VV Update and Concept 11-16-07

[AZEqualizer]

IanBruce (http://www.flytheroad.com/)
Administrator (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/profile.php?id=128)

A lot has been going on since we last talked!
First and foremost, we've been working on further vehicle design refinements, some of which, we're sharing with you now. And while I know I’m a bit biased, I think the designs look incredible. I know you've been waiting for this, but I recommend that you look at these in order:

Original Concept C and D:
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p1.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p2.jpg
Refined Concept C:
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p3.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p4.jpg
Original Concept D and color exploration:
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p5.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p6.jpg
Concept D Interim refinement:
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p7.jpg
More refined Concept D and color exploration:
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p8.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/images/Concepts/Vv_concepts_p9.jpg

Was there an "A" and "B" concept? Yes... and some of the elements of A found there way into the C refinement ("B" -- while interesting and well executed -- was just not the direction we were looking for).
From here, the 2 candidate designs go to full-size foam modeling. This is unusual. In general, 40% models of the candidate designs are created as part of the final selection process. I felt that to really appreciate the vehicle in context, they had to be full-sized.
In addition to the vehicle design, there has been a tremendous amount of work that is continuing regarding the vehicle’s engineering, and component sourcing -- with a paramount focus on quality, safety and delivering the right performance specs. We are also on schedule for finalizing our brand development and we’re even exploring new names for vehicle. We are targeting to have those key components finalized by the first of year as well.
As many of you now know, Venture Vehicles was spotlighted this past Wednesday in a New York Times article that focused on new forms of transportation, and the companies developing them. Matt Richtel (the author) actually had the opportunity to drive the Carver vehicle with Howard and I here in Southern California -- which I’m sure explains one of his quotes in the article:

Driving the vehicle is intense, fun and, depending on your capacity for speed and being periodically horizontal, exhilarating. He had very complimentary things to say about my footwear too. Here’s the link to the article in case you missed it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/business/smallbusiness/14cars.html

Finally, as part of our Meet the Team, you’ll have the opportunity to meet me—at least in video. We thought it would be nice for you to at least see and hear from some of the key people that are helping to bring this incredible vehicle to reality.

http://www.flytheroad.com/video/VV_Ian2.mov

That’s it for now. Thanks again for your continued support, and our best wishes to you and your family for a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
-- Ian

Posted on official VVsite: 2007-11-18 08:44:28

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[randi]

Great job, Aze!

[rogwild]

Ditto, AZE, you DA Man!
Let the 'PaintShop' work begin.

[Miracleman89]

well don't laugh I am not good at this but here is a rough retouch of the new concepts, that are more fitting to what some of us have discussed.

[RAN]

It looks SO MUCH BETTER without that stupid hump in the windowsill!

Thanks Miracleman!

[Miracleman89]

Thanks RAN!

[Miracleman89]

here is another retouch like I said I am trying but these are my first attemps! So, Please go easy on me! by the way I add the 1/2 door too! It isn't great but it works!

[WattGas?]

My thanks as well, AZE.

Personally, I'd lean toward the 'C' concept. The canards and winglets on the 'D' concept strike me as contrived gimmicks that are trying too hard to look 'kewel'.

Just the idea of a tilting 3-wheeler is plenty exciting -- in fact, it's already weird enough that it might have trouble gaining acceptance. I can see getting pulled over just because the cops don't know what the hell the thing is...

The simpler design of the 'C' is elegant and striking. I agree the hump in the window has got to go, though.

[RAN]

Nice job on the C concept alteration too Miracleman!

To me, the A pillar on the C version is too thick, and that C pillar's GOT to go! Someone else mentioned having owned an RX-8 and getting complaints from back seat passengers who felt hemmed in from lack of outward vision due to this shape, and it was the deal-breaker on me getting an RX-8 too, just from the way it looks on the outside. Imagine how hemmed in a back seat passenger will feel in this! This C pillar reminds me of a 1959 Rambler sedan, and there ain't nothing sexy about that! It looks horrible on the RX-8, horrible on the Porsche Cayman, and it'll look horrible on the V-1 too. At the very least, the rear side glass should continue back to the end of the where the C pillar is now. I'm really not good at photo manipulation, but I'll try to show you what I mean.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x139/MahBoff/VVconceptCMM-RANsm.jpg
Very crude, but you get the idea...... sorry I messed up your new door MM...
Rick

[Miracleman89]

Thanks Again RAN! I appreciate the fact that you are going easy on me!

[Miracleman89]

Now this is a bit primative looking but with this pic I added a trailer. Just an idea!

[RAN]

This one I like even better, but it probably wouldn't work with the 1/2 door....
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x139/MahBoff/VVconceptCMM-RANsm2.jpg
Rick

[smoove7410]

I like the refined concept c except for the front. I don't like the front fender at all and think the front should have the fender attached to the body and they should elongate the front a bit. The way it sits now, the fender just looks like an add on at the end of the design to fit your front end covering requirement.

