Location: Still BellaVerde, But Now In Clayton, NC
Good job, SOLster! They look great and I am impressed with the work you have put in. I agree that the last 10% of effort is the most aggravating, but think it will be worth it. I'm in for a set when you get them done.
__________________
Envious, NEW Lightsidetop, N/A, VIN # 1G2MB35B97Y114344
Omitted XM, manual locks and windows, no Onstar. Oh yeah, Steel/Sand interior. Added K&N filter. Vent tube r/r @ 2850 mi. WindRestrictor added 12/12/06. Added high-tone horn. Painted engine cover. ECM retune 6/8/07. Painted front grilles dk. gray w/green back. Added Vandesign B/U lite covers 12/07. Re-replaced seal due to recall 27570 mi. DDMProBeam added 7/2/08. Envious Emblem overlays.
Take a close look at the two inner tabs and their fit up with the fascia. If you can pop out the insert and leave the frame assembled to the fascia, you may be able to see the area with mirror and a strong light. While your at it, also check the depth of the tab from the back surface of the frame to the flat engagement surface of the tab. If that dimension is too long, it also could result in the frame protruding beyond the fascia.
Some engineering advice to you for what's it worth. Although some people may say its good enough to have the bow, you may run into mold problems during the manufacturing process later on that could enhance the issue and "good enough" might turn out to be unacceptable to many people. You do not want this situation. The purpose of a prototype is to test it out and work out the bugs before committing to the end product. If you can and are willing to, examine the prototype until you understand what is going on, then modify it incrementally until the issue is resolved. In the end, you'll have a WOW product and many many happy customers. You spent the good part of a year working on this, so now is not the time to rush to the end game. Your other products are home runs, and we ( I'm sure many folks on the forum also) want these grills to be too.
If you can snap a bunch of photos of the frame assembled to the fascia from the back side, I'll gladly look at them and send you comments.
Tony
Thanks again Tony for the insight and knowledge. It's much appreciated. I will check on all the key points you had suggested and take some pics of the back side of the frame without the insert installed as per suggestion.
I took a quick look at the CAD file and saw that the bowing edge wasn't really bowing in the CAD file. Instead, it was hard edged as the prototype and thus a cornered edge protruding somewhat past the radiused edge of the fascia. I was meaning to radius the outter frames edge as well to match but never got around to end as I rushed it into SLA so I can verify fitment. I believe radius-ing the edge will take off the protrusion of the edge a bit and it wouldn't be as apparent. But, I want to make sure and recheck all the fittings with the tabs and any interference issues that might be hidden from the front.
BTW, I took a couple of daylight shots of the car with both the grills and skirts in a different background and lighting than my driveway the other day. I indicated on the close up shot with red arrows where the highest point of the bowing was on the outter frame's edge. Everything else remained flushed with the fascia.
I want them when they are all fixed and fit nicely. Any cost approximations yet?
No costs available yet Spikey. I want to nail this issue down first, if I can, before I start searching for manufacturing vendors. I'll keep everyone updated when I start going into production with these parts. Thanks again for your enthusiasm and interest.
I think radiusing those edges would be a nice touch anyway, and lessen the obviousness of any fit/tolerence problems anyway - not to really imply that there are any. Speaking of which, though, is there anyone else around you that would be willing to let you test fit these on another Solstice? It might be that the bumper cover on your car is a little flatter than typical in that area.
Thanks for posting more pics. I'm anxious to see these hit the market (as I'm sure YOU are!)
__________________
I've never met a Solstice I wouldn't autopsy.
'06 #101409 - Sold to move to Germany
'08 GXP #105359 - Bought and stored 10 months before I move back from Germany!
I'll order a set,, fixed or as is.
They look really good
__________________
Mark........
07 Cool GXP with all of the fixins.
Painted calipers, mud flaps, painted engine cover-fuse box and turbo shield, Dejon CAI and IC Pipes, lil chromies, JPM visor covers and center console, Westers Hot Tune, Stripes from ASAP Signs (ClearBra)..Norm's Rear Facia, JPM Padded Leather Console Cover and JPM Auto Shifter, HD fog and headlights
Team Solstice 2008 HOT SHOT Aggressive 2007 GXP Auto-minus On*Star, spoiler, and smokers pkg. Delivered December 4, 2006
Ave mixed driving 26 mpg
2 failed pinion seals...300+ miles, and 9,700+ miles...and one more under recall at 12,636 miles for a grand total of 3!
Driver's outside door handle came apart in May 2008...repaired June 2008
Canvas top replaced June 2008.
Gas cap replaced.
All repairs covered under warranty.
I think it is REALLY cool that you have allowed us inside the development *process* of bringing this product to life. Amazing. A long road to be sure. Congrats, it really does look fantastic. GM should offer these thru their parts cataloge and buy them from you! Or, better yet, they should buy them from you for all production Solsti!
__________________
2006 Deep Solstice NA...Traded in for:
2009 Sky Redline Ruby Red Limited Edition
5 speed manual/rear spoiler added/6 disc/Monsoon
Sport pedals/onstar/bluetooth
*Thank You Bob Lutz*
GREAT . NOW I NEED MINE IN BLACK . SO CAN WE GET THEM IN BLACK OR DO WE HAVE TO PAINT THEM .
__________________
2007 Solstice GXP Mean
1Sgt Modifications:
Total Mods to Date 20:08/17/2008
Stubbie Ant, Painted Calipers with Decals, Vanity Plate, GM Club Decal, Painted Gas Cap, 5 Mean Engine Caps Red Lettering, Stainless Fuse Box Plate and Turbo Heat Shield Etched, Cold Air Intake, Solo Exhaust, Splash Guards, Wind Restrictor, Painted Engine Cover, Polished IC Pipes, GM Caps Red, Liner Mural, Intercooler, Sunviser covers, Diamond Stitch Center Console.
SO CAN WE GET THEM IN BLACK OR DO WE HAVE TO PAINT THEM .