It’s been a busy couple of months with the Speedhunters entry for the 2014 Scion Tuner Challenge. Speedhunters’ Technical Editor and expert car builder Keith Charvonia is spending every hour in, on, or under the Scion FR-S, I have been working on the style and aesthetics of the build, and Rod Chong has taken the lead as Creative Director of the project.
We only have a few weeks before Scion will take our FR-S back in preparation for their press event and the SEMA Show in early November. The car is now out of the paint shop and into the final build phase, and we will be sending all the artwork for the vinyl production in the next couple of days… Which is where you – the Speedhunters collective – come in!
We want you to speak out on one of the finer details of the Speedhunters build – our take on the iconic TRD livery which appeared in the IMSA GT championship in the ’80s…
As you can see from the images and the latest Scion video we’re creating a racer – or potentially a track day special – that references many styles and genres including the golden era of IMSA GT racing in the ’70s and ’80s. Along with SCCA and club racing, this was the period when Japanese teams entered and began dominating American motorsport. BRE with the Datsun 510 and 280Z, Mazda with the RX-7, and then into the ’80s with the class championship-winning TRD Toyota Celica run by Dan Gurney’s All American Racers.
If the FR-S existed in ’79, this rear-wheel drive coupe would have been the perfect weapon on the race tracks of North America.
So, now is your chance to be involved. Rather than just copy the TRD livery (which has been done many times before) we’re running with a slightly different take on it – and you get to choose the style of striping on the top of our Scion FR-S. The white base color, which is synonymous with early Japanese racecars, will remain with minimal branding – hence the current offset positioning of the #86 on the doors.
Proposal A: Like minimal and clean? This design uses striping over the hood as per the TRD AAR Celica TA40 and Supra, but rotated and offset with a flash of the diagonal striping introduced a few years later with the Celica ST162
Proposal B: This takes the stripe further over the roof and onto the top surface of the new trunk. Those with good eyesight will see we swapped around the TRD colors on the license plate light cover to match the plan view.
Proposal C: You’d like to see more yellow, orange and red in our design? This proposal continues the historic TRD colors onto the vertical face of the trunk plus the addition of striping on the side sill.
Now it’s all up to you. A, B, or C – let us know which style you prefer in the comments section below! And don’t forget to keep checking back for more updates and details of our 2014 Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S build as the reveal date gets closer…
Andy Blackmore
www.AndyBlackmoreDesign.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
C
C
I like C the most.
B but with the front lip color gradient of C.
Also PLEASE sell the speedhunters front banner!
C, let's be honest here, a 5.0 Coyote powered 86 with all the works isn't subtle anyway, so why not go for the full shebang? Go big or go home.
B is best.
B
A, maybe im a simpleton.
If you flip the 98 number on the celica, it becomes 86
:). Enough with conspiracy theories, answer C.
B
C adds higher contrast to the TRD colours, I like it. Will there be aftermarket/sponsor decals on the car other than speedhunters.
C. Mo' stripes everyday.
B
C
B!!
C!
a or b and what made u choose the number 86 you should do 85:)
I like the sill stripes of proposal C but with the roof of A. So really proposal A with sill stripes.
How about a roof color change to reverse the contrast, so a gray roof with a white SH logo...?
B
A
kamenkachev you noticed
(Technically the 6, 9 are different and 8 isn't symmetrical about its horizontal axis.... I'll get my coat)
kamenkachev you noticed
(Technically the 6, 9 are different and 8 isn't symmetrical about its horizontal axis.... I'll get my coat)
A
I C, U C, we all C for Sema
I prefer C. It looks the fastest. You should add Toyota lettering to the quarters.
A
B but with the roof of Proposal A
C with roof of B
Emptypie Yes
C All the way.
C and B like combined.
C and B like combined.
C and B like combined.
A
C. Gotta have a loud car at SEMA.
C
A
It's the least cluttered but most direct with the large logo and still has the flair of the stripes.
B
A
Simple and Clean...
B/C hybrid, stop on top of the spoiler, leave the boot handle white, but that car is totally rocking those side sill stripes.
B
A, with the lateral and trunk stripes.
