THAT'S AWESOME! those kits from sweden are a bit too expensive for me. so any competition to bring the price down is good news. I'm definitely interested, when do you think those kits could be ready by? i wanna show off my car this summer

 

hey, Saabrider...

Welcome...

The body kit issue has been a huge bone of contention in the (admittedly short) time I've been here, mainly because the two available kit solutions are, for some, at opposite ends of the taste spectrum. Making a NG900/9-3 into a Viggen clone is as far as some folks want to go, while others like the Japanese-inspired look of the Real Car kit. I posted some comments about the Real Car kit in this forum and elsewhere, and I'll elaborate on them if you like, but some of the things I found in some of the subsequent comments was:

• There's a strong preference for subtle aggression. Just as a whispered threat is much more menacing than a scream, the hottest Saabs are often complete sleepers.
  
  Function over form. No ports to nowhere, no wings that look lifted from a 747. No useless ridges, or crazy ripples. Everything should have a clearly defined purpose, and enhance the performance of the car.
  
  Faithful to original scale. Say what you want about its GM heritage, but the NG900 is a well-proportioned car. A body kit should reflect that. The old Airflow kit on my C900 hept the lines of the original while adding a definite muscularity.

If you want any more ideas, just holla.....

 

You're absolutely correct in what you said. I'm definitely not looking to "rice" this kit out. Subtlety is what we're looking for. I wanna keep everything smooth and sleek. Natural looking for that sleeper look. As always, more suggestions welcome.

 

Saabrider... first off welcome to our forum. I am very glad you stop through to tell us about this, as we have been thinking about finding a local company to initiate a mold for a new kit.

I think some of the main concerns have already been voiced regarding designs and I personally like the fact that you use polyurethane as well. Thats a big plus.

Just some other questions however...what company do you represent? Also does your company have a website, or any pictures of other kits that you've constructed? Just so we can get an example of the type of work you do.

I look forward to hearing your reply to this. Also I may have proposition for you and your company if this all works out well.

 

Let me take a picture of a Viggen, and then draw some points to maybe what I would like to see.

So far, I think larger area for intercooler, however keep the oval look, just make it edgyer.

Also how about some big ass round foglight holes for KC Daylighter type applications.

Maybe also some sort of mesh on the pass side just next to the license plate frame for possible cold air induction. And something to balance the look on the other side.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys. I do apologize that I didn't introduce myself earlier. Well first here is a little about me:

Name: William
Location: Northern, NJ
Car: 1997 Saab 900 S (not turbo YET) keyword...yet.
My Fiance, myself and a friend own our own motorsports shop, LoPro Motorsports, and we are affiliated w/ numerous automotive suppliers ) We have our own website but it is in the process of being updated. Since we received new product for '04-'05 season.

As for the kits. I am working with Accolade on this project. We have created some of the hottest body kits out there for the import scene. We are looking to cross-over from a Japanese import scene to more of a Euro one. This is why all of the help and suggestions are appreciated. Here is their website and please do ask as many questions as possible. I am always here for everyone.

Here is Accolade's web address:

http://www.body-kit.com

If you want to see one of the kits I personally helped create, take a look at the link:

http://www.body-kit.com/evovii.html

Thanks and please let me know if you need anything or have questions.

 

Forgive us for being a bit skiddish, most imports with kits I see either Euro or Jap, are just cars with body kits. Alot of us here put more emphasis on making our cars silly fast, instead of how they look. Take my bumper for example. :wink:

 

That is very true. I agree. The thing with the Japanese Import kits are to completely modify the look from the OEM standard. They are out to change the look as well as engine components. I know with more Euros, they come with fantastic bodies already. But it is to each person and how they see their car or project. I guess it basically comes down to one's outlook for their car, and how much they want it to differ from the other "guys", and reflect their own personality.

 

For that reason, are you looking to make several different designs...say a less agressive look and an alternative one with a more agressive look? Or just one design that fits along the line with everyone's opinions?

I ask this because many people want to stick with the Viggen look, however I feel if I'm going to change the look, why not go with something that doesn't resemble another Saab, yet is still in good taste.

 

To start throwing out ideas...I like this style of rear bumper, with the vents.

 

We're thinking of two designs

The replies we are receiving from this forum have made us realize that at least two kits should be made. A subtle, non-imposing kit, and a more aggressive one. There are a lot of options open due to the design of the car. However, we'll be focusing, first, on the "sleeper" kit.

