[cignul9]

Originally Posted by Doc

Yeah I know that's the current trend, but to me that's going to make today's cars look dated real quick; kind of like fins did to the cars of the 50's and early 60's. I somewhat have that in the front with the friendly Camaro 'smile' and the headlights kinda sorta look like eyes, but I don't want to go overboard.

I was trying to pull styling cues from previous generations without making it look too retro. This split lens tail light was a nod to the original '67 model to give it a bit of a heritage feel. Here's a shot with the lenses pulled together as a single component which is actually the way the '67 was. Better?

I get you. I think you're on to something here, and I love the work you're putting in. Design by committee generally doesn't work, but I appreciate that you're accepting feedback.

The tail lights definitely look better (to me) when you pull the lenses together as opposed to the split look from earlier iteration. I feel like the orange is a bit dated, too. Maybe go solid red on both with a thin break between them, like the '67?

I'd maybe drop the reverse lights as well, similar to the 67. Maybe a center pod under the license plate in the rear splitter? I can't really visualize it in my head, though. May look terrible.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by cignul9

I get you. I think you're on to something here, and I love the work you're putting in. Design by committee generally doesn't work, but I appreciate that you're accepting feedback.

The tail lights definitely look better (to me) when you pull the lenses together as opposed to the split look from earlier iteration. I feel like the orange is a bit dated, too. Maybe go solid red on both with a thin break between them, like the '67?

I'd maybe drop the reverse lights as well, similar to the 67. Maybe a center pod under the license plate in the rear splitter? I can't really visualize it in my head, though. May look terrible.

Here are some variations, all using a single solid red tail light lens:

One with a split orange turn signal/back-up light lens.


One with the back-up lens being just the orange turn signal, and I can put a back up light somewhere else; probably on either side of the license plate.


And one with the back-up lens having a double-duty function; either a back-up light or orange turn signal depending on which row of LED's inside are used.


Any of these work for you?

Oh and for Norm; these all have wider tires.

[cignul9]

I for sure like the bottom one best!

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by Doc

Oh and for Norm; these all have wider tires.

Norm

[90503]

Doc, pretty sure rear turn signals cannot be orange. White or orange are ok for front turn signals, rear turn signals must be red.

Also, you need a third/middle rear red brake light. And side markers need to be orange in front and red in the rear, not orange rear side-markers.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by 90503

Doc, pretty sure rear turn signals cannot be orange. White or orange are ok for front turn signals, rear turn signals must be red.

Also, you need a third/middle rear red brake light. And side markers need to be orange in front and red in the rear, not orange rear side-markers.

I believe you are correct sir about the outside rear turn signal; I've made it red. I forgot about that, since it's on at night as a running light, it has to be red. However the inside rear turn signal can be orange as long as it's only on when it's flashing. I think that's strictly up to the designers and how they want to design their tail light setup. The europeans have long had amber turn signals in the back which I've always preferred; red in the back should be braking only.

Here's a pic of a 2016 Camry which shows a clear lens and an orange bulb inside. I see this arrangement more often than an orange lens.




I've had this idea for a long time, so here it is with the 3rd brake light in the back of the shark fin on the roof. I don't know if there's a requirement on size of the light; I see many different sizes on cars from a small rectangle to a much bigger one. This image also has the corrected red outside rear fender running/turn light.

[Doc]

Latest images. Finally fixed a problem with the side of the roof on the sides of the car, and added welding seams on the roof. The roof now smoothly curves on the sides like it should.



Here's a shot with the front license plate:



and one without the front license plate:



Still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the hood, but for now I think I'll start working on an interior.

[Doc]

Well after I started working on the interior, I kept noticing things I wanted to change on the exterior, so I stopped on the interior and started making changes. Wound up reworking the entire side of the car, including some changes in width of the front. By the time I was done, I was surprised at how much it changed the character and personality of the car.

[CCG Garnet Red]

JMO, but the front end is hideous. From the side it reminds me of the shape of a long gone Suburu coupe that a friend had in the '70's.

[RenegadeXR]

What about something like this? It keeps a bigger greenhouse and most of the proportions but brings back some of the 6th gen refresh styling, since that might be a basis for the 7th gen if there is one.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by RenegadeXR

What about something like this? It keeps a bigger greenhouse and most of the proportions but brings back some of the 6th gen refresh styling, since that might be a basis for the 7th gen if there is one.

That has some possibilities; especially the front. Nice.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by CCG Garnet Red

JMO, but the front end is hideous. From the side it reminds me of the shape of a long gone Suburu coupe that a friend had in the '70's.

Alrighty then! Thanks for the encouragement. It's good to see that positive and constructive feedback is alive and well on the forum. On that positive note, here's the latest hideous update.

I raised the entire top of the car from the windshield forward about 4 inches. Been working on rounding and smoothing things out. I was already considering getting rid of the retro grill. The only way to get away from retro is to not do retro. I reworked the headlights and worked on trying to balance the proportions better. It still needs work, but it's getting there.



I also made some changes to the back. It needed some flair so I pulled the top part of it back to create a sense of a spoiler.

[Norm Peterson]

The trunk area is definitely getting a "lighter" feel, like the originals had. Nice.

That's a good thing in this day and age where everything looks like it wants to be bulky/thick-bodied. Thick-body may be a fine look for a truck, but car styling should be lighter and more graceful.


Norm

[90503]

Keep at it, Doc. I liked the ridge/step/toggle that ran the length of the sides....I was going to suggest that would be a good spot for a trim strip at the furthest out-board line to absorb door dings from other cars....

Also, I like it having the front license plate. Maybe massage up the front plate area as if the car is made to have a front plate, instead of the terrible look of a front plate on the car that looks completely out of place....Just my $.02..


P.S. And in the trivia department, front plates don't need the year and month sticker...lol