News | Car | Model | Links | Shop

Prototyp : News
News Archive : 2001
2004-2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

28 DEC 01
Happy Holidays. Prototyp would like to take a moment and thank everyone who has contributed to, written emails to, or visited the site. Your support has made this project a great experience, and it's only just beginning. Thank you! 2002 will be a very good year.
20 DEC 01
Lots of growth and changes happening: the XJR-10/11 Easy versions will be out for test building, the Prototyp Store (!) being built to sell printed model kits (also shopping for a good printer). New Prototyp logo designed. Content: Process Nine being written. Car content being researched for Toyota Eagle GTP MkIII, Nissan NPT91, and Sauber C11.
04 DEC 01
The XJR-10/11 Easy versions are being "packaged" for test building. Easy-build model galleries are done: [Purple] XJR-11, Castrol XJR-10.Process Nine coming soon. The Full version still needs some photo sequences and instruction pages, and there are a few more bits to make. Car content in the works: Toyota Eagle GTP MkIII, Nissan NPT91, and Jaguar XJR-10.
20 NOV 01
You are all so very patient. Thank you. It's been a long time coming, but XJR-10/11 Easy versions are done! Test builds going on as a last step before release.
16 NOV 01
XJR-10/11 Easy versions are nearly ready... just finished Castrol IMSA car. Full version is being documented (still) with fresh photo sequences and instruction pages. The fancy exploded view presentation is going to have to wait till these cars are done fully 3-D. Also some Car content coming shortly: Toyota Eagle GTP MkIII and Jaguar XJR-10.
25 OCT 01
Easy version sheets getting parts numbers and all... corresponding instructional graphics being detailed too. Made some changes to the Full version which will get built and shot for it's instructional bit. Not sure I have the patience to draw the Full version's building instructions...we'll see how this goes. Do need a PC, to do this right in CAD. Keeping busy with design work too... though I never seem busy enough.
11 OCT 01
Someone needs to get himself a PC and a 3-d CAD app. Somehow this has turned into some kind of old-school meets the digital age art project. Those illustrations for the XJR building instructions have become a nice exercise in perspective drawing... is fun but i know there are faster ways of doing this. Thanks for your patience. This will all work out just fine...
02 OCT 01
Summertime has arrived in San Francisco. No more cold and dark foggy days... for a little while anyway. HAHA. And now it is gone. Already. Still looking for a real job. Still working on illustrations for the XJR building instructions. Building these last few bits for the FULL version (turbos, et al). Photos and such due anytime... New models of a couple former GroupC and IMSA champions are in the works, both of which are coming along very quickly. Lastly, a big thank you to those who sent some insight on product licensing.
20 SEP 01
Illustrations for the XJR building instructions are coming along well. Again, it's a process which done once will be reused for subsequent models, speeding up this process greatly. For a bit of entertainment, I have been sorting through my sources looking for what the next model should be... I also have some concern about licensing and copyright issues, with Jaguar and Silk Cut for example. Anyone know anything about this in relation to illustrations or paper models? Talk to me.
16 SEP 01
I am no embassador, no diplomat. I only hope we can remain humane in light of acts against humanity. There seems something quite insignificant sitting down now to work on Prototyp, but my feeling is that if i can bring at least a moment of joy to someone, then it is a right thing to do.

As the Easy version is all done, it's now time to wrap up the Full version. The final engine-area detail parts are designed and final check build being done... Final (Full) Build gallery coming...

04 SEP 01
As the XJR11 model draws closer to completion, a final test build is done as a subject for illustrated building instructions. This build also explores the possibility of an "Easy" version of the model. The curbside "Easy" version is considerably simpler, exchanging complex internal details of the "Open" version for fewer parts and a smoother presentation of the car's bodywork and overall form. XJR11 Process, Part 8 and Final (Easy) Build gallery published.
08 AUG 01
It has been a year since the Jaguar XJR project was started. Perhaps that is a very long time to produce a model... certainly there is impatience in waiting for it to be ready. However, I would say that there has been tremendous progress and evolution in the quality of the model and that this time has been necessary. The XJR11 is the first Prototyp model, and all the following ones will benefit from this exploratory period. Many things have been learned about paper technique and model design and the building process. Soon you will be able to build your own: please see Process, Part Seven for a look at instructional graphics design, the lastest phase of the model production.
