GT90 from ground up

[Des]

Joe
V12 should fit, engine/transaxle bay resembles a ballroom, well maybe not quite, it is big though.
Only reason for the V8 is ease of registration and sourcing here in OZ.
My understanding is that the engine at this point in time needs to be less than 5 yrs old at date of rego application.
If I find a suitable alloy V12 that complies with our current registration requirements and that won't break the bank, I will be looking to use it.

[Richard O'Clery]

Originally Posted by Des

Richard, do you run into Richard Martin-Beck at all?
Where in Sandgroper territory are you based, I grew up in Bullsbrook near the RAAF base.
Des

I don't know Richard but I have heard his name before. I'll probably meet him around the traps (hopefully at Barbagallo) when my car is ready for testing.

I moved to Perth in 1994, and live in Claremont. Perth is a fantastic place to live.

[Des]

Some more pics and very brief descriptions
Front wheel arches added suspension/steering geometry and clearances checked
Nostrils and front cover cut free from stations
A lot of cleanups and edges added in prep for mesh
"radiator" inplace for sizing, clearances and airflow.
At this point each small step was taking days, lots of fiddly stuff
Starting to look like the real thing.
This concludes the history, doors next.

[Fuoriserie - Italo]

Des,

Those pictures look really nice....

Ciao
Italo

[qik40]

Des

Your workmanship is second to non. Lov the pics. Cant wate to see the doors

Snowy

[Des]

Door frames added
hinged and pivot points tested for swing clearance
stations (ribs) added
guards extended back into doors
A couple of shots of front.
ready for skinning
Des

[Fuoriserie - Italo]

Des,

That is great work.........

Ciao
Italo

[Des]

mesh skinning started
a couple of pics of an english wheel I built to assist in forming the mesh (yep glutton for punishment)

before I skin it completely a few things to fine tune on chassis dimensions while I can still get easy access
drawings are great but you can't beat actually sitting in it full scale and getting all touchy feely
(suggest not doing this in sight of neighbours or with engine noises)
I am 6'1" so space is important
steering column roughly in place
seat height and position using a roughup on correct height "floor"
checking cabin space for pedals to see if firewall needs to be moved fwd etc
Des

[Benjy]

WOW and Double WOW!!!! Kudos to you for having the guts to even think about doing this!! The standard of the work looks very high. A credit to you, sir!!

[Bill D]

Des-
I'm following your adventure with great interest (and envy). Your skills are fantastic. I'm so eager to see the finsihed product. Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers
Bill

[Jonathan S]

I am curious about your plans for the windshield. Are you going to have one custom made?

What about the roof? Are you going to go glass like the original?

[Des]

jonathans
Yes custom, balance of roof/door uppers will be glass as with the original.
The glass is a challenge in itself as main screen must be laminated for road registration here. Tinting options are restrictive here as well.
More mesh pics shortly, busy double checking chassis drawings to reality for fit while I still have full access.
Des

[I LOVE GT40- Paolo]

amazing.
U are doing a wonderful job, keep us always updated !

[Bill Hara]

Des

I agree with Paolo, you are doing an amazing job.

I just loved that design when it came out (infact it re-awakened my dreams of owning a GT40) and was horrified by the bagging it received during the mid 90's testing... I suppose it was never given the opportunity to show it's potential, but maybe now with your creation it will fulfill it's potential.
Just on that, I know you mentioned that it could fit a 2005 GT engine and transaxle, but is that what you will be using?

Regards

Bill

[raca]

a quad turbo V12 would be nice

[Des]

Bill & raca
At this point I am looking at using a 5.4ltr supercharged modular V8 and either a G50/52 or a locally built transaxle.
I am building the chassis with flexibility of choice for powertrain.
A V12 would be nice, Quad turbos would lead to the plumbers nightmare the original concept had.
The 2005GT powertrain while concise, light and dry sumped is not a cost effective choice for me at this point (retails at around $50,00USD plus freight etc), I merely raised it as an option.
Local registration ability emissions etc is a major controlling factor.
Des

[Des]

Some more pics finally.
a couple showing "seat" and "floor"
floor and "kickplates" with new firewall position.
"chassis" with guards etc removed, yes the "panels" all lift off so they can be worked on or give access.
Even the front section/cross piece (radiator etc section) of the chassis comes off.
mesh added to top and sides of guards.
my respect for sheetmetal workers that shape it by hand has gone through the roof.
Complex curves are a pain, even in mesh.
Door inner panels next
I increased res/size of pics, if these are too big for the guys on dialup, let me know and I will reduce them again from here on.
Des

[raca]

god damn that looks awesome !!!

congrats on a great project man

[Richard O'Clery]

Originally Posted by Des

Bill & raca
... either a G50/52 or a locally built transaxle.
Des

Que? Have we got an Australian transaxle manufacturer that I don't know about?

Awesome work continuing on the bodyshell. Having done my own one-off I know what's involved, and I cringe with the memories that come back with your pictures!

[Randy V]

You know - Wood generally doesn't do much for me but now I'm beginning to get it! I'm just about sportin' wood myself!!!! This car will be awesome and I hope that you'll be selling body components once completed!