Made More Like The Classic...

[DUCeditor]

Here is a quickie photoshop which, IMO, makes the Miata-based design closer in appearance and overall look to the classic 124.



My goal was to get rid of the modern Japanese "softness" of line, get the proportions closer to the original (especially the rear overhang, but also the area between the door and the rear-wheel cutaway), and even to allow a small behind the seat 'kennel.'

-don

[clbrenta]

I approve

[Nanonevol]

Yeah, that's my real objection: no back seat. Otherwise looks cool to me.

[KevAndAndi]

Much better. I don't care for the stubby rear end of the Fiata. If there were a little more "swallow tail", then I would really be happy.

[ScotcH]

Personally, the biggest disappointment is the too modern headlights. This one change could make me love it ... The Mini and Fiat 500 got the retro headlights right ... why they fucked it up on the Spider, I don't know. The have the nacelles, but the lights themselves are terrible. Here is my take on it:



Or, even more retro (though of course the metal bumpers would never pass the delicate insurance laws these days )

[DUCeditor]

Yes! Those headlights do make a difference.



-don

[DanB]

Holy crap that is worlds better! The front end of the new spider as been bothering me since I first saw it...

[toplessexpat]

Google the TVR Chimera - that's what I think a new spider should look like . It helps that it came with a 240hp v8. Ok a bit of reshaping over the rear wings.... But heading the right way.

[rdv]

:
Here is my take on it:

Hi,
that would be a great option pack! I think, the new 500 can get this chrome "application" too?!

Ciao,
Ralf

[clbrenta]

Antennas (Radio) are ugly. Should not be visible

[KevAndAndi]

You hit the nail on the head with those headlights. It's a world of difference. If they had gotten that right and given the tail a little more "swallow", it would have been a much better homage to the original. I don't even like those modern headlights on cars that have no relation to a classic. Everything from headlights to motorcycles to bicycle helmets has gotten weirder and uglier, IMHO. Does everything have to look like a Transformer? Headlights are like eyes - window to the soul. For that reason, I wouldn't use sterile LEDs in mine.

And, hey, you kids, get off my lawn! In myyyyy dayyyyy...

[ScotcH]

Totally agree, Kevin. I'm really tempted to buy a new spider, and have a pro sheet metal guy graft on the old style headlights, or something similar. I don't even thing it would be the difficult to do as the nacelles are already there. Yes, I know, moving forward and all that, but I really think a roadster should look classic, not futuristic.

[clbrenta]

[DUCeditor]

That works superbly.

Why couldn't they have done that?

-don

[Ptoneill]

I have a problem with the whole car...why use a Mazda platform, Fiat is the worlds largest manufacturer of vehicles....could they not design a complete package on their own? The interior is almost a duplicate of the Miata some wood inlays and chrome bezels would have gone a long way!!

That being said the Mazda setup does have great balance...does the Fiat have a hardtop or soft top?