USGT
#5266
I could be wrong, but I think it's the 2007 version(was originally intended for Tamiya's IFS-front end cars, but it can also fit on cars with stand-up shocks). Here's another example of that(& my take on using a variation on the original livery, just with my chosen colors)...
#5268
since we are all posting GT paint schemes... here are a few more of mine from the past.






out of the bodies Ive posted above Ive found the Tamiya RX7 to be the best handling out of the box. Also I dont currently have a pic, but I did a tamiya SC430 that handled awesome.






out of the bodies Ive posted above Ive found the Tamiya RX7 to be the best handling out of the box. Also I dont currently have a pic, but I did a tamiya SC430 that handled awesome.
#5272
Tech Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 638
Research and development, crazy computer generated down force ( or so I would assume with a software similar to solidworks )
as oppose to Tamiya just making a cool RC body that looks like a racecar. Allowing the original manufacture to create down force etc.
Where, the protoforms are designed strictly for RC racing. ( and are fantastic for that purpose )
Tamiya was not thinking that with the 458, NSX, GTR etc.
Soul man, those protoform bodies don't have any soul. Again this is just my opinion...
as oppose to Tamiya just making a cool RC body that looks like a racecar. Allowing the original manufacture to create down force etc.
Where, the protoforms are designed strictly for RC racing. ( and are fantastic for that purpose )
Tamiya was not thinking that with the 458, NSX, GTR etc.
Soul man, those protoform bodies don't have any soul. Again this is just my opinion...
Wow...your first line was really flattering. You are assuming many things about Protoform's processes and capabilities that are a gross over-estimation. I can only wish we had all those resources...LOL.
Tamiya is an amazing company who's globally market is quite different that ours. They cater to primarily to enthusiasts and offer every part of the hobbyist "package" and at every price range. Tamiya's bodies reflect their marketing strategy.
However we at Protoform cater primerily to racers. Now maybe I'm a bit confused.....you guys do race these USGT cars don't you?
The Camaro and Cadillac bodies in question follow the letter of the USGT rules as written and also follow the design details and the "spirit" of the real 1:1 cars they replicate - otherwise General Motors would not approve them for licensing. The shapes/dimension are altered only to fit the common RC chassis width and wheelbase.
Now... the Tamilya bodies (the ones with "soul") are produced completely in a computer using keyboards and mouse-strokes. The actual molds are cut by some pretty amazing CNC machines. (envious here) Human hands are not a part of the process.
The Protoform molds since 1992 are made by me.... a human being. (probably debatable
) I spend long days in a one-man shop using hand tools. A typical USGT or touring sedan mold will take between 5 and 6 weeks to complete - but the licensing with it's inevitable delays will drag out the process much longer. There are 4 or 5 approval stages (hoops) we must go through. There's no shortage of passion "built in" to every Protoform mold....because I'm a auto racing fanatic and have been since I first learned to turn the pages of a car magazine. I hope they never change to USGT rules to be based on the subjective opinions of a few. That would look waaaaay too much like today's political scene in the USA.
Dale Epp - Protoform Race Bodies.
BTW: the many pictures just posted in the last day show some AMAZINGLY beautiful cars! GREAT WORK by all you guys!
Last edited by daleepp; 09-13-2016 at 08:17 AM. Reason: skull cramp
#5274
Great stuff, awesome!
#5275
#5277
Dale,
Thank you for your post. Couple of things you mentioned.
It's not an opinion of a few when the class was originally designed around these rules and a few years into it, the rules have been relaxed.
USGT is a class that was created for RC enthusiasts hence the reason the rules listed bodies by Tamiya / HPI.
So yes we are here to race cars, bodies, wheels true to the spirit of real GT cars.
As you mentioned you're in the business of making RC race bodies. You recently started to offer bodies for this class correct?
Now when you are labouring to design your the bodies by hand; which is truly commendable! Are you labouring:
1. To create a body as true to scale as possible given the dimensions of a 1/10 RC car?
2. To create a body that is close with modifications for race applications / performance in mind.
Tamiya, HPI, Killerbody may use computers etc, but their goal is to recreate a body that is 100% true to the 1:1 scale. (HPI at times does go adrift, I will admit that)
Your GM / Ford bodies are licenced, which are close enough to get approval of Ford and GM.
What about your PFM-10? Did you make that true to McLaren?
If McLaren were to approach you, you would most likely point out where it is different than their car? Or further modify it to get their approval?
The reason I am so opinionated / protective of the original rules of this class is because I was the newbie that this class attracted to start racing. Prior to this, the class I was attracted to the GT8 / IGT class, which started with one brands cars, Kyosho and their short list of licensed bodies for that class. When racing started, eventually your company released the PF8 and suddenly the field of scale GT bodies turned into a field of PF8 that resemble some sort of a GT, soon after that came another body, this time it resembled a door stop. GT8 today is filled with cars that resemble some sort of GT but nothing like its origin.
So again, nothing personal, you are a business man and are in business to sell rc race bodies. If your Ford GT body is 100% true to the real car, I would buy one. If its a tweaked to perform like the others, well then I’ll stick to Tamiya, HPI and Killerbody.
Thank you for your post. Couple of things you mentioned.
It's not an opinion of a few when the class was originally designed around these rules and a few years into it, the rules have been relaxed.
