[Bill Musarra]

Scott,
I won't inflame the old monocoque vs. space frame debate, but when I did my research 5 years ago, I was interested in many of the things you mentioned. For me, there had to be some practicality in the car. It is the last one I will build and it is sure the most involved one. Most of my builds were modifying the engine and the ride height. So I looked at the repairability of these cars. The monos would require "professional" help if anything got bent. I know that the probability of having an incident is out there. Hell I even wrecked my Lotus Esprit and it took over 9 months in the shop to get it back. I think my insurance salesman got sick when that happened. I have repairable skills though rudimentary compared to yours. So I know the space frames are for me. It gets bent, basically, cut it out and replace it. That being said, I then looked at the ones being manufactured(new kits) and what was out there available for sale, which was darn few at the time. I got lucky and found an unfinished car that was the brand I finally settled on. I chose the DRB, and for several reasons, which I think will stand up to todays reasoning as well. Most of the space frames required many rivets to complete the build. I know that airplanes use them. My argument against them was that they don't use the aircraft techniques in applying them. So to my way of reasoning, some will loosen and begin to rattle. The DRBs, in the words of the advertising, are made to withstand the Australian roads. They incorporate steel panels in the frame work in critical areas to make them stronger. I think to make them safer as well, but thats my opinion and haven't seen that in print anywhere. I looked at where the panels are and made that judgment. Also in my reasoning, the panels are welded in place. This has to aid in the rigidity of the frame work as well. I will say this, that the welding looks awful when you get up close. Strong it is, but not showmanship quality.The powder coating and undercoating done today would hide most of that. I chose to remove the panels and add stainless for the look. Materials and techniques have changed a lot in these five years, and I probably would have gone with ceramic coating or one of the new powder coatings or incorporating undercoating to get the effect today. A heck of a lot cheaper and lighter and I would have finished the build by now to.
So for me, it was an easy choice to make. RCR one of the more popular ones today wasn't around then. If they had been, my choices would have been a lot harder, because I wanted some thing I could show as well as get on the track and get dirty.
Even if the car were only trailered and rarely driven, I have a friend who lost a car in a trailer accident. They happen. You may want to find one in your area to look at, or take a trip up to Oregon to see if it meets your requirements. If you need any help with DRBs, I or any of the other DRB owners would be glad to assist you. Just drop one of us a line.

Bill