[Bob Dillon]

My thought is this: with manufacturers fighting for every tenth of an MPG, aerodynamic styling helps. I wouldn't be surprised if many of these cars were designed in a wind tunnel. That's probably why you see recessed door handles, laid-back windshield angles, spoilers, and the like.

Doesn't do much for styling, but they have to make the Feds happy.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Bob Dillon

I wouldn't be surprised if many of these cars were designed in a wind tunnel.

I'm surprised you guys are surprised by this.

We spend years in the wind tunnel developing cars.

Aerodynamic advantage is "free" - all other fuel economy enablers cost money.

K

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I'm surprised you guys are surprised by this.

We spend years in the wind tunnel developing cars.

Aerodynamic advantage is "free" - all other fuel economy enablers cost money.

K

Is this a news flash? I thought it was pretty obvious that fuel economy CAFE averages is what ties the hands of the designers.

Compare a 65 GTO drag coefficient to a 05 GTO and it's probably twice that of the 05 car. Ive owned both and know that drafting a semi with a 65 made much more difference than my 05 does. The windshield rake alone makes a huge difference not even taking into consideration the other body contours that help drop drag. My 05 even has a plastic pan under the trunk to smooth out the air flow under the car.

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Compare a 65 GTO drag coefficient to a 05 GTO and it's probably twice that of the 05 car.

You older guys might remember Smokey Yunick's black Chevelle stocker. Nobody could figure out why it was 2-3 mph faster than the pack until a NASCAR official compared another Chevelle side by side with it and discovered the windshield was laid back quite a few degrees from stock.

Templates soon followed.

[4spdT37]

Smokey is responsible for half of NASCAR's rules.

It's all in how you interpret the rules as written.
When it say's 1" fuel line max, it didn't say you couldn't use a 50' garden hose that held another 2 gallons of gas.,Yeah he got the fuel line rule re-written too.

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by 4spdT37

Smokey is responsible for half of NASCAR's rules.

It's all in how you interpret the rules as written.
When it say's 1" fuel line max, it didn't say you couldn't use a 50' garden hose that held another 2 gallons of gas.,Yeah he got the fuel line rule re-written too.

I also seem to remember a controversy about using the roll cage tubing as a stealthy nitrous bottle.

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by Bob Dillon

Doesn't do much for styling, but they have to make the Feds happy.

Yep. Hit the nail on the head.

All cars are govt. motors now.