Thecarlover's mods & WIPs

I always thought that was a great looking van, especially compared to the regular Espace of the time. The F1 engine is a nice bonus to it.

Yep. It is a mk2 espace but reminds more to the mk3.

I wonder what would happen if this van could fit 9-litre V8 in the middle of the body…

Airborne Van with F90’s engine? (802HP V8)

For the cargo variant, I’d recommend trying to just take the passenger version and make the windows and borders paint, so you get something a tad closer to this.

[quote=“TrackpadUser”]For the cargo variant, I’d recommend trying to just take the passenger version and make the windows and borders paint, so you get something a tad closer to this.
[/quote]

I simply changed the colour of the polys, though I have removed the thick black border around the windows to make sure things are nice and smooth. No black edges around them, as I’m going for the look of no windows at all as a purpose built cargo van, instead of minivan windows replaced with plastic sheets that I always found to look so tacky. It’d be more expensive to produce IRL, but that’s irrelevant in the game.

Trans Sport now available on first page! Standalone download here:
<a class=‘attachment’
thecarlover90MPVLarge.zip (656.9 KB)

At least you released the most unsecure mpv from the 90s.

Since we don’t have the option of polymer panels anymore, it can only get safer. And unless someone tries recreating GM in their game, safety could be prioritised a bit more in the design…

I really hope we get polymer panels back in some sort of fashion, why were they cut again? Balance issues?

Side note, what’s the next model you’re working on?
I know you probably have a huge list, but can I you to add the Ford Maverick/Pinto to your workload one day?

[quote=“thecarlover”]

Since we don’t have the option of polymer panels anymore, it can only get safer. And unless someone tries recreating GM in their game, safety could be prioritised a bit more in the design…[/quote]

Yep.

In automation the not option now of polymer panels are a few steps back because cara like this, renault espace mk1, trabant, etc… Had this panels.

I’m curious about this as well! :stuck_out_tongue:

Hmmm… we already have a body that’s very similar. The 93.3-inch wheelbase, not-an-Austin-Princess body (1974) is close enough to the Pinto in my opinion.

As for the Trans Sport body, I really like it! But it’s not possible to fit a 3800 GM V6 transversely (my only gripe). There’s still room for the 3.1 and 3.4, so… close enough. :stuck_out_tongue:

@SlimJim - Yeah, I thought about the Princess/Pinto model, but nothing Maverick-y enough, plus the Pinto is still a bit different than the Brit. Gremlins or Pacers could be fun, too…

@ArnRno: I have no idea at the moment. The VW XL1, Hummer H2, 90s Range Rover, Toyota FJ Cruiser (I think we really need SUVs), DKW Schenllaster, and a 60s Camaro-Mustang mashup are all things I’ve thought about. There’s already a similar body to the Pinto and somewhat to the Maverick, so those aren’t on my list. We need 60s pony cars more than that, hence the Camaro-Mustang idea. I have thought a bit about the Gremlin, but not as much as the others I’ve listed.

I’ve also been thinking about concept car designs, such as a late 40s/early 50s streamlined bubble dome sedan and a 60s wedge supercar. They’re not production cars, but a lot have been made as concepts and they’re directions car design could have gone into, so it’d be interesting to have those options also available in the game. That’s the reason the rear engine is available in the Trans Sport. The VW Type 2 had it decades earlier, so having that option for the 90s in a streamlined minivan adds more to the game. It’s not as practical for storage as a front engine, but seats didn’t fold into the floor back then anyways. The second trunk in the front could also add more practicality.

@Slim Jim: In which orientation is the engine bay too small? I might be able to modify it a bit to fit the engine.

I’ll cast my vote for a long-nosed, swoopy coupe from the 40’s or 50’s. Something with an engine bay big enough to fit the V12 with 120x120mm bore/stroke ratio, and DCOE carbs. I understand if you don’t want to build something like that, but I think it could be cool.