It would be cool to see some black to brake all that bright colors (and would look totally badass)
version C, the ratio of the white to colors seems just about right.
B
C with roof B
B with maybe some of the TRD color touches incorporated into the rear diffuser.
C all the way
A
b
a
C but take the rocker stripe to the end of the door
b
B
b roof, c everything else
C but take the the Stripe on the Side Skirt all the way to the wheel well
B
A
C
A
B please!
C with B roof
B
C IS FOR COOKIE!.......C PLEASE!
B
B with the trunk of the C
C
C
A is the cleanest but B/C have that thing with the Roof and decklid that make my wiener wiggle dammit thats a tough call
Loving C!
C FTW!
C
B, the stripes on the side skirts and bumper lip look forced to me.
A, for sure A.
B, the lines down the trunk on C make the car stand tall and it loses its wide stance appearance from the rear.
So I guess I like the fat ass of B
A, less is more
B
A, but also with the sill striping like C
C for Championship Winner!!! #BecauseRaceCar
C!!
A or B for me, with preference for A since it's the 'cleanest' design in my opinion.
Let`s talk about plan D. They are not good enough. Andy what`s going on MAN!!??
I'm digging it. Looks like Risky Devils livery. The fender mirrors are a bold move.
B all the way. It's clean and tidy yet still shows the TRD colours off
A
c all the way its so RACECAR but you guys should do the mesh wheels all black to contrast all the white and color the gold is just too played out imo
B! but narrow the stripes a tad, and stop them just before the edge of the spoiler.
C
I lied. Do C but with the rear trunk stripes from B
B
C!!!
It would be cool of you make it go from big to small (red biggest, orange smaller and the yellow part smallest)
Just like the old days!
but style of livery definitely B, But make it from big to small
C
C
AndyBlackmore kamenkachev You are right, but I am not sure about this particular 8, which seems to be symmetrical on both horizontal and vertical axes.
I vote C. I would keep everything on proposal b except for the trunk/ rear end stripes. I like the look of proposal A on the back and trunk area, it's clean and simplistic.
C
I vote A
B
b
B but with the narrower stripes of A
B - it's subtle, yes aggressive and understated at the same time
B
B
A
A
I like B
A
B too here
A
B
B
C
C
Option B but maybe with the bits at the bottom from C
C but you need the SpeedHunters logo on there somewhere.
ChrisYates27 How about on the windshield?
C all the way.
C looks really old school!
c indeed!!
C of course
B
B
C think it'd also look good if the rear stripes continued down to the rear diffuser as well
C. Or better yet do the Super GT Tom's Supra livery
A. Less is more.
C. Because racecar.
ChrisYates27 It's already there, on the tires and the top of the windshield. Quite but it looks great this way in my opinion.
b
A. Definitely agree with the people saying less is more. Simple but striking. The others are a bit too much.
A. Keep it simple stupid.
A A A A
A
A!
A
c
A! clean and truly retro
I like B.
A
B looks the best
b
C! Although it seems to be the minority...
C
A!
C
B
c
A
C
C
B
C
A
II'm voting C.
C witth more Speed Hunters branding
B, all the way.
A : less is more
DavidCamilo Awesome, I wondered how long before someone would create one in a video game
DavidCamilo Awesome, I wondered how long before someone would create one in a video game
D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they look pretty much the same.
B!
C
C
its nice with the lines going from front to back all the way.
B Don't like the finish on the tail on c
C
B
Well they were pretty much looking for something subtle, so there's not much room to make something a lot different, it's the details that change, so, as the great Lebowski says, yeah, you're not wrong, you're just an asshole.
I like B.
A
A
B for me
A
A
A
B or C
Details, man. Details.
B. It looks great.
C is it! Love the fender mounted mirrors. Are these one-off's or something new someone is bringing out?
A
B
I like proposal B. It has the best balance IMO and I like the smaller detail on the back, which is lost in C.
C
C!
B
I'd like the sill stripes for C, but i fee like they should line up with the ones below the window.
B looks best IMO
A A A A A
Afroneck DETAILS.
B, this is going to look good.
