Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Forward Control
The term “forward control” means that the driver sits over the front wheels, rather than behind them. It’s fairly common for trucks and commercial vehicles, especially in Europe, as represented by the Thames van pictured above. But for today’s Hoonatic entry, in the interest of creative thinking, we’re going to define it as any vehicle in which the driver has any portion of his body in front of the front axle. This allows me to include, yes, the Porsche 917 as a “forward control” vehicle. How many can you name, and and how creative can you get while still being technically accurate?
Read before you post, no dupes, and images are a plus, if you know how to embed them properly.
DIFFICULTY: If you can’t do this, you’re out of the club. Turn in your Carspotters Handbook to your Hoon Leader.
Related posts:
Gordan Murray (of Mc Laren F1) designed his compact car with the driver's feet just at, if not over the front axle line. Hard to tell in these preliminary designs, though.
<img src= "http://cache-01.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2009/09/500x_T25-iCentre-Seating.jpg" >
Unimog FTW
<img src="http://www.4x4news.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/unimog1kl-1.jpg" />
Can't forget the Unofficial Hooniverse Shennanigans and Provisions Aqcuisition Vehicle:
<img src="http://hooniverse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/FC_LF12-1024×768.jpg" width=500>
As written back in November: http://hooniverse.com/2009/12/11/fc150/
A lot of cars to choose from, Like all F1 cars from the last 40 years (or longer), most Can-Am cars, IMSA prototypes, etc.
IMSA actually required GTP cars to have the footboxes behind the front axle centerline. Because of this (plus its twin turbos when IMSA only allowed singles), the Porsche 956 was not legal in American competition, so they came out with the longer-wheelbase 962.
Whoops, you caught me guessing. Actually, I'm impressed as hell that you know that.
Say "Ahhh…"
<img src="http://www.bmwclub.ro/info/istorie/imagini/isetta2.jpg" width="500" />
And let's not forget its bigger brother…
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/BMW_600_Front.jpg" width=400>
I believe you meant "Did I do that?"
<img src="http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Sarah/urkel.jpg" />
Vintage Econolines:
<img src="http://www.goingincirclez.com/Kaleid/Albums/BON/Verse/econolinetruck.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.goingincirclez.com/Kaleid/Albums/BON/Verse/Evans.jpg" width=500>
The second-generation Econoline is debatable about whether its a true forward control.
Debatable, certainly. I thought about that before posting. But I'm honestly envisioning the driver's feet resting almost directly over the axle. Could be wrong, I've not had the good fortune to experience or verify this myself.
I think a front-engined vehicle should be defined as forward control if the engine compartment is substantially beside, rather than in front of, the driver. So yes, the 2d gen Econoline is FC.
But most of the engine was in front of the driver in the second-generation Fords, like so. And don't forget the transmission was behind the engine under the cover.
<img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1969_Ford_Econoline_Pop_Top_Van_Interior_1.jpg" width=400>
I have no military experience myself but while on a job in Fort Sill I got to ride in one of these bad boys It was just about invincible.
The Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)
<img src="http://ve.ida.org/rtoc/images/hemtt.jpg">
Now that's a forward control, like about 3 feet forward of the axle.
<img src="http://www.vw-bulli.de/typo3temp/pics/1_919d0abccc.jpg" width=400>
And, of course, its big brother, the Volkswagen LT MkI:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Vw_lt_sst.jpg" width="500">
The Mule
<img src="http://rivrdog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/mule2.jpg"width=600>
If there was one thing lacking from the Firefly TV series (other than a network that would give it a chance), it would be having this vehicle in place of the ratty old 4-wheeler with a trailer.
I came here to post that. Now, I shall just loiter….
Kicks dirt at feet…
There, there. We all get scooped from time to time.
Fiat Multipla – the cute one, that is
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ArIwGD2dLk4/SwZQEk8oGkI/AAAAAAAAAIA/JkuLSbFa3Og/s1600/fiat-600-multipla.jpg" width=400>
Dodge A-series
<img src="http://image.truckinweb.com/f/8324379+w750+st0/0606_z+1966_dodge_a100_van+front_right_view.jpg" width=500>
Ooooh GOD!! Yesss……
Wow, that's a nice van. No stalkers here. This is still an A100 series, right?
