Hello everyone! My name is Rob. I’ve recently been lurking around here and other Locost type websites and forums. I have been mulling around the idea of building “something” like this for many years. I’m currently stationed in Germany with all of my cars, parts, tools, etc. in storage back in the states. This gives me little ability to actually build anything, but I can plan to my heart’s content.. So,… Here I am!
Looking through all of the build threads, various posts here and on the UK forum and variety of other links over the last couple weeks has me inspired and also a little overwhelmed. Probably similar to many other newbies here.
This may never get off the ground (or onto a build table), but I want to learn more. The tone and comradery of this forum is very similar to my “home away from home” forum (slantsix.org), so I’m confident I’m in the right place.
Here is the basic plan. I have a ton more to blabber on about, but that will come over time. I’ll have a lot of questions and am anxious to read a lot of sage advice from those of you that have gone down this road ahead of me.
The Leaning Locost: Track only, smallest, lightest car designed for autocross and dragstrip using the Chrysler “Leaning Tower of Power” Slant 6 engine.
1. Do you enjoy metal fabrication, problem solving, and general dirty, greasy, sharp metal shavings strewn in all directions type hard work? Yes- But my metal fabrication skills are novice at best. I haven’t even learned to weld yet…
2. Do you have a place to do aforementioned work, without offending the people who allow you to work there? Yes- But it is about 4,800 miles away! I’m stationed in Germany, so I’m just planning and learning for now.
3. Do you have the space to dismantle and store parts from a donor car? Yes- See #2
4. Are you the type of person that obsesses about things, but abruptly loses interest and moves on to something else new and fascinating? Yes- But I have finished a few car projects over the years… If I do get this project started it might be up for sale as an uncompleted project a couple years later. I’ll give you all first dibs.
5. Do you have the disposable income to pull this off? Yes- I wouldn’t call it disposable, but I am a pretty good “scrounger” and plan to use a complete donor car. My income will change quite a bit if/when I retire from the Army in the next couple years or so.
6. Are you married to a low maintenance, understanding wife? Yes- She has been very patient with my car hobby for 25 years
7. Do you have, or are you willing to acquire the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to pull this off? Yes-I have debatable skills and quite a few tools. I have had a MIG welder for several years, but I have not really learned to use it. I hope to practice some welding at the Auto Craft shop on post over the next couple years. My biggest hurdle will be learning the metal fabrication and the concept of Geometry has eluded me for over 30 years…