geek49203 wrote:
I'm working on Jack's Lalo build (still). Some notes:
1. Hood and trunk hinges seem to take a lot of thought. To the extent you provide for those, that is very helpful.
2. I see you're doing the windscreen -- great! I live in a state where I have to have a DOT approved glass wind screen, so yeah, that's either horribly expensive or a situation where you have "make due" in a way that might not be flattering. (BTW, the guys who say the build "all of the Cobra kit windscreens" doesn't know why / how the Cobra kits get a pass?!?!) Oh, and yeah, need a windshield wiper but we all know how to attach a hand-crank model that is quickly removed....
3. A very very helpful thing would be to mark a line down the middle of the car (on the underside I assume) of dead center. Do you know how difficult it is to measure a curvy car? (I suppose this is why my curvy wife says she can't find bras that fit, but I digress.) Having a center line to measure against, and help make sure that it's lined up with the body, would be very helpful.
4. Another state regulation situation... the guys who inspect cars seem to each have their own rules... the local guy tells me that having 2 tail lights that handle all functions isn't legal. Dunno, but at the very least one would not want to end up with awful-looking rectangle lights, etc.
5. Roll bar provisioning? Some might not want any, some might want a full cage, some might want something in between, etc... your thoughts?
6. I saw the original Lola Mk1 run (via YouTube) and noticed that the rear had large holes cut in the rear (between tail lights) which I presume are to let air exit. I know that my trunk is currently a huge air scoop for the air that comes up near the rear axle. I plan on closing that all off (probably continue the floor back towards the "Trunk" floor via removable panel under the rear axle). Let me know what you decide to do with that part of the car?
Thank you for your thoughts and questions.
1-My body is very simple. The only part that opens is the hood. If anyone buys my body/fame the body will be mounted and the hood hinged. I am going to have a pretty large waterproof compartment that will be accessed by an opening between the seats.
2-I love the MGB windshield on my car. I think that it really fits the look. The glass is DOT legal and is inexpensive. If there is any demand for the car it would be simple enough to make a fiberglass (with steel inserts) frame. Right now there seems to be a good number of frames/glass available on Ebay.
3- I know what your saying about mounting "curvy bodies". That's why I made this body with the dash, cockpit bulkheads, firewalls as part of the body. This body is molded so that it positively sits and mounts to the frame. The tub and nose match up with out any body work. It takes minutes to mount the body.
4-The Cheetah used 1963 Corvette taillights. Reproduction ones are readily available but fairly expensive. I have a complete set. But, I also have Porsche 356 taillights. I have to check to see if they're DOT legal. If they are, I might try to use them. They are inexpensive and I think match the look of the car. I'm using Harley Davidson Vrod headlights.
5-For the street I'm not running a roll bar. I prefer the look. But, I have incorporated receivers in the frame for a single, full width roll bar. For competition a more protective bar or full cage can easily be made that would mount to the main frame rails.
6- Air entering through the radiator is routed along the aluminum skinned frame past the front wheels and along the side of the car. There is 4 to 6 inches of open space between the body and the sides of the frame. It is open at the bottom of the body, along where the side pipes go. The car has a flat bottom. A full aluminum belly pan could be used.
The aluminum fuel tank essentially seals off the opening at the bottom of the fiberglass rear tray.