Leroy was eye balling these concept Lexus mirrors made Axis 5 (mis-spelling). I'm not 100% sure if they're legal to use. The tri-angular piece could be fitted for chop tops.
A Fiero owner would love a set of these on his/her ride.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-07-2008).]
Leroy was eye balling these concept Lexus mirrors made Axis 5 (mis-spelling). I'm not 100% sure if they're legal to use. The tri-angular piece could be fitted for chop tops.
I believe those are cameras... I'm not 100% though.
Have you contacted Norm for a diffuser? I imagine it would be something he could do. I am getting one of his dual exhaust diffusers for my Solstice.
Norm was at SEMA, but I didn't run onto him there. I have an idea for a diffuser, but for the wide-body only. In my mind I think it will work and aid in the over-all flow under the car.
quote
Originally posted by HC:
I believe those are cameras... I'm not 100% though.
Yes. It was not functional, but was merly "concept form" only. We were viewing the possibilites on a Choptop Fiero. Granted Jay Leno's EcoTech car had them and his car is CA legal. Granted, we choptop owners can always use the old "stand-bys" hehe.
SEMA show 2008
F430 MIRROR
edit: add pics
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-13-2008).]
While in CA (06:00HR), a CHP cruiser rolled-up behind so I moved over to the slow lane. The officers (two of them inside) came up next to #020, stayed there for a few seconds while the passenger viewed the chopper. As the passenger was with-in view I waved. They then slowed down onto the median and made a U-turn. The incident ended as quickly as they rolled-up behind me.
While in CA (06:00HR), a CHP cruiser rolled-up behind so I moved over to the slow lane. The officers (two of them inside) came up next to #020, stayed there for a few seconds while the passenger viewed the chopper. As the passenger was with-in view I waved. They then slowed down onto the median and made a U-turn. The incident ended as quickly as they rolled-up behind me.
it's always nice when they don't pull you over. when I had my lambo kit I got pulled over 2 times just so they could look at it. just goes to show you that even cops are car guys. LOL.
Originally posted by exoticse: Looking good Godfather !
Keep those pics coming !
More pic's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Choptop race is on, who will be the first to get to paint? Godfather or me? we will find out soon enough I guess. as long as I am up and running for Daytona all is well. even if the car is still in primer. LOL
More pic's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Choptop race is on, who will be the first to get to paint? Godfather or me? we will find out soon enough I guess. as long as I am up and running for Daytona all is well. even if the car is still in primer. LOL
No pressure now. I'm hoping for paint by Daytona if not it will be in primer. But the race is on just for fun and motivation.
I'm always looking for new ideas for the choptops. At the SEMA show I found several one being Factory 5.
Although, #020 uses the 350Z glass so does (now) Factory 5.
While talking to several of Factory 5's reps, they informed me that they're using a glass company that specially makes the 350Z and especially side glass custom made. As you can see, there isn't a window washer hole on the tweaked 350Z glass and that the defroster lines have been removed. Factory 5 also informed me that the original 350Z glass shape is changed a bit. As for how-much I don't know, but either way on my next choptop (using a rear glass) I know where to purchase one. The cost is about $300 or so.
IMO the 350Z rear glass is perhaps the "best" one for a choptop wide body vs. others and Factory 5 has the cash flow to tweak it.
It appears that the EcoJet and Factory 5 share the same front windshield or similar size. Both have the raked chopped flow, but the EcoJet has a flat rear windshield similar other replica Lambo I've seen.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-13-2008).]
A few choptop chronicles pics from my 3,000 mile trip from Archie's.
The trip ended as quickly as it began, starting with my trip down south to catch a flight from LAX. I stopped by the Bay Areas water supply and at the time it was at a all time low.
Somewhere West on I-40.
At Outback chowing down on some tender juicy steaks
Super Friends mini choptop meet at Flagstaff.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-13-2008).]
A few ideas from Jay Leno's EcoJet car using gull-wings. What I found interesting is that the EcoJet doors. The roof cut-outs don't extend nearly as far as the Ford GT doors and that the doors swing up and out of the way (as for rain gutters, well I think you're going to get wet).
The question is; Is it a possibility for such an item installed on choptop? I think the answer is ....yes. As for the rest of the car, I think it's a mixture of retro and modern cars of today (minus the engine). I do think the sail window are nicely done alone with the over-all design, but you can tell that the desingers where borrowing ideas from the past especially the rear side clips (Cadillac wing fins comes to mind).
If you look carefully, you'll notice that there's side cameras installed with-in the fender vents aided by dual screen mounted out on the left and right of the speedo. This is needed since you can't use a rear view mirror. Over-all I thought the EcoJet was a really nice ride.
Edit: spelling errors what else, hehe.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-14-2008).]
The Audi R8 rear side glass vents. I didn't have a ruler with me, but I wish I had. The Ford GT for #020 was a bit too short, but maybe this might do the trick. Interseting that Audi uses the defroster veins on the rear windshield.