[Miracleman89]

Actually Smoove7410 the reason it isn't attached is because if it was they wouldn't be able to turn the wheel.

Also give me a little bit RAN. I will work on it but I also have to get some homework done!!!:confused: I have an Algebra Class at 6:00 tonight and I still need to finish my homework! God I hate Algebra!!!! I don't see how I will ever need {x/x=3x+-2y} as a nurse!!! I mean what do they think I am going to do "OMG he is going into cardiac arrest!! :eek: Quick, what is 3x-4y+17z/16a???" I am sorry but I just don't see that happening!!!! Give the damn paddles and stand back!!!:cool:

oh yeah btw I think I can make the 1/2 door work! I may have to move the C pillar but I think it is do-able

[Miracleman89]

Here let me add this one before I go this is one I did for Hardtime this morning! Sorry RAN, but I saw his request first! I promise I will get to yours though.

[randi]

I'll take this one, MM89!

Classy, elegant, sporty.

Add transparent front panels, AND a pair of ianbruce alligator thigh-high boots! Oh, yeah!

What else can a girl want?

[WattGas?]

Yes, MM89, I'll second that. Looks much better. Great Job!

(BTW, School isn't meant to teach you any specific knowledge; rather it's to prove you can accomplish difficult, tedious tasks and to exercise the brain- muscle. No, you'll never solve an equation to save someone's life, but a fit and quick mind makes you generally better at whatever you do. Just hang in there, you'll get through it.)

[Miracleman89]

thanks wattgas! well I am off to class!

[smoove7410]

You could still turn the wheel with the fender attached to the body, it just depends on the design. How much do you think the wheel will turn? Not that much. If clearance was factored into the design, it could be accomplished. I also feel that the glass has been given a hump in the middle on both concepts to increase side impact safety...less glass, more bracing. I still like C w/ the hump, just for the look. I am interested in the wheels though, as it is obvious they modeled these images over a pic of the carver, hence the carver wheels are still on. I remember them saying they would use larger wheels, front and back.

[RAN]

For you Model D fans, here's a variation on the early version:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x139/MahBoff/VVconceptDRAN.jpg

Rick

[Miracleman89]

Ran I am sorry but I quit!!!! :mad:I did the 1.5 door but the dang thing didn't save right and now it won't open!!!!:mad: I spent two hours on it making it look real good too damn it!!!!:mad: I am getting better at the blending of color and I'll be damned if I can't open it now!!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad:

anyway this is what I did. I started with the c pillar in it's original location and made it so it was only (in a real scale) about two maybe three inches wide. It looked good I even managed to sketch in a head rest too with the appearance of a ledge in the back window! God I am angry!!!! it looked so good!!! Best blending I have done yet! I lassoed the pieces I needed and then used the motion blur technique. It took me a few tries to perfect it but ......... EWWWWW !!!! it didn't SAVE!!!!!:mad: When I went to pull it up it came up as some weird file format and paint wouldn't open it, actually no picture program would!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad:

[RAN]

Sorry to hear it MM. I appreciate the effort! You could always try changing the file extension to match a saved paint file extension... can't mess it up, since it won't open anyway.

I've had something like that happen to me more than once... I feel your pain!

Rick

[rogwild]

MM89, what 'weird format' do you have? (PM me) I have Hijjak Pro (conversion program), so if it is one of the formats I can open; I'll give it a try. Then 're-convert' it back to PAINT.net. Worth a try, I HATE when I don't [save] often.:mad:
My progress on my 'C+' conversion has also 'hit a snag'. Working in the yard this weekend, I 'tweeked' my back and have been spending my free time lying on a heating pad, NOT hunched over a computer monitor.
Here are the mod's I'm working on:
1) Lower window sill.
2) Add 1.5 door.
3) Lower/enlarge driver's door.
4) Add 'B' pillar (left side to match right side).
5) Enlarge passenger window.
6) Make passenger window, 'vent/removable'.
7) Make steering wheel -> yoke.
8) Add rear view mirrors.
9) Enlarge windshield.
10) Narrow 'A' pillar.
11) Extend nose/ front cowl.
12) Modify front fender.
13) Add front cowl vents.
14) Change Power Pod fender.
15) Add backup & tail lights to Power Pod.

Ooops, need to go back and make sure I [SAVE] my changes.:)

[Miracleman89]

Well thanks rog but I already deleted it because I was angry!!!!!! Sorry to hear about your back!!! I just went through that a couple of weeks ago. I threw mine out so bad I couldn't even walk around the house with out using a wooden tv tray to support my upper body. I know it sounds dumb and I must have looked like a moron but it helped support my upper body weight! I tell ya, It was excruciating!!! I don't wish for that to happen to anyone!! Good luck and I hope you feel better!