[WIP] Jaguar XJR19 Le Mans Prototype concept

[Erik Leppen]

@Aventador2004: You mean the two renders? I have added a newline (enter) between them. For the rest I don't think I can change anything. I try to keep my images at 1000px wide so it should be viewable on most screens.

[Aventador2004]

The second picture in this post is too far off screen @Erik Leppen.

 

[Erik Leppen]

Update!

I haven't posted in a while, but a lot has happened. I added most of the body, including the green panels, and it's now almost done.

Unfortunately, the front wheels are touching the wheel arches when steering. I get back to that in a moment. Also, the rear fin doesn't fit very nicely. The fin is about 0.3 studs too long, bending the rear wing slightly backwards. So I have to change some things there.

In the top view you have the best view on all the green panels. It's quite hard to make them flow nicely, becuase the smallest part is still 3 x 5 studs, and all the parts have only 2 or 4 connection points, all in 1 direction. It makes you appreciate the new panels with all their connection points once again.

I know the pictures aren't the brightest ever, but the weather was dark when I shot the pictures. The 9L links at the very back provide a little bit of strength to the sides, without adding too much volume (so air resistance is minimal).

The low height is best seen in a low front view.

The nose is not exactly like in the original reference, but you have to work with the panels there are, and given those I think this is a nice solution without large open spaces.

The main problem right now is the front wheels touching the wheel arches when steering. I might have to change the wheel arches slightly. It may only need to move a few millimeters. So I'm thinking of replacing the #5 angle connectors with a pair of #1 angle connectors so the angle is free. The top flex axle may then be slightly further from the wheel, without making the whole thing higher. But I have to experiment with this.

The other option is changing the geometry of the suspension, but I see little space for that. Simply installing stronger springs won't work, because there is no "slightly stronger" spring of the same size than the dark-gray ones (as far as I know).

Remaining to-do (besides fixing the rubbing problem): add front and rear lights (between the black side panels, as clearly seen on the last picture). I'm not sure a car like his even needs indicators, but if they can be added then why not. Also, I want to change the structure around the HOG, becuse there's a bit of a weakspot there for the frame. The digital file says I'm around 1700-1800 parts. You may not expect that, but there's a lot of small bits (e.g. 60 beams 1x2x0.5 and 50 half-bushes).

Comments and stuff are again welcome :)

[Aventador2004]

Woah, this came to mind this morning, but didn't expect so much difference. I think the body isn't smooth enough to get the right lines, but you would need newer panels.

[TechnicRCRacer]

This is amazing! If I had the panels, I would love to build this and put it on my shelf! Any plans for instructions?

 

[Isamudyson]

Do really like the look and how low it is. It would be nice if they made the current panels in this color.

This has inspired me to try build something similar

[technic_addict]

I may be in the minority here but I think using the old panels has done this build an injustice.  Those panels are not really used for a reason.  I know you really wanted the metallic green but I think using the newer panels would have improved the look dramatically.

[Meatman]

2 hours ago, technic_addict said:

I may be in the minority here but I think using the old panels has done this build an injustice.  Those panels are not really used for a reason.  I know you really wanted the metallic green but I think using the newer panels would have improved the look dramatically.

You're not. Those old panels make then entire model look a little rough.

[letsbuild]

19 minutes ago, Meatman said:

You're not. Those old panels make then entire model look a little rough.

2 hours ago, technic_addict said:

I may be in the minority here but I think using the old panels has done this build an injustice.  Those panels are not really used for a reason.  I know you really wanted the metallic green but I think using the newer panels would have improved the look dramatically.

2 hours ago, Isamudyson said:

Do really like the look and how low it is. It would be nice if they made the current panels in this color.

This has inspired me to try build something similar

3 hours ago, Aventador2004 said:

Woah, this came to mind this morning, but didn't expect so much difference. I think the body isn't smooth enough to get the right lines, but you would need newer panels.

I agree with everyone, this model should be using the new panels. The old ones aren't very smooth, and although the colour will be missing, I think the model would greatly benefit from the new panels.

 

 

[Erik Leppen]

To be honest, I came to similar conclusions about the panels myself. It's hard to make anything look smooth with them. (I'm certain this played a role in replacing them with a new set of panels). That said, I see their use here as an important feature, so I won't switch them out for the newer ones. They're a design feature here. I think the old panels make this build quite unique and therefore interesting. But I agree that it would be really neat to see what could be done with current pieces. (Maybe, using flex axles could even be a better bet).