C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci6ECObIVZ4
C
c
A
B
B
Definitely B.. hope the wheel choice will be closer to the IMSA celica than that random mismatch
B
too late to vote? Proposal B! ..and loving the simplicity! Hope the actual rubber is as thick as the rendering. Very sick of low profile wheels/tires
Go with the C!
B!
C
I'm really liking that B! Looks great with the license plate light cover matched to the roof stripe!
A - simple and clean!
B!!!
robleigh Me neither, the small strips on the license plate bar are so classy. Plus it's gonna be a real pain to make those stripes wrap over the compound shape of the trunk and remain straight!
Design B
My vote is B but with different rims
Go with B
Definitely proposal B. The rendering is looking good!
I choose B but with same wheels as rear wheels.
I like C the most
A closest to og livery and Andy is awesome
B !!
B !!
C
A
C
A
A with color on the side sills as well
Thanks for your input earmenau, stay tuned to see which livery gets chosen!
KeithCharvonia Hey you can't vote! You're building it! Haha
Thanks for your input AlexLiwanag! Stay tuned for the results...
Thanks for your input JSequoia! Stay tuned for the results...
Thanks mikeado66! Stay tuned to find out which livery gets chosen!
Afroneck You'll have to wait and see
C
A/C!
Proposal C.
Although I do like the minimalistic approach to A, but it looks too plain honestly. B is okay, but C looks a lot better. =)
a
12 minutes ago
My take, bear with me:
A & B : Side view lack enough impact. C covered the problem with +coloring on the side sill (disregard if u intend 2 slap sponsors there).
C: too much on the rear section, so it's untidy, since the line starts by curving on the front.
Some hint. On the cars photo collection, the company livery lines always pass by weaving on the back or near the numberings (door). One look at the door spot (essentially when travelling on speed) will indicate, hey, that's TRD (livery ID) car '86 (driver/car ID). Plz apply that on weaving ID on the car so it's instantly recognizable. Speedhunters element is gonna be essential too, so keep that in check. Usually, using technique above, main sponsor ID will be the same length albeit much smaller size than the numbers, either below or over (new gen racers)
Personal comment. What is this particular car's story gonna be? Is it gonna be a toyota 'GrandTouring' 86 (numbering), or Scion FrontengineRwdSport (slapped logo on front), or Subaru BoxerRwdZenith (where is it)? Ur choice 2 stay true to TRD history tribute/not? Till SEMA to contemplate a solid answer... (legend; u: corresponding team, ID:identification data)(reference:wikipedia)(Thanks 4 reading)
C
KamilOsman Thanks for your post. We explored some other designs as well, includiing closer replicas of previous TRD liveries, but wanted to create something different. 100% replicas have been done to death and featured on vehicles as diverse as Yaris and a Tundra.
Yes, there wil be sponsors, similar in position to the TRD cars, roll call on front door, couple forward of front and rear wheels etc etc.
As for the car story, thats for another day....
Taryn Croucher KeithCharvonia We can vote too? Cool. I'll be voting 'B' then
Thanks for all the comments. We are going to keep the voting going until Sunday evening (8pm PST ish). I then need to final the art and get that to the vinyl shop by EOD.
Thanks again!
A. Smaller top stripes don't catch you eyes as much and more subtle.
B
C
C please
C without stripe at the vertical trunk part.
C!
A looks fine to me
A or C. A is clean which is great for a showcar. B and C look more racing like but B needs some sponsors stickers to look good.
A
For me, the C does it very well since it's a more sporty look.
C - best variant)
A
Definitely B
B!!
C! The tail treatment works best in this one.
I've got to cast my vote for Option A. It pays homage to the original TRD livery, yet allows the car's lines speak for itself without getting overly-cluttered. Option B has too much on the roof section with the stripes AND the SpeedHunter logo. It just looks tacky. The lines on the side sill of Option C are cool, but distract from the car's lines in a not-so-good way.
So that's my vote. Option A.
C
C !
C!
C
A
C
A! For sure, clean and simple.
A or B. As a vinyl guy, C will look odd, make the car look narrower and be hard to keep a straight line on the ducktail.
C
A! Simplicity is always key!
KeithCharvonia While I like it, I wish you guys could take it a step further and possibly carry on a more modern look by inverting the whites and blacks. So, black base TRD scheme, white numbers, and maybe even a white lettered tires.
