# Car model reference notes

The historic show-car meshes and 1971 Riviera were redrawn using front, side, rear and three-quarter photographs. Dimensions are estimated from photographs; these are original game models, not scans or certified replicas. Reference photos are for research and are not distributed with the game.

| Model | Reference-guided changes | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Orbitron | Rear canopy, long hood and scoop, projecting RGB pod plus three white lamps, narrow whitewalls, slotted chrome rims, concave waist, rising shovel tail and broad rear lens | [Restoration story and gallery](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-orbitron-story-how-ed-roth-s-asymmetrical-work-of-art-rose-from-its-ashes-231145.html), [Hot Rod restoration feature](https://www.hotrod.com/features/0903rc-ed-big-daddy-roths-orbitron) |
| Deora | Low forward cab, wraparound entry windshield, pentagonal side glass, dark seats, long tonneau, side recess, gold fascia, vertical lamp units and lower grille | [National Historic Vehicle Register](https://www.driversfoundation.org/registry/1967-dodge-deora) |
| Beatnik Bandit | Short body and wheelbase, whitewall proportions, pearl/copper scallops, bubble canopy, twin-carb blower, paired headlamps and low grille, exposed suspension | [National Historic Vehicle Register](https://www.driversfoundation.org/registry/1961-ed-roths-beatnik-bandit), [Nick Ares photograph](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1961_Roth%27s_Beatnik_Bandit.jpg) |
| Mantaray | Asymmetric left-only shoulder scoop and quick-release filler; offset instrument bank; split rear canopy spine, broad rounded tail with central lamp, four twin-throat Webers/eight stacks, kidney-slot Halibrand-style wheels and twin side pipes | [Dean Jeffries interview](https://www.hotrod.com/news/0011sr-dean-jeffries-manttray), [All Car Central original 2017 photographs, both sides and rear](https://allcarcentral.com/Pebble_Beach_Concours_2017_M-O_Cars.html) |
| Model T drag custom | Lower credited Model T tub, exposed blown V8, connected chassis and suspension, skinny front wheels/rear slicks, radiator, spun fuel tank, zoomies, roll-bar braces and wheelie bars | Period altered-dragster reference photos; original fictional build, not a replica of a named competition car. Imported body and engine creators are credited in credits.html. |

Local comparison used the actual game meshes in the garage environment, viewed from front, side and rear three-quarter angles. Corrections included opening the Bandit engine bay, lowering and tilting the Mantaray canopy, closing lamp faces, insetting wheel backing, rounding Deora's front corners and shaping the rear body undersides.

Remaining limits: body dimensions and underside fittings are estimates; small badges, upholstery stitches and factory hardware are simplified. Paint follows player choices, while historical default colors are used for unmodified builds.

## October 7 refinement

- 1971 Buick Riviera: long hood, four headlamps, fine divided grille, formal vinyl roof, V-shaped wraparound rear glass, sweeping rear quarters, boat-tail deck, 1971 deck louvers, horizontal tail lamps and a V-shaped rear bumper. Original model referenced to [GM Media Archives photographs reproduced by MotorCities](https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2020/the-1971-73-buick-rivieras-offered-great-boattail-designs).
- Rat rod: corrected the source asset’s BLEND materials. Sixty-two solid parts now write depth normally; five glazing parts remain transparent. Four tires use nonmetallic rough rubber, and rims retain their textured metal finish without the noisy metallic/roughness atlas. Original textures and attribution remain.
- Stances: model-specific 14–23.5 cm body drops, tucked tires on enclosed-fender cars, and a positive 6.6-degree rear-high rake. Low fittings compress to maintain ground clearance; this is a visual suspension approximation.

## October 7, 2026 — multi-angle geometry review and raked slicks

The Buick, Mantaray and Orbitron were compared against multiple original front,
rear, overhead, side and three-quarter photographs. A separate review agent
checked the first revisions, then rechecked later renders and identified two
final corrections: the Mantaray inner wheel faces and the Orbitron headlight
backing depth. Photographic proportions are estimates, not a dimensional scan.
Reference photographs remain outside the distributable game.

- **1971 Riviera:** Rebuilt compound-curved V backlight, joined roof and sail
  panels, tinted glazing and visible cabin; continuous trapezoidal horizontal
  grille, four square bezels around round sealed beams, front bumper apron and
  marker slots, broad rolled rear bumper with boat-tail V, framed ribbed rear
  lamps and left-offset plate. Retained 1971 deck louvers.
- **Mantaray:** Nose fork/light, cockpit, pearl canopy spine and rear lamp shift
  approximately 0.19 model units toward vehicle right, around 11% of wheel
  track. Wheels stay centered about the chassis and the engine remains near
  the centerline. Canopy cowl seals against the body; rear spine conforms to
  the tilted glass. The left shoulder retains its intake and filler.
- **Orbitron:** Front axle/nose relationship and longer shovel tail redrawn
  against two independent side photographs (front overhang ~17% of wheelbase,
  rear ~50%). Integrated asymmetrical nose, lower rear canopy and upholstery,
  deeper side coves, joined crescent fenders, smaller scoop, recessed lamps,
  and dark rear wheel houses. All six front lamps remain visible.
- **Wheel construction:** Detailed chrome rims/spinners only on the outer faces;
  inner faces use brake drums/hubs, avoiding apparently floating chrome arcs.
- **Raked stance:** All ten cars get two enlarged, wider, smooth rear slicks with
  deep-dish wheels; original front wheels retain steering. Per-car sizes and
  inward fitting for enclosed rear fenders. Cruiser and Slammed keep their
  original wheel packages. Positive 6.6-degree rake remains; recomputed body
  normals preserve smoothness after ground-clearance adjustments.

Additional primary/reference sources:
- SEMA archival feature confirming the Mantaray's offset cockpit:
  https://www.sema.org/news-media/enews/2023/18/heritage-dean-jeffries-turning-point
- All Car Central original Pebble Beach 2017 photographs (8303–8312):
  https://allcarcentral.com/Pebble_Beach_Concours_2017_M-O_Cars.html
- Hot Rod original Orbitron restoration photographs:
  https://www.hotrod.com/features/0903rc-ed-big-daddy-roths-orbitron
- Riviera designer John Houlihan's account of the rear glass:
  https://www.buick-riviera.com/houlihan_text.html
- GM Media Archives photographs reproduced by MotorCities:
  https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2020/the-1971-73-buick-rivieras-offered-great-boattail-designs

These remain original lightweight procedural game models, with approximated
surface transitions and bumper profiles rather than scan-derived replicas.