Well, in any case it presents a perfect opportunity for a future project. In case someone else picks up the challenge, I'd be following with interest :)

I'm planning to do instructions, yes. But this will take some time, I always run behind with those...

[TechnicRCRacer]

I probably am in the minority here, but I think the old panels look quite nice!

[steph77]

looking good or not is a very personal opinion.

Whatever, there are lots of more in this model, i think to the suspension design f.e.

Even if, in my opinion, the new panel could give a better render, i just recognised the great quality of this build.

[Lox Lego]

Just checking in for the first time in a while... I think it looks fantastic! Its got the shaping and color scheme that I really like and its cool you've used the old panels instead of painting new ones 

It could use a little help around the windscreen but other than that I'm a fan. Looking forward  to your next rendition! 

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

Will you change the center pillar or a pillar of the cabin? Having that beam makes it look very crude and its protrusion past roof level doesn't help.

Apart from that, wow, this thing is amazing! I really like the old panels.

[Erik Leppen]

@BrickbyBrickTechnic I agree that the roof/windscreen beam looks a bit off, but I probably won't change it because it provides a lot of extra strength. Replacing the 9L beam with a 3L means I can't fix the angle, which makes the whole thing much weaker. So I take the compromise here and choose rigidity over looks.

Anyhow, it looks like the thing is nearing completion, after I made the following small additions and changes:

I added headlights! Also, I raised the back end of the front wheel arches by a half stud, which is just enough to keep the wheel free. When pressing the suspension it still touches, but preventing that would bring the wheel arches too far up and it would look weird.

And, of course, I added rear lights as well. (yes, the 9L links are missing here)

 

I found the sides a bit messy, so I changed the small beams by axles. Also, there were a lot of blue pins sticking out, and I decided to use 1x2x5 bricks instead of liftarms for the sides. I think it looks much cleaner now. Also the dashboard now has transparent parts.

And last but not least, I changed how the sides are constructed from the inside. Some unnecessary weight (in the form of 4 more frames) is removed. Also, the construction is now a bit simpler (even though maybe less strong), which will also help the instructions (which I have already started). (In case you wonder, the protruding tan axle pins are temporary supports for building; these will be removed.)

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

9 hours ago, Erik Leppen said:

I agree that the roof/windscreen beam looks a bit off, but I probably won't change it because it provides a lot of extra strength.

Could you at least use an axle and some connectors instead of the beam? It'll look better but also be durable.

[Aventador2004]

Interesting mods, why not full wheel arches?

[zux]

It looks weirdly nice, thanks to those panels.

[Erik Leppen]

On ‎25‎-‎12‎-‎2017 at 9:00 PM, BrickbyBrickTechnic said:

Could you at least use an axle and some connectors instead of the beam? It'll look better but also be durable.

Right now you can lift it by this part of the roof. That would be lost if I'd replace the 9L beam by axles. Also, it would increase part count, decrease stiffness and the only way I see this possible is with the use of 3L axles which are color-coded gray or yellow, so I would need to add a bush to keep it black, which helps little. I still prefer the current solution.

 

On ‎25‎-‎12‎-‎2017 at 10:32 PM, Aventador2004 said:

Interesting mods, why not full wheel arches?

Good question. If you look at the wheel arches in the original reference picture in the opening post, you see that the wheel arches have a thinner "ridge" at the outsides and are lower (closer to the wheel) on the inside. I think the best way to replicate this is by leaving out the inner side completely. If #42039 would have been like the prelim picture and had the flat bendable panels, I could have used those, but these parts don't exist and I wish to use official parts only. I see no non-bulky solution to cover the entire wheel, so I thought with current parts, this is the best and cleanest solution. (You could say I chose to "suggest" a shape rather than replicate it exactly.)

[Aventador2004]

Ahh, yes I see. I forgot this was a formula 1 plus Le Mans racer.

[1gor]

Sadly there are no new smooth panels in this "silver geeen" color from 8466 set. Color is great choice, but shape of panels is a bit let-down... It is good idea to cover all those blue pins

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

4 hours ago, Erik Leppen said:

Right now you can lift it by this part of the roof. That would be lost if I'd replace the 9L beam by axles.

This is understandable. Liftability from the roof is a worthwhile feature.

[Jurss]

Those old panels looks interesting, but more like something damaged.

[Boulderer]

I really like the old panels. They give the model a nice retro feel.

[bonox]

wow - impressive. I always love seeing people use the older panels and that green on black looks fabulous.