This months 'photo competition' winner on the FB page reminded me of an an old discussion on this forum: What side skirt goes with a PIU front bumper?
In this thread, arguments for both went back and forth - the original LE skirt that followed the lines of the slashes, or the Zender that mirrored the chunky lines of the rear haunches and bonnet. Personally, I don't think either works. The LE's sharp angles are at odds with the PIU bumper, as the bumper's curves aren't continued after the wheel, and the Zender just makes the Coupé look a bit... fat... at the rear. That said, I think the added bulk the LE skirt gives the Coupé at the front gives it a real brawny chest look, and the Zender shows that the chunky haunch look works better with the side profile of the car.
Let me introduce you to my best of both proposal - the 'LE Zender'.
It continues the 'bubbly' lip of the PIU front bumper past the wheel and along the side of the car, keeps the brawny chest, continues the muscular haunches theme, and also keeps the slashes. It's basically a 'flipped' Zender, with the little kick at the back like the LE but 'smoothened'.
It's bugged me for ages that there isn't a single aftermarket body kit for the Coupé that really 'works' and I'd love to see something so simple put into production.
Does anyone know if AutoDS are still going? I haven't seen any activity on here for years after their issues with the IP address IIRC... Failing that, does anyone know anyone else that produces anything similar that could be tweaked?
F****** b****** thing...
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: Trappy]
#1660943 04/10/202223:0504/10/202223:05
I agree with what your are saying about the mismatch Ryan...however, for me i would keep the LE skirt as it is as it already flows well with the slashes of the bodywork. I would instead work on the lips of the PIU bumper..in other words, have the edges of the bumper to follow the angular lines of the LE skirt rather than the original bulbous form of the PIU. The gaping parrot fish mouth can remain.
I agree with what your are saying about the mismatch Ryan...however, for me i would keep the LE skirt as it is as it already flows well with the slashes of the bodywork.
I've seen a few references to the 'key design cues' of the Coupé in some of these recent articles that have sprung up, but none of them have pointed out the smooth curve above each of the slashes, along the bonnet and haunches. I think these details are easily as important to the overall design as the slashes themselves, they're just more subtle. Carrying that theme onto the side skirt really appeals to me. My proposal pays homage to both details - so I'm right
Originally Posted by Kelv27
The gaping parrot fish mouth can remain.
You've already told me off for looking at Subi's offering! I've got to do something to remove the filter feeder mouth of the original bumper
F****** b****** thing...
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: Trappy]
#1660975 05/10/202218:1105/10/202218:11
I used to like side skirts on a car but over the years I feel the likes of the Coupe anyway just adds more to hamper jacking the car plus easily cracked and broken especially if lowered. I do get it if you like this look.
I can answer both questions - Yes AutoDS are still going and you can find their online shop here - Coupe AutoDS Poland
Here's a side image of my Coupe - As far as I know the front is PIU but the side skirts would seem to be AutoDBS, but not sure if these are still available!
Last edited by paulw; 05/10/202220:10. Reason: mistake!
Paul W.
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: paulw]
#1660983 05/10/202221:4305/10/202221:43
I can answer both questions - Yes AutoDS are still going and you can find their online shop here - Coupe AutoDS Poland
Thanks for the link. I couldn't find it earlier
Originally Posted by paulw
Here's a side image of my Coupe - As far as I know the front is PIU but the side skirts would seem to be AutoDBS, but not sure if these are still available!
The front bumper looks like a Cada and the side skirts are LE skirts. I'm pretty the AutoDBS is only a rear bumper.
Last edited by Trappy; 05/10/202222:53.
F****** b****** thing...
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: carmine]
#1660987 05/10/202223:1005/10/202223:10
I actually found this website after doing a LOT of digging for where this front bumper came from. They don't sell it anymore (which is a shame because it works a little better with the LE side skirts despite being a little Max Power...), so that was a dead end. It was called the JDL bumper - apparently their kits weren't as well made as the AutoDS ones however.
F****** b****** thing...
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: Trappy]
#1660988 05/10/202223:5305/10/202223:53
I can answer both questions - Yes AutoDS are still going and you can find their online shop here - Coupe AutoDS Poland
Thanks for the link. I couldn't find it earlier
Originally Posted by paulw
Here's a side image of my Coupe - As far as I know the front is PIU but the side skirts would seem to be AutoDBS, but not sure if these are still available!
The front bumper looks like a Cada and the side skirts are LE skirts. I'm pretty the AutoDBS is only a rear bumper.
Ah, you could be right with the origins of the body kit parts, but Cada it is for the front and now you mention it I can see that the sides are LE. Strangely the rear valance was AutoDBS, but that lost a battle with some rainwater in 2012 (acted like a water scoop) and was replaced with the standard version fitted with a 'lip'.
Apart from the replacement they were all fitted when I bought the car, so couldn't be sure of the type.
I would have been happy with a standard fitted car, but it was too good a vehicle to pass on at the time and I have grown to like it over the years!
Paul W.
Re: Side skirt for a PIU
[Re: jimboy]
#1660989 06/10/202208:4406/10/202208:44
I used to like side skirts on a car but over the years I feel the likes of the Coupe anyway just adds more to hamper jacking the car plus easily cracked and broken especially if lowered. I do get it if you like this look.
I've never really been a fan of them. My new interest is largely down to my desire to do a little work on the aero of the car. It would be good to limit the cushion of air underneath it if nothing else. I believe, that's what side skirts were origianlly for.
Originally Posted by paulw
Strangely the rear valance was AutoDBS, but that lost a battle with some rainwater in 2012 (acted like a water scoop) and was replaced with the standard version fitted with a 'lip'.
This is interesting and certainly suggests that it wouldn't be helping to maximise air flow. With no opportunity to do any R&D in terms of aerodynamics, we only have the standard route of low front bumper / splitter, flat bottom with low side skirts and a high rear bumper to get the air out. You don't really want a scoop at the back... A rear bumper like this is what I'd be looking for. You could probably fashion a diffuser around it.