CSC57: The Long Road to Hell and Back (completed)

1995 SVM Hellblazer by DHP

A classic reimagined by racecar builder and performance tuner DHP.

1 Like

1995 SVM Hellblazer by Cascina

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Less than 24 hours to go before the deadline.

If you haven’t sent in your entries via forum DM, please do so before then.

Update (12:00 am GMT, May 2nd 2023):

Submissions are now closed.

Expect reviews and results to follow shortly.

CSC57 Reviews and Results

As the SVM design team gathered around in the main building of the company’s design studio, they found nine outsourced proposals waiting for them. Within a few hours, they had evaluated and ranked all of them. Their verdicts and rankings were as follows:

9th: @Rise_Comics - This proposal got the wooden spoon for looking too toylike and/or aftermarket, especially with its giant rear wing and oversized side mirrors. The front end is too futuristic and lacks any real links to the rest of the company’s range.

8th: @Maxbombe - This isn’t a bad design per se, but it looks dated - by a half-decade. Had it come out five or so years ago, this would have been a top contender; as it is, however, it clearly shows its age compared to the opposition.

(OOC: This was the only proposal to be based on any of the Bean body sets)

7th: @Tsundere-kun - Lots of complex detailing everywhere, especially on the sides, but its proportions are ruined by an overly long rear overhang.

Side profile of Cascina

It’s not as readily apparent from a three-quarter angle, but such mistakes are ultimately too glaring to ignore in such exalted company.

6th: @Danicoptero - One of only two entries to use the same body set as the test mule. It’s an OK design, but could do with better fixture proportioning, especially for the headlights and taillight clusters. The color is great, though.

5th: @Ch_Flash - Compared to the previous design, this one is generally more cohesive, with a contemporary feel. However, the base of the A-pillar is a bit too far forward for what is meant to be a front-engined, rear-drive car, and that’s enough to scupper its chances.

Side profile of proposal


This is most apparent in the side profile, where there is too little space between the bottom of the A-pillar and the trailing edge of the front wheel arch.

(OOC: This was the second of two entries to use the same body set as the test mule)

4th: @Mikonp7 - This proposal leans slightly on the futuristic side, with a generally clean look throughout. However, it’s let down with overly blocky detailing on the lower body, especially for the front splitter and side skirts, and the rear overhang is a tad long (though not to the same extent as the Cascina’s).

3rd: @Fantic2000 - A minimalist, understated design that’s still easily recognizable as a Hellblazer - one staffer likened it to Stephanie Holden. However, It just needs a little bit more flair if it is to finish higher; as an aside, it’s the only proposal to have T-tops.

2nd: @Riley - This design apparently ticks all the boxes: clean yet aggressive, while also maintaining the identity of both the nameplate and the brand. Even when standing still, it definitely looked like it had enough brawn to rival Mitch Buchannon. However, as good as it was, there was still one proposal that kept it from taking top honors, by virtue of being just a little bit better in every measurable way.

1st: @the-chowi - The design team chose this proposal for being a bold departure from tradition, but one that paid off handsomely with a dramatic, dynamic look guaranteed to stand the test of time. If any of the proposals could be compared to C. J. Parker, it is this one.

(OOC: This was the only proposal I received that was built on the 360-esque body set - most of the others used one of the Vendetta body sets.)

Epilogue

The new-for-1995 SVM Hellblazer debuted at the 1994 North American International Auto Show to rave reviews, and quickly became the darling of the motoring press, drawing huge crowds at every auto show where it was exhibited. It was initially available only as a 2+2 coupe, but two-seater and convertible variants were added to the lineup within a year.

1995 Hellblazer 2+2 Coupe shown above in Deep Purple Metallic.

Production began in July 1994 and continued for a whole decade, during which time it recorded consistently high sales numbers. More significantly, it massively boosted the company’s image, and spawned a successful racing program. There have been three generations of Hellblazer since then, but none of those would have come to fruition without the success of the seminal 1994 model.

Final Rankings (for hosting order)

1st: the-chowi
2nd: Riley
3rd: Fantic2000
4th: Mikonp7
5th: Ch_Flash
6th: Danicoptero
7th: Tsundere-kun
8th: Maxbombe
9th: Rise_Comics

Many thanks to everyone who participated - I hope you had fun, and so did I!

10 Likes

nice!
thanks for hosting and congrats to everybody else
i’ll definitely host the next round, i’m gonna try to get it ready ASAP

2 Likes

Well, I did say Soon, so… CSC58 - God’s Green Earth