Hatchback vs. Trunk
07-22-2003 | 07:35 AM
#46
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by CLEAN
Why not have GM offer both? If the only difference to them was the C pilar, the rear glass and the hatch structure/trunk lid, it shouldn't be that difficult. Look at the Corvette, hatch vs. hardtop...only differences are the above mentioned pieces, and in both of them, you open up the rear to the same cargo compartment. Shouldn't add much development cost. In fact, if they come up w/ a convertible model, they'll already have a trunk lid, so all they'll have to work up is a fixed C pilar and attach it to the roof structure and the rear fenders. Heck, they could even use the backlight from the convertible top (assuming it's still going to be glass)!!
Problem is, it depends on the overall styling of the car to determine which design would look better. If it were low and wide like the F3 and F4, the hatch would look better, but if it were more upright like the F1 (and the M*stang for that matter) the truck would fit the look better.
I guess all you have to do is picture an F4 vert w/ the top up and imagine it as if it were a hard top. Looks good as a vert, but kind of odd as a coupe. My opinion.
Why not have GM offer both? If the only difference to them was the C pilar, the rear glass and the hatch structure/trunk lid, it shouldn't be that difficult. Look at the Corvette, hatch vs. hardtop...only differences are the above mentioned pieces, and in both of them, you open up the rear to the same cargo compartment. Shouldn't add much development cost. In fact, if they come up w/ a convertible model, they'll already have a trunk lid, so all they'll have to work up is a fixed C pilar and attach it to the roof structure and the rear fenders. Heck, they could even use the backlight from the convertible top (assuming it's still going to be glass)!!
Problem is, it depends on the overall styling of the car to determine which design would look better. If it were low and wide like the F3 and F4, the hatch would look better, but if it were more upright like the F1 (and the M*stang for that matter) the truck would fit the look better.
I guess all you have to do is picture an F4 vert w/ the top up and imagine it as if it were a hard top. Looks good as a vert, but kind of odd as a coupe. My opinion.
Remember the 1987 Trans Am GTA Notchback?
It pretty much used this idea.... and, it was pretty hard to look at, IMO...
It didnt last long either.
This doesn't mean it can't be done better, but that experiment failed, IMO
07-22-2003 | 07:44 AM
#48
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,531
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Remember the 1987 Trans Am GTA Notchback?
It pretty much used this idea.... and, it was pretty hard to look at, IMO...
It didnt last long either.
This doesn't mean it can't be done better, but that experiment failed, IMO
Remember the 1987 Trans Am GTA Notchback?
It pretty much used this idea.... and, it was pretty hard to look at, IMO...
It didnt last long either.
This doesn't mean it can't be done better, but that experiment failed, IMO
Horrible execution. I have a hard time believing it couldn't be done better.
Wouldn't GM have to do another round of crash tests with a new roof structure or rear opening? Choice would be nice....Heck, they did Malibu and Malibu Maxx, right?
07-22-2003 | 07:54 AM
#49
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!
I've seen a picture of the car you're talking about. I don't think that was the work of GM designers though....could be wrong on that one.
Horrible execution. I have a hard time believing it couldn't be done better.
I've seen a picture of the car you're talking about. I don't think that was the work of GM designers though....could be wrong on that one.
Horrible execution. I have a hard time believing it couldn't be done better.
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/transam.htm
But, yes, you are correct in saying there were some similar aftermarket kits available as well...
07-22-2003 | 08:11 AM
#51
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!
Yup, the one I saw was aftermarket and it looked much worse. It's still an afterthought though. If they went at it with two choices in mind though, it might be different.
Yup, the one I saw was aftermarket and it looked much worse. It's still an afterthought though. If they went at it with two choices in mind though, it might be different.
Something like what Corvette did, I suppose, could work... the LS1 Hatchback and the LS6 Notchback.
Though the 1999/2000 Corvette Hardtop was pretty much a flop until it became the Z06 in 2001...
07-22-2003 | 10:40 AM
#52
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,576
From: Arlington, Texas
Yeah, like I said earlier, if they keep the 3/4th gen look for F5, the trunk look would be kind of odd...like the notchback from the GTA.
Darth quote......Though the 1999/2000 Corvette Hardtop was pretty much a flop until it became the Z06 in 2001...
True, but by the time they were done with it, it only cost 500 bucks less than the targa. Why limit yourself to stick, basic black interior, fixed roof, and so on to only save $500?? If they would have stuck to their plan to price it around 30, I would have bought one in a heartbeat over my Formula.
