Story ideas for PHR, Input wanted..

[Sales@Dutchboys]

A finishing build up on my car.......................lol

[Colvindesign]

Originally Posted by Hdesign

Yeah, I remember the issue with the 2nd Gen Firebird. There were some great entries. And the "alternative cars you must build" Kris did was also great.

I was thinking it was more about process this time around, it's sort of a "skimmed through" chapter in the total build most of the time. Mags will usually have a feature on a particular car, with a captioned rendering or two. I mean, we're not really looking for more credit that we are already lucky enough to get, but it might be interesting to see the story unfold...kind of a "prequel" to the build. I can't speak for the other artists but I would say, most projects I spend more time listening to the builder or owner, taking notes, thinking, looking the car over in person (if I can), offering my thoughts, and skribbling down sketches. Then the final rendering is done. Most people only see the score of the game, without watching it. I find that a lot of the great people I have worked with in the past came to me not knowing what to expect or how to budget this into the build. (Maybe that stuff is more exciting to designers than everyone else....I really don't know)

Other than that, a friendly competition is always cool to follow along with! As long as 69 Camaros are off limits...Ha Ha ! Motor Trend has being doing it for years successfully so......

I'd love to do something like that.

For example, I am hopefully going to be designing a 200 mph car for someone and have to work in aerodynamics to a Design that is over 30 years old. All while being on a budget.

Doing an interview with an independent designer, you can have him do the same car in different steps, from mild to wild, say a mid 60's two door from either Ford or Chevy, or a nice mopar. There are a ton of cars that can be made into nice boulevard cruisers with a little work, or Silver State Classic competitors with a lot of work. Good designers are there to guide through what should be done to keep a car on track.

Then you can also show pictures of highly modified cars that were done by very gifted people, not under the influence of a designer. http://www.mike.vcn.com/tmp/ricer_civic_1.jpg
You can find just as many domestic examples. Ok, maybe not as many. But here's one, http://img178.exs.cx/img178/1455/ricer106qv.jpg

Edit, here is another idea as well. Early 80's Fox mustangs and 3rd Gen Camaros. I have been wanting to buy a low mileage 72-82 Mustang and swap in either a Stroked 351 or a 4 valve Mod motor converted to ITB's on the cheap (I'd show you how if you let me make the story, lol) plus some seats swapped in from a later model sports car re-upholstered to match the interior, an upgraded suspension, brakes, etc, it'd be a sweet ride. Especially with Air ride and 18 inch Bullets. I know a few other tricks for HP on those high HP engines that have been all the rage lately, somethings that have not been done on any street engines but are completely viable. Talk about a cheap G-machine. For the Camaro, I have been thinking of about a 82-85 Berlinetta, no molding, white paint, and 18 inch IROC replica wheels with a lowered stance, powered by a LS1 (with anough work to get 400hp) backed by a six speed . Minimal interior, with the paint showing, custom gauges and seats, and there is a light weight powerful sports car with up to date styling and reliability. Then when you are done building both, combine the total amount of money invested in them and compare them on the track to new cars. Considering these cars are up to 24 & 27 years old, are they old enough to be a project series in the mag? I think so. Plus, you guys have done the paint stuff to death, why not do a project where you start off with a 30k mile 4 banger 1980 Mustang Ghia and turn it into a real cruiser? Same for a V4 Camaro from 1983, I think it'd be a really cool series. Start off with the search, then the purchase of a rust free car with good paint and interior, and then the process of building up certain parts while keeping other parts vintage looking.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by Hdesign

How about a big fat article about designers!!!LOL Locating a designer, hiring one, the process, have a contest and a documented build of the winner's design to auction for charity!

I really don't want to speak for the rest of the artists but maybe that would be of some interest to people....i dunno...

Brilliant idea, Ben!! There's lots of angles to do that story and I'd love to help brainstorm but our services are becoming more and more relevant and popular but people don't know how to reach us or how the process begins.
It's good for us as a promotion but helps people plan a better car and make their project be all it can be.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by rocketrod

What about a performance test of disc brake rotors: slotted vs solid vs crossdrilled & slotted? Use the same car and one manufacture: Baer, Wilwood, ?? so there will be no winners/losers. Check stopping distance, rotor temp, etc....

In addition to all the aftermarket kits, do a junkyard install with Camaro or Corvette stuff with a shopping list and see how it adds up to the big stuff.
Some sway bar/ drop springs/ shocks/ before and after install/tests like you did with the g/28 would be interesting too.
BTW, Thanks for asking, Steve!

[Derek69SS]

More GM A-bodies

[BThibodeaux]

How about an article that addresses the pros and cons of several different rear suspension setups, such as: steel leaf, fiberglass leaf, 3 link, parallel 4 link, triangulated 4 link, IRS, etc.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by BThibodeaux

How about an article that addresses the pros and cons of several different rear suspension setups, such as: steel leaf, fiberglass leaf, 3 link, parallel 4 link, triangulated 4 link, IRS, etc.

You mean like this???

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...pension_guide/

[syborg tt]

1. I would like to see more pictures of what it take build some of the high end cars. Even if people can't afford some of the modifications it still may give you idea's.

2. Fairly Certain it was Drag Sport Magazine that was going to spend a year talking about Turbo Vodoo. They were going to try to explain everything there is to now about Turbo's. It lasted 2 months then ended but it was a great concept.

3. I know trucks rarley if ever get featured in PHR but i am hopnig that will change. For example look at the truck that IDA Automotive built. That truck was a beast and a hot rod that was built to be driven.

4. Renderings - maybe you can pic a car a month and have a few different artist show there concept every month. Gives people idea's.

5. Did i mention Renderings - Explain to people why they can be important tools. It's almost alway's cheaper to have a rendering drawn then it is to have a fab guy attempt to create whats in your head. You can hand them a drawing and show them exactly what your after and there is no communication breakdown.

6. okay that's enough

[cutlasskid]

how about somthing new like g- body build ups. whats on the market now for these soon to be wanted cars ??? due to the pricing of the muscle cars threw the roof .

[Mkelcy]

I'd like to see a budget, yet high performance, g-machine build up. For a Camaro for example: the Guldstrand mod; C5 brakes pieced together, 3rd generation IROC stering box, decent sway bar, home made subframe connectors ala Carl Casonova, the Mark VIII fan and DC controls controller; a budget aluminum radiator, a budget T56 install using factory mechanical clutch linkage, etc., etc. The high end cars are great to see and inspiring, but most of us live in the real world. It would be nice to see all the budget tricks in one car and then see how it did on the track.