Vaughn's RCR Build

Vaughn · 12-12-06, 01:10 PM

Finally got around to posting some pictures of the arrival of my RCR from Fran. Needless to say my grandson were very excited along with my wife. We took no time in unloading all of the goodies from the car, and also seeing how I would fit into the car being 6'2" 265 lbs, I thought it might take a shoe-horn to get the job done. I was pleasantly surprised at how roomy the interior was: plenty of head room and lots of leg room. I was very pleased. Fran has done a wonderful job in designing this car. The monocock design is fantastic, the welding on this car is above and beyond anything I have ever seen. I am really looking forward to getting this car on the road. Up to this date I have made what I think is some pretty good progress. I am not getting any younger, so I want to get this car going so I can enjoy driving it before I get too old to do so. More pictures to follow.

John Christian · 12-12-06, 01:21 PM

Congratulations on your new arrival.

Don't know who has the biggest grin - you or your grandson.

Good luck in the build.

Ron Earp · 12-12-06, 01:22 PM

I really like that yellow gel coat. You guys are going to have a lot of fun, enjoy! Looking forward to seeing your handiwork.

Ron

Mark Clapp · 12-12-06, 01:58 PM

Awesome pics Vaughdo! Looks like you've got all the help and inspiration you need. Taking your grandson for a ride will make the dream even better.

Pantera1889 · 12-12-06, 06:20 PM

Looks great!!! It's about time you started a build thread!!! LOL

What size tires are you using?

Vaughn · 12-12-06, 08:19 PM

Hi Ron-- The front tires are 225-45-17 zr the rear"s are315-35-17 zr. I really like to look at the new vintage wheels the car looks like it's doing 200 miles an hour just sitting still.
Vaughn

Pete K. · 12-13-06, 11:35 AM

I'm really beginning to like the looks of the GT40 in yellow! Somehow it just looks "right."

Vaughn · 12-30-06, 04:57 PM

Here are a few more pictures of how my car is coming along. All of the body work is done including fitting in hanging the doors. We were able to narrow up the door gaps considerably. If I was younger I would probably consider putting this car on the track but at my age I think I'm just going to stick with making it a street driver and a show car. I currently have a ZF transmission on order and a Kennedy Bell housing which I'm having polished. I have a friend who is helping me build an engine here locally. I will be posting some pictures of the engine build in the next few weeks. I also made some changes in the door hinges which allowed me to put a safety bar through the door for side impact protection. That really turned out slick and it really beefed up the doors. I will post pictures of that later. The dash has the last coat of primer on it before I texture it and put the finish paint on it. My dash is an eight instrument panel. I added some glass to the eyeballs so that they would turn more inward to the driver and give you a better view of the instrument. I'm painting the car 06 gt40 chrome yellow with black and gold striping. I'm really looking forward to seeing that color on the car. I hope to start the plumbing and electrical work very soon. I'm really looking forward to getting this car finished so that I can enjoy driving it.
Vaughn

Wheels331 · 12-30-06, 05:49 PM

Looking great! your sure not wasting any time.

Bill D · 12-31-06, 12:02 PM

WOW!! You're making great progress

Vaughn · 12-31-06, 10:13 PM

Here are some pictures of the dash going through the final primer coat. I have an eight instrument dash. I use some fiberglass and extended some of the eyeballs inwardly towards the driver so that you could get a better view of the instrument readings. The dash really fits great after a few minor adjustment. Looking forward to getting it wired.
Vaughn

Vaughn · 02-20-07, 02:20 PM

I'm a little confused about the windshield placement in my RCR 40. I know that a couple of you guys out there have set your windshields did you have any problems with the spacing around the windshield? If so what did you do to solve it? Do you have to apply pressure to the spider while setting the windshield in order to make up the difference in the spacing? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I want to avoid any possibility of cracking the glass now or in the future.

Thanks much
vaughn

Jonathan S · 02-20-07, 04:02 PM

I have not placed the windshield yet but I believe that the installer should be able to provide rubber trim that will hide some of the spacing issues you are referring to.

Bill D · 02-20-07, 04:04 PM

The windshield doesn't fit "tight". There is supposed be a small gap all around per the originals. Some have had a rubber seal added. Most installers can do this when they install the windshield.

Bill D

Vaughn · 02-27-07, 01:23 PM

It’s been some time since I posted. All the body work is done except for a few minor details. Before I do the final paint I need to fit all the Plexiglas. Which I will be starting on this week. All of my aluminum is polished and ready to fit. The doors are all hung and I did a couple of changes on the hinges. I was very impressed with the design and adjust ability of the hinges that Fran provides, but because I’m an amputee on my left side I wanted a little more side impact protection. I will also be putting more pressure on these doors because of being an amputee. I did the same thing with the doors on a cobra I built a couple years ago. I had a machinist mill me some fittings that would allow me to put a steel rod through the existing door hinge. If I wasn’t tipping the scales at 250 pounds I would swear you could swing on these doors. I also have my dash finished and painted. I’m putting polished aluminum inserts in the cut outs which I already have polished and finished, but before I put them in I’m going to punch out all the holes for the ignition switch, pushbutton starter, and all the toggle switches etc. I’m painting the car 06 GT 40 chrome yellow. So I decided to add that same color to my dash in order to bring some color into the interior. I’m also planning to using some yellow leather on the interior of the car to ad a little more color. It’s not your normal GT 40 interior, but I guess I’m just a wild and crazy guy.
Vaughn

Vaughn · 02-27-07, 01:37 PM

I tried to post some pictures of the work I did but they didn't come through so I'll try again. I think I need to call my grandson for some help.
Vaughn

Vaughn · 02-27-07, 06:52 PM

Trying again.

JackW · 02-27-07, 08:45 PM

Still no luck on the photos Vaughn. Pity as I would like to see what you are planning with the dash. I like your ideas of adding a bit of colour to the interior. Nothing like a bit of flare to express your individuality!

regards

Jack

Vaughn · 03-02-07, 02:35 AM

Finally!