Body Mods - anyone done them? Suggestions?
Discussion
As the 350i is missing the front spoiler currently I took to musing and looking at the other variations of spoiler. This in turn led to the idea of changing all the lower panels (spoiler side skirts and bumper). So .........
1) anyone aware of any tasteful/classy variations built over the years
2) any of you any good with photoshop who could rough up some ideas
My thoughts - Front
- I like the front of the 420 saloon that was still born (indicators, side lights and driving lights in nose strip and lower spoiler used for large vents either side of a central number plate) Sort of shark like.
- don't like the rubber strip round my current Mk2 bumper, would prefer continuation of profile forward so one idea is a combined bumper and lower spoiler unit to replace existing
Rear
- thought of dropping rear vertically in line with current boot face then angular curve under so squared off form of rear of Griff with central curve and raised area ala rear splitterish but without all the vents, just plain. No good at photoshop but
Sides
- deeper sides and side exit exhausts with rectangular exits cut in
Open to flaming for sacrilege but more so any ideas, suggestions or pictures.
I know a few fibreglass specialists and/or could have formed from aluminium if I can settle on a design I think will suit so scribbles on a fag packet welcome
1) anyone aware of any tasteful/classy variations built over the years
2) any of you any good with photoshop who could rough up some ideas
My thoughts - Front
- I like the front of the 420 saloon that was still born (indicators, side lights and driving lights in nose strip and lower spoiler used for large vents either side of a central number plate) Sort of shark like.
- don't like the rubber strip round my current Mk2 bumper, would prefer continuation of profile forward so one idea is a combined bumper and lower spoiler unit to replace existing
Rear
- thought of dropping rear vertically in line with current boot face then angular curve under so squared off form of rear of Griff with central curve and raised area ala rear splitterish but without all the vents, just plain. No good at photoshop but
Sides
- deeper sides and side exit exhausts with rectangular exits cut in
Open to flaming for sacrilege but more so any ideas, suggestions or pictures.
I know a few fibreglass specialists and/or could have formed from aluminium if I can settle on a design I think will suit so scribbles on a fag packet welcome
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........
Ok, for the rear. How about taking a standard 390SE style rear bumper, and cut out the centre 40cm from the lower aerofoil piece to give you your splitter effect. This could be smoothed over somewhat to fill in any holes. Then, you could have a couple of centre exhausts al la Griff in the gap. Perhaps Tuscan cans even? Ditch the rear lights and smooth over, then install some round ones a bit like the Ferrari 355's, or the last LE Griffs. You could even bond the rear bumper on too to get rid of the gap.
For the front, you could always ditch the front bumper altogether and just install 400SE style indicators into the nose section. Perhaps get rid of the pop up lights too, install some small HID units and cover the "hole" with perspex, a bit like some of the racers do to save weight. A later 390SE style lower spoiler would keep the front a bit shorter too. I have some pics of my car somewhere where I have the front lower spoiler on but not the bumper, and it actually looks quite cool. Add in the perspex light covers instad of popups and you do kinda get a White Elephant look...
Are you going to Essex meet tomorrow?
Edited to add:
Found the pic of mine sans lights and bumper.
Oh by the way, when I saw the "body mods" title, I thought this was gonna be a topic about piercings! Thought you were considering a bolt too ;-)
Dan.
Ok, for the rear. How about taking a standard 390SE style rear bumper, and cut out the centre 40cm from the lower aerofoil piece to give you your splitter effect. This could be smoothed over somewhat to fill in any holes. Then, you could have a couple of centre exhausts al la Griff in the gap. Perhaps Tuscan cans even? Ditch the rear lights and smooth over, then install some round ones a bit like the Ferrari 355's, or the last LE Griffs. You could even bond the rear bumper on too to get rid of the gap.
For the front, you could always ditch the front bumper altogether and just install 400SE style indicators into the nose section. Perhaps get rid of the pop up lights too, install some small HID units and cover the "hole" with perspex, a bit like some of the racers do to save weight. A later 390SE style lower spoiler would keep the front a bit shorter too. I have some pics of my car somewhere where I have the front lower spoiler on but not the bumper, and it actually looks quite cool. Add in the perspex light covers instad of popups and you do kinda get a White Elephant look...
Are you going to Essex meet tomorrow?
Edited to add:
Found the pic of mine sans lights and bumper.
Oh by the way, when I saw the "body mods" title, I thought this was gonna be a topic about piercings! Thought you were considering a bolt too ;-)
Dan.
Edited by digga951 on Saturday 10th March 23:47
suffolkfox said:
I like the front of the 420 saloon that was still born (indicators, side lights and driving lights in nose strip and lower spoiler used for large vents either side of a central number plate) Sort of shark like.
