I’ve been told its time to start my Build Log. So I’ll begin with the traditional confession:
“Been lurking and making the occasional contribution to the forum for a couple of years now. Been wanting to do a ‘from scratch’ build for years but didn’t have the know-how till I came across this forum. But this group is pretty amazing and I now have the confidence to move ahead.”
And I mean every word of it!
In way of background, I’m one of the older old f@rts here. My first car was a ’32 five window that started out with a flathead and ended up with a hemi motor and a LaSalle tranny. Yup, way back in the ‘50’s. Then progressed through a long list of sporty and not so sporty types including original owner of a ’65 Mustang convertible and a ’71 240z (should have kept ‘em both.) Then a turbo’d ’78 911 with a de-tuned 935 engine (very fast, especially when the waste-gate stuck!) and 17 years ago this month started the 7-year build of my Ultima Spyder, which I still have. For my “next project” I got interested in the FFR ’33 and was part of the one-week build team that put together the black #13 that was on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine. Oh, and recently been helping a friend with his Scarab continuation project.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=13273 That was all much fun. But decided I didn’t want to work around someone else’s kit issues on my next build. The “from scratch” itch still needed scratching—that’s when I found you guys.
I bought and read all the book build books. Got inspired by Rod’s 5.0, Phils LS, JD’s Mallock Tribute, Midlana, Wycked 7, Gale’s V8Seven and a number of other great builds. Then began building/modifying balsa scale models in an attempt to improve on the basic book chassis. About that time, Horizonjob started his Messy Garage thread, applying his Formula Ford background to his Car9 design. Marcus was way ahead of me on doing the chassis the “right way” and I got hooked on Car9.
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=13810So here I am with a stack of tubing heading this way including bent-to-spec tubes from CharlieN and straight tubes from OnlineMetals, a build table to build and a bunch of recent additions to my tool box. I’m finally ready to fire-up the torch and begin the goat rodeo.
But first, some answers to the basic questions:
What will it be used for: Street driving, autocross capable, occasional track days, intimidating neighbors’ dogs…
Chassis: Front-engined Car9 chassis.
https://sites.google.com/site/car9buildit/ Round tube (‘cause I like round), “Lalo” cockpit side tubes (just ‘cause), low dash hoop, probably include forward roll hoop braces. We’ll see if the build makes my (very) stretch target of 1500 lbs. all up and wet.
Drivetrain and suspension: LS3 motor (I admire the bike-engined builds, but I’d rather have a V8, and yes, I’m old enough to know better), 5-speed tranny (which one is TBD), 31-spline 8.8 IRS diff, T-bird rear uprights with Cobra spindles, Wilwood Mustang II front spindles. The diff, rear spindles and uprights are already in my garage. Suspension will be set up for 4 ½” of ground clearance with 17” street wheels.
Bodywork: Potentially multiple skins. Twisting just a few Dzus fastners is all that's needed to take 'em off and put 'em on. (As I I learned in high school, it only takes a quarter turn...) Possibilities include: Traditional “7” roadster, Lalo, T-roadster, any or all the above options and maybe more.
Kirkey vintage low-back seats with separate headrests attached to the roll hoop. High-back seat option for track days.
Donor vehicle: None. When you get to be my age you don’t buy green bananas or rusty cars. Summit Racing, Jeggs, et. al. will be my “donors” (but I think that works the other way around.) I’ll be using a P-Ayr foam LS long-block (18 lbs.) for engine fitment during the early build stages. This will also save my back and (in the short term) my pocket book. I’ll buy a real motor later in the build.
As a segue from Horizonjob’s Car9 thread, I’ve re-posted below a couple of Charlie’s photos of the tubes he bent for me, as they are my starting point. They’re now truckin’ their way the length of I-90.
I’m open to any and all critiques and suggestions and expect to make (more than) a few mistakes along the way. Please point them out while they’re easy to fix. And poke fun if I’m sounding too serious, get off the mark or just need a kick in the @ss.
Let “…the sheer lunacy and Joy…” of the build begin!