[Flipper_1938]

The door cut out didn't seem quite right. Played with that some more. Drivers side seat has been cut back 6 more inches or so.

This is what we ended up with. Dad thinks it looks like a WW1 airplane







Looks better. Had to see how it felt.

[Flipper_1938]

So now that it starts to look like a car....what are you supposed to do?



Tear it all apart and work on the frame.



Did I mention that I was thinking about building this car as a unibody?

All of the 1x1 will be boxed in with sheetmetal.

[Flipper_1938]

This is my high tech tubing bender.

A big gear used as a radius and a stop welded to the side of the table. Put the end of the tubing under the stop and push down on the tubing.

[Flipper_1938]

Adding diagonals is a pain. They have to be curved so that match the horizontal pieces. Chassis should be plenty stout though.







Door swoop goes down to the frame / truss thingy.


Rear suspension is the next thing to figure out.

[Flipper_1938]

Has anybody here ever built a car from scratch with no real plans? ....given yourself true artistic liberty?

I have a "list" of ideas and a huge library of influences of what makes a cool vintage racer, but nothing is down on paper. I have also given myself permission to change it if it needs to be changed.


It went from this


to this in a matter of moments




I think it works.





Right now the rear suspension/frame layout is a blank canvas from the seats back.






The rear of the car will be built around the suspension.

I have thought about a triangulated 4 link with the bottom bars on the outside of the body (attaching at the node just ahead of the quarter panel skin). The uppers would be inside the body.

I have also considered hairpins attaching at the same general location.


What would you build if you were not constrained by a traditional frame/floor layout?

[Henry Highrise]

Looking good! I am really enjoying this so keep it up.

[home brew]

I am enjoying this as well. Four hours one way to work on your car - now that's dedication!!!!

[chlsnk]

Wow this is a great build!

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by home brew

I am enjoying this as well. Four hours one way to work on your car - now that's dedication!!!!

or insanity.

I really need a garage.

[Flipper_1938]

So, what are the opinions on building a car without a traditional style frame under it?

Too early in the build to pass judgement?

Is this thing just too far out there?

There will be lots more angles installed before the plating begins. Some of the plating will probably be bead rolled for even more strength (and style).

[pepi]

First Roofus Special is a great name, gives me a smile every-time I think about it.

Love the way you are just picking up stuff and seeing the way it will fit the project.

As to no frame well plenty of unbodied cars out here so I would think you can make it work just fine ....

[HawkMonster]

I really like what you're doing, and look forward to more progress. I would think that for rear suspension, you could build rear spring buckets up inside the car, and set the springs on each side of the pumpkin. A parallel 4-link might be easier for you, if you do it this way.
Keep in mind, I play with jeeps, so I don't know a whole lot about your car suspension.

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by pepi

First Roofus Special is a great name, gives me a smile every-time I think about it.

We thought the name was clever ....and a little red neckish. I think it fits.

[1ownerT]

I likely have no idea what I am talking about but here goes, since you are not duplicating an existing vehicle, I would spend some time before you get too much farther, figuring out the rear suspension, fuel tank, engine, trans, and drive shaft layout. You are dealing with a very confined space and may end up having to make a lot of compromises to get things to fit.
I really like what you have going so far.

JM2CW

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by 1ownerT

I likely have no idea what I am talking about but here goes, since you are not duplicating an existing vehicle, I would spend some time before you get too much farther, figuring out the rear suspension, fuel tank, engine, trans, and drive shaft layout. You are dealing with a very confined space and may end up having to make a lot of compromises to get things to fit.
I really like what you have going so far.

JM2CW

Believe it or not, my 48 chevy truck had a lot to do with the dimensions of the interior. Driving position will be almost identical. When I built it, I put a lot of thought into ergonomics. A lot of that work transfers over.

My rusty/ratty 48 chevy truck build (w/ pics)

As far as major components go, most are accounted for (engine, trans, rear axle, driveshaft, radiator, seats, dash and overall wheelbase). Rear suspension will dictate how the rear body structure is assembled. There is plenty of room in this car....lots more room than a model A or a real 30's Indy car.