Shawn Whetstone's Design

[Niburu]

I drive a Miata regularly, I am quite aware of what it's like to drive around in a small invisible car.
I suspect not being noticed won't be an issue in the 818 though.

[bbjones121]

Bump for my favorite smooth exotic design

[bbjones121]

Hey Shawn, what are the chances that you have this in a 3d format to get printed?

[miznitic]

I definitely like this design most of all. The other designs just don't quite do it for me, but this one, I would most definitely cause me to whip out the chequebook.

[ScottKoschwitz]

Assuming this design is technically feasible, of all the designs, THIS design (especially the targa) makes me reach for my checkbook the most.

[SW1]

Hey Shawn, what are the chances that you have this in a 3d format to get printed?

Hey Guys: Again thanks for all the wonderful compliments!

The images uploaded to this forum were rendered in V-Ray and modeled in Rhino. Rhino is a 3D nurbs surface modeler similar to Alias which can can export all the stardard formats such as iges, step, stl, etc.

At work we use Rhino for quick ID concept generation and visualization. Generally our production intent deliverables are done in Solid Works or Pro-E depending on client preference; however, we routinely use Rhino geometry for CNC or SLA appearance and breadboard models. In some cases we use Rhino surface geometry for final tooling. The 818 concept is a very clean surface model and could easily be printed.

And yes the design is 100% technically feasible especially now that the gas tank is going to be located behind the seats instead of beneath the seats. Honestly, every dimension was scrutinized and based on realistic measurements for this type of vehicle.

Thanks for your Support!
-Shawn

[bbjones121]

Hey FFR. Sounds like this would be 3d printer ready and avoid the time involved with making the model.

[2KWIK4U]

Really like this in a targa top!

[bbjones121]

Got more votes than any model so far. It is kind of unfair to vote on concept drawings against real models.

[RM1SepEx]

sweet design, I'd buy a targa in a minute

Shawns, The Vantage, or Xabier's would all be sweet as my next big garage projets....

[mekeys]

This is my favorite design.Just imagine it in full glorious living color.When I came up with designs I liked I usually made and 1/8 scale model from balsa wood and painted them.. because I am a computer dummy..

Mel

[kach22i]

Mel, I bet you like the Jaguar XJ13 too.
http://www.twrreplicas.com/xj13.html

Someone is making a coupe.
http://www.shapecraft.com/jag2.html

[bbjones121]

I like shawns design. Mel, I am just not into that. The front reminds me of a catfish. This is Shawns thread by the way.

[mekeys]

I like the coupe the best.But they both are a little dated.

I thought this was a thread started by wooward..Asking about our favorite designs.I didb't know I wasn't allowed to make comments on it....

(catfish ???) I guess I forgot the whiskers..


Mel

[bbjones121]

I thought this was a thread started by wooward..Asking about our favorite designs.

Maybe different thread, read the title of this one.

[mekeys]

oops

Mel

[bbjones121]

Looks like this could be an option that people prefer second to rodneys design in latest pole. Does anyone have suggestions on it? It seems like most people like as is.

[mekeys]

I actually like Shawn's design a lot I picked it out why back when before the "EXPERT" judges picked the others..I would like to see a little crease or a small vent etc. just to break up the large expanses of area on the side and the hood..

Mel

[Niburu]

The only thing I'd wanna change would be all the little LED lights in the headlamps.
I don't know about other states, but in VA if one of those lights is out the cars will fail the safety inspection.
Plus I hate them in general anyway, they're showing up in KIA headlights now.

[BipDBo]

This is definately one of my favorites. I'm liking it more and more. I typically don't like unnessessary creases or anything that "breaks up" a smooth body. I like large expanses of smooth body. This is a very sleek, smooth looking body. It looks equally as good functional and buildable in roadster and coupe.

Aesthetically, one thing I don't really like is the front opening. I just don't like how the front edge of the fenders curve aound to make the sides of the opening. It's just weird looking IMO.

Funtionally, I am a big fan of vertical dischrage through the hood, as you can tell by my plethora of posts on this. I have probably beat this horse well. The intakes for the intercoolers might be insufficient, but that would have to be determined with wind tunnel or FEA. This area is typically under negative pressure, but on the other hand, the engine compartment will ventilate out through the back, which is probably more under negative pressure, so it may work just fine.

[slopoke]

This car ... this piece of art, where form follows function, its understated, effortless grace ... how could you NOT like it? It reminds me of the venerable classic Porsche 904. It would be a travesty if someone DIDN'T build this car ... build it from the ground up if necessary, but build it. True, it's probably not a car for everyone, but truely unique and classic cars rarely are. I'd love to have one in my garage ... right next to Rodney's and Vman's ... Just my $.02 Dave

[2KWIK4U]

This is my favorite design too. It is very smooth and classy looking, an instant classic in the making.

[GUNS]

This is one of my favorites and was my favorite during the competition. I go back and forth between this design and Rodney's as my current favorite. I think this car has a better overall cohesion and a classier design. Well done with this and I'd be happy to have it sitting in my garage.