 

I am interested too. I love the REAL CAR kit so anything close to that look will be awesome.

I would love to see this sort of front bumper on the kit

Looks like you need someone to re-design your site. Check out my services: http://www.rcmdesign.com I would be happy to help out

 

What about more like this...not as agressive but sill nice.

 

See some of us want a very aggressive import scene look, while others want the classic "viggen" plain ole' look. So two kits would be good to satisfy both demands. What kind of price are we looking at for a full kit. $400/$500 like most import honda kits??

 

See I'd definately like that front, just without the extended valence at the bottom. That extension will make it too easy to chip, or scratch, because it sticks out. Maybe that front without the little lip on the bottom.

But I REAALLY like that design as a whole...without the lip.

 

What would you want in place of that? Nothing? I think the kit is perfectamente.


Another shot of the same kit.

 

Saabrider,

The Accolade kits appear pretty varied, even enough to satisfy the polar opposite tastes you'll hear on this board. My preference is toward the Mazda 6 or the Lexus Eurostyled one, not something that's going to frighten small children.

All the necessary design cues for your Euro-sleeper Saab kit are right there in the chrome yellow Viggen that Tweek posted. I'd suggest you look at it for what works (which is a lot) then pump up the volume...

Tweek was right about keeping the shape of the Viggen IC "mouth" . Look at the Viggen and you'll see that the front air-dam opening mimics the center shape of the grille. That's the kind of deliberate design that works. Maybe try inverting it (a la the Evo) or enlarging it. The foglight openings mimic the rectangular headlights, so those are going to be tough. Sorry Tweek: Circular ones would look like missplaced eyes, or give it the goggle-eyed look of the Subaru Impreza, changed for the 2003+ models. :shock:

On the Viggen, notice how the subtle crease leading along the side of the front air dam is continued on the other side of the wheel by a corresponding crease on the side skirt. A strong design element, but not totally in your face. First time I saw the Viggen in Saab Soundings magazine I stared at it for like five minutes.

That ass needs some work, so Ced's idea about vents might be nice, as long as it fulfulled the original intent of cleanly hiding the gas tank, rear muffler and suspension components. End-user installed mesh might be nice, and reduce the material costs.

Front and back, toughest measurements are going to be entry and exit heights for something that's lowered. These cars are going to be driven in the real world, not exclusively on a track. This is the mistake most ricers make when they realize that their expensive kit is getting grated away by every 5 degree ramp...RCM, that's going to be the problem with that Lancer the first time the guy decides to hit the 7-Eleven. SCRRRRRAPE!!!!!!

Not to make this a whole design thesis, but ....Don't recreate the Viggen...just put more flash in the lightning!

 

A rear bumper idea

 

Rob, the airdam on the black 900 you posted is a start in the right direction...They noticed the symmetry of the grille but went a little overboard on the proportions. The small lip on the outside edge is nice, as it flows into the curve of the wheel opening.

The lip on the front is gonna get bruised. It should tuck down and out of the way...

(You guys thinking about CF hoods: notice the heat-induced warpage on that "ground effects" pic. I'd be one pissed-off mofo if that happened to me....)

 

I'm not feelin' ya on that rear bumper, Rob...I'm thinking I need a little butter and salt, or maybe some gravy, for that rice!

 

I too like the that last rear bumper..although im not a fan of the bolt on parts on each side.

I feel in order to get around the scraping of the front (which will happen regardless), perhaps a removable or changable lower valence can be attached. This way if anything happend to chip it, crack it or whatever, only the valence could be replaced or painted without the entire bumper needing to be.

They use the replacable valence idea in realy Autocrossing jfyi.

 

Obviously me and mike have different ideas on what the kit should look like. Maybe saunders should design the "weak" kit and me and ced can take care of the "aggressive kit"

 

From the sounds of it, there's going to be two different kits, made but if we can agree on things like the bumper and the sides, maybe those two parts can be used for both aggressive and non-aggressive kit.

 

I'm totally up for that! I'll be Granpa Munster in the hot rod hearse...

I was in a Volvo S60R that smoked these kids in a tricked out Civic. Wasn't even close but it was hilarious. The kid behind the wheel learned that looking fast doesn't translate into going fast...

 

I think the only difference is the front. If everyone agreed on the look of the rear and skirts, Accolade could produce a second more...ahem... "aggressive" air dam for folks who wanted to scoop up wayward squirrels.