GTP Cool Wall: One-Off Quandry.

[BKGlover]

I know I set the new rule stating that "Non-production Modifieds and Customs are not allowed.", but I have hit a snag.

The problem is the ever beautiful, ever one-off coachbuild. Currently, two cars in question. The Alfa 6C "Aerospider", which according to what I've seen is a home built custom, and the more pressing matter of the Hispano-Suiza H6C "Xania" coachbuild. The thing is, initially I was ready to let it go. But as time some time has passed, I'm not so sure. If no, then there will be no exceptions to the "No Customs" rule, but in exchange we would lose the opportunity to nominate some cars no-one has thought of yet, all those one-off Ferrari customs by Bertone, Pininfarina, and other coachbuilders.

So after some thinking, I'm putting this before the voters. Yes, unlike the members of the US Congress, I want to hear what you think. So I'm putting the vote up, a simple yea or nay, on coachbuilds being allowed on the Cool Wall. Six days on this one, so as many people can vote as possible.

Now an ACTUAL definition that can be used by all: Post #17 by Cano.

 

[Bopop4]

I have no problem with it.

Some of them are cool, some not so much.

Nothing wrong with changing it up now and then.
(Unless every other car is a one-off, then it's a problem.)

 

[Slash]

Yeah I think one-off customs and concept cars would be cool to have.

 

[BKGlover]

I'm not even sure I'm putting it in writing correctly. I just feel that there is a difference between the Xania and that P4/5 one-off from years ago that is somehow different from the Aerospider and other homemade customs. And kinda like giving the A110 a mere 'cool', I can't fully explain why.

 

[Cano]

Ahem...

 

[BKGlover]

I'm gonna guess custom. Like I said, I don't really know what to do here.

 

[Adamgp]

I voted yes but after thinking about it I wish I voted no.

 

[BKGlover]

Why is that?

 

[Adamgp]

Why is that?

Because one-offs and customs are made to satisfy 1 persons personal tastes. They aren't made to appeal to the masses.

I just think it wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[BKGlover]

I agree to a point. The thing Cano put up here I would call a Custom outright(BTW, did that come out of Boyd Coddington's shop at any time?)because as you said, it's to the customer's taste and usually shops that do those modifications are more common than one might think.

The problem is that these older cars, the Xania being a grand example, yes were customs in that the owner said what they wanted, but unlike the above, at that point it was generally handed over to the coachbuilder.

Hmm...I guess that settles the Alfa question, doesn't it?

 

[BKGlover]

Ahem...

The more I look at it, the more I say NO.

THIS is what is in question...

Then there's these...

And remember when this threw everyone off?...

 

[Northstar]

I say if it has it's own model distinction it should be good(like the 2 Ferrari's above).

And for the record i did make the Alfa nomination with the understanding it may be denied.

 

[BKGlover]

Yeah, and I don't like doing it because you went looking for the info, but the "Aerospider" may not make the list. I won't say IT won't, but right now it isn't likely.

 

[Yauma9]

What makes a coachbuild different from a custom?
Or even:
What makes a coachbuild more special than a custom?

 

[BKGlover]

Possibly the biggest part of the problem. I guess difference is that it isn't usually a obvious modification.

Just thought of an example. The VW Type I Beetle, how many custom bugs have you seen in your lifetime? Quite a few, right? Most of them can still be recognized as a beetle immediately though. Most. The beetle has a production coachbuild, the Karmann-Ghia. A beetle chassis and engine with a Karmann body.

I apologize if this doesn't help, I'm just grasping at straws right now.

 

[Slash]

First thing that came to mind was the GT90.

And the 1989 Pontiac Banshee.

 

[Cano]

Possibly the biggest part of the problem. I guess difference is that it isn't usually a obvious modification.

Just thought of an example. The VW Type I Beetle, how many custom bugs have you seen in your lifetime? Quite a few, right? Most of them can still be recognized as a beetle immediately though. Most. The beetle has a production coachbuild, the Karmann-Ghia. A beetle chassis and engine with a Karmann body.

I apologize if this doesn't help, I'm just grasping at straws right now.

Bad example, the Karmann Ghia is a mass-production car. And for the record, the Extremeliner is even more of a coachbuild than the Xenia Coupe because even the chassis was made from scratch, there is no single production automobile panel in the entire car. I didn't post that car just out of the blue.