24 JUL 01
Hope those of you who were able to make it enjoyed the Sears Point ALMS race over the weekend. The Audi prototypes and the BMW GT cars were in a different league than their competitors. Such beautiful machines the way they are designed, the way the were prepared, and especially in the way they moved...obviously the product of many things going right: from team management to excellent and consistent drivers. The openness of the Sears Point paddock left these machines exposed to lengthy technical studies and public scrutineering session which had the cars six feet in the air revealed their most precious aerodynamic secrets. Many questions about the Audi R8 and its new evolutionary changes were answered as direct comparisons between the 2000-spec Champion car and the 2001-spec factory cars were possible with the teams stationed a just few garages from one another. R8 Evolution > >
The only thing keeping a full-detailed R8 PROTOtyp model from being produced right now is time. I urgently need to find some paying work.
03 JUL 01
Started working the Audi R8 model in paper over the last few days of June. I expect that a simple, curbside model could easily be released soon, with a more complex, full-chassis one a bit later. Same with the Jaguar XJR11... an exterior model and a full-chassis model which the clever builder could then sort out which combination they would like to build. Of course, I still need to sort out the building instructions execution, the excrutiating photography method not producing very satisfying results.
14 JUN 01
Just a brief foray back into PROTOtyp work but I did manage to finish several of the engine detail bits; only the induction parts are left to create now. And most of the building instructions. Le Mans this weekend... interesting who is up near the front of the grid.
23 MAY 01
Another lengthy hiatus. May has been almost entirely taken up by starting design studio (918.nu) and trying to get life together in post-employment world. Model update: I have no idea where I left off... Will have to take things up from where ever that was. I think some engine area details are in the works as is continuing the production of Construct. Bit of news from Walkins Glen this past weekend: all-time track record broken in qualifying session for GroupC historics race by a Nissan R90C driven by Charlie Agg. Not bad for an 11-year-old racecar.
08 MAY 01
Model update: XJR-11 final tub built and Construct photographed. Peripheral driveline details being finished and sorted out for building instructions. Things are moving slowly though, so close to being finished, but still not done... For fun, just started a simple model experiment: the Pennzoil Nismo Skyline GTR. No engine, no interior. Not particularly true to the architecture of the machine, but it will hopefully look good.
27 APR 01 Model update: Steerable front wheels is a success and not terribly difficult to build. Full final tub built and Construct photographed. So, as the front half of the car nears its fully-documented completion, the final rear half process begins...
26 APR 01 No more Quokka. No more job. I design things... print, web, photography etc. Hire me. Model update: XJR-11 Construct in progress. Interior bits look great. Now trying out some ideas for steerable front wheels.
14 APR 01 Enjoying some diversions these days: Long Beach GP, leaving my job, shopping for a new bicycle... Photo analyses on the Toyota Eagle MkIII are in the works... huge thank you to AAR who graciously allowed me to shoot the car in their shops in March. Also shot Mike Lauer's Sauber C11 in the exhibition hall at the Long Beach GP. Not an ideal setting to shoot in with lots of feet and legs and reflections, but the folks there were kind enough to open up the doors on the car. Very very beautiful car and amazingly low (perhaps lower than the F1 cars that were nearby). Model update: The XJR-11 model is still in progress, though I haven't had a chance to focus on its development for a few weeks now. Interior bits have been created and are being shot in the ongoing production of the Construct building instructions for the model.
29 MAR 01 Process Part 6 published. Site modifications in the works to support the first model release. The Car and Model sections will change dramatically...
24 MAR 01 Model update: Finally, XJR-11 parts sheets being checked and building instructions ("Construct") being photographed. Many parts have been revised from prior interations and seem to be going together very well. Still some detail bits to do and I have a few ideas for poseable front steering and perhaps rotating wheels that I want to explore. XJR-11 Process Part 6 coming soon as well as a gallery piece on the Toyota Eagle MkIII.
17 MAR 01 Model update: XJR-11 details and evolution. Some architectural problems have arisen which will require some redesigning of the main structure of the model. There are still quite a few detail bits to still create too and the project has become a bit of a grind. The saga continues... Process Part 6 coming soon.
