CLASSY CHASSIS\Teens design unique auto.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Car maker Walter Chrysler might have winced at the teen-agers' lack of boardroom savvy - but he would have been thrilled by their speed.

A luxury sport-utility vehicle designed in less time than taking a sewing course in home economics.

During Tuesday's most intense moment for the seven young car designers at Simi Valley High School, the teen-agers put the finishing touches on a creation they had to have postmarked to Chrysler headquarters by mid-afternoon.

Their K2 luxury sport-utility vehicle - with a $40,000 to $50,000 sticker price - "radically" breaks from the mold of what a conventional vehicle is all about, the students said.

After months of brainstorming, researching and arguing, the teen-agers entered the K2 in a contest - "Build Your Dream Vehicle" - sponsored by Chrysler Corporation. The school with the winning entry receives $3000 to help fund its arts programs.

But for the seven teen-agers who volunteered to spend days after school working their fingers to the bone, it wasn't about money.

"We were just given the chance to try something new, and learn what it's like working as a team," said Melanie Shinsel, 17, head of marketing for the K2.

Still, even teamwork comes with obstacles.

The group argued for weeks about whether to go with the V-8 engine or the gas-turbine engine. The group finally agreed the turbines are simpler and lighter, as well as more reliable than piston engines.

Once they decided on the engine, there were only about 100 more decisions to make.

How to design the side and roof-pillar reinforcements. Where to place the air-intake and exhaust ducts. Should climate-control seats be part of the deal. What about an electric global-position system. Air conditioning. Power steering. Where to put the air bags.

And, of course, what to call it.

"Once we finished arguing, everything fit into place," said Austin Kim, 14, head of environmental/ergonomics safety.

The heated debates were the hardest part of the whole process, the students said.

Marketing plans, research strategies, public surveys, financial plans - that was the easy part.

Ray Rini, exterior artist for the K2, signed up for the arduous project because he thought it would be "good practice."

The 18-year-old senior hopes to one day make a living in automotive design.

"I'll get some good pictures for my portfolio," Rini said.

When the design contest began in September, Bruce Kanegai, who teaches the advanced placement design class, originally had 40 students sign up.

Once the students realized they would occasionally have to sacrifice their lunch hours, social lives and time during their winter break, most of them dropped out.

"They realized it's a lot more than just drawing cars," said Kanegai, who explained none of the seven students received class credit, or a grade, for the project.

"It's not the final product," Kanegai said, "but the journey they took and the experience."

This year, various high schools in Florida, Illinois and California were invited to participate in the contest. High school students from Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties submitted their entries Tuesday afternoon. Five finalists will be notified in one month.

"I have a very good feeling about it," Shinsel said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we got first place."

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Photo (Color) Simi Valley High students Melanie Shinsel, 17, and Heather Heidel, 16, work on the logo for the K2, their entry in a Chrysler Corporation design contest for a luxury sport-utility vehicle. Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News