Ok, I've got 2 cars in consideration, both of which will be severely altered eventually. I payed essentially the same amount of money for each, either, will be running 1.0 3-bangers with manual trannies and will be real-world 65 mph daily drivers. Neither are to be "beaters", all modifications will be finalized in a durable, attractive, functional and well-finished manner. Either will wear full rear wheel skirts, belly pans, smooth wheel covers and as many known and common aero mods as are practical.
One is a 1994 Geo Metro 3 cylinder, approx. weight 1680 lbs., Cd about .32 in stock form.
The other is a 1978 Triumph Spitfire, approx. 1760 lbs. with factory hardtop, Cd. about .38, stock.
Advantages, Geo metro: Cheap! Put the expense and effort into chopping the top in the manner of Dave Cloud's racer:
http://www.seattleeva.org/wiki/Image:P6250018.JPG
(mine will retain the hatch door and will have side glass ) to decrease the Cd. and leave it alone. Initial Cd. very good, and I have no qualms about cutting into it.
Disadvantages, Geo metro: Shedding weight difficult without turning the driving experience into an ordeal and/ or destroying mechanical integrity of car. Improving aero limited by hatchback design. Top chop time consuming, prolonging completion. Aero vs. weight?
Advantages, Spitfire: Cool factor blows Metro away. Weight easily removed in large increments by replacing large mechanical components with lighter versions. Swapping to 1.0 Metro motor w/ Samurai tranny good for 100 pound savings alone. Possible 1,300-1,400 finished weight without compromising creature comforts. Cd. easily (though not cheaply) improved with bumper changes, headlight covers,etc. Most changes reversible, component replacement can be gradual process rendering car driveable.
Disadvantages, Spitfire: Unknown degree of final drag reduction possible, limited by 3-box design. Final reduction may be no greater than Geo in stock form. Less willing to cut into this one, but willing to increase windshield angle and/or chop factory hardtop. Weight vs. aero?
Which do you think has the greater potential, hacked Metro, or lightened/aero'd Spitfire, and why?
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