From the Elite to the Proletariat: Flying Buttresses in modern cars

"Menebrio" (menebrio) 01/12/2015 at 18:20 • Filed to: Car Design, Ferriar, Ford, Acura

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Look closely at the wonderful and subtle 599 GTB above. Besides its muscular tone, it shares a common feature with the recently revealed Ford GT and Acura NSX. Those flying buttresses that only come to show from certain angles.

Given that the Ferrari is a car released back in 2006, it has taken the common man's car companies 9 years to duplicate such a design in a production ready vehicle. We got them in wo flavors, with the NSX being a bit of a conservative design, with rather small buttresses at the rear. On the other hand, Ford went all Gothic Catherdral with the new Ford GT. They could have basically revamped the last iteration with some fancy LEDS or laser headlights, a new more powerful EcoBoost engine (still wishing it was a EcoBoosted V-8 because 'Merica), and call it a day; after all, it is a classic timeless design.

Instead, FORD decided to give us a handful with a car that exaggerates it's proportions. From the side, it looks rather normal in a way (maybe just a big air inlet). But when you take a step closer you notice how the body panels start to "coke bottle" towards the rear. Then, to not just put the rear tires sticking out, these over sized fenders have this gigantic arch uniting them to the middle of the car. Aerodynamically speaking, I don't know what sort of numbers Ford got in the wind tunnel, but that rear portion looks racing inspired. No wonder they are feeling ready to take it to the track immediately.

Now what does this mean for us, besides more great racing? It seems like your average car manufacturer now has the ability to incorporate more flying buttresses in their designs. And given the complexity that these might require in an assembly line, it only means your every day beigeness of a car will maybe get a little more exiting to look at, as these subtle complex pieces could be incorporated into them as manufacturers begin to roll out more drag reducing elements

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:22

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Is this considered both a spoiler and a wing?

JR1 > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:24

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I do love the flying buttresses of the Ford GT so big and sexy!

Menebrio > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/12/2015 at 18:26

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I assume so. If you look closely it actually is not attached at the sides (you can see the lines) because it is an active aero piece, much like the P1 and LaFerrari have.

KirkyV > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:28

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If you want a truly proletarian car with flying buttresses, look no further than the always-wonderful 406 Coupé.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:31

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heh you said butt

Menebrio > PanchoVilleneuve ST 01/12/2015 at 18:33

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I'll add the NSFW tag then...

and 100 more > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/12/2015 at 18:39

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Yes. It's a spwing.

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:39

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I don't know why but I'm picturing roadkill coming out the rear of car nicely sliced and diced after going through the buttress then the vertical part of the rear spoiler/wing. Morbid brain mode is activated.

472CID > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 18:40

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Both are probably going to cost at least 150k, not sure I'd consider them proletariat

Menebrio > 472CID 01/12/2015 at 18:45

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It's not these cars per say, but actually the tech used to shape and build them. Think of it like trickle down theory, though these tend to work way better in the car industry.

Menebrio > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 01/12/2015 at 18:49

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In that case we might want to call in a blood spatter analyst to review its aerodynamic efficiency.

Leadbull > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 19:12

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#ButtressPorn

StingrayJake > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 19:16

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What I want to know is how goofy all those aero bits will look with a big wing on the back of the GTE car.

NJAnon > Menebrio 01/12/2015 at 21:58

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I'm for pushing the innovation. We're only human. It will be interesting to see how it can perform against the 2005 Ford GT40 which is also a beast.

Manuél Ferrari > Menebrio 01/16/2015 at 18:10

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Once the 599 GTB F1 drops to $100K would you buy it if you could afford it? Or would you feel too conflicted about it not being the Manuél version?

The Manuél version will never drop to that price.

Menebrio > Manuél Ferrari 01/17/2015 at 14:47

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At this point, given that the Manuél Ferrari went extinct with the end of produciton from the F430, and that it seems that the naturally aspirated V-12 is going the way of the dinosaurs as well, I'd still buy it.

Manuél Ferrari > Menebrio 01/17/2015 at 14:52

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That's kind of what I was thinking too!

But I would be betraying my user name

I would bring shame upon myself and my love of the gated shifter

I have read FChat posts about the manual in the 599 being kind of weird. People say it's as if Ferrari put no effort into making the stick work well with the engine and spent all their effort on F1. I wonder if the 612 Manuél is nicer because the 612 has the old engine.

Menebrio > Manuél Ferrari 01/17/2015 at 16:27

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In a way, that's why I would get a F430 over the Scuderia for example, since it is the last true manual Ferrari from it's inception. I think the 599 was more of an exclusive thing for a small amount of owners that asked for it after launch.

Manuél Ferrari > Menebrio 01/17/2015 at 17:00

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oh you might be right on the 599's manual

The F430's manual is soooo perfect

I love it so much that I want a coupe and a spider. Both Manuél, of course