[bbjones121]

The elegant integration of the vents and overall shape of this car make it look like a future exotic prototype. I can't say that about any of the other designs except maybe Neuphones sketches (we have yet to see details added on the model).

[bbjones121]

Shawn, do you have any different view points of the targa and convertible? maybe front straight on and front looking down at an angle?

[thestigwins]

This car is absolutely beautiful. I would build it in a heartbeat. I also like Rodneys design, However this design is something that I can see looking good 30 years from now.

[bbjones121]

That is what I am thinking. Jims design already looks old, xabiers will look old in 5 years, I think rodneys is getting away from the sleek curves it once had, I think nuephones had potential from what is shown in the sketches. Shawns design by far seems to follow what many concept cars are beginning to look like. Simple and elegant. Expensive exotics are looking more and more like they are integrating air vents and scoops into designs just as Shawn does, subtly into the curves.

[SW1]

Shawn, do you have any different view points of the targa and convertible? maybe front straight on and front looking down at an angle?

bbjones121: Unfortunately I don’t have any other views rendered up. The only thing I have that you have not already seen is a high down force version with more consideration for airflow on the track, but unfortunately it’s not quite ready for prime time, Thanks for the interest!

[SW1]

Some of you have inquired about high res images.

Here is a link to photobucket where I have uploaded high res images for both the Red Roadster and the Silver Targa.

http://s1130.photobucket.com/albums/...0Res%20images/

[Vman7]

I still don't know why Shawn's car didn't win at least in the top 4. Shawn planned everything out well. Only thing I can think of the design might have been too low in overall height to work with the orig. template, but that's an easy fix to make this design work. The main thing I like about Shawn's design is he kept it simple, modern, but yet still has somewhat of a classic look as well.

David

[GUNS]

bbjones121: Unfortunately I don’t have any other views rendered up. The only thing I have that you have not already seen is a high down force version with more consideration for airflow on the track, but unfortunately it’s not quite ready for prime time, Thanks for the interest!

I would LOVE to see this!

[Cooluser23]

The 808 look much better than the "winning" desings. Wish we had the better looking cars win.

[bromikl]

So many great designs. This one is a work of art. Very well done, Shawn.

I'm still firmly in Rodney's camp, but I feel this could be a design for a third party body developer.

[DrieStone]

So many great designs. This one is a work of art. Very well done, Shawn.

I'm still firmly in Rodney's camp, but I feel this could be a design for a third party body developer.

Agreed. I would have no issues purchasing an 818 with Shawn's design. It's totally different from Rodney's, but still very cool. My needle points towards Rodney's design, but it's like trying to choose your favorite flavor of ice cream.

[bbjones121]

High down force version?! That sounds awesome.

[bbjones121]

I think the fact that this design gets lots of votes and that nobody really has comments to change it says a lot.

[crackedcornish]

I think the fact that this design gets lots of votes and that nobody really has comments to change it says a lot.

I've seen a few people comment on the front that has been likened to "jowls" and I tend to agree with not liking the (rounded) way the front fenders wrap in towards the front grille opening, but haven't seen any offers to change it up any

...and I would like to see some confirmation from FFR as to the floor to roof height needed to fit the chassis

I haven't really followed this one that closely though, as it's a bit too vanilla for my tastes..but I do think it would be an excellent car for the MPG version if it actually can be made at the current roof height

[bbjones121]

I've seen a few people comment on the front that has been likened to "jowls" and I tend to agree with not liking the (rounded) way the front fenders wrap in towards the front grille opening, but haven't seen any offers to change it up any

...and I would like to see some confirmation from FFR as to the floor to roof height needed to fit the chassis

I haven't really followed this one that closely though, as it's a bit too vanilla for my tastes..but I do think it would be an excellent car for the MPG version if it actually can be made at the current roof height

Sorry you are correct, but there are very very few comments to change it.

[crackedcornish]

Sorry you are correct, but there are very very few comments to change it.

OK, I'll add some now that I've looked a little more closely at the pix

I've already mentioned the front fender/grille area and the possible roof height question, so here are a couple more things...needs a vent in the hood for the radiator to exhaust, the rear looks bulbous, it needs more air into and out of the engine compartment without doing either from underneath, and I would lose the arches going over the windows on the targa version so it doesn't look like a jungle gym

not that I think any of these changes will be tried out

[bbjones121]

OK, I'll add some now that I've looked a little more closely at the pix

I've already mentioned the front fender/grille area and the possible roof height question, so here are a couple more things...needs a vent in the hood for the radiator to exhaust, the rear looks bulbous, it needs more air into and out of the engine compartment without doing either from underneath, and I would lose the arches going over the windows on the targa version so it doesn't look like a jungle gym

not that I think any of these changes will be tried out

These are great suggestions if they were needed. They are already part of the design. Try to zoom in on the feature comments on the design. The radiator has vents already and the engine has two large side intakes.