Some "replicas" - why do they look so wrong?
Discussion
Hi,
I genuinely am not trying to stir up an argument so maybe we should keep it general and not focus on particular manufacturers. Also don't want to start a debate about meaning of words such as replica / tool room copy / evocation etc. I just want to know what goes wrong. A lot of replicas and evocations are amazing but some look terrible!
I think its because of some of the below:
They use the wrong sized wheels. Usually too small and too fat.
They are forced to use the dimensions of a donor car for axels and the donor car is often wider than the original, buggering up the proportions.
Its hard to reproduce sharp creases and edges in fibreglass. I'm not sure about this, but some cars just look "fibreglass" somehow.
Details such as lights aren't available or can't be used due to legislation so something similar but not right is used.
I often wonder if the original design is very faithful or at least realistic looking and then compromise after compromise means they move a little further away in tiny steps until they look terrible! Does the designer realise at the end that its terrible?
"There, that's the basic design done. Oh the engine I want to use is just a bit too tall - I'll just raise the bonnet to cover it. Oh, that's made the headlights look wrong, I'll just make the grill a little higher to balance it out, ah, now the bumper is in the wrong place, I'll just make it a big bigger so it fills the gap, oh, now the wheels foul the bumper on full lock, I'll just move them back a bit, oh, now the front overhang is too long,
I genuinely am not trying to stir up an argument so maybe we should keep it general and not focus on particular manufacturers. Also don't want to start a debate about meaning of words such as replica / tool room copy / evocation etc. I just want to know what goes wrong. A lot of replicas and evocations are amazing but some look terrible!
I think its because of some of the below:
They use the wrong sized wheels. Usually too small and too fat.
They are forced to use the dimensions of a donor car for axels and the donor car is often wider than the original, buggering up the proportions.
Its hard to reproduce sharp creases and edges in fibreglass. I'm not sure about this, but some cars just look "fibreglass" somehow.
Details such as lights aren't available or can't be used due to legislation so something similar but not right is used.
I often wonder if the original design is very faithful or at least realistic looking and then compromise after compromise means they move a little further away in tiny steps until they look terrible! Does the designer realise at the end that its terrible?
"There, that's the basic design done. Oh the engine I want to use is just a bit too tall - I'll just raise the bonnet to cover it. Oh, that's made the headlights look wrong, I'll just make the grill a little higher to balance it out, ah, now the bumper is in the wrong place, I'll just make it a big bigger so it fills the gap, oh, now the wheels foul the bumper on full lock, I'll just move them back a bit, oh, now the front overhang is too long,
I think you've hit the nail on the head - for me it always seems that the proportions are just a little bit "off". For example some Cobras look spot on, but some it just has something that screams "NO".
As for the Fiero Ferraris and the 240Z GTOs... And having been on PH for a while you must have seen that Zonda...
As for the Fiero Ferraris and the 240Z GTOs... And having been on PH for a while you must have seen that Zonda...
A variety or reasons. I suspect most of them related to keeping the cost in check.
If they use a donor car structure then the proportions can't be expected to be identical.
Some Vintage type replicas often use smaller wheels than original to give more choice of readily available wheels and tyres at an acceptable price.
Some replicas are not meant to be exact - more in the spirit of the original. Certain SS100 types such as the Panther fall into this category.
Then there are some that are simply not that well designed or executed. And so on ....
If they use a donor car structure then the proportions can't be expected to be identical.
Some Vintage type replicas often use smaller wheels than original to give more choice of readily available wheels and tyres at an acceptable price.
Some replicas are not meant to be exact - more in the spirit of the original. Certain SS100 types such as the Panther fall into this category.
Then there are some that are simply not that well designed or executed. And so on ....
I remember seeing a very nice hardtop MR2 SW20 based 355 and thinking it was very well done. The panel fit and paint were excellent, the wheels looked good and the interior was very nice,
It was only when I saw a real 355 some time later that I realised that the MR2 was 4:3 and the 355 was 16:9.
It was only when I saw a real 355 some time later that I realised that the MR2 was 4:3 and the 355 was 16:9.
Another reason is that people these days are just bigger.
People want to be able to fit comfortability into their replica so they have them made to fit rather than sticking to the original dimensions.
Of course your point
The more accurate you make the replica the more it is likely to cost. For some cars the originals are so valuable that there will be people who are prepared to have a copy made where every part is interchangeable with an original, but cheaper "look vaguely alike" replicas are always likely to more numerous.
Let's face it C&G have been paid to make copies of certain iconic race cars by the companies themselves since the originals are now deemed too valuable to touch, but I don't think many individuals would want to incur those sorts of costs.
People want to be able to fit comfortability into their replica so they have them made to fit rather than sticking to the original dimensions.
Of course your point
Norfolkandchance said:
They are forced to use the dimensions of a donor car for axels and the donor car is often wider than the original, buggering up the proportions.
is probably the major issue. It's easier to use the back axle of a Mk2 as is to make a C-Type than it is to end up with an axle which is 4" shorter.The more accurate you make the replica the more it is likely to cost. For some cars the originals are so valuable that there will be people who are prepared to have a copy made where every part is interchangeable with an original, but cheaper "look vaguely alike" replicas are always likely to more numerous.
Let's face it C&G have been paid to make copies of certain iconic race cars by the companies themselves since the originals are now deemed too valuable to touch, but I don't think many individuals would want to incur those sorts of costs.
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