A different tune

A Ti reader (thanks, Peter) recently asked the following question – do car creators appreciate it when tuners modify our creations? Or does it annoy the hell out of us?

Now, it would be interesting to have the input of our truly creative folk like Ian Callum or Julian Thomson on this question – how do they feel when aftermarket modifiers change the shapes that they so lovingly carved into foams and clays? But let me give you a partial answer at least from the grubby-fingernailed engineering end of the Ti virtual R&D centre – how do I feel when people ‘mess with’ the A110?

A swift aside if you’re new to the channel. The Alpine A110 is a two-seater French sports car. Dan used to quite like them but he’s as fickle as an Irish sunbeam, and has moved on to other pastures. Ti once awarded it 10/10 – and it’s still all alone up there on the 10^th step of the Ti podium. And once upon a time, I was its Chief Engineer and Program Director. Those titles mean I spent all the development budget, then bollocked myself for doing so.