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.
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.
...and what was built...
______________________________
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.
The colour transition is really cool - depending on the light source and time of day.
A shot from above to depict the width of the vehicle.
An afternoon out by the Niagara River enjoying some sun.
The rear deck flipped up to highlight some of the reflections.
Interior design is loosely based around a fighter jet's cockpit.
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.
Some photos out and about…
*************************
Regards,
Nick
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.
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.
********************************
A shot of the SR-71 depicted on the car's show poster.
...and what was built...
______________________________
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.
The colour transition is really cool - depending on the light source and time of day.
A shot from above to depict the width of the vehicle.
An afternoon out by the Niagara River enjoying some sun.
The rear deck flipped up to highlight some of the reflections.
Interior design is loosely based around a fighter jet's cockpit.
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.
Some photos out and about…
*************************
Regards,
Nick
