Every now and again people have the opportunity to witness and appreciate an extraordinary magnum opus – an expression so unique that it overwhelms the mind. Over 7800 hours have been invested to bring this fully functional and painstakingly detailed all steel automobile to fruition. I would like to present to you a rolling piece of art that countless individuals have mistaken for a factory released prototype. We would like to share with you ‘Rhythm’.
Several '85 Fiero components were 'massaged' into this project: front axle - widened; fuel tank; steering column - key shaved; seats - rebuilt for extra support. While I can't go into all the details, I've touched on several key highlights.
All steel body mounted on one-off DOM tube chassis. Engine located further ahead than a fiero's for better weight distribution. Handcrafted trim from aluminium stock. No visible fasteners for side mirrors. All signal, brake, & marker lights are retrofitted with LED's. Lights on rear deck sequentially signal when right or left directional is on. Brushed stainless dash with VDO gauges and 2 tone interior presents occupants with a fighterjet experience when driving. Custom pedals handcrafted from stock aluminuim. No visible door handles on interior. Rear width of Rhythm is 80" and custom suspension makes changing lanes feel like a sheet of plywood sliding over water. Rear trunk provides space for a detailing kit; display; and chairs for the shows.
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05:37 PM
PFF
System Bot
CenTexIndy Member
Posts: 3061 From: Waco, Texas, USA Registered: Mar 2006
First question I get is.... "What the heck it is?"
The theme took influences from the SR71 blackbird - kinda. Took 8 years to get it built. People that have seen it...i guess depends what cars they're into.. say.. Maserati, Ferarri, Mustang, Camaro, Charger, Jaguar, etc...
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06:29 PM
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
Since i can't easily post the display poster that's shown at car shows - too hard to read when posted on the site, I've summarized some of the content below.
Chassis - DOM tube frame designed to incorporate additional cooling capacity - Power plant mounted mid-ship with option for larger engines (SBC350, LT1) - Fuel tank mounted down the centre of vehicle for a balanced weight distribution - 4 Wheel Disk brakes
Body - All hand-crafted steel body - Fighter jet influences incorporated into overall design - Functional twin turbos provide additional cooling with ‘57 Ford Fairlane lenses at rear - Running, signal, and brake lights retrofitted with LEDs - Sequential signals on rear deck facilitate a tracer effect - Triumph TR7 roof section extracted to retain stock front and side glass - Jaguar hood redesigned for a more aggressive yet elegant appearance - Power mirror supports blended creating an extension of the rear turbo with no visible fasteners - Elliptical shaped exhaust ports flush fit with body - Trim pieces for hood and turbo scoops hand formed and polished - inlaid with woven stainless steel mesh - Side trim pieces machined and hand tailored from billet aluminium - Custom moulded wheel centre caps
Interior - Mat finished interior presents a refined atmosphere - Hand brushed stainless steel trim inlaid into dash and extended into door tops - Driver’s console based on a fighter jet cockpit - occupants experience fighter vision - Heads up display located on ceiling - Steering column ignition key shaved and relocated below dash - Hand-crafted billet aluminium foot pedals
When I get a moment I'll post some pics from one of the most recent car shows in my area.
Cheers
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10:32 PM
Nov 2nd, 2008
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
Here are some pics from the 2008 Last Chance Car Show in Welland, Ontario. Many of the pictures didn't come out too well as there were a lot of ppl crowded around. It was also raining first thing in the morning so we didn't get to the show untill about 11:30...493rd out of 525 cars.
The ANSEN wheels were a tough find. For this car we were after a retro, yet futureistic appearance. 18's with skins were 'borrowed' - but didn't suit the theme.
Her roof is just 45.75 inches from the ground.
[This message has been edited by iNVisionPROTOTYPES (edited 11-24-2008).]
For this first car we were more focused on body and chassis design rather than the powerplant. So for simplicity and efficiency, this prototype has a carburated V6 sitting transversly pushing it(not out of a Fiero). Most ppl cringe when I tell them that, but it surprises the heck out of them with Rhythm's get up and go agility with only the 6. Then when I show them that the rear of the cab has been tunneled out and mounts have been prepared for a SBC350 adapted to a G50 Porsche transaxel its all smiles and grins. Cooling won't be an issue since I have incorporated the frame as part of the cooling system. Since it's a DOM tube frame - two vertical tubes on one side and two on the other - the coolant flows down one side thu the rad and up the other. The package will be mounted longitudinally(front to back vs side to side).
Dropping a new engine in isn't too difficult for a future weekend project. The last 5 months were a marathon to complete this project and get her out to enjoy cruising b4 the season comes to a close.
Cheers.
