custom contest entry **The KENZO**

I was going to post this later, but as the forum may bite the big one, I'm posting this now. This is my custom contest entry. It is a custom car, not a customized car. I was inspired by the Alfa Romeo 8C competione show car from Frankfurt last year. This is a Ferrari Modena body with a Viper roof and redone hood and tail.

The Modena is cut up and the Viper is grafted in. Hood mods begun.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_01-med.jpg

Puttying begun

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_04-med.jpg

Sanding started.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_06-med.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_07-med.jpg

general shape coming along. Many more things done.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_08-med.jpg

Plans: Engine moved to front, transmission left in back. Most of Viper interior used, Modena seats and console kept. Flares have been added since the pics to get rid of the 'slab sidedness'.

Maybe more pics will follow.

AF may come and go, but p9o1r1sche will live on!!!!

Now that's a custom car...Awesome!!!

sweeeeeeeet! :)

I can't believe it! These pics are photoshoped! It's a joke! It's amazing! ...

It's wonderfull!

I can't believe it! These pics are photoshoped! It's a joke! It's amazing! ...

It's wonderfull!haha!! that's some crazy photoshop skill then!! but in all honesty thats a sweet project!! Can't wait to see it primed and painted :D
:iceslolan

Very :smokin: :smokin: !

Wait until you see my 360 Downaero! It's just as twisted a concept as this. At least you've started yours!

Modified coolness!!:sunglasse

Wow thats cool! So when some company puts your car into production do we get a discount? Can't wait to see how this one comes along!

SWEEEEET, thats looking bad ass

Speechless! +_+"

Cool project. May I ask what putty you have used on that Kenzo?

Thanks,
Rtuned o_|"

:1:

great car, very good, i leikt he enzo front concept

Holy! Speechless, excellent project. Very innovative. Creative Hybrid. I cant say enough.

What putty do you use?

Beautiful! The front end sort of reminds me of the Panoz Esperante...

I use Milliput epoxy putty. Hardens overnight, sands well, and is pretty strong. You could make an entire body out of it.

Wow !!

:eek:

I didn't tell anyone I saw it last weekend... :grinno:

Guy's, it's really going to be cool, even better in person! :iceslolan

Here's a pic of the general chassis layout. Front engine (behind front axle line), Viper interior w/ Modena seats, Tranny in rear. The engine manifold will be turned around, with tubes going to the front for intake. Should be room in nose for two laid down radiators. Chassis pan is from the Modena.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_chassis_layout-med.JPG

More pics later.

dang thats nice...

Kool project! I can't wait to see this one finished.

I didn't tell anyone I saw it last weekend... :grinno:

Guy's, it's really going to be cool, even better in person! :iceslolan

I didn't even bother to ask...I know how sneaky you are. :evillol: :icon16:

This is so cool, it's the inspiration I need to work on my Ferrari mind-f*ck model! :biggrin:

That's an intersting project!
Do keep s updated.

[QUOTE=njh]That's an intersting project![QUOTE]

:iagree:

I like the shape of the body so much, looks really cool and sporty at the same time.
That will be a very unique model.

Good job and courage for the next steps :bigthumb:

Thanks for sharing what putty your using. It looked like it sanded well. I have been using the Tamiya Epoxy Putty and its a bitch to sand. It gets incredibly stiff and is almost impossible to sand.

That is some fine craftsmanship! Superb job, so far.

DING DING DING!!!! CONTEST WINNER!!!!! nice job

Dude that is sweet looking.

yes yes awesome work my friend!

I dunno what to say! it´s awesome! Any hint of the colour?

Here's some pics of the body in final form. I still have to cut the hood open, deal with the headlights, and do some final sanding. Color will be Tamiya's metallic red over a white base color.

Profile shows Merc DTM wheels under one side of the body. Dont know if I'll keep them or not, but the car will have chrome trim around the windows, so I will use Alclad chrome on the wheels, most likely. The camera lens is distorting the shape of the body slightly.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_16-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_17-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_18-med.JPG

:eek: speechless :eek:

wow :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

man that is just bad-aszz! Can't wait to see this thing finished! Totally speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, looking pretty cool! I like the idea of using the Alfa as the inspiration for this car. :smokin:

Looking at it in profile, one thing that I think would look great on this would be to extend the sweeping contour line that starts at the front wheel and ends at the door cut. I'd love to see this detail extended into the rear fender about 1/2 to 2/3 the distance between the door and the wheel opening (~1/4" to 3/8"), it would tie in the front half of the car w/the back half a bit better, it would have the effect of lenthening/lowering the look of the car a bit, giving a bit more horizontal balance aft of the door, and taking your eyes off of the heavier vertical aspects of the rear fender and the solid part of the B/C pillar area. You could go as far as adding some sort of return/scoop area in that part of the fender, like a Mustang, but that's probably too contrived.

