How do you make a McLaren MP4-12C uninteresting?

[James]

On the risk of getting completely flamed, I did a little bit of photoshopping to the SLC. Yes, I believe this would definitely require some work. You would need

- custom windshield (though you could shape one with Lexan)
- Custom side glass (not too hard, though does also give the possibility of roll down windows
- modify current roll cage or custom
- lots of Fiberglass work on the roof and doors

I didn't say it was practical, but I think possible, the only other negatives I can see is that you would have a little bit less visibility.

Yes, Fran, you have a beautiful car, I got tons of looks just towing it to the storage as a roller. Though what really got me was when my girlfriend saw it and said it looked like a future car from the 50's.

But I was thinking maybe a bit of body work to change it to this (it was done on paint,, so not great, but give you an idea). It actually reminds me a bit of a Koenigseggeseigiisskgigiggssx.

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Why would you want to make it look like something else thats already on the market..?...and has been since 1997

Changing the outline of the window will not make it any more likely to be able to retract into a non existent pocket in the door....You would have to change the radius and profile of the roof and then the rear deck also...dont under estimate the amount of work needed or the cost of a custom windscreen......if it was cheap and easy everyone would be doing it...

If you have ever seen a CCX in the flesh they are very flat and not the least bit like the SLC ...even with your photoshop mods...sorry....

You PS makes it look more like a current DP car in my opinion...

 

[James]

LOL,, wasn't trying to make it look like anything. I still believe even like that, it would be very original. You are probably right, the CCX probably does look very flat in person.

For the mods, one would have to have make the windshield from polycarbonate. Yes, you could do custom glass, but I am pretty sure that is $$$$$$. The windshield could be formed to fit after making a mock up that is heat resistant, then heat the poly to form to the mold. Of course you would then need to have special coating so the windshield doesn't mar or scratch.

You might actually be able to get away without having to do much with the rear deck (imo). The rear deck's curve near the roof might actually be slight enough that the changes could be molded into fit. Again this is all speculation, and will still have to wait 6 months before I can even start to tackle anything.

Being that the center line above the car is already in place,, you could just mod the doors to fit the flatter roofline (ala F1 Maclaren door style), So no real changes in the roof would be required, because that part of the roof would be on the doors, or I guess you could fit some fiberglass panels and have a T-Top.

I am not meaning to sound critical of the design. It really does look good in person, and except for the front view of the car, its damn near what I would describe as the perfect car.


BTW Fran... Do you ever sleep?.....lol

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Just turned 45 so have to fit all of my plans in before its too late...so sleep can wait.

Every panel interfaces with the next and as soon as you make a change to one you will need to follow it through from one end of the body to the other to keep the flow and the overall design cohesive....the roof of a Mclaren is very flat...and nothing like the SLC...

Poly windscreens are not street legal...so only do it after its registered and dont get pulled over.

If you want to have windows that drop into the door you will need to do masses of work on the side of the car and the roof to make the glass drop possible....have a really close look at all of the hyper cars out there....they have very flat side windows...this is a massive pain in the ar*e to get fully functional...hence the way the Apex is being done.

I can tell you first hand that it will take MASSES of time and energy to make it look cohesive ....this is what we do for a living and being in Detroit and having some serious talent at hand it still took Mike and I three years to get the SLC to where it is now....the windshield alone took 18 months to get made in glass and cost a damn fortune...

Good luck with your mods....I look forward to seeing what it looks like when finished....if I live that long as I never sleep...wink

 

[James]

Actually,, did a little bit more editing,, would be just as much work as the last,, but would require a little more with the windows. You're probably right Fran, they still won't be functional.

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

The B pillar on the SLC is hidden beneath the door and the tailsection...

Whe you get the chance spend a little some time standing next to your car and laying out some tape lines....you will quickly see how each surface interacts.

 

[James]

The B pillar on the SLC is hidden beneath the door and the tailsection...

Whe you get the chance spend a little some time standing next to your car and laying out some tape lines....you will quickly see how each surface interacts.

Trust me,, I cannot wait to be standing next to it more than just a few seconds only to sigh, and then roll it back into storage. I only have to do that one more time before I'm home for good.

I do see how the roll cage (oh wait,, it's not a roll cage..wink), will have to be modified. I think the mounting points should be able to stay the same but the top may have less than a curve and more of an bend at the top to make up the roof line.

Again, this is all speculation, I've got to get home first to get it up and running before I do anything else. The window after the B pillar will not have any function except to see the engine from another viewpoint.

I

 

[Mesa]

When you start messing with door opening (A post mainly in your plan) you are in for a lot of work. If nothing else just to get the door to seal and the gaps to align. Putting an angle in the A post will be tons of work because of the need to either cut the windshield or have it made over. I don't think anyone would accuse me of being shy about body mods and even I put a stop to myself when it came to my thoughts of reworking the roofline and windshield.

Its fun to design "what ifs" in PS (I know as I do it all the time) the time consuming work is when you have to do it for real.

Hope you get to building your car soon, have a great time making it your own. :thumbsup:

 

[Jack]

+6000 on that one Rob!
Nice to think about James, but VERY difficult to accomplish. I'd just leave it be.