C
Please sell that windshield banner!
B!
B
A or B
B
B please Bob
A or B. c is too much on the rear and skirt
B
C
OK, thanks everyone. We will end the vote, there, but feel free to continue with comments.
Few points from comments I've seen.
Yes, the car will have partner logos, in small clusters in the style of the TRD car.
We didn't want to straight out copy a TRD livery, thats too easy and been done to death, so wanted to do our own take on it.
Car is already out of paint, so the White stays
Thanks again, keep an eye on Speedhunters for the rest of the build, and don't forget, come November, we need you to vote for our entry....assuming you like it of course.
Why, because RACECAR
My vote goes for B!
I like B. It seems to work the best.
C
C
C
Really like the JDM mirrors. And please make those side vents in the fenders drawn some air and not some cheap plastic fake ones. If so, take them out. Pleaseeee
I like I'm late, but I like C. However, do the tri-colours on the bottom of the rear diffuser too?
I prefer C.
Hope you guys prove me wrong, however I sincerely hope that you are not going with the kit as modelled above? If so, I for one would be very disappointed. /Peden
C, with SH logo at the bottom
B!
C, love the details on the sills
It seems like there's one missing here right ? I look at the orginal from the 70's and the 3 colours go through the number , wouldn't that look ace with it going through the 86 ? Otherwise I'd go for C too
C mixed with B - Proposal C's full stripes and sill stripes too please, but with the SH logo on the roof like proposal B.
A
A, speak softly and carry a big stick
C or bust
A
After a lot of thought I think A would be best minus the roof logo.
I like A, but also include the sill stripes of C
@Bobc Thanks for the insight, I'm worried about this if we go with C too.
greenroadster I'm planning on cutting the fenders so the vents draw hot air out of the engine bay. Of course the car is already painted.... Where's my blue tape?
@Peden Why? Assuming you're talking about the KM4SH body kit, it's a Speedhunters exclusive kit that isn't even on sale yet. Plus it pays homage to the overfenders of old race cars while working beautifully with the lines of the ZN6 chassis.
Mathjos21 We strongly considered this, but as Andy noted it's been done to death. It's also a blunt treatment IMO, while Any's concepts work with the lines of the car.
I like C
Ah a bit mixed but would have to be C!
Ah a bit mixed but would have to be C!
C!
JustinMuir KeithCharvonia The tires will be lettered white - you're a genius!
Too late to change the base color, the car is already back form paint and in the assembly stage.
C all the way
C !!!!!!!!!
C
C
I'll take one in B, please
B
C
C
A
See
A: Minimal is best.
B
C
A
A
A
A
Definitly A, maybe include the sill stripes from C
C
a
KeithCharvonia I'm sorry but it looks the exact same as every other 86 kit out there and don't get me wrong, looks great - I would be very pleased to have one in my drive.
HOWEVER, it still looks like every other kitted 86..
What I would be blown away by, is if it is combined with body modification to move the arches way further up - Just like a proper AE86 N2 - Is it a lot of work and expense and difficult..? Yes, however isn't that the point of this exercise?
This is the closest SpeedHunters will get to effectively build your own car and present it to the world - I would just be disappointed as mentioned, if it was just a bodykit bolt on car.
/Peden
C
A
c
c
C
B
B
C
B
C
A
C, Si, See, Sea
C. But still have the SH on the roof
as some says, C with A roof
a looks best imo
B
"A"ll the way!
B
A
B
C
B
A
Don't know if voting is still going on, but B is the best hands down.
A looks cool, except the sides are a bit too plain then I think, so maybe A with the sides of B?
C!
A for sure.
Aasbo Knows best! C all the way!
Really rooting and praying for you win at Irwindale
C all the way - it needs that bit of extra colour along the bottom
@ColinCS The voting closed on Sunday night, but we still like to hear what everyone thinks. Especially the guy who painted the car!
B
Style B. Love it!
B
Go for C!
C
B!
A
B
C
B
C
B!
C
B
B
B
A with the door sill and front stripes from C.
BBBB!!!
ill go with Proposal D =D