- don't like the rubber strip round my current Mk2 bumper, would prefer continuation of profile forward so one idea is a combined bumper and lower spoiler unit to replace existing.
- don't like the rubber strip round my current Mk2 bumper, would prefer continuation of profile forward so one idea is a combined bumper and lower spoiler unit to replace existing.
I like this idea. The 350i needs cold air to the brakes and the rubber strip is only there to hide a joint. At the rear the 390SE type set up is hard to better IMHO.
Dan
Picture useful but front looks too short to me - too truncated (white elephant -
) I think the nose length is correct with bumper, just not tidy enough, which is what TVR also decided in the later models. Agree with upgraded lighting in the bumper - pair of high intensity beam lamps on list. Not a fan of the perspex cover - seems like a backward step style wise (but admitedly easier to maintain)
JR
Agree about the 390SE rear, nice & agressive but where to get one from? As far as I know no-one makes one (not available from Tet) This was part of the reason for musings, as if I have to have one made from scratch, might as well re-look at the picture.
In fact, has anyone reverse engineered any of the panels? If any are now not available, a mould taken from an owner with a clean example would give a good starter part (they usually need more work in finishing due to reduced finish quality but at least you have a unit to work with). Off to start another thread on this one.
Dan
No not going to Essex - about 2 ton of soil/rubble to move as building log cabin at home and need to get ready for concrete, and no my kn0b does not need any decorations or mods. The concept of 'Could Sir please remove all metal items before entering scanner' gives me a laugh every time I think of the face of the poor girl asking the question but that's it
Picture useful but front looks too short to me - too truncated (white elephant -
) I think the nose length is correct with bumper, just not tidy enough, which is what TVR also decided in the later models. Agree with upgraded lighting in the bumper - pair of high intensity beam lamps on list. Not a fan of the perspex cover - seems like a backward step style wise (but admitedly easier to maintain) JR
Agree about the 390SE rear, nice & agressive but where to get one from? As far as I know no-one makes one (not available from Tet) This was part of the reason for musings, as if I have to have one made from scratch, might as well re-look at the picture.
In fact, has anyone reverse engineered any of the panels? If any are now not available, a mould taken from an owner with a clean example would give a good starter part (they usually need more work in finishing due to reduced finish quality but at least you have a unit to work with). Off to start another thread on this one.
Dan
No not going to Essex - about 2 ton of soil/rubble to move as building log cabin at home and need to get ready for concrete, and no my kn0b does not need any decorations or mods. The concept of 'Could Sir please remove all metal items before entering scanner' gives me a laugh every time I think of the face of the poor girl asking the question but that's it
While I had the rear bumper and lower wing off the 390, I did think it would look good with a replacement panel that followed the line of the rear panel down and under, just to hide the boot floor but without actually having a bumper or wing... similar to what you're proposing but without the central gap.
As usual I never got past the thinking stage
For the front, I think the trouble with losing the bumper and putting the indicators straight into the shell is that the light units would foul the headlamp pods - though doubtless there are some low-profile or LED things around now that would work... the 400SE has shorter pods.
As usual I never got past the thinking stage
For the front, I think the trouble with losing the bumper and putting the indicators straight into the shell is that the light units would foul the headlamp pods - though doubtless there are some low-profile or LED things around now that would work... the 400SE has shorter pods.
I have to admit, I think the ass-end does look good in the top photo.
I don't really like the way the earlier wedges looked underneath the rear bumper.
I always thought the back of the car would look better squared off a bit or
brought down lower, closer to the height of the side skirts and that photo
seems to do just that. Good Job.
I'm a very anti-bodykit guy by nature. Where I live it is very common to see a
20 year old Honda Civic that's only worth $1,000 decked out in a $3,000 body kit,
$3,000 in rims/rubber, and another $3,000 in stereo. IMHO, such cars sound great,
look dumb, and are still only $1,000 pieces of junk.
As a bodykit hating guy, I have admit I like what you're trying. Good luck
and keep us posted with pics.
I don't really like the way the earlier wedges looked underneath the rear bumper.
I always thought the back of the car would look better squared off a bit or
brought down lower, closer to the height of the side skirts and that photo
seems to do just that. Good Job.
I'm a very anti-bodykit guy by nature. Where I live it is very common to see a
20 year old Honda Civic that's only worth $1,000 decked out in a $3,000 body kit,
$3,000 in rims/rubber, and another $3,000 in stereo. IMHO, such cars sound great,
look dumb, and are still only $1,000 pieces of junk.
As a bodykit hating guy, I have admit I like what you're trying. Good luck
and keep us posted with pics.
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