Moosler's (mis-spelled) rear carbon hatch too is another unique idea that could be used for a choptop rear hatch instead of the 350Z glass
Edit: additional comments
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-14-2008).]
Plenty of ideas floating around SEMA, especially for those who want to go wide up front using vents;
245/30/20
this might work for my front end instead of chopping the whole bottom sides off it to widen it. not the big screen door hole but the bottom lip by the tire and a vent more like the F430
Twice today, I crossed paths with an Audi R8 while driving #020. I saw the Audi with its beautiful multi day lights standing out from the crowd. The driver glanced at #020 as we passed each other going in opposite directions. An hour later, I pulled onto the same road and there he was... right behind me. We both pulled into the turn lane with the Audi on my tail while we waited for the light to turn green.
One minute, two minutes went by as people keep rubber necking the Audi and #020. As I looked at my rear view mirror I could see the driver peeking at the light-up PONTIAC wondering what type of Pontiac (kind of a not so proud moment since I don’t have paint).
A few moments later the light turn green and we continued for about 10-miles with the Audi on my tail. I must say, those Audi driving lights are "SWEET." As we rolled through the slow twisty (traffic's backed-up) I kept eyeballing those sweet running lights and the unique grill. The excitement ended as quickly as it began with no issues. At the junction, the Audi went south and I continued west.
Later on at Big Slice Pizza joint, I parked #020 along side the road and walked in for a slice. As I came back, two guys were waiting to asks some questions, you know the usual, "what is it, is that a V8, how did it fit inside." One of the guys was quite surprised that a V8 could fit inside the back without issues. I told him, "Yeah, they fit LS7's in the back," and on that note, I started the N* up and left.
Oh yeah, the guy asked, "Is my car a custom job?" Yep. Sorry, I looked too dorky trying to take pics.
Edit: I can't spell, hehe.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-15-2008).]
Once again, #020 draws a crowd this time while at the gas station. A couple in a blue Porsche Turbo was backing up from the gas/store, but they made a U-turn to check out the chopper while my wings up during the fill-up. Right after that, a group of bikers (men and women) pulled in behind me. The first female biker shouted, "Nice car" while the other congregated near their pump, but I could barely hear them due to the roar of their engines.
However, after it quieted down I over heard one of the women say something regarding her 300Z and the similarities between the two. Apparently, the 300Z owner knew it was a Fiero when I commented that it's a 20 yr old car when she said, "Yeah you've taken good care of this car and I love your wheels."
While at Wing Fat Chinese restaurant I got the usual "snap that neck" from passer-byes like Porsche drivers and those import kids. Even one of the cooks came out of the kitchen, put his arms on his hips and stare until I pulled off. I was parked along side the road so I made sure my drivers side mirror was folded, hehe. An old guy (maybe 70+ yrs old) stared several minutes while I waited for my food as he scratched his head trying to figure out what it was.
Originally posted by madcurl: . Interseting that Audi uses the defroster veins on the rear windshield.
If I'd have to venture a guess: Some law in some crazy state or country requirers that "cars be equipped with an electric rear window defroster", or something to that act. While vehicle laws have good intentions, some of them are draconian and don't necessarily make sense in all cases. It's a "check box" kind of thing: "Rear defroster - check."
Heck, Tesla had to smash up a roadster prototype (by hitting it at 60mph) and flip it upside down just to prove that no electrolyte is leaking. (Weird CA law in case parked/stranded cars in the emergency lane get rear ended on the freeway by an inattentive driver.) Needless to say, no electrolyte leaked out. - Which they knew ahead of the test. - mostly because electrolyte in Li-Ion batteries is NOT liquid.
Madcurl, did you take any pictures of Jay Leno's EcoJet interior? Dash, etc? Did you figure out where the LED's are for the Audi R8's accent lighting?
If I'd have to venture a guess: Some law in some crazy state or country requirers that "cars be equipped with an electric rear window defroster", or something to that act. While vehicle laws have good intentions, some of them are draconian and don't necessarily make sense in all cases. It's a "check box" kind of thing: "Rear defroster - check."
Madcurl, did you take any pictures of Jay Leno's EcoJet interior? Dash, etc? Did you figure out where the LED's are for the Audi R8's accent lighting?
According to pass conversations regarding the defroster, in NY it is required , but not in CA.
Sorry, I took pleny of pics, but only a few of the interior. I'll post them on Monday.
As for the Audi; I didn't take any accent pics of the Audi lighting.
I roll down to LAX in #020 today. Right after Gilroy, I was tired so I stop for a quick rest and a shot of Double Expresso. Well, 30-minutes later, I was finally able to leave.
I parked #020 well away from the main entrance and at a angle too, but as soon as I down the expresso.. two truck drivers got out of their rigs and headed my way. One guy asked me if my car was a 300Z, I said, "No. It's a Fiero." That quickly prompted the next driver to come closer to inspect the car.
