Sunday, April 10, 2011

Volt Coupe: Controversial Beltline Trim Enlarged

2012 Volt Coupe by Chevrolet. Expanding the controversial black painted belt line, the Coupe extends this trim to the taillights, effectively isolating the Volt's roof from the bodysides creating a "floating" C pillar. Evocative of GM's '59-'61 "Vista" wraparound 4 door hardtop roofline? Bright work is expanded on the lower belt line as well. Wheels are enlarged but use the Volt's aero-tuned wheel design for maximum efficiency. Larger chromed nameplate is positioned to emphasize the Volt's inset door design and argent-colored composite rocker panels. Click on image to enlarge, as always.

An earlier chop of mine went the other direction with the black belt line panel, deleting it, Volt sedan left, Cruze right. I also straightened out the rocker panel trim, adding a dark section to the doors, and running a chrome strip along the top.

6 comments:

  1. I LOVE the idea of a two door. It really makes sense for this type of car.
    I realize you are trying to put lipstick on a pig, but what do you think of extending the black "stripe" into the headlights and modifying the chrome strip to match ? No sense in accentuating that ridiculious side vent.

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  2. thanks! I actually tried extending the black paint to the front fender too, tying the headlights into it. It all seemed too much once I was done. Probably didn't save a copy at that stage....

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  3. I was also thinking that as well to extend the black stripe a bit more, but was wondering how it would look without it. There is a bit of the Subaru SVT in this design a bit. Don't you think?

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  4. It does have a bit of that futuristic SVX design. Also, the highlights give it a window-within-a-window look of that coupe.

    I added an older Volt chop to the post, where I deleted the black panel and made the body sides reach up to the beltline.

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  5. I prefer it deleted. It really doesn't add anything to the design. It looks much cleaner without.

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  6. Watching The Day of the Jackal and all the cars made me think of you guys. The movie made in 1973 was taken place in 1962 France. Apparently they had not only continuity problems in the film but also the use of cars later than the period film. http://www.imcdb.org/movie_69947-The-Day-of-the-Jackal.html But for you car lovers you will get your thrill and fill in this film. Back to the movie. Hope you are all well.

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