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10:23 PM
Nov 4th, 2008
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
Such enthusiasm was expressed in the flipper rear ends thread that I couldn't resist to post this. There's a lot of work involved to get the rear to flip 'weightlessly"...not sure if that's a word...
As requested here are some pictures of how the rear integrates with the car when it's flipped up. The tolerances are 3/16" around all the gaps and nothing has rubbed or chipped.
Here's the fuel filler. Ensures that no one messes with the fuel. You can also see the trim piece for the turbo intakes.
Both ends open.
Latching mechanisms can be seen from this perspective. Also, if work needs to be done on the engine, the stops can be disconnected and the rear will flip up the full 90deg.
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09:07 AM
Nov 7th, 2008
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
Well it didn't rain tonite so we took Rhythm down to Niagara Falls. Under the motel and casino lights she looked incredible. People would come up to the car while we were stopped at red lights asking questions, snapping pictures, and chatting... utter amazment. Even the girls out there!
The most asked question was "what is it". It's an experience to drive her.
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11:37 PM
Nov 8th, 2008
Erik Member
Posts: 5625 From: Des Moines, Iowa Registered: Jul 2002
AMAZING! Very nice work and craftsmanship. I gotta' hand it to you... that is a work of art. Making it out of sheet metal is truly mind boggleing. You may have it all figured out, but if you are interested in the information, I have an SBC / Porsche 930 set up in my tube chassis race car that I built. I would love to help you get some horsey in that masterpiece!
Again, fantastic job. (chant while bowing.... we're not worthy... we're not worthy.. )
WOW!!!! I love the interior even though I am not so keen on the exterior. I can still appreciate the effort that has gone into the body and the talent behind all teh modifications!!!!!!
I also have to ask about all these claims people make about the "fighter jet" experience. I have heard this claim from a few builders/tweakers. I actually fly jets and I have to tell you not one of the cars that have claimed that come anywhere even close...not even slightly if you squint with one eye and completely close the other one, to any of the instrumentation of layouts of a jet. Not meaning to be arguementattive or downplay the effort you obviously put into this because it is brilliant. Just wondered which fighter you were in that it was modeled after?
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08:07 AM
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
WOW!!!! I love the interior even though I am not so keen on the exterior. I can still appreciate the effort that has gone into the body and the talent behind all teh modifications!!!!!!
I also have to ask about all these claims people make about the "fighter jet" experience. I have heard this claim from a few builders/tweakers. I actually fly jets and I have to tell you not one of the cars that have claimed that come anywhere even close...not even slightly if you squint with one eye and completely close the other one, to any of the instrumentation of layouts of a jet. Not meaning to be arguementattive or downplay the effort you obviously put into this because it is brilliant. Just wondered which fighter you were in that it was modeled after?
Thanks very much! Yeah, with this car I don't think I'll be changing the exterior on this prototype...maybe the engine/trans when I get some free time. Saying that, the next "Rhythm" will definitly have the exterior massaged. ie. overhangs shortened, rocker scoops reproportioned, and overhall height lowered. Thats the fun of creating. I started this one at 20years old and took 8 years...the next one won't take half as long since I know where I'm going with design and performance. It's been an exponential learning curve. Ohh.. and when referring to the term "fighter jet" I'm using it very loosly. I've never flown a jet...that must be one hell of an experience. All I mean is that when the driver is sitting in the car it feels like a cockpit...everything at your fingertips...and with the driver(I'm 6'3") sitting so low all I see over the hood is the front scoop.
Anyhoo, I'm glad you enjoyed looking at her and thanks again for the compliments.
Nick
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09:02 AM
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
There are no visible fasteners holding the power mirror brackets and housings. They've been handcrafted out of steel in such a way that they get proportionally smaller in diameter as they come towards the front of the vehicle. So, imagine the turbo intake scoop creating a tunnel from front to rear... now if one cut two sections out, one in front and one behind the bracket...the bracket would be all that remains.
Notice the grass growing on the door.
With all the concave surfaces the reflections produced totally dazzle people. Around the windshield there is no rubber moulding...it was gapped with a 3/16" gap around the perimeter and Speedy Glass in Welland installed it so well that it looks seamless with the body. Notice the tops of the doors have been contoured into the roof, again giving that seamless transition. The licence plate bracket is removable for the shows...however, we end up leaving it on because people keep asking how the front plate is attached to the car without any notches or fasteners. The rims seem to be a drawback from some people, yet others love them...Guess it all depends on preference. These rims were chosen mainly to compliment the theme of the car as well as to compliment her concave curves. The centres were powdercoated in gunmetal grey, striped with Vermillian orange, and one -off centrecaps were moulded prividing a place for the iNVision logo in the centre. I think i mentioned earlier that I did borrow a set of 18's with skins ...but they seemed to pull the eye too much to just the wheels.
