What is it about the GT40 monocoque chassis?

[Big-Foot]

Bill's right on both counts...

1) The thread has drifted and I apologize for any part I may have played in that.

2) The Monocoque chassis is a work of art..

[Jac Mac]

Originally Posted by Bill D

Boy, this thread sure has drifted. I only wanted to know why guys love the original mono so much? Personally, I think it's a work of art!

Bill D

Bill, You have really answered your own Question. When you look at the mono,s that follow the original design ' as close as possible ' you can see that virtually every single pressing is shaped to fit around all the other parts yet be as light & strong as possible. All the flat panels have a triangle within them to feed loads from suspension components into the tub without deflection etc.

So yes it is a 'piece of art' but it also has function and can be driven which to us old petrol heads is probably the ultimate in 'Art'.

Jac Mac

[FRPGUY]

Bill D, let me have a stab at it. The chassis has a huge mystique factor. It's a guy thing! It's the heart and soul of the GT40 or, it's so hard to obtain! I look at the chassis in amazement asking why was it designed that way, why is this and that shaped that way and say; so this is why it's so fast! I'm assuming most guys like mechanical objects and some objects just hit on something that turns you on. It's alot like looking at women. I don't have to say anything about the body of the GT. I think we are all in agreement about the mystique and aesthetics.

[jerryweichers]

OK sorry for the drift.... yes the GT40 tub should go down in history as the Rembrandt of chassie design. It looks as good naked as anything I have ever scene. But as beautiful as it is bare .... O my Gwad!! how good it looks with its clothes on!

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by 5150

Fran,
The very first thing I thought of when I first saw your chassis, were Herb's designs ! I purchased many of the suspension parts for my road race Camaro from his son Matt. Herb's book, "Chassis Engineering" ...Scott

I just caught this thread, and that was a big reason I went with the Mono, looks and engineering design. I have one of Herb's VSE cars and many of the reason why I got it was the chassis, not the beloved cobra body. When I saw the RCR, it was pretty much the same feeling, have to have a car with the mono.

For anyone that doesn't know what the VSE cobras were essentially a backbone frame as Herb calls it. Available in steel and aluminum. The chassis is very light either way and stiff.

Some pics here - VSE Cobra Look in the gallery.

So yes the mono and art of it is what moved me. The 'Art of Engineering' as I'll call it. Some folks may not see it, some do, but it depends what you see when you look at it

Sandy