USGT is a class that was created for RC enthusiasts hence the reason the rules listed bodies by Tamiya / HPI.
So yes we are here to race cars, bodies, wheels true to the spirit of real GT cars.
As you mentioned you're in the business of making RC race bodies. You recently started to offer bodies for this class correct?
Now when you are labouring to design your the bodies by hand; which is truly commendable! Are you labouring:
1. To create a body as true to scale as possible given the dimensions of a 1/10 RC car?
2. To create a body that is close with modifications for race applications / performance in mind.
Tamiya, HPI, Killerbody may use computers etc, but their goal is to recreate a body that is 100% true to the 1:1 scale. (HPI at times does go adrift, I will admit that)
Your GM / Ford bodies are licenced, which are close enough to get approval of Ford and GM.
What about your PFM-10? Did you make that true to McLaren?
If McLaren were to approach you, you would most likely point out where it is different than their car? Or further modify it to get their approval?
The reason I am so opinionated / protective of the original rules of this class is because I was the newbie that this class attracted to start racing. Prior to this, the class I was attracted to the GT8 / IGT class, which started with one brands cars, Kyosho and their short list of licensed bodies for that class. When racing started, eventually your company released the PF8 and suddenly the field of scale GT bodies turned into a field of PF8 that resemble some sort of a GT, soon after that came another body, this time it resembled a door stop. GT8 today is filled with cars that resemble some sort of GT but nothing like its origin.
So again, nothing personal, you are a business man and are in business to sell rc race bodies. If your Ford GT body is 100% true to the real car, I would buy one. If its a tweaked to perform like the others, well then I’ll stick to Tamiya, HPI and Killerbody.
Last edited by Raman; 09-13-2016 at 09:33 AM.
#5279
Metalsoft;
Wow...your first line was really flattering. You are assuming many things about Protoform's processes and capabilities that are a gross over-estimation. I can only wish we had all those resources...LOL.
Tamiya is an amazing company who's globally market is quite different that ours. They cater to primarily to enthusiasts and offer every part of the hobbyist "package" and at every price range. Tamiya's bodies reflect their marketing strategy.
However we at Protoform cater primerily to racers. Now maybe I'm a bit confused.....you guys do race these USGT cars don't you?
The Camaro and Cadillac bodies in question follow the letter of the USGT rules as written and also follow the design details and the "spirit" of the real 1:1 cars they replicate - otherwise General Motors would not approve them for licensing. The shapes/dimension are altered only to fit the common RC chassis width and wheelbase.
Now... the Tamilya bodies (the ones with "soul") are produced completely in a computer using keyboards and mouse-strokes. The actual molds are cut by some pretty amazing CNC machines. (envious here) Human hands are not a part of the process.
The Protoform molds since 1992 are made by me.... a human being. (probably debatable
) I spend long days in a one-man shop using hand tools. A typical USGT or touring sedan mold will take between 5 and 6 weeks to complete - but the licensing with it's inevitable delays will drag out the process much longer. There are 4 or 5 approval stages (hoops) we must go through. There's no shortage of passion "built in" to every Protoform mold....because I'm a auto racing fanatic and have been since I first learned to turn the pages of a car magazine.
I hope they never change to USGT rules to be based on the subjective opinions of a few. That would look waaaaay too much like today's political scene in the USA.
Dale Epp - Protoform Race Bodies.
BTW: the many pictures just posted in the last day show some AMAZINGLY beautiful cars! GREAT WORK by all you guys!
Wow...your first line was really flattering. You are assuming many things about Protoform's processes and capabilities that are a gross over-estimation. I can only wish we had all those resources...LOL.
Tamiya is an amazing company who's globally market is quite different that ours. They cater to primarily to enthusiasts and offer every part of the hobbyist "package" and at every price range. Tamiya's bodies reflect their marketing strategy.
However we at Protoform cater primerily to racers. Now maybe I'm a bit confused.....you guys do race these USGT cars don't you?
The Camaro and Cadillac bodies in question follow the letter of the USGT rules as written and also follow the design details and the "spirit" of the real 1:1 cars they replicate - otherwise General Motors would not approve them for licensing. The shapes/dimension are altered only to fit the common RC chassis width and wheelbase.
Now... the Tamilya bodies (the ones with "soul") are produced completely in a computer using keyboards and mouse-strokes. The actual molds are cut by some pretty amazing CNC machines. (envious here) Human hands are not a part of the process.
The Protoform molds since 1992 are made by me.... a human being. (probably debatable
) I spend long days in a one-man shop using hand tools. A typical USGT or touring sedan mold will take between 5 and 6 weeks to complete - but the licensing with it's inevitable delays will drag out the process much longer. There are 4 or 5 approval stages (hoops) we must go through. There's no shortage of passion "built in" to every Protoform mold....because I'm a auto racing fanatic and have been since I first learned to turn the pages of a car magazine. I hope they never change to USGT rules to be based on the subjective opinions of a few. That would look waaaaay too much like today's political scene in the USA.
Dale Epp - Protoform Race Bodies.
BTW: the many pictures just posted in the last day show some AMAZINGLY beautiful cars! GREAT WORK by all you guys!





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