Many people have told us that this car has brought two genres together - supercar and muscle car...as well as two eras - retro and present day. Pushing the envelop can create controversy...but its all about having fun in the end.
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[This message has been edited by iNVisionPROTOTYPES (edited 11-24-2008).]
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09:51 AM
PFF
System Bot
johnyrottin Member
Posts: 5488 From: Northwest Florida Registered: Oct 2007
AMAZING! Very nice work and craftsmanship. I gotta' hand it to you... that is a work of art. Making it out of sheet metal is truly mind boggleing. You may have it all figured out, but if you are interested in the information, I have an SBC / Porsche 930 set up in my tube chassis race car that I built. I would love to help you get some horsey in that masterpiece!
Again, fantastic job. (chant while bowing.... we're not worthy... we're not worthy.. )
Thanks very much! But, this is something a lot of people are capable of doing...it's all about the time and details.
I'm all ears on getting some more horses and the SBC/930 is defintely the way to go. For my next car this will be a must as well as running with C5 or C6 suspension components. I just took a quick peak at your site...but will be combing thru it in more detail when I get some time tonite...hopefully - a lot on my plate right now. You yourself have some high performance talents from what I just saw... and in regards to the vehicle year of 2003 ...I ran into the same thing...2009 for mine...since the chassis and body is one of.
[This message has been edited by iNVisionPROTOTYPES (edited 11-08-2008).]
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10:12 AM
R Runner Member
Posts: 3696 From: Scottsville, KY Registered: Feb 2003
Thanks very much! But, this is something a lot of people are capable of doing...
Maybe but I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit. Just because someone is able to do something does not mean that they will do it. You had a vision of a car you wanted to make. You figured out how to do it and then stuck with it. Starting from scratch is (I think) much more difficult than it initially appears. You, sir, stuck with it for 8 years puting in 7800 hours. I see many people start something but never finish it. That is my point when I say that it is amazing. You combinded all of your resources into one piec of art. Nothing less.
Also, I agree on the exponentional learning curve. I feel the same way and still have a ton to learn.
Again... great job. Do you have any construction pictures? Will you post a build thread? I am really interested in seeing how you fabricated those flowing metal pieces and hidden seams.
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03:19 PM
opm2000 Member
Posts: 1347 From: Versailles, Ky USA Heart of the Bluegrass Registered: Dec 2000
Again... great job. Do you have any construction pictures? Will you post a build thread? I am really interested in seeing how you fabricated those flowing metal pieces and hidden seams.
Well, thanks again RR. Much appreciated. Finally got home after another late nite in the shop. I do have build pics but they aren't very consistent...ie. when i'm pushing to get stuff done...i often forget to take pics until that something is finished. The other thing is that I need to figure out how to do a build tread on this site(also dunno if admin will like the fact that this car really isn't a Fiero..hmmm.. thinking). By 'hidden seams' ... you mean door, hood , etc gaps? If you do, all edges were hemed with a hammer and dolly on Rhythm...just like on a factory built steel vehicle and if the gap happened to be wider than expected in an area weld was added to close it in..then ground and filed. One thing that needs to be taken into account is that it's 3/16" after primer and paint...and you need to allow for that....fun!
I may just include some key construction pics in this thread and if someone requests to see a specific part..I'll try to find and post that.... dunno yet.
Cheers,
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11:47 PM
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
Having helped others form wing skins & leading edges for aircraft....out of aluminum.....I'm really very impressed with your metal forming skills.
Now if you really want to get serious & produce some fiberglass molds of your creation, give me a shout.
David Breeze
And aluminium is tough to work with...you can't push that material as far as steel - that's awsome!. Thanks for the thumbs up.
About producing moulds on a vehicular scale...I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm not even sure which direction I want to take this car in...it was a great build and supposed to be a driver. However, ppl think I'm crazy to be driving it...
I'd like to learn more about it. Do you have a website I can check out or give me an overview. Shoot me a PM.
[This message has been edited by iNVisionPROTOTYPES (edited 11-09-2008).]
Here are some fabrication photos that I've extracted from my 'Build Book'. It feels really weird going back into the past and remembering how the build progressed. As I get a moment or two I will extract and post more pics .
This series focuses on creating the segment of hood along the windshield. This is where I got my first taste in metal forming.
Cheers!
[This message has been edited by iNVisionPROTOTYPES (edited 11-15-2008).]
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01:12 PM
PFF
System Bot
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Originally posted by pontiackid86: its like the only thing fiero left
Almost. The dash vent and HVAC unit with controls were also used in the interior...although those actuator motors sound kinda strage when opening and closing.
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08:50 AM
Nov 14th, 2008
iNVisionPROTOTYPES Member
Posts: 93 From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2008
That car certainly has a ton of work done to it and is one of a kind for sure.
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