Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 146: Dream Remix

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 146: Dream Remix

In the previous post, I showed how I coped with hosting two different challenges on the Automation forums simultaneously, and the surprisingly good results of such an ambitious undertaking. This time, I will show off a build that I made for another challenge that ran at the exact same time (which wasn't one of the two I hosted), and a clone of that build not intended for any challenge.

While I was hosting QFC21 and the 1984 Letaran Auto Convention at the same time, I decided to enter TMCC26 - the latest instalment of the TV & Movie Car Challenge. The brief was that the filmmakers were looking for a classic convertible sports car from 1987, but unlike in CSR 147, entrants could use fixed-roof coupe bodies and make them look like convertibles or roadsters if they preferred to do so. This round had a fairly liberal rule set, with a generous and exploitable $40,000 AMU price cap, and immediately I adopted a "go big or go home" mentality by building the sportiest and most prestigious car possible using the available budget.

Thus the KMA KX12 Spider was born. This mid-engined supercar was a no-expenses-spared rocket ship on the outside, and felt like it on the inside. Powered by a 4.0L all-alloy V12 developing a scorching 420 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and geared LSD, it was more civilized than you'd expect, thanks to having a luxury interior with CD player as standard equipment.

Above, from top: The KMA KX12 Spider is a roofless version of a typically ruthless '80s supercar, with immense performance commensurate with its sleek styling and luxurious interior.

The KX12 performed very well in its intended role, finishing third overall in TMCC26, but I wasn't done with the basic design. I cloned it and its engine (to avoid replacing the originals) with the intent of fully unleashing the platform's potential, resulting in the KF12. In place of the (corrosion-resistant) steel chassis and aluminum bodywork was a full carbon-fiber body and chassis, with pushrod-actuated suspension for greater performance potential. The wheels and tires were widened, with a greater diameter for even more grip. In addition, most of the donor car's luxuries were removed, along with all driving aids (including power steering), for a rawer, purer driving experience. Most significantly of all, to account for the KF12 having its model/trim year changed to 1992, the exterior design was revised to be even sleeker than before, with exposed headlights and a new front fascia, among other things. Finally, the engine now made 10-20 more horsepower than before (depending on trim), and had an aluminum/silicon block and heads, shaving even more weight, while the gearbox gained an extra gear to make better use of the extra thrust.

Above, from top: The KF12 is what the KX12 would be if it were made five years later, and completely unencumbered by the rule set of TMCC26.

This was a very satisfying build for me - and one that I am justifiably proud of to this day. I later found out that if removing the in-car entertainment altogether and tuned the engine for higher octane fuel (with straight-through mufflers) would improve the KF12's already stellar sportiness figure even further - but at the expense of any semblance of civility. Nevertheless, the base model was still as intense and exciting as I wanted it to be.

Above and below: A comparison between the original 1987 KX12 (left) and KF12 (right).

That's all for now - stay tuned for another deep dive into one of my recent builds for an Automation challenge.