My brother donated the wheels and a spare set of tires for "the cause".

I only learned about this chassis last week. Would have built one sooner had I known about it.

Foudn a source for real parts for these things:
http://www.rmsci.com

They have Lotus and Caterham badges and even the grilles.



I'm still looking for a set of coilover shocks to order.

There was a show on Speed Channel last night hosted by Alan DeCadanet about Colin Chapman and Lotus. There was a lot of footage of 7's dicing up B roads. Looked like fun! Do I see autocrossing in the future?

I dont know if I could actively take up autocrossing. It would be fun to try once or twice I think.

I dont really know what I'll do with this thing when its done.. I think right now I'm more interested in the challenge of building it. It will be fun to tool around town in and the occasional commute to work... thats for sure! I dont know if it'll see any serious track use though.

COMMUTE?

You could drive under semis in that thing!

You know.. if I only give it one seat, I coudl drive it in the HOV lane. only kidding.. its GOTTA have 2 seats!

I went and got another 80 feet of 1x1x14 gauge to finish the chassis as well as 20 feet of 1" tube to build all the wishbones.

I think I've also decided that instead of the solid rear axle, its going to get a double wishbone coilover IRS setup in the rear. It will allow the rear suspension to be fully adjustable, and will make the car a lot more nimble.

I'll be grabbing all the parts off an old Z, since I can adapt the mounts and lower A arm from the chapman IRS to the new "James IRS". The front, I think I'd be safe using Z brakes. It will be really easy to cut down the mcpherson strut tubes and weld in some double shear upper link mounts that will use heavy duty spherical bearing rod ends.

The rear suspension will be similar to this one, which will be very easy to design and build (just gotta do a little math):



That will make this car a LOT closer to the real thing.. Westfield and Caterhams use IRS in their upper end newer cars.

how can you register something like this for street use?

That looks freakin awesome... I want to see that in person,

quote:

Originally posted by Desert Rat:
how can you register something like this for street use?

I am guessing maybe the same way you would register a sandrail, or quad... I really don't know.

there are a few hoops to jump through, but nothign too crazy.

here is the list of things you have to do for Arizona:

http://www.grabercars.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,53/

Equipment Requirements for Dune Buggy Types and Specially Reconstructed Vehicles:

1. Horn (ARS 28-954)
2. Mirrors (ARS 28-956)
3. Windshield (ARS 28-957.01, 28-959)
4. Windshield Wiper (ARS 28-957)
5. Two Headlamps (ARS 28-924)
6. Tail Light (ARS 28-925)
7. White License Plate Light (ARS 28-925C)
8. Reflectors (ARS 28-926)
9. Signal Lamps (ARS 28-939)
10. Brake Systems (ARS 28-952)
11. Muffler (ARS 28-955)
12. Fuel Tank Caps (ARS 28-965)
13. Emission Equipment (ARS 28-955C)
14. Mud Flaps or Splash Guards (ARS 28-958.01) - (This one apparently does not apply to cars...)
15. For the parts used in the construction of the vehicle:
* Bills of sale
* dismantle permits
* hardware receipts
* invoices
* any other documentation pertaining to the construction of the vehicle.

Once you have all that, you then go to the DMV and they'll put you through a series of Level 1-3 inspections and you will eventually be assigned a VIN number for the vehicle.

For smog testing, the vehicle will have to comply with standards for the year of the donor car that the engine came out of. If you have several donor cars, they may require the newest? I'm not sure on this one yet.

Then you'd have to get insurance. I'd probably have to go through a 3rd party insurer, as I dont think USAA will insure anything like this (havent asked yet though).

I wonder if these same "hoops" would apply if I wanted to put a crate 350 in Mongo. Then I can use it as a "recreational" vehicle, haha

for that it would be different. With the 510, even though the engine is a 1989, it gets tested at 1972 emission standards, because thats what the VIN# states.

If you have emission testing down there, the engine will be required to have whatever emissions systems were used on a 350 during your truck's production year.

Hmmm... I thought it had to be an ODBII compliant engine, and had to meet my Frontier's emission standards.

Sorry for the post jack

For your truck, it would.

quote:

Originally posted by datz510:
Then you'd have to get insurance. I'd probably have to go through a 3rd party insurer, as I dont think USAA will insure anything like this (havent asked yet though).

I don't know, they insured my Pathfinder as a Salvage title and with only a 7 digit VIN number issued from NY. I think they will insure anything, as long as it has a title.

quote:

Originally posted by Thanatoz:

quote:

Originally posted by datz510:
Then you'd have to get insurance. I'd probably have to go through a 3rd party insurer, as I dont think USAA will insure anything like this (havent asked yet though).

I don't know, USAA insured my Pathfinder as a Salvage title and with only a 7 digit VIN number issued from NY. I think they will insure anything, as long as it has a title.