Hot Rods What's wrong with my roadster's proportions?

Okay, something is off with this thing but I can't put my finger on it. I moved the apron up to the firewall, then cut off the overhang by the back tire. I stood back 20 feet and it looks funny to me. Its as if shortening that apron added height to the profile of the car. Does the back end need to come down some to fill in the wheel well? I will be running a full hood with sides so that might change things too. I have had a few people tell me to section the apron 1"-1.5" to thin it out and elongate it, but I'm not sure? What do you guys think?

BTW, The aprons are staying, so everybody who isn't a fan of this look don't bother suggesting I remove them.

 

Not sure if the picture was taken at a slight angle or not, but to me it looks like the rear wheel is too far back in relation to the wheel well.

 

Is the hood length correct? It might be an illusion, but it looks short.

 

Yeah, just a funny angle. I have the spring mounted on top of the axle so its pretty well centered.

 

Is it the angle of the picture or is the rear axle too far back relative to the wheel well?

 

The body is bolted to the frame in the stock location and so is the grille shell.

 

If that is the final location of the rear axle then it's wrong, figure out how to move it forward.

 

The aprons look good to me. Maybe try lighting it so you lose the heavy shadow underneath and retake the pic to center the wheel in the opening to save yourself some frustration from the peanut gallery...

 

I argee that a 1.5 secton would make a big difference . Maybe you could lower the car 2" after that. I think that would make a pretty big difference! Oh and I like the aporns.

 

It looks like your body is to far forward. Your rear wheel is not centered in the wheel well and the hood looks to short..... and I would not have modified the splash aprons.

 

looks like your hood's too short, could be the photo angle...or are you runnin a V4 ?

 

I agree, looks like the body should be moved back. Might be ok if you run a 3 cyl. engine!

You should try to fit a hood, to see if the body is too far forward.

 

I'm seeing what the other guys are saying.......the rear tire doesn't look centered in the wheel well and the engine compartment looks really short.

Don

 

Look at this photo for some inspiration and good luck with the project, sometimes is necessary get away and take a breath and then later return with the project

 

Whats the wheelbase on it as it sits? looks like the body could be moved back, or the rearend moved.

 

The rear tire doesnt look centered in the wheel well.

 

The engine compartment looks a bit too short, the rear wheel centering may be from the picture angle, but I don't think you could have both dimensions look so off in a single picture???


Sent from my iPhone using TJJ!!!

 

i have always loved this rendering by a fellow hamber..

 

The only thing I see wrong in the picture is that it's not sitting in my garage instead.

 

looks pretty good to me...here's a picture of Albert Drakes '29 AV8 in 1951 for comparison....

 

The different colors, rear quarter panel brown and the door and cowl black are playing tricks on your eyes. I agree that the apron should have a little taken out of it in height. The angle that the picture was taken also makes it look off.

 

I think the front tires are too small for the look you are working on. I.E using the aprons. Study the 40's era hot rods and you will find that none (that I've seen) use the small front tires that so many of the modern day traditionalists like to use. In my opinion, nothing more than a taller front tire will make all well.

 

for the rear wheel to appear centered in the arch, the photo would have to be taken with the wheel centered in the photo frame. So That seems to be an illusion caused by "perspective". I do think that the radiator and the firewall may be too close however. Beautiful start anyway you look at it though.

 

If it hasn't been said already, take the car outside and step back at least 20 ft. and see what it looks like then. You are too close to get a proper perspective in the garage.

John

 

Looks good to me. I think it is an alusion. Unless you have a high dollar camera it is difficult to get a good picture inside a garage. I always like the first time outside so I can get back and realy look from all angles.
Walter

 

It's really quite amazing how the addition or, in this case, the deletion of the engine changes the perceived length of the car. I'm with the fellers who mentioned the rear axle setting back a bit too much. Once the motor is in place and the nose drops a bit, I bet there will be a dramatic difference.

 

I agree the rear wheel looks too far back. The photo looks as though it was taken close to parallel with the car and the centre of the car is close to centre of the frame which should eliminate any perspective faults or illusions, unless u have an unusually wide axle?? You mentioned you cut some overhang off by the rear wheel. Maybe that's the issue. Some more pics may help.

 

First off, your roadster looks like it's coming along great! Secondly, I agree with 'a boner;' it looks like the body is mounted too far forward. I also agree that the best way to check this (if the grille and radiator are in the stock position) is to fit a hood to it. Either way, it's looking good. I like the aprons; makes it really look like a 'period' hot rod. Good luck!

 

The trim rings make it look a little goofy I think.

 

Looks like the body needs to move back, look at the gap between the rear of the apron and the rear wheel/tyre..........and that hood looks way to short ..........have you tried the hood + sides on it..............??