The only difference that should be taken into consideration regarding the Cool Wall is this: Is the car in question a modified version of a production automobile? If yes, then even though I'd agree with those being put into the cool wall, it could be questionable. If the car in question is based on an existing chassis but has an entirely custom-made body, then yes, it could be included as it isn't a modified automobile but an entirely custom-made car.

 

[BKGlover]

Bad example, the Karmann Ghia is a mass-production car. And for the record, the Extremeliner is even more of a coachbuild than the Xenia Coupe because even the chassis was made from scratch, there is no single production automobile panel in the entire car. I didn't post that car just out of the blue.

Yeah, I kinda figured it was ******. The Extremeliner, though, is the same problem I ran into with the Aerospider Justin nominated, and what brought all this about.

The only difference that should be taken into consideration regarding the Cool Wall is this: Is the car in question a modified version of a production automobile? If yes, then even though I'd agree with those being put into the cool wall, it could be questionable. If the car in question is based on an existing chassis but has an entirely custom-made body, then yes, it could be included as it isn't a modified automobile but an entirely custom-made car.

This...yes. This is what I've been thinking, and doing a absolutely bass-ackwards, hare-brained, and moronic job of explaining. THANK YOU! In all seriousness, Thank You Cano!

 

[Cano]

I also have another consideration: a car that was modified to be made into a never-was version of said car, but kept stock looking. Several shooting brake cars come to mind. Also, several ragtops made out of cars that never had a ragtop version.

I do think they should be included in the poll as long as said cars are kept stock-looking right down to not having another set of wheels than what came/was available from the factory/dealer.

Examples:

Of course, the possibility of someone actually nominating one of these shall be slim at best, but you never know. I for one think they should be included.

 

[BKGlover]

I would allow those, the Corvette shooting brakes come to mind as well, and cutting the roof off would be fine too as long as that was it. I'd love to have that Charger. And is that a Cuda with a fin and a nosecone? That might be a bit of a stretch.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Edit: Never mind.

 

[Cano]

And is that a Cuda with a fin and a nosecone? That might be a bit of a stretch.

No Cuda. it's a 1971 Road Runner with the planned and wind tunnel-tested aero upgrades for NASCAR's 71 season before NASCAR banned the aero cars. The wind tunnel scale models and some prepdocution pieces were found by a company called Dayclona, and they did that car. It's an awesome what if.

 

[BKGlover]

No Cuda. it's a 1971 Road Runner with the planned and wind tunnel-tested aero upgrades for NASCAR's 71 season before NASCAR banned the aero cars. The wind tunnel scale models and some prepdocution pieces were found by a company called Dayclona, and they did that car. It's an awesome what if.

I'd call that a prototype if it's the only one or one of a handful. And yes, an awesome what if. I'm not sure how well it would have done, looking at the 69 Daytona & 70 Superbird, but an incredible look regardless. Why was Chrysler Corp the only one swinging for the fences with the cars. GM didn't care, and Ford made some aero improvements, but I think they were going for the 429 mainly.

 

[Tornado]

Wait. Dodge didn't make a Charger convertible?






Whad'ya know. I'd never really thought about it. I always just assumed they made one, since they did for the Coronet and the two were basically the same.

 

[BKGlover]

I know, right? Almost all the big cars had a convertible option, so it just seems natural.

 

[Tyger]

I voted yes and agree with Cano here. I love to see these one-offs and the OP is correct that a lot of older cars (Rolls, Talbot Lago, Bugatti etc) were often mostly if not all custom jobs, with numerous coachbuilders working on them. The Ferrari Special Projects and that bizarre McLaren based on the 12C are good modern examples too.

On the other hand, there's little point in posting a tricked-out WRX unless you are just asking if the WRX in general should be on the cool wall.

 

[Cano]

Why was Chrysler Corp the only one swinging for the fences with the cars. GM didn't care, and Ford made some aero improvements, but I think they were going for the 429 mainly.

GM held a ban of all the racing activities starting innnnnnnnnn... I think 1964, so many of the cars in the GM stable never raced under factory backing in... well, nothing, lol. And Ford was on it, too:

But then NASCAR pulled the plug...

 

[BKGlover]

That, running against that 71 RR? That would have been incredible to watch.