Kiwi scratchbuilt

Russ Noble · 07-12-05, 08:18 AM

Well I think it's probably time to start a thread on my spaceframe scratchbuild. Actually, that should read our scratchbuilds, a mate and I are helping each other to build one each. They will be slightly different, mine will be mainly track orientated although it will be road registered/road legal, his will be predominately a road car. His will be 351W, G50/5x, standard body on 8"and 10"rims. Mine will be 351W, 930, Gulf body on 10" and 14" rims with Dunlop Post Historic race rubber. The current plan is to have mine finished two years from now and his very shortly after that. We have just finished the body molds which we started building nine months ago. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] That I think is the major job in the build, taking the bodies out of them will be relatively simple now. We will be starting on the chassis in the next week or so and it will be good to be finally starting work on real parts that will be used on the actual car! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] We will be doing virtually all of the fibreglassing, machining, fabricating, painting, engine/trans rebuilding etc ourselves, it's another one of those sweat equity projects!
My PSE BRM pin drives have recently arrived and that is what has instigated this thread as Faili F wanted me to post photo's of the wheels which I will now do, as soon as I figure out how to. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
I will post pics on progress as we go.

Regards

**brianstewart** · 07-12-05, 04:46 PM

Great news Russ. I'll be keen to watch your progress.

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 05:57 AM

Well hopefully here's the promised pics of the PSE wheels. (Thanks to Paul Thompson for his well written and easily understood post on posting pictures)

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 06:01 AM

Pic#2

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 06:03 AM

End view

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 06:08 AM

View of back of wheel

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 06:30 AM

Well I finally managed to find some time to sit down and post the wheel pics. We have been working pretty much nonstop every night for the last month on the chassis which is coming along fine. We are at the stage now where tonite we came to a halt as we really need to build the body so we can continue with body mounts, roll cage,door mounts etc. We are also held up at the front until I decide what rack to use and at the back until I can mate up the motor and trans. The trans is still in the States and is currently turning into a minor saga obtaining it. Not really a problem yet though as we are not short of work to carry on with!! The next few weeks will involve mainly building the body, then back into the chassis after that. I will post some pics on building the chassis shortly.

Ross Nicol · 08-19-05, 07:01 AM

Nice wheels Russ.I got another set of 4 wheels today.That makes a total of 14. 1 set for the road, 2nd set for slicks plus apare front and rear and 3rd set for wets. all fitted with rubber.You can imagine how much they're all worth.On the rack side of things I checked the Cortina TC which I have in my car against an Escort quick rack and found lateral rack movement only 3mm difference when wheel turned from 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock. I used to think it was slow but have changed my mind.Let me know if I can help you with the build Russ.
Ross

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 07:40 AM

Thanks for the offer Ross. You can't beat a bit of Kiwi solidarity! I will take you up if I get stuck. I think I'll be OK, that CanAm type car you referred to in one of your other posts was self built by me, but not road legal, so a hell of a lot simpler. No roof either, as you know that's a major on a GT40. Mind you the entire forum here is an endless source information and inspiration. I look forward to hearing of your continuing trackside encounters. Go Kiwi!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Regards,

Bill D · 08-19-05, 12:48 PM

Russ-

The pictures of your wheels look great! What are the sizes?

Thanks
Bill D

Russ Noble · 08-19-05, 02:51 PM

Bill, They're 15", 10" front, 14" rear.

Regards,

Iron Sheik · 08-19-05, 09:57 PM

Nobel Man,,

The 14s on the rear are "ORGAZMIC". It would make my 17 X 12 Compomotives look like a bicycle wheel. You MUST post photos once the tires are on those bad boys. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Congrats,,,, I want to get these wheels,,,but no job,,,,and a lazy A$$ is preventing me from doing so [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Russ Noble · 09-06-05, 05:08 AM

Here as promised are some chassis pics of progress up to a couple of weeks ago. No matter how many G clamps etc you have, there never seem to be enough and I always seem to be shifting them! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Russ Noble · 09-06-05, 05:21 AM

Up close and personal. A rotating bed makes it relatively easy for working and welding. Using a TIG here. The cast iron square in the foreground is one of two that Lim made before we started work on the chassis, as a tool and diemaker he is extremely talented and painstakingly meticulous. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Russ Noble · 09-06-05, 05:27 AM

Here Lim is forming the curve to support the front of the spider. Another homebuilt device of his!

Russ Noble · 09-06-05, 05:44 AM

Here is the chassis so far with the spider mold sitting on it checking everything is OK. This is the point a couple of weeks ago when I decided I needed a body before I could do any more to the chassis. I am held up at the front until I decide on a rack, at the rear until my trans arrives and I really need to have the spider to get rollcage placement, spider mounting points and door hinge supports. So, back to the fibreglassing for a few weeks!

lukester · 09-16-05, 05:24 PM

Hi Im new, I have an older kit safir body i should say. Does anyone have the suspension blue prints or dimentions so i may build my car. thanks Luke

Russ Noble · 09-18-05, 07:02 AM

Welcome aboard Luke.

Your suspension will be determined more by your choice of uprights than anything else and unless these are dimensionally the same as the originals then you will have to work it out for yourself or be guided by someone who is using the same uprights that you intend to use. There are several (many) good books on suspension, Caroll Smith and Staniforth come to mind. Check them out.

Regards and good luck. Enjoy your project. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Chris_K · 09-20-05, 06:05 AM

Russ,

Can you post a link to the tires you plan to cover those 15x14's with? I have been evaluating 15" vs 17" wheels and can't seem to find rubber to cover the wide wheels I'd stuff into Gulf flares. Are the road legal? Recommended? Available appropriately sized for fronts as well?

Thanks,
Chris