This is the first installment of Designer Car Builds. Several more are in the works.
The car Allan Flowers built reflects his talent, skills, experience, and his attention to detail. For the complete story of the build, visit Allan’s website, AllanFlowersDesign.com. Also on the site are several other cool projects including his custom-designed RC airplanes, and the story of building a black powder rifle. The site also features design work from GM and Nissan, plus product design projects, graphics, and artwork.
Allan has been featured in three previous Dean’s Garage Posts:
Allan Flowers
Allan Flowers, GM Designer
Allan Flowers, NDI Designer
The Finished Razor
The chassis arrived on a late February day. The extra components were in boxes and the chassis was mounted on wheels and tires that I had drop-shipped to Detroit.
The salvage engine arrived with much needed work. I got an engine-transmission package with all the accessories including the computer. A bit of clean up, ScotchBrite and elbow grease, plus a PS/AC Delete Kit made a big difference.
The chassis is set up and leveled in the garage using an accurate centerline marked on the floor.
The engine is brought in with a crane on a set-up box. In this pix you can see the lines (centerline and rear axle) on the floor.
Engine Mounts were first mocked up in cardboard, then metal.
I mocked up the front divider panel with cardboard before moving to sheet metal fabrication.
Later it is time to locate the front brake lines, etc. for installation on the front panel.
RCR provided 10 Gallon aluminum fuel tank fits behind the seats.
The console unit with parking brake handle and Hybrid Racing RSX shifter.
The instrument panel started as a quick sketch.
It became a cardboard mockup (using actual switches) which served as an ergonomics study.
Center console design incorporates the chrome fire extinguisher as a design element. I like the way it works with the exposed shifter, too.
The glove box will house the main fuse box behind a smoked plexi door.
The side scoop was mocked up in cardboard then made in 1/16” aluminum.
The supplied fiberglass skirts required extensive modification on both ends.
The firewall, rear license plate mount and the lamps. So many details all over the car required planning and design.
Paint was a six week ordeal. This was a two part aircraft paint that either had to be re-coated immediately or left to cure for 5 days.
The electrical system was a mess! I am not an electrical person so all I could do is sit and stare at this mess for WEEKS.
Finally I began to struggle with it, finding organizational solutions along the way.
This was one of several Velcro walls in the vehicle, capable of easy modification.
The RCR supplied IP unit was from KOSO and is fine, once one figures it out. In operation, this little device is really great and provides many important functions.
The wings looked good in the sketch so they became a couple of projects. They are fabricated in aluminum and steel.
This rear wing is fabric covered, which allows for the gentle sweep in end view. A later version of the RAZOR may well be fitted with a “Poly-Fiber” body.
Razor, Phase II Design Concepts
Phase II is about creating a custom designed body for this project. For the complete story, visit Allan’s website, AllanFlowersDesign.com.
My Ride in Allan’s Razor
We visited Allan in the fall of 2016, and I was able to get up close and personal to the Razor. Pretty exciting on the freeway. We were the lowest thing on the road.
Way to Go Al
Your an inspiration for every designer who wants to “Just build it”
Congratulations
Brian B.
Allan,
You’re truly a renaissance automotive designer. Thanks for sharing this treasure trove of your creativity, passion and craftsmanship. Your old friend, John M Mellberg
Al was a year or two ahead of me at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Institute of Design, but we quickly became friends as former GM model car Guildsmen. GM Styling quickly snapped up Al, as his great talent as a car designer was obvious. Before my senior year at I.I.T., I interned at GM styling for the summer. I was in mid process of building an Astra J-5 kit car back in Indiana. Al agreed to let me use his garage to continue working on the car during my summer internship in Michigan. In a small way I hope building a car in his garage years ago inspired Al to build this beautiful pure car design in his garage. Congratulations Al. It looks fantastic. Ron Will
Many want to be a designer. Fewer can draw concepts. Only the best can build what they draw. Congratulations.
I always admired Al flowers from the moment I saw his hand made rubber band powered silhouette scale airplanes flying around in the “dome” at GM styling. I was lucky enough to run into him again as we were both teaching at the Academy of Art University in S.f.
What a talent. His sketches are amazing but there always seems to be logical and creative thinking behind them.
I hope to have my own scratch built car shown here soon.
Thanks for sharing Al! Seeing your work at Academy of Art was always inspiring. Great sep by steps. Can you share how you registered the car? Inquiring minds want to know.