On Fri, 20 Dec 2019 08:26:48 -0800, wrote:

On Thu, 19 Dec 2019 20:04:07 -0500, Clare Snyder
wrote:

On Thu, 19 Dec 2019 13:29:20 -0800, wrote:

It looks like I'll be retiring in 2 years or less. So then I'll
have time to make my sports car. WOOHOO!
To that end I am reading, for at least the 5th time, Racing &
Sports Car Chassis Design by Michael Costin and David Phipps. And have
been browsing the web for folks who have done similar.
Lotsa variations on the Lotus 7 I see. I like the Lotus 7 from the
front and the side but the squared off back end bugs me. The open
cockpit looks great but living just a bit north of Seattle makes me
think I need a hard top.
Reading about the first iteration of the Lotus 7 I find that it had
considerable lift in the front starting about 70 miles per hour. I
will only ever be driving it that fast on straight roads but any lift
could seriously affect the steering in a negative way. I guess this
problem has been addressed in later models and in the Locost and
Caterham versions.
But it looks like all the newer versions have fenders that have a
channel cross section, not a curved cross section like a motorcycle
fender. To me they look like ****. The original Lotus had the curved
cross section rear fenders and front fenders which were basically just
curved sheet metal, with no sides. The front fenders may not be legal
for street use.
Anybody familiar with the original Laguna Seca race track logo? I
really like that body style and I could place a body like that on a
proven Lotus type frame. Still, it's an open cockpit car and I really
think I need a roof. Doors too.
I know doors complicate things as far as torsional rigidity go, but
that can be worked around. A high sill is a problem for me because I
have vertigo now and have had it for about 35 years. Standing on one
leg to climb into or out of car could be problematical. At least I no
longer fall out of chairs.
I have decided that I want from 120 to 140 HP. That will be plenty
to make a really light car zippy. Especially if the engine is already
zippy. I like the look of carbureted engines and really like SU carbs.
But I don't know if I want the hassle of dealing with carbs. BUT WTF,
my tractors have carbs and they all start and run pretty reliably as
long as I use ethanol free fuel, even after sitting for months during
the winter. I also like multiple carbs with velocity stacks. 4
cylinders, 4 carbs. Even if nobody can see them under the hood I'll
know they are there.
I guess I'll need to take a class to learn how to shape sheet metal
for the body. There are at least two places on the west coast that
offer classes. Probably be a bunch of young guys with sharp minds in
the classes too that can teach me some stuff.
I have the machine shop but not the sheet metal shop. So I will
either need to build another shop or rent one for a while. I have the
machining and welding skills but my sheet metal working skill set is
pretty lacking so the class will be fun.
If anybody wants to give me any input I'll gladly accept it. I have
two years to figure out just what the car will look like, what the
power train will be, and what the frame should be like. Or at least an
outline of it all. I'm excited.
Cheers,
Eric
Don't know where you are, but you will want to check into what is
involved in getting a VIN number and insurance. Here in Ontario
getting a VIN isn't TOO onerous, but geting insurance is pretty close
to impossible for a "home-built" car. A "kit car" is a lot easier on
both counts. Starting with a "donor car" and "modifying " it is a lot
easier. I'd consider "modifying" an MX5 Miata. It's got a sweet
powerplant and decent suspension. It's designed with doors and you can
run open or with a roof. Parts to convert to coil-over suspension are
readily available. Performance parts are readily available. Replace
everything except the engine, running gear, and cowl and you still
have an MX5 with a VIN. Take off the sheet metal, build a tube frame
to give it strength with less weight and skin it in aluminum or carbon
fiber (or whatever), install cycle fenders, even narrow the cowl if
you want. The insurance company will ask if it has been "modified for
speed" and you will likely have to answer to the affirmative, which
WILL in all likelihood raise your rates a bit. Keep enough Mazda parts
that you can still (somewhat) legitimately call it a Miata - - - -
Last time I checked it is not that difficult to get a VIN in
Washington State on a home built car. There are specialty insurance
companies that offer insurance for quite reasonable rates on home
built cars.
The State Patrol requires reciepts of EVERYTHING bought to make the
car, whether scratch built, modified, or kit. This is to help prevent
thefts. Even a trailer has to meet these conditions.
I do plan to start with a donor car as this is easier in many ways.
Eric
Get the "locost" builder's manual. It qualifies as a "kit built" even
if you modify the heck out of it. But only if you own an original of
the book - the "license" to build, if you want. Registers as a
"locost"