CRX concept. Want your input!!

[schwanginpt]

Hey Gang, I've had this idea for a while now, and I want to get some input from you all to help my thought process. I think that will be key to getting this "right" and making my idea become a reality.

Ok, for years we've seen all these "CRX" concepts: 'chops, concept cars, the works, and there's never really been on that seems to capture the essence of the CRX we all know/love and own. Something I've been thinking about for the past year or so is to take either a) A CRX shell or b) A new(er) Civic shell and create My Version of what a modern day CRX should be. Something that shows the progression of the car - had they still built it, not necessarily following the designs we've seen (EG/EK looks), but something that's inherintly Honda in general looks, and definitely CRX in it's soul/spirit. There are some new features I would like to add personally to the car, but there are some things that (in basic form) need to remain.

So that brings me to you all..... what I want from you all is THREE (3) THINGS ABOUT THE OLD CRX THAT MAKES THE CRX "A CRX".

This can be anything about the car that you like abou the car. Anything from general shape, to the way the taillights are laid out, to no grille in the hood, etc, whatever. Interior or exterior. But remember, we have to think about these features in more of an abstract way, so if you like the taillights, that doesn't mean they HAVE to be that exact old shape, just that you like the idea that the talights go across the whole rear of the car. Think of the idea that you like and not a specific look. The look is what I plan on changing and molding. I want to make sure that the BIG ideas that made the old one awesome are there in my idea.

Also, please don't go telling me about what motor you wish you had or whatever please, that's all later stuff and irrelevant right now. Now it's about the look and feel of the car.

Some things that I already plan on maintaining in my concept:
- 2 door/2 seater
- small wheelbase with little overhangs
- small rear glass to see through
- BASIC shape (in the most general of ways)

So it's up to you guys (and gals) to help me figure out what parts of our favorite car make the car what it is and what I should focus my time in and on in this new concept of mine. Give me your top 3 thoughts!

Thanks!
Paul

[Exempt]

Awesome idea Paul!

One of the main things (that you havent listed) is the hatch... Low in design... Meaning the hood and roof... And its GOT too have that rear hatch glass! The one u can see out of...

[SiRMarlon]

My fave things about the CRX is the feel when I'm sitting in it. Nice and low it's cockpit like feel were the center console is kinda angled towards you the big front windshield were all you see is the road. and the fact that the car has so much room once you fold down the rear panels.

I could go on and on about why I love the CRX...just the whole car overall. Best Honda Car IMO!!!!

[mellowdrone]

compact size shell.

[chido_ef9]

will we see sketches of the concept?

in terms of the looks:

1) very clean lines
2)has to be a hatch
3)front, rear and side valence

[Specter]

flat hatch [i.e. not like the EF hatchback]
small fender flares all around [i.e. 84-87 CRX Si]
NO GOOFY MOLDED HEADLIGHTS [i.e. Acura RSX Honda Prelude Nissan 350z Ford Fuzion... just say no]

[SiRMarlon]

.....

[thablasta]

Definately the long hatch, 2 seats and the short wheelbase.

[schwanginpt]

Thanks guys. I hope to work on sketches here and there as time permits. I won't be doing the entire car in a sketch. I'll work on parts here and there, or certain angles... going to kind of treat this like at Honda when making a car - lots of sketches of different aspects.

Could I get a bit more detail from you guys though? I know I said be abstract, but we're already in agreeance (that a word? I say it sometimes ) of short wheelbase, the angle of the hatch and the 2 seats. But is there other aspects of the car you like? being a tad more specific. I feel like there are other features to the car that we are attracted to, and why when we see other concepts we don't really care for them - like some key element is missing...

What do you mean by no molded headlights Specter? I was thinking of doing some sort of hybrid FG Civic/TL kinda headlight design. Small & simple design. Updated look with simplicity. Could you be a bit more specific in what you're referring to?

Thanks for the input so far!

[Specter]

Originally Posted by MarlonT42

.....

what?

i liked my flat hatch, loved the factory fenderflares, and had sex with the brick headlights...

that's what made my CRX one of my favorite cars ever

[Specter]

Originally Posted by schwanginpt

Thanks guys. I hope to work on sketches here and there as time permits. I won't be doing the entire car in a sketch. I'll work on parts here and there, or certain angles... going to kind of treat this like at Honda when making a car - lots of sketches of different aspects.

Could I get a bit more detail from you guys though? I know I said be abstract, but we're already in agreeance (that a word? I say it sometimes ) of short wheelbase, the angle of the hatch and the 2 seats. But is there other aspects of the car you like? being a tad more specific. I feel like there are other features to the car that we are attracted to, and why when we see other concepts we don't really care for them - like some key element is missing...

What do you mean by no molded headlights Specter? I was thinking of doing some sort of hybrid FG Civic/TL kinda headlight design. Small & simple design. Updated look with simplicity. Could you be a bit more specific in what you're referring to?

Thanks for the input so far!

what i mean is making a headlight look more like the fender and molding it up the hood/wheel line.

hate that, one of the things that i liked most on the CRX was the front. the simple "brick" headlights and the form of an actual bumper. along with a grill and other such nonsence.

the thing that would kill the concept is if for some reason you pulled the headlight either to far around the side of the car following the bumper lines or to far ontop of the car following the hood lines.

"streached" in other words.

[schwanginpt]

Thanks for the clarifcation, I get what you're saying now. It's def a good suggestion for the headlight/fender/hood/bumper design. since those will all probably go hand in hand. I can't promise the "brick" shape will remain, but I won't let the headlights go too crazy as far as shaping or overpowering anything.

P

[STICKIES]

i like the amazing passenger side leg room....

[hondaaddict]

Let me start by saying this is a great idea! Also, everything everyone has mentioned are things that came to my mind as well, like the style of the hatch and so on. Here are a couple things I love about the crx that I don't *think* have been covered but may have been:

I love how the hood goes straight into the bumper i.e. no grill
I love how the taillights flow with the center piece, so instead of having the taillights seperated by a metal piece they seem connected by the center piece that is made of the same material as the taillights but doesn't(necessarily) light up
I love the short overhangs but that has already been mentioned

Overall though I think that you covered most of the important things that make a crx an icon of honda in your first post:

Originally Posted by schwanginpt"

- 2 door/2 seater
- small wheelbase with little overhangs
- small rear glass to see through
- BASIC shape (in the most general of ways)

Again, great idea, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with

[jaytothen]

i don't own one but the things that i like about it from a looks stand point is (and in no paticular order):

A)such a small car, not just from a wheelbase standpoint but height also. however, it seems the seats are positioned so low you still have ample headroom in it. The interior seems large for such a small car IMO and the way you sit in it seems perfect.......

B)how the hood just flows into the bumper and leaves no grille opening. It flows with the overall apperance of the car I.E. BASIC shape like you stated. Nothing is overly rounded, most everything is square (lights, hatch, rear glass panel, etc.), however it all seems to fit perfectly and doesn't look like a toaster on wheels.....

C)pocket-rocket small, compact design and light on it's feet. with the right powerplant, you get supercar power:weight ratio's

I've never owned a CRX but that's what I can come up with. hope this helps