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GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/11/08 7:50 a.m.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/10/bmw-gina-light-visionary-model-revealed/

Very cool, but you wouldn't want to damage it!

Salanis
Salanis HalfDork
6/11/08 10:28 a.m.

Cool. But I think I've seen the basics of this technological concept before... hmm... oh yeah, in really old rag-and-tube airplanes!

And damaging the fabric on an old airplane isn't a huge deal. Even though they're more susceptible to damage, you can repair them with a roll of duct tape. No, that's not a joke. I've done it.

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/11/08 10:48 a.m.

BMW can build it in Virginia... Too much?

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/11/08 12:05 p.m.
Salanis wrote: Cool. But I think I've seen the basics of this technological concept before... hmm... oh yeah, in really old rag-and-tube airplanes! And damaging the fabric on an old airplane isn't a huge deal. Even though they're more susceptible to damage, you can repair them with a roll of duct tape. No, that's not a joke. I've done it.

WW1 fighters were actually my first thought! And I'm sure you can repair them with duct tape, it just won't be pretty :P

Capt Slow
Capt Slow New Reader
6/11/08 12:32 p.m.

I had always thought a rag and tube constuction would be an awesome way to make a really light locost.

rebelgtp
rebelgtp HalfDork
6/11/08 1:17 p.m.
GameboyRMH wrote:
Salanis wrote: Cool. But I think I've seen the basics of this technological concept before... hmm... oh yeah, in really old rag-and-tube airplanes! And damaging the fabric on an old airplane isn't a huge deal. Even though they're more susceptible to damage, you can repair them with a roll of duct tape. No, that's not a joke. I've done it.
WW1 fighters were actually my first thought! And I'm sure you can repair them with duct tape, it just won't be pretty :P

Hmmm hey it will open a whole new market for colored duct tape that is color matched to the "body work"

also does this mean that body shops will have to start hiring seamstresses?

Changing the color of your car would be a simple matter of removing the cloth skin and pulling on a new one. Rich people would start "dressing" their cars to match what they are wearing.

Washing your car would now involved doing a load of laundry and washing the windshield...

Osterkraut
Osterkraut New Reader
6/11/08 1:20 p.m.

Oh hi guys!

Salanis
Salanis HalfDork
6/11/08 1:35 p.m.

Looks like that is aluminum skinned... except for the control surfaces. This is done to make their response lighter/faster (same thing on my dad's Nanchang CJ-6).

With a rag-and-tub plane, the fabric is wrapped around, and epoxied to, the frame. It is quite an ordeal to re-skin a plane. Easier than with aluminum, but still... The fabric is always painted with some sort of enamel (I think) and is washed just like any other vehicle surface. The paint is vital to protect it, and reduce drag.

Drying airplanes is really fun though. They have this big self-drying unit up front.

nutherjrfan
nutherjrfan New Reader
6/11/08 3:39 p.m.

isn't that a wood framed Hurricane?

Osterkraut
Osterkraut New Reader
6/11/08 5:28 p.m.
nutherjrfan wrote: isn't that a wood framed Hurricane?

Not wood. They were metal framed with dope and cloth skin. Later models (aka the ones in The War) had metal wings.

BobOfTheFuture
BobOfTheFuture New Reader
6/11/08 6:13 p.m.

I wonder if its a doped fabric. I also wonder if its still flammable as hell.... haha

skruffy
skruffy Dork
6/11/08 10:18 p.m.

THink of the awesome active aerodynamics you could have...

The spoiler growing out of the trunk and winking headlights are all kinds of awesome.

Hocrest
Hocrest New Reader
6/11/08 11:35 p.m.
skruffy wrote: THink of the awesome active aerodynamics you could have... The spoiler growing out of the trunk and winking headlights are all kinds of awesome.

What about using the entire body?? Raising the curve of the hood to create downforce??

ProDarwin
ProDarwin Dork
6/12/08 5:33 a.m.

Its a neat idea.

That motion to expose the headlights involves some complicated mechanics that are entirely unnecessary. I feel the same way about the rear spoiler. Although having it manually adjustable would be kind of cool. Also, the body aftermarket would be sweet - replaceable tube sections would allow you to adjust the geometry to your liking... say you need more fender. Or a different shaped rear spoiler. Or front air damn. Some pretty cool possibilities.

I'm not a fan of this "emotion is the added value" B.S.

amaff
amaff Reader
6/12/08 1:13 p.m.

Is it because you look like a 'GINA when you drive it?

I'm surprised no one's commented on how the hood opens...

Gimp
Gimp GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/12/08 1:39 p.m.

Rock n Roll my friend - and you might be surprised by this but do you know who I thought was the hottest? Gina!

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/12/08 7:45 p.m.
amaff wrote: Is it because you look like a 'GINA when you drive it? I'm surprised no one's commented on how the hood opens...

I was waiting for somebody to make a comment

Twin_Cam
Twin_Cam Dork
6/12/08 8:32 p.m.

When I read "GINA," I thought of 40 Year-Old Virgin...

"That girl Gina was hot!" [/Seth Rogen]

That's a sweet car, I must admit. Gotta be light, too.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/13/08 6:44 a.m.

You sure that opening the lights would be that complicated? It seems that it would require not much more movement than the (now passe') folding flaps of a few years ago.

As for being light.. that waits to be seen. I do not think that the skin of ANY car adds that much weight compared to the infastructure.. and that car is ALL infastructure.

jstein77
jstein77 HalfDork
6/13/08 7:20 a.m.

Yes, with all those servo motors under there I'll bet it's not very light.

Nomad
Nomad New Reader
6/13/08 2:55 p.m.

They had to add that hood just for the nerdy engineers didn't they?

LOL @ build the GINA in VA.

thatsnowinnebago
thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/13/08 4:44 p.m.

I'm sure glad Mr. Bangle explained what geometry means in that video. That said, I find the headlights creepy and the seat's headrests (I think) highly suggestive.

Nomad
Nomad New Reader
6/14/08 12:24 a.m.

the geeky engineers probably take turns taking the concept car "on dates".

Luke
Luke HalfDork
6/14/08 4:20 a.m.
Nomad wrote: the geeky engineers probably take turns taking the concept car "on dates".

You might be right, in which case, I don't think they meant to include this shot

It's very cool, but a bit suspect that they don't mention any weight figures at all.

Tommy Suddard
Tommy Suddard GRM+ Member
6/14/08 9:56 a.m.

I wonder if it buffets in the wind at all?

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