Darth quote......Though the 1999/2000 Corvette Hardtop was pretty much a flop until it became the Z06 in 2001...
True, but by the time they were done with it, it only cost 500 bucks less than the targa. Why limit yourself to stick, basic black interior, fixed roof, and so on to only save $500?? If they would have stuck to their plan to price it around 30, I would have bought one in a heartbeat over my Formula.
07-22-2003 | 10:55 AM
#53
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by CLEAN
Darth quote......Though the 1999/2000 Corvette Hardtop was pretty much a flop until it became the Z06 in 2001...
True, but by the time they were done with it, it only cost 500 bucks less than the targa. Why limit yourself to stick, basic black interior, fixed roof, and so on to only save $500?? If they would have stuck to their plan to price it around 30, I would have bought one in a heartbeat over my Formula.
Darth quote......Though the 1999/2000 Corvette Hardtop was pretty much a flop until it became the Z06 in 2001...
True, but by the time they were done with it, it only cost 500 bucks less than the targa. Why limit yourself to stick, basic black interior, fixed roof, and so on to only save $500?? If they would have stuck to their plan to price it around 30, I would have bought one in a heartbeat over my Formula.
Still, they did flop... Can a 3rd roofline in a Camaro succeed without a unique powertrain? I dunno...
07-22-2003 | 11:00 AM
#54
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Remember the 1987 Trans Am GTA Notchback?
It pretty much used this idea.... and, it was pretty hard to look at, IMO...
It didnt last long either.
This doesn't mean it can't be done better, but that experiment failed, IMO
Remember the 1987 Trans Am GTA Notchback?
It pretty much used this idea.... and, it was pretty hard to look at, IMO...
It didnt last long either.
This doesn't mean it can't be done better, but that experiment failed, IMO
Or maybe that doesn't matter.
07-22-2003 | 11:04 AM
#55
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Originally posted by R377
But I think it opened up just like a hatchback, didn't it? So basically it was just a different hatch styled to look like a coupe.
But I think it opened up just like a hatchback, didn't it? So basically it was just a different hatch styled to look like a coupe.
Or maybe that doesn't matter.
07-22-2003 | 04:29 PM
#56
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 562
From: Mich.
Originally posted by IZ28
I would also like split rear seats like many Thirds had as an option and think having hatch and trunk as options is a great idea too.
I would also like split rear seats like many Thirds had as an option and think having hatch and trunk as options is a great idea too.
(lol I had to put that I thought it was all in fun
)
07-22-2003 | 05:53 PM
#58
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,375
From: Sarasota FL
I didn't read any of this post at all...all I wanna say is that I want the Camaro to be a hatchback VERY much...I think it looks sportier, and definitely adds to utility. I used to carry soooo much stuff in my '89 RS...obviously the Z is solely meant to haul azz...nothing even remotely large gets stuffed in that trailer queen 
I want a hatchback, but I am almost positive we won't get one...although the Vette is still a hatch...I pray I'm wrong...
I want a hatchback, but I am almost positive we won't get one...although the Vette is still a hatch...I pray I'm wrong...
07-22-2003 | 09:21 PM
#59
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,139
From: Commerce, mi, USA
I wish I had time to read this thread right now! But too much to do. Let me just say I agree with the first post, by WERM, and the one right above from Jason E.
Here's my 99 Formula holding an obscene amount of lumber...
http://mwshowgo67.com/formula99/utility.htm
Here's my 99 Formula holding an obscene amount of lumber...
http://mwshowgo67.com/formula99/utility.htm
07-22-2003 | 09:49 PM
#60
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,375
From: Sarasota FL
I'd cry if I ever had to put that in the Z
But my old '89 RS was the family car until '98....thats right, I said FAMILY CAR. We took it to Maine on 7 day family vacations 5 years in a row with 4 people! Pack the glass to the top, and you'd amazed what a third gen could swallow...
People laugh when they say they need a minivan for their kids and I show them a picture of me in front of the RS brand new, when I was 9. Screw minivans...when every other family on the block was buying Caravans and Voyagers, the Emmetts had the Camaro
But my old '89 RS was the family car until '98....thats right, I said FAMILY CAR. We took it to Maine on 7 day family vacations 5 years in a row with 4 people! Pack the glass to the top, and you'd amazed what a third gen could swallow...
People laugh when they say they need a minivan for their kids and I show them a picture of me in front of the RS brand new, when I was 9. Screw minivans...when every other family on the block was buying Caravans and Voyagers, the Emmetts had the Camaro