Hello everyone, My name is John Chesnut. I'm passionate about the old sports racers. I've built a few cars from scratch and have sold some as kits. Building a car is fun for me. It's my therapy. It's my hobby. It's something to do in my retirement years and, for as long as my health holds out.
A couple of years ago I started a build thread for my car. I wanted a sexy looking car that would be a Chevy alternative to the Cobra. The body I created was inspired by the Cheetah. It's a simple 2 piece body. The nose is full tilting. The frame I built accepts C4 Corvette suspension. It's a space frame that gets skinned with aluminum panels. The frame accepts SBC or LS engines.
I had to have molds made to get a usable body for me. I'm working with a fiberglass company that will produce any needed bodies. I have a nice jig for the frame. At this time I'm going to build the frames and tack them together. I'll have a certified welder finish them.
The molds are almost complete. I'll have complete bodies in a couple of weeks. I have materials and supplies to build a couple of frames. Once, I get the body I'll build a complete car. I hope to have it on the road in the spring. My goal is to drive the heck out of it and have fun. I'm going to set up a website to offer kits for sale. I don't know if I'll sell any. If I do, cool. If not my son, a friend, and I will each have one.
I thought that I'd jump the gun and offer a body frame kit here. The price is $6800 and includes the body in white gel coat (It will need final body work on the seams and paint), (I will sell a body only for $3400.) an unpainted frame, cut and fitted aluminum skins, coil over shock mounts, steering shafts bearings, u-joints, and a quick release steering wheel hub. A parts list will be included. An MGB windshield is used but not supplied.
Pictured is the frame. The red lines indicate additional bracing that I'm adding for the final version.
Pictured is the final body plug mounted on the frame.
Pictured is the final mock up in blue. I wanted to see how the shape was coming so I used spray cans to paint it and set it outside to view it. Final body work was then done to finish the plug.
Feel free to make any comments. I would also appreciate any thoughts of the best way to market the components. I'm planning on sending out a press release in the spring to car magazines. (Print and online). And, attend a few car shows a year.