Anyways, looks good and I'd like to know what you think about the contour line. Can't wait to see this one finished...though if it's for Chattanooga, I won't be able to be there... :(

I just did some photo manipulation and I think it does look better with the line extended as you said. Damn, you guys are good. Tried a scoop/inlet in front of the rear wheel, but it didnt add alot and I like the cleaner look without it. Thanks for the suggestion. At this rate, it may be the end of the year before its done, but it gets better every time.

holy crap dude youve out done yourself

thats fuckin bad ass man good work u cant even tell it was a viper

Modena+Viper=Alfa Romeo!!!! With such a roof, this one could be a Zagato!
I add my :eek2: to all the others that came, and will come!...

Looking awesome! I love it.

holy shit that looks awsome metallic red is a cool color :bigthumb:

I'm almost sad to think of it painted and in primer, because then it'll look like it was like this the whole time and hide all the cutting you did to arrive at this shape.

It's an astounding build, though. Way to think outside the box.

Amazing work... :eek7: The surface is soooo smooth... Did you use motor-tool to sand or hand sand? Wow! :eek: :eek:

Rtuned

Looks very pimp.

The more I look at it, the more it looks like a Panoz Esperante.

very well done, can't wait to see more progress on this one!

A quick update - extended contour line on body back past the door as Zoom Zoom suggested - thanks again ZZ. Started dealing with the headlights and working on cleaning up and adjusting some body areas.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_21a-med.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_25a-med.jpg

Interior shots - mostly Viper, but with Modena seats, floor, and console. Package shelf covered with flocked paper.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_22a-med.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/95779Kenzo_build_24a-med.jpg

Also working on tail lights and head lamps using my new lathe :smokin:

:eek2: again!

Oh my god its awesome!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

....mad work,cleanly worked and you have my full respect!!!!!!
Greet
Kurtl

:eek7: :eek: abada abada abada abada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nice work uhhh ... what am i saying? That's INCREDIBLE work

i was wondering , what headlamps are you gonna use? thanks

I plan to make some on my lathe tomorrow, something like the kind on the Porsche Carrera GT. Only have room for a single lamp in each side.

I think this car has a shelby vibe to it, reminds me of the Daytona Cobra, and the Series 1, kinda funny since you used parts of a Viper, a car that was designed by Carrol Shelby, I think he will be proud if he sees it.

Looks really great right now (as it always has)!

Looks fantastic. The front end is just great, and I think Zoom-zoom hit it right on the head with that character line. I'm glad you considered it. I have a small qualm, too, but there isn't much you could do even if you agreed with me. I sort of don't like the way the rear end resolves itself, with the psuedo trunkation. I think the only cars that could pull that off were the Daytona (right?) Corvettes. You might have pulled the trailing edge of the body work down a little bit at each side, almost as if it were a widebody, but still left the tall body work in the middle. This would have allowed for the rearmost edge to act as a spoiler, while retaining the voluptuous Coke-bottle shape that the front wheel arches and the middle allude to. It would also alleviate how visually distracting the large, abruptly finishing rear end is, Alternatively, you could reintroduce Zoom-zoom's character line after the rear wheels (though, that could look awkward and could just be more unresolved bodywork) or you could add a LeMans prototype-style spoiler sticking out of the rear and up to just over flush with the rear deck. Both of those, however, would detract from the smooth slick lines that your car has... so... well I don't know. It still looks incredible. Great work. Oh, and I like the wheels you had it mocked up on in white, they were well suited. It sort of has a kit-car element to it, and the wheels fit in that vein.

I considered the mod you mentioned, but it would have taken a lot more work and I ended up not doing it. I would have given it more defined rear fenders to specifically avoid the Corvette look. I tried to keep styling characteristics from early 60's Ferraris and Alfas, as this was the inspiration of the concept car that inspired this one. I also would have liked to move the rear wheels up further to the front, but, again that means major alteration of what I had to work with. Right now I'm moving on with it. Maybe next time?

Maybe next time?

Indeed; the way I look at it is every model is practice for your next. But don't get me wrong, I love your model and your work is first rate. I just enjoy Zoom-zoom's knowledgeble critique, your receptivity to it, and wanted to join the fun. I always wish there were more exchanges like yours and Zoom-zooms around here. Really elevates the place.

That looks insane!

Missed this thread up till now. Will be keeping a very close eye on it from now on. Awesome work! With all those different styling ques what are you going to call the finished car?