'm building this. Is someone going to see this half a mile in front them and wonder, what is that, and need to speed up to get a closer look. Great feeling. Lol.


Some similarities


Maybe I call it the "Super Boss" or " Super Mach" or " Super Time and Money consuming Build" I'm sure I have enough room across the trunk lid.


is that really an old prototype car or just me in a wig.


I promise, the day this car is totally complete I will be so happy I will do my own version of that old school shot. Zach Galifinakis style

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi Angelo,

Just thought i would jump in here an offer my humble opinion if i may.

I have been following your build project for some time now, and am rather impressed at what you are achieving overall. I was looking at your latest pics, and agree that the rear end styling on that Torino is big, bold and beautiful in it's own way. At the same time i noticed that several of your body lines have what i would call sharp defined edges to them. I was wondering if the sharp edges look was a good idea as such, given that the 123 Mach's don't really have them except for the front curved fender nose moldings.

Softer edges would suit your car more in my opinion in keeping with the age look of the car. Please don't be offended my my comments, as they are only a friendly suggestion , and my personal opinion. (everyone has one)

Anyway, the car's looking great, and keep up the good work.::thumb::

Greg.

 

[Wide-body71]

Hi Angelo,

Just thought i would jump in here an offer my humble opinion if i may.

I have been following your build project for some time now, and am rather impressed at what you are achieving overall. I was looking at your latest pics, and agree that the rear end styling on that Torino is big, bold and beautiful in it's own way. At the same time i noticed that several of your body lines have what i would call sharp defined edges to them. I was wondering if the sharp edges look was a good idea as such, given that the 123 Mach's don't really have them except for the front curved fender nose moldings.

Softer edges would suit your car more in my opinion in keeping with the age look of the car. Please don't be offended my my comments, as they are only a friendly suggestion , and my personal opinion. (everyone has one)

Absolutely Greg. If we all shared the same view there would be no need to even have this forum. As far as your suggestions on the sharpness of the body lines go, I came to the same realization a few months back and drastically reshaped the top line of the quarters from the doors to the end caps. I haven't softened any other lines though. Was there something that stood out to you? Funny how things look fine when your eye is saturated with your initial vision and it's not till you step away for a period that you see things newly. A quicker way is to take constructive criticism and see if it fits. Thanks for speaking up. As I said before, it's my first time doing this and I do consider myself as somewhat coachable so suggestions are always welcome.




Dont know if you can tell how much softer the top line is now. Basically as far as I can take it.

 

[Austin Vert]

Thanks Angelo,

Other than lines being softer as such, there was nothing else that stood out per say. Thanks for your feedback too.

Greg.

 

[Ray]

Hey Angelo, I like the softer lines also. Looks a little more like the contemporary grown look. Smoother ,sleeker , nice ! I'm getting very fond of a retro contemporary blend.

 

[Wide-body71]

Hey Angelo, I like the softer lines also. Looks a little more like the contemporary grown look. Smoother ,sleeker , nice ! I'm getting very fond of a retro contemporary blend.

Thanks Ray. Funny, if I knew how much impact just the softness or sharpness of a body line had, I might have talked myself out of tackling a project like this. It's as important NOT to put out junk as it is to put out a piece that I am proud of. It becomes a huge juggling act between being different, having it be good, and doing it in a way that you can afford to finish it. Many projects are false starts and get sold mid effort. Or get covered up for decades. Do I spend time on it or money on it, to change something or leave it. Fight for a look or adapt or settle. I commend all of you hot rodders. There are some serious efforts out there. Glad to be a part of it

 

[Ray]

Just follow your vision and dreams, there is no wrong and right here it's all good. Feel it, do it, love it or change it, just never give up. Your project is great !! If I had a nickel for everything I've changed midstream, cuz of a comment, a disappointing result , or a new vision, I could afford to have it all built for me. Thank God that never happened.

