[Lance]

CHASSIS

• As I’m 1.9m tall, but didn’t want a Gurney bubble, I had an extended footwell built into the chassis. This also allows adjustment access to the pedals from under the front clip. I’ve gone with Tilton floor mounted pedals in a custom pedal box. I was going to use an aluminium cover plate but, as the pedals look so nice, I thought to go with a Perspex cover, so they’re on display.
  
• The steering column has been raised as far as possible, in order to get over my feet. This was achieved, although it then clashed with the wiper motor, which had to be moved around and a new bracket made.
  
• I’m dropping the driver’s seat as far as possible, while still keeping the underside flush. The seat is raised at the front for thigh support and the angle means that the seat can be lowered by removing one rib and chamfering the top off the next one. The seat rails will stiffen up the structure.
  
• The seat has been lengthened and modified to suit my body. I’m a wide body model, so the driver’s seat has been installed about 50mm to the left. This helps reduce the pedal offsets and gives better room for the handbrake on the right hand side of the seat. The passengers’ room is restricted a bit, but I take the view that they’re lucky to be there and must put up with what’s left! We’ve taken an effort to make sure the seat back is parallel to, and hard up against the bulkhead to maximise the room inside and for entry.
  
• I’m installing a removable steering wheel to make it easier to get in and out of, therefore, I didn’t want a horn button. I’m using an XD Falcon upper steering column which fits on to the Toyota lower steering column. All the controls (Ford Escort) are stalk mounted.
  
• A roll bar has been added to the rear and will be braced back to the chassis.
  
• Once everything has been welded, cut and drilled as required, everything will be removed from the chassis and it will be blasted and painted with two pack epoxy.

RUNNING GEAR

• Simmons FZ17 rims are used, all in black with alloy spinners. I looked at a pin drive conversion, but just couldn’t justify the cost.
  
• The standard Corvette front brakes have been replaced with larger rotors and twin piston calipers. The old front calipers have now been installed on the rear as calcs showed this was best for the weight distribution, etc. Not too many people would even pick it.
  
• Porsche CV joints are to be used to mate the commodore axles to the ZF gearbox.
  
• I work in the offshore oil industry and checked with the materials guys for advice on suspension coatings. Based on their advice I had the suspension trailing arms and other components electroless nickel plated. It’s a durable coating for the use and the frosted look gives it an alloy appearance.