@Carlover - SlimJim said “transversely.”

Also, a Camaro/Mustang thingy could work nicely, so would a 90s Range (80s, too, for that matter. DKWs are allllways neat, that’d be really cool to see in-game. What about a proper Mini? Eh, everything else I want a model of isn’t “unique” enough, I mean, yeah they’re different, but there are already cars “close enough” in size/wheelbase, even if the look isn’t great.
I cannot wait for I2, V4, Flat-4, so I can have something PROPER to put into the back of a small RR car. <—Totally off topic.

@ArnRno: I meant which part of the transverse engine is too big. If it’s too tall, there’s nothing I can do about it, while too long would be sacrificing wheel width. Too wide, however, is the easiest to solve by lenghtening the front of the frame or moving the firewall back.

I’ve thought about the new Mini as well. Would be interesting to try and make generic, but it’s a car with enough different variations that it would add a lot to the game. 3 door hatch and convertible, coupé amd roadster, and then a longer wheelbase model for the latest 5 door Clubman but also the earlier wagon design. Of course a small pickup could also be added…
It’s a project I might take on at some point, since the new Mini was my favourite car when it came out, and also all these variations.

@Madrias: I forgot to mention it in the other post, but yeah, I thought of that too. Something that can take a V16 with ease. We don’t have any land barge coupes from the period. I figure something looking a little like this:

Of course as a fastback coupe and much bigger, but also a convertible with a more practical windshield. Basically the look of cartoon giant coupe/convertibles from the late 40s/early 50s. No idea when (or if) I’ll get to that, but it’s something I have in mind.

It looks like the engine is a bit too long (96.5mm bore/86.4mm stroke). There’s plenty of room width-wise (green), and depending on the fuel system configuration, plenty of room height-wise (green-yellow).


If you’re still undecided about which body to start working on (and in what order), based on the ideas you gave I’d say:

  1. Range Rover - because it’s smaller than the Hummer and could be used for a variety of “midsize” SUVs of the period
  2. 60s Camaro/Mustang
  3. VW XL1
  4. Hummer H2

I’m not so sure about the FJ Cruiser… we already have a funky SUV-thing with the not-a-Ford-Flex

edit: Did someone say land barge coupes?! (Phantom Corsair? Rolls-Royce Aerodynamic Coupe? Lincoln Mark VIII?) :laughing:

I looked into it and I can’t widen out the engine bay enough without changing the max width of the tires to 165 mm before having to morph the fenders. I could go widen the entire model by about 2 cm, but that’s not such an easy fix. I’ll figure out whether to do that or leave it as-is. It’s not a lot of work to modify, but then there’s reuploading it and whatnot, and also the issues it’ll cause with fixtures on existing models.

Edit: the Phantom Corsair is overall a bit closer to what I have in mind. But the front and fenders closer in design to that Ferrari 125S I posted. I think the 1996 Range Rover will be my next project, since it’s a really simple design and should be quickly done. I also just realised how similar its shape is to the Jeep Grand Cherokee of the time. It’s pretty much just the fenders that are different. Generic 90s SUV slotting below partario’s model.

Yeah, my vote’s firmly in place regarding 40’s/50’s coupe with a long nose for a big engine. I know we kinda need SUV’s, but we also need old cars, too.

My vote, something swoopy and aerodynamic looking with a long nose, low roofline, and boat-tail styled rear end. Maybe rear-wheel coverings.

Granted, if the SUV goes smoothly and quickly, maybe the coupe can come after it.

Edit: I was thinking, personally, a little closer to the '38 Talbot Lago coupe, if it gives any inspiration.

Edit #2: Alternatively, I do like the look of the Rolls Royce Aerodynamic Coupe. That’d work nicely.

@slimjim

You really consider the Mark VIII a land barge coupe?

@thecarlover

I would personally prefer to see the Mustang Camaro mashup first, but 90s and modern large SUVs are definitely needed as are modern American sedans.