Our Mako Progress Photos

It's been a while since I had any progress to show but I finally have something to show you now.It is not done but it has come a long way.I have had it on the road and it drives out pretty well.I do seem to have a sagy rear spring but that is an easy fix.Let me know what you think the good and the bad, I can take it.

FATHOM 427

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5541.jpg
http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5543.jpg
http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5545.jpg
http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5549.jpg

I've never seen a rear clip like yours before. Was that a kit, did you make it, or was it like that when you bought it? From 3/4 rear view it looks like it needs the Hot Wheels Swoosh.

Not sure about the t-top treatment yet, but it does look evil (so maybe I do like it afterall). Looks good in primer, will it stay that way?

DETAILS ON THE FLIP HEADLIGHTS PLEASE.

Fathom....................... there's definitely nothing bad to say, its AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like the treatment on the t-tops......... the line coming all the way around and then down over the windshield is a great touch ! The recessed rear is very sharp looking. The whole car looks really sweet. What kind of seats are you using ? They look nice through the windshield. Lets see some more pix !!!!!!!!!!!

Rick

parkeracing wrote: I've never seen a rear clip like yours before. Was that a kit, did you make it, or was it like that when you bought it? From 3/4 rear view it looks like it needs the Hot Wheels Swoosh.

Not sure about the t-top treatment yet, but it does look evil (so maybe I do like it afterall). Looks good in pri …

WOW!!!

Your car looks just great... love the way it sits. Please fill me in on your rear quarters... obviously a "wide-body" take on the Mako, and the rear hips look higher too, or is that just my imagination?

Also, are the headlamps functional, or provisioned for future cut-out if so desired?

Finally, is this a one-off kit, or built by one of the kit builders? It seems different than all the others I've seen.

Must feel nice to get it on the road! ~Tim

454CanAm wrote: Fathom....................... there's definitely nothing bad to say, its AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like the treatment on the t-tops......... the line coming all the way around and then down over the windshield is a great touch ! The recessed rear is very sharp looking. The whole car looks really …

The air box looks higher as well. I like that alot.

Firefingers wrote: WOW!!!

Your car looks just great... love the way it sits. Please fill me in on your rear quarters... obviously a "wide-body" take on the Mako, and the rear hips look higher too, or is that just my imagination?

Also, are the headlamps functional, or provisioned for future cut-out if so desired?

F …

Well this project was a lot bigger than any body involved dreamed it would be. The rear is over 8 inches wider and a good 6 inches longer.The head lights do work I just have not made up my mind on what lights to use.The seat are c5 and just fit took a little custom work on the tracks but it all works.

Fathom427

Firefingers wrote: The air box looks higher as well. I like that alot.

I'm very impressed with the headlamp treatment. It would be interesting to see them operate.
I like the treatment of the car, but I would change the exhaust to get them out from under the spring.
Shoot some more shots of the car. It is truely a great looking ride!

Firefingers wrote: The air box looks higher as well. I like that alot.

Jim!!! Your car looks great!!!

Carries some of the design theme from the GM car.
After so much time and a few dollars later, you
finally have your Mako getting real close!!!

Take a look on Susquehanna Motorsports website...
they sell Hella headlamps, etc. I recently bought
a set of their high and low beam 90mm headlamps.
They mount and adjust individually...might be something
you could use. Susquehanna is located in Fleetwood, PA.

You've created a few unique features with your car
and I'm glad to be able to see pictures.

Hope to see you in Carlisle this year...

Great job!!! Marv

fathom427 wrote: Well this project was a lot bigger than any body involved dreamed it would be. The rear is over 8 inches wider and a good 6 inches longer.The head lights do work I just have not made up my mind on what lights to use.The seat are c5 and just fit took a little custom work on the tracks but it all work …

While I admire what you've done making it simulare
to the concept car, it does look a little odd being
wide like it is. I guess it's just because I'm not
used to seeing one like this being as wide as it is.

One thing I couldn't help but to point out is that
if your going to have lips over the front tires you
should also have them over the rear, completes an
even look but thats just my opinion.

The t-top point is a good direction but seems like
it needs to be a little softer of a point to look
right.

I too would like to know more about your head light
treatment.