Both truckers couldn't believe it was a Fiero. 30-minutes later the guy wanted the shops # who performed the work. I think what caught their eyes was the front clip and another guy was the rear clip. They all mentioned that the car is truly a one-off and he wanted one... seriously!!! Good thing I was wearing the V8Archie T-shirt. The truckers quickly got back into their trucks and searched for the website. The truckers were from NJ.
200-miles later, I was leaving Panda's Express when a Father and daughter approached me as I entered the car. Yes. another 15-minutes later I was on my way. Oh yeah, while I was eating (eyeballing my car) several people from Jamba Juice walked over to the car (one was a girl). One guy stopped, exited the car and starred at it for a few minutes.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-18-2008).]
that's what happens when you have a custom. going to the store takes you 2hrs to run in and grab milk. but that is all part of it if you want to drive it. at one point every car, truck, and motorcycle was a custom and I had to sell the truck so I could buy a new stock one to have somthing I could drive without everyone stoping to talk to me. not that I don't like it but I needed to get some work done!
Godfather, any updates?
[This message has been edited by whodeanie (edited 11-18-2008).]
I was being followed yesterday for nearly 4-miles. I exited the freeway he exited the freeway. I made a left turn he made a left. I turn into the gas station; you guess it- he turns into the station. A young guy maybe in his late 20s or early 30s immediately asked, "Is that a Pontiac"? The guy couldn't believe his own eyes especially the front end. He wanted to know where he could buy one just like mine. I was wearing the V8Archie T-shirt so that saved some minutes cause I was in a hurry.
A lady in her late 20s asked was it a Ferrari. She was shocked when I informed her it’s a 21- yr old Fiero. I left her with her jaw hanging. Two construction workers walking into a Quickie Mart store asked if the car was a Fiero. They walked over to see if I was lying, hehe. I’ve been ordered (by cousin) to show-up at grandmas has for visuals.
Okay, on my way to the local Safeway store (@ 00:45HR to avoid the crowds in the day time), I saw four or five squad cars parked at the 7-11 in town. I normally, coast in @ 35mph quietly w/o attracting to much attention... oh well too late. Apparently one of the officer needed to check-out the ride, so after I parked and went inside the store one of the P.D. officers was checking #020 out while I was inside. No biggie since many of the officers know my cars, and me but #020 it's been three years.
As I walked out, the squad car was driving away, but I didn't know where he'd had gone so made sure to stop at those silly stop signs at each and every corner in the parking lot. After a couple corners and stops there was the squad car parked near the exit. Yeah, he viewed #020 as I slowly passed him and while at the red light he made a U-turn to take one last look. I was a little bit worried since I'm still waiting on GM to send me the side lamp pigtails.
On Saturday (yesterday), a white Ferrari 430 was heading the opposite way. He and his rider were caught eyeballing the ride. I'm sure they had no idea what it was I was driving, based upon a few comments from others on town regarding the front end. One of the young guys who drive a supped-up Dodge Neon said the same thing today while at Starbucks.
The Neon driver knows me and commented that the front end looks like a Lotus and that he like the look of the car.....cool. He went onto say that the car is way different than the others and asked was it a kit? Well, you know that takes some explanation so I kept it simple... "Yes. It's a kit."
While in Bakersfield, CA getting back onto the freeway two homeless guys stopped what they we're doing and started eyeballed the car until the light turned green. It was kind of funny seeing them drop the signs and forget about panhandling, hehe. Prior to that I was at a drug store and several guys circled my ride and then parked to check it out to which another driver did the same. Keep in mind I parked well away from the main entrance with no other cars near bye so it was odd seeing these guys parked near #020 with all of that available parking. Anyway, I didn't have time to talk 30-minutes so I was gone.
The next day I was parked at a restaurant (on the street again) with the outside mirror folded. After I ordered one guy was standing for the entire time it took to pick-up my take-out dinner. I'm just there starring through the big window making sure nothing happens. 15-minutes later he was still there waiting for me. He knew the car was a Pontiac (tail lamps dead give-away), but was confused at that point. I quickly cleared the confusion and he too later said, he thought it was some type of Lotus/Pontiac, but was totally baffled.
Today, I came across a sweet tomato red Viper convertible. We passed each other twice during the 8-mile run. I caught him peeking at number #020 while trying to figure out what type of car I was driving so, I got in front of him showing off the PONTIAC tail lamps, hehe.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-24-2008).]
One guy asked me if my car was a 300Z, I said, "No. It's a Fiero." That quickly prompted the next driver to come closer to inspect the car. 
Apparently one of the officer needed to check-out the ride, so after I parked and went inside the store one of the P.D. officers was checking #020 out while I was inside. No biggie since many of the officers know my cars, and me but #020 it's been three years.
Prior to that I was at a drug store and several guys circled my ride and then parked to check it out to which another driver did the same. Keep in mind I parked well away from the main entrance with no other cars near bye so it was odd seeing these guys parked near #020 with all of that available parking.
