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I am just starting the design phase for a lotus seven style car. So, I will probably be asking lots of questions here soon. I am thinking about using aircraft fabric for most of the 'body'. I want this car to be legal for street use and for possible racing at some point. Are there any legality problems with either street or racing use with aircraft fabric?

Welcome Dank.

That's an interesting question that's been discussed just a bit here. I don't know of any legal issues. What are you thinking of stretching it over ?

I'm thinking just over the frame tubes for the rear half of the car. It would look kind of weird but it is lighter than carbon fiber panels and much easier to work with so I was thinking it would be worth looking into.

South Dakota........ Might want to look into Hemp fibers ......... no really ..... I've been looking into for my project.

http://www.transport20.com/uncategorize ... green-car/

http://gearjunkie.com/mad-river-malecite-eco


......and before these guy's there was Henry ......
http://blog.cardomain.com/2007/11/15/whoa-henry-ford/

Sure, no problem to use heat shrink Dacron.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/fabric.html
They are a popular supplier for the fabrics and supplies.

Only problem that I have thought of is that it is not very strong for impact resistance.
No, I don't mean in a crash, I mean that rocks, nails, and other road debris thrown up by the wheels of your car, or of others on the road will go right through the fabric.

I think it can be a great covering if the frame tubes make a pleasing shape.

Having built and rag and tube aircraft, I'd like to make a couple of points. If you decide to cover in fabric remember that auto paint is brittle and will crack as the fabric flexes, aircraft paint is flexable. Fabric can last many years as long as the frame is stored away from sun (UV) when not used. Most fabric is painted a light color as dark colors absorb heat and fabric will sag if not properly shrunk, fabric is tensioned at a final shrink of 350*F and dark painted surfaces in hot climates can surpass that temp. On any surface the fabric is glued to you will have to apply refer tapes to eliminate rubbing/wearing through to the tubing. I don't know how pleasing refer tapes look on cars but they're sexy on planes. I also wonder if the fabric would have to be stitched/glued to all tubing to prevent it from ballooning at high airspeed. All in all, I think aluminum is the way to go, especially if the nieghbors cat isn't declawed.

Easy to repair, too. Which is good, as referenced above. (road rash, bad kitteh...).

Also, be aware that the structure has to be pretty strong. Fabric can bend tubing during the shrinking.

I like the idea. Considered it myself. However, it would have to be for the sake of doing it...I don't think it can beat aluminum for cost, reliability, ease of fab, and weight, all considered together.

Would love to see it done, though.