Rhythm - Retro Supercar

[iNVision]

Hello People!

I came across this site the other night on a whim. I was basically trying to see what other products Wolfgang offers for automotive detailing and discovered some very amazing detailing work by some very talented individuals. After some time of browsing I came across the 'Show and Shine' section... and it gave me an idea...basically an opportunity to present something that started as an idea on a napkin…yes it sounds cheesy…but true and falls into the "retro" arena. :D

I would like to share with you a project that I have recently completed. It strikes different chords in people...and you can believe me when I say that I've heard quite a number of them. In any case, it's something that my father and I worked on for the past 8 years(7800hours) - handcrafting from flat sheet metal entirely from scratch. It's not a rebody, kit car, etc.

Borrowing styling cues from classic European sports cars and American muscle cars of the late 60's while maintaining modern proportions we created a mid-engine 'retro supercar' if you will. Further, the SR-71 Blackbird played a key role with regards to the shape of the vehicle - such as the concave surfaces flowing from the front fenders and into the turbos. The interior design is based loosely around a fighterjet cockpit. A 1977 Triumph TR7 donated the front and side glass since it had the appropriate curvature for a cockpit appearance. Our goal was to create something that may have resembled a factory produced elegant supercar in the 60's. We chose to name it Rhythm for the simple reason that if you follow any line/reflection it has no beginning or end - they're continuous. As for the powerplant, it's powered by a mid-engine hotrodded Chevy V8 mounted in a reverse rotation(pulleys facing the back of the car). The vehicle is licensed as a fully functional road vehicle.

In regards to attempting to attain the ultimate finish, I was extremely particular as to what product to use. With so much time and money invested into the custom mixed paint based on a Merlot wine I didn’t want to mess around with Canadian Tire products. Since I am a rookie I asked a friend who works as a custom car detailer and he recommended Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer followed by Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant. After the cut and buff stage was completed I was extremely happy with the results. Then, in what took literally no time at all and 3 applications later the few swirls left behind by the polisher were gone and we were left with a finish you could drown in. The days of Turtlewax are in the past…at least for me.


Anyway, I would like to humbly present - Rhythm. Here are some shots of the overall as well as some close-ups of the paint.



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A shot of the SR-71 depicted on the car's show poster.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/INVRTM-SR71.jpg


...and what was built...
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMD-322.jpg
______________________________


I realize this is a Show and Shine category … but feel a few photos would be appropriate illustrating the fabrication of the all steel body and chassis…if I may.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-592.jpg


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-612.jpg


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-642.jpg


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-362.jpg


The colour transition is really cool - depending on the light source and time of day.



http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1272.jpg

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1322.jpg

A shot from above to depict the width of the vehicle.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1302.jpg


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1312.jpg

An afternoon out by the Niagara River enjoying some sun.

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMCR122.jpg

The rear deck flipped up to highlight some of the reflections.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1252.jpg


Interior design is loosely based around a fighter jet's cockpit.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-1172.jpg

Having created the vehicle with concave surfaces rather than convex creates some very interesting reflections. Reflections were designed on paper...then followed through in the actual build process.

A shot of what's under the hood, but also capturing part of the roof and front fender.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMC-402.jpg

Some photos out and about…


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMNOTL42.jpg


http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp53/invisionprototypes/Rhythm%20-%20BuildProcess/INVRTMNOTL22.jpg


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Regards,

Nick

[awheeler3296]

Wild car

[img]

Recent drug test?

[unclestu]

What a fantastic accomplishment If the big three had people with talent and vision the likes of yours perhaps they wouldn't be going BK

[TheDodgeGuy]

Congrats on all your hard work. what an accomplishment.

[img]

Bad humor, please accept my apology. I have true respect and
admiration for your tenacity and achievement. Maybe this is the wave of things to come--look at what Tesla and Fisker have accomplished--GM
has now bought a big stake in them(oops, I mean we did--feel stimulated yet?).

[Gary Sword]

It's diffinately different but I can't say I like the looks of it. The paint looks good.

[Emile]

Wow, this thing is crazy. I don't know why but I am completely drawing a blank on whether I love it or hate it...I guess I'm somewhere in between. One thing is for sure, the interior looks awesome!

Very nice job overall, looks like tons of hard work went into it.

[nrengle]

What classifies it as a Super car though? Can it do 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 100 in under 10? What's the number, BHP, Torq, etc? What kind of suspension, turbo charged? etc. To claim "super car" is a pretty bold thing.

Are you gonna take it out on a track to see what it can do?

[iNVision]

I would like to thank Everyone for all the compliments, really appreciate it. Yes, a lot of work went into this project...but as with any project it's the people you work with that makes it great. For one, my father spent many hours works along side - that was the best thing. Moreover, having the opportunity to meet people in the industry who we are now great friends with is an awesome experience.

With so much time invested into the surface details of Rhythm - such as door, hood, etc margins - gapped to less than 3/16"(thanks to primer and paint) we have yet to push the vehicle to it's limits. And, since I'm not a pro by any means with regards to vehicle handling at high speeds I feel it would be a shame to make a mistake trying to find out and loose all this work. I will however share Rhythm's power plant details - which is only fair - as we did spend a sizeable amount of time developing the chassis as well.

Rhythm has a reverse rotation mid-mounted carburated(we wanted it to be period correct) Chevy V8 rated @ 350HP and 400ftlbs. Total weight for this all steel vehicle with a full length one-off tube frame is 3700lbs - full tank of gas and me in it(I'm 200lbs 6'2"). Suspension wise, it has a twin unequal lenth A-frame set up in the front and coilover struts in the rear - and of course anti-swaybars, respectively. The rads are in the front and the coolant runs within the tubular frame. I'm sure that everyone realizes I ran with an automatic trans...and for some will probably negate the whole "supercar" ideology right there. No problem :D The decision was made to keep this version of Rhythm as a cruiser(I have enough fun shifting in my 05 Accord). Not to say that I don't have fun accelerating. She has scared the crap out of me on the few occations that i've punched the go pedal...as well as a few buddies who have purpose built 1/4 mile cars of their own - and I wasn't even pushing WOT. If you're asking for actual #'s...sorry, you're out of luck...at least for now. I've put a bit over 1000km on it since she was licensed last September.

Anyway, I'm always happy to answer any questions that anyone may have. Thank you all again for taking the time to post your comments.

Nick

[iNVision]

Bad humor, please accept my apology. I have true respect ....

No worries! To tell you the truth, I've always had a marble or two missing upstairs...why else would I have even considered tackling a project to this degree. And actually, a second version is on the drawing board - with a much more modern theme to it's styling. I hope to start the wire frame buck this September...

Thanks very much for the apology, but really not necessary.

[ScottB]

Interesting indeed .... I have to suggest dressing the tires however as that is one item that stood out. Paint is nice indeed and would love to see color shift.

[iNVision]

Interesting indeed .... I have to suggest dressing the tires however as that is one item that stood out. Paint is nice indeed and would love to see color shift.

Thanks for the tip :D

What would you recommend?

[Mike Phillips]

***Update***

Nick provided me with the correct code to make the pictures appear in the first post of this thread and as of this post they are now inserted.


Very cool car
Very cool story
Lots of passion involved here to build a car from scratch....


Nice.

Thanks for sharing Nick, if you ever get that car close to our Studio, please do stop by...


:xyxthumbs:

[C. Charles Hahn]

Wow... never saw this thread originally but that is some unreal fabrication work! NICE!!