The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build

[NCGreasemonkey]

A Volvo that is not boxy but fun!

[MiataQuest]

BECAUSE RACECAR
Did you know that “racecar” spelled backwards is still “racecar”!
So we need to make sure any modifications that we implement will be an improvement and not a step backwards.

We decided to ring up our retired Global Product Development manager “Maximum Bob” and tell him all about the Manticore Special Edition project. We did admit to him that at this time the Manticore was only a poser. So far we only added a bunch of bolt on crap. Marketing added “Isn’t that what a special edition is all about?”
Maximum Bob said that any credible special edition had better be able to stand its ground at a track day event. Maximum Bob stated; “Damn it, you named it Manticore, not Kaitlyn!”
OK, OK, so we must add a roll-bar and a tow-hook into the special edition package even if it drives up costs. Bob said; “If Rene will be test driving you will need a roll-bar and tow-hooks for sure. Ask me how I know!”


TOW HOOKS

The design team sure liked the look of the Ryoku Rob type 2 for the rear tow ring! However the engineering team all frowned and nixed the selection. They calculated that one sideways pull from a track run-off would break it. The engineering team then suggested the Garage Star GS-THrear-V2 tow ring. They said the Garage Star tow ring was much heavier than the Ryoku tow ring. However, if we pulled the two factory tow rings and only installed one Garage Star tow ring it would be a net weight reduction. So a total win-win. BECAUSE RACECAR!


The manufacturing team approved the selection of the Garage Star tow ring. They used some technical term to describe the installation, “Easy Peasy”.


For the front tow hook the engineering team decided that the aluminum, lightweight tow-ring (model 3.0 by Garage Star) would be perfect and would reject the heavier metal version. So pulling two heavy metal Miata baby-teeth tow rings and installing a single lightweight aluminum tow hook on the passenger side was another win-win. BECAUSE RACECAR!


The craftsmen sanded the bare aluminum, cleaned, primed, painted, and clear coated. We used VHT engine enamel and chose Ford Red SP152 to match the rear tow-ring.


That pin-stripping sure looks bad, more on that later…



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Internet bonus points if you know who that gentleman is with a cigar and one foot on an over-turned Opel. He is one of my heroes.

[MiataQuest]

TO BLING OR NOT TO BLING? That is the question.

The design team will shave the black mustache off the Manticore by using the white TSI’s.
Now the dark smoked side markers and black tail lights do not look right.
Even the black mud flaps are now in question.
What to do?

Sourcing scoured through our parts bin and tapped our suppliers to find some clear side markers.
Of course we promised the supplier that we will buy hundreds of thousands if approved.
We got a good price, placed a purchase order, and they are delivered to our dock in no time.

The craftsmen installed the clear side markers for the designers to evaluate.
The craftsmen must have been working with the manufacturing team last week as they were starting to use that same technical term “Easy Peasy” during the install.

Imagine the clear side markers with the white TSI’s on the front. The design team was all nodding.



Our automotive spies have been stealing photographs of a competitor’s car for quite a while and turned them over to the design team. They liked what they have been seeing.
Imagine a white Carbonmiata quad tail light panel with the white back-up lights and then having matching white side markers.
The design team was still nodding.



We have a marketing consultant on retainer to get ideas from outside our narrow realm in the Motor City. At least that is what our management has embraced.
Ha, I would guess the reason they embraced that thinking is because our competitor across town just transferred their core Cadillac team to NYC.. Yeah, NYC where no one drives cars and the costs are higher. Go figure!
Since the marketing consultant is already wasting our money, we might as well get his input.
So we shipped him a Manticore prototype to drive and review. We assembled the prototype car with a CarbonMiata light panel camouflaged in green for him to drive around for a few days.

So we ring him up a week later… “What do you think about Manticore having clear side markers? “
He said “I pity the fool that hired the platform team, Clearsies ain’t got no Bling !!” Then he immediately hangs up!


With that marketing wisdom in hand we will see what Bling side marker options are out there.
The sourcing & purchasing team was put to work.
They found some Bling side marker candidates although a bit pricey since they were imported.
They are now on our dock.

MAZDAROADSTER.NET CAR CLINIC
So the Manticore platform team decided that we should have a car clinic and you are invited.
We need your help to decide:
** Clear side markers or Bling side markers. (Special Edition visual enhancement)
** Mud flaps or no mud flaps. (Special Edition aero improvements and visual enhancement) Do mud flaps increase or decrease drag? Do mud flaps increase or decrease turbulence? Weight gain or loss seems to be a moot point.

Picture with Bling and with mud flaps


Picture with Bling but without mud flaps