Real wheel skirts.

[efusco]

VERY interested! (with all the usual pending cost disclaimers).

[rsforkner]

Originally Posted by cjzito

Looking at the photoshop rendering that someone so kindly provided, and having a rare Honda Insight sighting now and then, I must offer my opinion that the rear wheel skirts are not attractive at all, but quite the opposite. ...

However, I think that in keeping with the gas-saving spirit of the Prius, a rear wheel skirt is a worthy product if it can save 1 or 2 mpg. ...

I'm with you. I don't think they're that attractive. I prefer the open look. Unless there was a significant improvement in FE I'll pass. (5+ MPG which is very unlikely. IMHO)

Of course, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If you like it, go for it.

Bob

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by cjzito

I must offer my opinion that the rear wheel skirts are not attractive at all, but quite the opposite.

To all,

This is not a business venture for me. I want a set and have found another Prius owner who is registered on this forum (Lyekka) who happens to work in fiberglass. I am having a set made. She also is making a set for herself.

The purpose of this thread is to see how many people also want a set. It is a onetime deal, and if you don't get in on it when they are made, that's fine, but don't ask for them later. It will be a few weeks before decision time. At the time of production, I will ask for commitments and give the price. You will have to pay upfront, sight unseen. I know people will have trouble with that, but that is OK also. Don't order. In the meantime I will give periodic updates. If the price is too expensive then OK you don't get any.

Mine will look awesome, because that is the way I am going to have them made. Some won't like them that is OK also, don't look.

[efusco]

BMM, will it be up to the buyer to have them painted or will that be sourced and figured into the up-front price?

[bestmapman]

The plan is to have them painted.

[Devil's Advocate]

I would also be interested, price pending of course.

[lyekka]

Originally Posted by cjzito

A nice compromise might be if someone would manufacture the skirt in clear polycarbonate (same material as the headlight covers) in addition to the matching solid paint colors. That way, you could lure in the Prius owners like myself who like the idea of improving MPG, but don't like the appearance of the solid-colored skirts.

I am looking into this option as well... One of my vendors is very capable with these type of parts.

Quantity would be the main issue to justify the tooling.

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by lyekka

...Quantity would be the main issue to justify the tooling.

lyekka,
Welcome to PriusChat. Your coming has been long anticipated.

I, like bestmapman, am keenly even obsessively interested in getting
a set of smooth, good looking, painted-to-match rear wheel skirts/spats.
(For me it would be Barcelona red.)

While you are contemplating the tool-up, I'd like to suggest that you consider
"full" and "half-length" skirts. The half-length skirts would start at the lower
corners of the opening and then be scalloped upwards to about the height of
the center of the wheel. (Granted, they'd cover more than half of the wheel
opening, but you can't call them "four-sevenths" length.)

Woo-Hoo!

Really good "artist's impression" graphics posted here would go a long way to
drumming up interest, even before there are any actual prototypes.

Good luck in this venture, and please keep us posted on your progress.

[FireEngineer]

Sign me up for some skirts. With the traveling I do it will be worth it.

Wayne

[efusco]

Originally Posted by FireEngineer

Sign me up for some skirts. With the traveling I do it will be worth it.

Wayne

Wow! Arisen from the dead, it's Wayne the EBH dude!