1985 Toyota Van:
<img src="http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/images/conversion-kit-companies-in-the-north-eastern-us-21308970.jpg" width="600">
Good call, and let's not forget the Nissan Van of the 1980s. This was the one afflicted with such severe engine fire problems in the US that Nissan ended up buying them all back from the owners. Mitsubishi also sold FC minivans in the US around the same time.
<img src="http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/202/1701/38003350001_large.jpg" width=400>
Commer van
<img src="http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/RootesNL2003_02.jpg">
The T-Rex:
<img src="http://www.texasironmagazine.com/images/T-REX%20Kawi%201400b.jpg" width="600">
And just because I really wanted it to count, the pedals on the Lotus 303 are right on the axle line.
The Railton Special landspeed record car
<img src="http://www.motoringpicturelibrary.com/docs/hi-mpl340001202c.jpg">
1967 Dodge Deora
<img src="http://www.goingincirclez.com/Kaleid/Albums/BON/Verse/Deora.jpg" width="500/">
Sigh. I used love this thing when I was a kid, models, Hot Wheels, whatever I could find.
I offer, the most bad ass FC of them all.
Mercedes GP Transporter from the 1950s….
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SwWTc93pAcI…
The AstroVan!
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3858223416_eb28663c7a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Astrovan 2" />
That is hella cool. I'd get it for road-trips to Vancouver for esoteric computer and music gear.
And the Crawler/Transporter!
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3795834127_2609fcfa4d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2171" />
Corvair van and pickup
<img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/1961_Chevrolet_Corvair_Rampside_Pick_Up_For_Sale_Front_1.jpg" width=400>
Yeah, we usually refer to them as FCs.
Some belly tank lakesters put the drive behind the front axle, but their feet would be on or over the front axle.
<img src="http://www.rmauctions.com/images/cars/RW09/RW09_r209_01.jpg">
Rick Mears phoned. He'd prefer not to drive forward control vehicles and could he have his foot back please.
<img src="http://www.legacydiecast.com/product_images/ca5310.jpg%20" width="500" />
Just because everyone would be disappointed if I didn't seize the opportunity…GMC Handi-Van.
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/gmcvan.jpg">
I don't quite know how the cab's configured in these old Fords, but it looks like you could get your feet above the axle line.
<img src="http://images.iimanager.com/vdata/carsbikesboatscom/447280_x640_01.jpg" width="500"/>
Your feet are definitely in front of the axle line in a Dodge LNT1000.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/4569077969_24e11edf23.jpg" width="500"/>
The Dodge light-duty A-series had a big brother.
<img src="http://dodge-semis.com/Brochures/1966COE/page02and03.jpg" width="500"/>
OooOOoohh…
I want one of these. Perhaps with an A100 van body.
Pinzgauer!
<img src="http://www.offroaders.com/readers/images2/Pinzguer/Pinzgauer6-l.jpg">
Gesundheit!!
You're welcome!
One of these runs around locally; I haven't managed to get any photos, though, as of yet…
Subaru Sambar, and almost any other kei truck
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Subaru_Sambar_005.JPG" width="600"/>
Daihatsu Mud Master-C
Well, rather than trot out various trucks, buses, coaches, milkfloats and certain Land Rovers, I bring you;
<img src="http://www.priceofhistoys.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Untitled-12.jpg" width=500">
"Top Cat" by Bill Carter. Extra points for the Jaguar V12. Also, possible streaker value.
wut.
It appears to be a V-12 powered crimson penis.
This one's not. Yes it is. No it's not.
[youtube oMmexv5kZH4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMmexv5kZH4&feature=related youtube]
The first ever minivan was forward control.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/06/15/au…
<img src="http://www.washedashore.com/projects/dymax/dworld/e46.jpg" width="500"/>
This one has to take the cake, your entire body is like 4 feet ahead of the front axle.
Okay, I'll bite.
Mack Refuse Series: http://image.trucktrend.com/f/16723037/163_news09…
For the Hoon Regulars, a UD (for da man!) http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://proper…
And any other cabover truck ever built!!!
East German Barkas B1000 van:
[youtube AQy00aQ7FSs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQy00aQ7FSs youtube]
I like ugly trucks, please don't get me wrong.
That Barkas is profoundly hideous.
If Chthulhu had a DL, this is how he'd roll.
I'm saying this qualifies… even though it doesn't really have an axle, per se…
<img src="http://citycomfortsblog.typepad.com/cities/unicycle.jpg">
Auch aus der DDR, ROBUR trucks, vans, buses:
[youtube nXWbzdFTPbU&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXWbzdFTPbU&NR=1 youtube]
<img src="http://www.pioneerequipmentrgv.com/patriot.jpg" >
How about some farm equipment; a Case IH Patriot
And of course the combines are all laid out with a forward cab these days.