 

[DK73]

Well as Ray said keep on your wishes to hove you what it to Look..[emoji6][emoji106] Not what other's do Like or don't. But you are Lucky to Live in a Country where you Can change the Looks of the Car's! [emoji6][emoji106] Regards Lars

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Regards DK73

 

[Wide-body71]

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a great Christmas with your families and friends. First day that I was able to take the cover off the car and do something. This is the beginning of upper scoops that I wanted to get to. Starting of with very long ones and cutting them down to what I think works.


Still have a butt load of shaping and curving to get it moulded to the body just right. Then I need to replicate it for the passenger side.

 

[Wide-body71]

Went home for 4 hrs, came back, closer to the final look. Tomorrow is a new day and fresh eyes.


no longer flat. Has a curvature the is consistent with the rear quarter.


Top and bottom scoops should end up with very similarly sized grill inserts, just flipped the opposite way from wide to narrow and narrow to wide so that they look pleasing to the eye.


big fan of before and after shots


after

 

[jbojo]

That's coming out really good, nice job!!!

 

[Wide-body71]

That's coming out really good, nice job!!!

Thanks John.

 

[Chopper]

Nice work mate

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wide-body71]

From the rear.

 

[71_resurrection]

Can we see a better picture of those tail lights?

 

[Wide-body71]

Can we see a better picture of those tail lights?

Bottom of page 28 you'll find the ideas. Haven't done anything further yet.

 

[mach1000]

Your lower quarter panel scoop is exactly what I envisioned Ford should have designed the 7173 with.

 

[Wide-body71]

Your lower quarter panel scoop is exactly what I envisioned Ford should have designed the 7173 with.

Yes. I agree. A must. The upper scoop however. is really not necessary but I just love the vintage race appeal. As far as I'm concerned, lower, wider and with more bulges.

 

[Wide-body71]

Just thought I'd mention that this time I didn't use a wire cage and cardboard ( like the rear quarters) or cut and paste together fibreglass pieces ( like the rear hood scoops) . There is a specific foam that can be used to sculpt the piece you want to make. In this case the piece is small enough for me to try my hand at shaping from a block vs making a cage and cladding it with cardboard, resin, bondo and primer. I found it quick and easy to get complex curvatures. Cuts easily with a blade and It can be sanded with just your hand for finessed areas. Draw backs: cost( 48"x48" x 2" thick $100 ) and very messy in the shop. Like dropping a bag of flour on the floor. Lol. Gets everywhere.


For thicker pieces you can contact cement two or more pieces together to get what you need.


Once you are satisfied that you have the shape as close to perfect as you can manage ( and then make the reversed piece for the passenger side) it gets mounted to a firm surface to keep the shape you need. In this case flat will do. Then as you see here, it gets two coats of resin to soak into the foam in order to harden it. Then primer and sand smooth. Ready for taking a mould from.


Then it is up to the user to choose to make it an applied piece with threaded rod or a moulded in piece with panel bond. I prefer it to be bolted on myself with studs and nut and washer on from inside the car. It should also be noted that the piece can be perfectly fitted by strategically and carefully applying heat to it with a heat gun ( as you tighten down the studs ) and then let it cool. When the piece is removed it will hold the new shape pretty closely. I will post some pics when the time comes. Maybe even a small video if I can figure out how that's done.


As for the lower rear defuser, I'm thinking of making all the finned pieces in PVC and mounting it to a 48"x20" fibreglass surface. Last body piece I need to make for the car so I can get assembling.

 

[Wide-body71]

I've been working on the car for a couple of weeks now and managed to get the rear end and suspension in place. Ride hight is where I want it so that's good. Now I'm back at messing with the cardboard so that I can figure out a cool and functional design for the front spoiler. I like the idea of brake cooling ducts so I came up with these general shapes so far. The bottom corners should be enough of an opening to direct air to the front brakes. As for the rear....


... the inlets have been opened up to allow the air through. Today I will be directing them, with some fibreglass ducting, to the rear inner wheel wells.


My goal is to be careful not to create a Formula 1 front spoiler but to make it a little more updated looking and still compliment the lines of old.


More than likely , everything that is seen in cardboard will be carbon fibre wrapped to compliment the grill surround.