07 MAR 01
PROTOtyp vs Orange County: research trip to AAR was a great success, little story and photos coming soon. Model update: XJR-11 front half done. Driveline structure design in progress, photos coming soon. Process, Part Five published.
27 FEB 01 Model update: XJR-11 front half is done. Test-build gallery published. Process Part 5 coming soon...
24 FEB 01 Toyota Eagle Mkiii 1992-93: the last GTP racecar > begin research process... PROTOtyp vs Orange County: research trip to AAR booked for 01/02 March.
16 FEB 01 Model update: XJR-11 engine, tub and bodywork finalized. Process Part 5 and test-build gallery coming soon...
16 FEB 01 XJR-11 engine test-built. It's tiny. Little engine: 0.75" long, 0.69" tall, 1.08" wide. Final tub structures designed and test-built. "Construct" building instructions being planned and photographed. Perhaps another installment of the Process series coming soon too... Remaining driveline structure design in progress.
13 FEB 01 In honor of its recent official retirement, BMW LMP drawings have been started.
05 FEB 01 Making quick work of the XJR-11 engine and driveline details. Full detail models likely to preceed any simple "curbside" releases. Without the full structural representation of chassis and driveline, the models miss the point of the technical study intended by Prototyp. This is a bit of a change in strategy, but for the better I think. Construct, the prototyp model building instructions are in the planning stages now. 1990 Castrol IMSA livery complete, now transferring graphics to body parts. Fixed a few broken links on the site. Sorry about those.
30 JAN 01 Daytona 24 Hours this weekend. Model update: XJR10 and XJR11 wheels and body parts finalised. Working now on rear suspension for simple model. Next is small parts and instructional graphics. 1989 Silk Cut livery still in progress so 1990 car will likely be first release. Detailed version will come later. Also started Toyota TS010 sketch and looking into 3-d softwares for the Mac.
25 JAN 01 World Sportscar Racing 1990 (Ulrich Upeitz and Gustav Busing) contains this detailed insight to the evolution of the XJR11: very early in the 1990 season, Ross Brawn (Arrows F1) joined TWR and made changes to the chassis and bodywork of the car. Initially, the revisions were to the aerodynamics of the bodywork... most significantly the removal of the intercooler exhausts along the upper surface of the rear deck. Later, a revised front suspension with wider front track and widened nose bodywork was used. Model update: revisions to 1990 XJR11, roof parts designed, 1989 Dunlop Denloc and Speedline wheel package produced as well as some work on the 1989 Silk Cut livery.
23 JAN 01 World Sportscar Racing 1990 arrived today, less than a week after the order was placed. Thanks to Chris Knapman's Collectors Car Books. The book features: Mercedes C11, Jaguar XJR11, Nissan R90 CK, Toyota 90CV, Peugeot 905, Spice SE90 C, Porsche 962C.
21 JAN 01 Process, Part Four and model preview launched as well as a new page and revised text in Process, Part Three. Received A. Martin and K. Well's "Prototypes" book. It is a nice overview of the cars and teams who competed in the IMSA series. Beginning Castrol XJR10 IMSA GTP livery and work continues on the Jaguar suspension and wheels.
18 JAN 01 Finally, home. All seems to be well with the site after moving to Sentris... if anything seems amiss, let me know.
17 JAN 01 PROTOtyp will have a new home at Sentris with reliable service and loads of space.
15 JAN 01 Very productive weekend: Jaguar livery and bodywork nearly complete. Process part four and model preview feature coming soon.
13 JAN 01 World Sportscar Racing 1991 and 1992 books arrived today. 1990 is out of print, so further searching is in store... The books feature: Mercedes C291, Jaguar XJR14, Peugeot 905 EVO 1 BIS, Brun 91C, Peugeot EVO 2, Mazda MXR-01, Lola T92/10, Toyota TS-010.
02 JAN 01 Email from Don Taylor at GM Racing... Dan Gurney's curious what I am up to... time to plan that trip to AAR. Prototyp Mecca Tour in the works. If anyone in the Orange County area knows of any GTP cars in shops or dealerships there, please let me know: ryan@prototyp.org
2004-2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000