You Maco is very nice, a little odd looking to me
but done in a very well crafted way. As I said before
I imagine the only reason it looks as odd as it does
is due to the width of the rear hips, no lips over the
rear tires and the over exaggerated t-top point.

Don't get me wrong guys, here I am having made little
to no progress on my own Maco and I have the
mustard to criteak another mans ride, No! he's done
an excellent job and some day soon I hope to show
my own Maco progress on this forum.

Great Job Jim!

2Sharks wrote: I'm very impressed with the headlamp treatment. It would be interesting to see them operate. I like the treatment of the car, but I would change the exhaust to get them out from under the spring. Shoot some more shots of the car. It is truely a great looking ride!

Good point Shawkrider I am sure that we had talked about that at one time or another but must have lost the thought along the way.Now that it has come up again I will do something with it not sure if I will remove the front lip or add a rear lip but Ido agree that it needs to be the same.As for the t tops I really like the way it looks so that will stay the same.As for the width of the rear end I look at every picture of the original car I could find and came to the conclusion that it was wider than all of the kits that were put out.With that I decided to add the 4 inch flares that a lot of us seem to use and bring the body lines up to match the outside edge of the flare.The top view of the two cars looks pretty close and when looking from the back look at the distance between the outside edge of the fender and were the side of the tear drop starts this is for sure wider on the concept car than any of the kits that came after.The head lights slide back under the hood I will try to get some pictures to post on momday the car is back in the shop.

Fathom427

smrtmblues wrote: Jim!!! Your car looks great!!!

Carries some of the design theme from the GM car. After so much time and a few dollars later, you finally have your Mako getting real close!!!

Take a look on Susquehanna Motorsports website... they sell Hella headlamps, etc. I recently bought a set of their …

Hi- I like it. I think adding the lips on the rear flares may break up some of the large flat area effect. That front roof peak got my attention right away and is one of a kind, I happen to like it just as it is. I like the practical aspect of the lites too, the higher position. Besides, its what YOU like that counts. So, what color are you painting it?
Skip

smrtmblues wrote: Jim!!! Your car looks great!!!

Carries some of the design theme from the GM car. After so much time and a few dollars later, you finally have your Mako getting real close!!!

Take a look on Susquehanna Motorsports website... they sell Hella headlamps, etc. I recently bought a set of their …

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5550.jpg

This picture shows a lot. the tail lights, a good look at the exhaust and yes the bottom panel is removable. I should have extended the bumper so you could see it out.It extends out about 4 inches.

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5605.jpg

This one shows the head light covers in there retracted spot.

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5607.jpg

These are the tracks for the covers to travel on

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/9389.jpg

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/9390.jpg

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/9399.jpg

Just a few more to look at.I see I still have some lines to straighten up on the hood.Better to see it now than after paint.The paint will be shark colors I hope less than a mounth away.Marve I did look into the head lights you mentioned and that just might work. On this monday the HOT ROD power tour comes to town should be some cool cars in that group.

Fathom427

ShawkRider wrote: While I admire what you've done making it simulare to the concept car, it does look a little odd being wide like it is. I guess it's just because I'm not used to seeing one like this being as wide as it is.

One thing I couldn't help but to point out is that if your going to have lips over t …

Headlight Door Tech

Hmm...

I fail to see how the headlight treatment is going to work.
It seems that your opening setup doesn't leave room for
the head lights unless the headlights will pop up in place
after the door is opened.

I do know that the concept used two doors (top & bottom)
that slide in with a sationary headlight with a bucket
around the headlight hiding the opening mech.

I believe you are heading in the right direction but may
need to redraw your idea so you too can have a stationary
headlight.

A top and bottom door slide should make things easier for
you when it comes to headlight placement, in your current
setup the door sweeps the area leaving no rooom for lights.

A smaller track system may also leave for more room to
work in the area adjusting the lights and changing bad bulbs
and the like.

Tell me, what is the system enwhich mechinizes the doors
or have you got that far yet?

I have a few ideas on the subject if you ever want to
talk about it.