<img src="http://www.arnoldsinc.com/8120-15607-540.jpg" width="500"/>
And Trimble GPS, and multimedia entertainment, killer A/C.
If it wasn't for the lack of armoured glass, it'd be perfect for the Zombipocalypse.
I can see myself getting seriously injured on this thing. It'd be fun until then, though.
Another crushing blow for DAF:
<img src="http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/DAFTurboTwinII.jpg">
FAF!
The Ford Tilt-Cab is one of my faves.
<img src="http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/29394507+w750+st0/mump_0908_trib_07_z+1970_ford_mustang_BOSS_302_and_ford_c_series_truck_hauler+.jpg" width-"600">
Especially with that kind of cargo. Giggity.
GM did the tilt-cab thing too.
<img src="http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/gmc/60s_brochure/page03.jpg" width=500>
The "Judge Dred" Taxi Cabs (Land-Rovers) were an interesting example.
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/5889/landrover…
I found a video of the cab I mentioned.
[youtube M-HPdB6l3kQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-HPdB6l3kQ youtube]
Those are actually one of these <img src="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_2.jpeg" width="600" />
Landrover 101 Forward control with a lot of fiberglass
Steyr-Daimler-Puch Haflinger
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3456161975_cabd1cd04b.jpg">
Volvo C303
<img src="http://www.c303.de/c303-img/jo-c303-schlamm.jpg">
Land Rover Forward Control
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_2.jpeg/798px-Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_2.jpeg">
I want that Land Rover!
Great! I'll take the C303, then…
Well, since you took my obvious choice, we will go with its predecessor, the 908, and its successor, the 956. Ah, those were the days… When you knew you were going to die if you crashed.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/1971-05-29_Vic_Elford,_Porsche_908-3_(Hatzenbach).jpg" width="600" />
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Porsche_956_Rothmans.jpg" width="600" />
The "Critter Gitter".
<img src=http://crittergitters.net/7.JPG>
Here we see the 4WD Desert-Camo Gorilla (Homo Desertushidusbelli) in its' natural habitat. Note the runt in the background, soon to be consumed for the good of the troop.
That is one surreal car. I'm having odd visions of a home-built 4-wheel steering system for wicked low-speed hoonage.
That is ridiculously stupid. Which does indeed translate to the baser phrase "Do Want"
The greatest part is that the 'forward control' position of the operator is a necessary aspect of its propulsion:
http://www.theriotwheel.com/Tech_BigPicture.html
That would come in handy in January. I could make mad money doing driveways and walks.
pretty much any Formula SAE car
<img src="http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr333/TrueBoolean/IMG_1368.jpg" width="600">
There certainly must be a great number of EVs that at least come very close to breaking on past the forward-axle line: <img src="http://jalopnik.com/5365632/1976-sebring+vanguard-citicar/gallery/16" width="500">
<img src="http://jalopnik.com/5365632/1976-sebring+vanguard-citicar/gallery/16" width="500"> or this odd european contraption,the City-El,with a German EV-enthusiast napping in one:
<img src="http://www.elweb.de/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=214&pos=10" width="500"
<img src="http://www.elweb.de/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=214&pos=10" width="500">
My ride on campus this morning is forward control.
<img src="http://insidetheusa.net/images/blogs/bus_cata2.jpg" width="600">
Modified version
<img src="http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2000/09/09-20-00tdc/09-20-00dnews20.jpg" width="600">
that's just what I was going to post….. almost:
<img src="http://www.submarineboat.com/images/canvas_work/school_bus_small.jpg" width="400">
Mitsubishi Delica L300!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goosegog/3713260591/…
Hooniverse Presents: The Alfa Romeo A-12
Fageol Super Freighter Vans, built out of International running gear and Fruehauf trailers"
<img src="http://forums.aths.org/InstantForum414/Uploads/Images/2a8ecff9-fde0-464c-a5ef-71d7.gif">
Corbitt Model 600 claustro-sleeper:
<img src="http://76.163.6.15/images/anniversity%203/ff_Corbitt_100th_Show_2010_0129_web.jpg">
<img src="http://76.163.6.15/images/anniversity%203/ee_Corbitt_100th_Show_2010_0135_web.jpg">