Good luck.
McBrain

fathom427 wrote: Good point Shawkrider I am sure that we had talked about that at one time or another but must have lost the thought along the way.Now that it has come up again I will do something with it not sure if I will remove the front lip or add a rear lip but Ido agree that it needs to be the same.As for the …

Headlight Door Tech

I have not prototyped any thing as of yet but what we are going to try is to build a platform that the lights will mount to.From there weld some supports from the platform down to the front of the frame thus giving me stationary lights.A different idea was to have the lihgts flip up from behind front grill when the doors open.YOU TUBE has a great short video that shows the head lights up close when in opperation and I really dont see a lower door of any kind but mabey I am just missing it.

skip wrote: Hi- I like it. I think adding the lips on the rear flares may break up some of the large flat area effect. That front roof peak got my attention right away and is one of a kind, I happen to like it just as it is. I like the practical aspect of the lites too, the higher position. Besides, its what Y …

Headlight Door Tech

I used headlights from the late 80's early ninties Pontiac Grand Prix or Olds Cutlass Supreme. They look like they'd almost drop in.

skip wrote: Hi- I like it. I think adding the lips on the rear flares may break up some of the large flat area effect. That front roof peak got my attention right away and is one of a kind, I happen to like it just as it is. I like the practical aspect of the lites too, the higher position. Besides, its what Y …

Headlight Door Tech

what we are going to try is to build a platform that the lights will mount to. From there weld some supports from the platform down to the front of the frame thus giving me stationary lights. I really dont see a lower door of any kind but mabey I am just missing it.

I have spent years looking at different angles of the front end
of both the MSII and the Maco body. Enough to realize there is
a difference big enough to notice. I have an eye for detail and
can tell you that yes, there is a top AND bottom on the opening
of the headlights. There is a difference in the dimensions
between the two as well.

Attached is a front side photo of the MSII I think you'll find
helpfull and a MS Paint rough scetch of the differences between
the two. There is also a video, I'll have to find it so I can
direct you to it that shows the MSII headlights open up and close
back up and you can clearly tell that there is in fact a top and
bottom to the headlight openings.

McBrain

fathom427 wrote: http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5550.jpg

This picture shows a lot. the tail lights, a good look at the exhaust and yes the bottom panel is removable. I should have extended the bumper so you could see it out.It extends out about 4 inches.

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5605.jpg

This one show …

Headlight Door Tech

Jim, to follow up what Keith showed, the guys helped me awhile back with some ideas and here are a couple more pix of the mid-80's look...

These headlites may be sized better than the Hella treatments for what you are planning...

https://makoshark2.com/community/threads/2305/69-can-am-patriot

skip wrote: Hi- I like it. I think adding the lips on the rear flares may break up some of the large flat area effect. That front roof peak got my attention right away and is one of a kind, I happen to like it just as it is. I like the practical aspect of the lites too, the higher position. Besides, its what Y …

Headlight Door Tech

If you look at the light on the left you can see the lower door drop open.

fathom427 wrote: http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5550.jpg

This picture shows a lot. the tail lights, a good look at the exhaust and yes the bottom panel is removable. I should have extended the bumper so you could see it out.It extends out about 4 inches.

http://www.carterbrogdon.com/mako/5605.jpg

This one show …

Headlight Door Tech

Ok I gess I might see something going on but I dont see were this would make things easyer to mount any thing.we have already limited mounting surface on the top side how would it help to put a door on the bottom.On other things I did get the rear spring changed out and what a difference it makes .It rides better to.I do have a 97 camaro head light system that seem to be same light the pontiac.

Fathom427

ShawkRider wrote: Headlight Door Tech

Hmm...

I fail to see how the headlight treatment is going to work. It seems that your opening setup doesn't leave room for the head lights unless the headlights will pop up in place after the door is opened.

I do know that the concept used two doors (top & bottom) …

Headlight Door Tech

Well... without modifying the front if you did cut the bottom
door out to do something with it, it would be so small and
hard to notice once done that it wouldn't really be worth the
effort.

If you do modify the front to the dimensions of the MSII the
bottom door will be more prominent and add high impact to
the whole of the cars headlight setup.

If you do choose to modify the front I do know how it should
mount up to the inside of the hood, just PM me and we can
talk more about it.

Good luck.
McBrain