Hi Guys
Firstly I would like to compliment the GT40S forum :thumbsup:as a whole on an absolutely amazing forum, an absolute mine of valuable engineering information. Secondly sadly, I do not own a GT40 and more than likely never will due to limited funding and age. However, I have had the honour and pleasure of driving one. As one of your forum members stated, "its the closest I will get to heaven".
I (60) work as a Civil & Structural Resident Engineer/Technologist/Project Manager by a National Company in SA. I am fortunate to have put together a very well equipped spacious workshop. Have the basics ie,metal lathe, milling machine, mig/tig inverter welders, bead roller & english wheel(last two items home built). I love and relish the whole fabrication process. I am not into racing or clutch dropping but when the road is open and no others cars are visible the envelope suddenly loses its boundaries.
I have spent countless hours/days, reading/lurking on this forum. I have also been in contact with Jean Fourie, Director of CAV in Cape Town and he will also assist me with what he has. I collect Chev Corvairs, at present I own 2x '61 4dr Sedans(both running and on road)one factory original and one highly modified engine, 3.2lt with four downdraught rochester carbs, 1x 63 Coupe(being restored), 1x 65 Coupe(factory original, running and licensed). I recently had a Chev V8 302 running motor come my way and hence the Corvair mid rear mounted idea started festering in the back of my mind. I have sourced an Audi 016 box for a very reasonable number. Jean Fourie from CAV will supply the clutch assembly, adapter plate, starter and slave cylinder at an amount I cannot really afford, but will make it work. I have a Corvair parts donor body that I will use as a mock-up station. I also have a complete running Mercedes E280, the left side of the car was ripped away by the towbar of a huge 4x4 reversing into the street as I passed by his driveway. The intension is to use the front and (partly)rear suspension units on one of the Corvair 4dr Sedans I have. Merc Front suspension will be used due to its 25 yr newer technology and power steering facility. The rear suspension will make use of the existing Merc side shaft hubs, custom designed upper lower control arms built into a cradle(as per basic GT40 layout) that will carry the engine and gearbox. I will end up with a '60 Corvair 4dr sleeper sedan with upgraded front suspension and GT40 style rear power train assembly. I have found answers to countless questions I had by just systematicaly working my way through the GT40 threads. May I be so cheeky to ask if there are autocad drawings available for the basic GT40 frame, more specifically the rear section behind the cab. I need to get the basics right pertaining to ride height/max driveshaft angles and upper/lower geometry. I will also fabricate the reinfocement plate for the Audi 016 box. I know I will not be able to post my build progress on this forum but will when the build starts provide a link to the CorvairForum I have been a member since 1999. Any advice/comments/information will be greatly appreciated. My lifelong philosophy has been that every day is another day to learn something new. I apologise if I have been longwinded and or boring with my story. But a very big thank you for sharing/making so much valuable information available to those who are interested. Have a great week:thumbsup:
Firstly I would like to compliment the GT40S forum :thumbsup:as a whole on an absolutely amazing forum, an absolute mine of valuable engineering information. Secondly sadly, I do not own a GT40 and more than likely never will due to limited funding and age. However, I have had the honour and pleasure of driving one. As one of your forum members stated, "its the closest I will get to heaven".
I (60) work as a Civil & Structural Resident Engineer/Technologist/Project Manager by a National Company in SA. I am fortunate to have put together a very well equipped spacious workshop. Have the basics ie,metal lathe, milling machine, mig/tig inverter welders, bead roller & english wheel(last two items home built). I love and relish the whole fabrication process. I am not into racing or clutch dropping but when the road is open and no others cars are visible the envelope suddenly loses its boundaries.
I have spent countless hours/days, reading/lurking on this forum. I have also been in contact with Jean Fourie, Director of CAV in Cape Town and he will also assist me with what he has. I collect Chev Corvairs, at present I own 2x '61 4dr Sedans(both running and on road)one factory original and one highly modified engine, 3.2lt with four downdraught rochester carbs, 1x 63 Coupe(being restored), 1x 65 Coupe(factory original, running and licensed). I recently had a Chev V8 302 running motor come my way and hence the Corvair mid rear mounted idea started festering in the back of my mind. I have sourced an Audi 016 box for a very reasonable number. Jean Fourie from CAV will supply the clutch assembly, adapter plate, starter and slave cylinder at an amount I cannot really afford, but will make it work. I have a Corvair parts donor body that I will use as a mock-up station. I also have a complete running Mercedes E280, the left side of the car was ripped away by the towbar of a huge 4x4 reversing into the street as I passed by his driveway. The intension is to use the front and (partly)rear suspension units on one of the Corvair 4dr Sedans I have. Merc Front suspension will be used due to its 25 yr newer technology and power steering facility. The rear suspension will make use of the existing Merc side shaft hubs, custom designed upper lower control arms built into a cradle(as per basic GT40 layout) that will carry the engine and gearbox. I will end up with a '60 Corvair 4dr sleeper sedan with upgraded front suspension and GT40 style rear power train assembly. I have found answers to countless questions I had by just systematicaly working my way through the GT40 threads. May I be so cheeky to ask if there are autocad drawings available for the basic GT40 frame, more specifically the rear section behind the cab. I need to get the basics right pertaining to ride height/max driveshaft angles and upper/lower geometry. I will also fabricate the reinfocement plate for the Audi 016 box. I know I will not be able to post my build progress on this forum but will when the build starts provide a link to the CorvairForum I have been a member since 1999. Any advice/comments/information will be greatly appreciated. My lifelong philosophy has been that every day is another day to learn something new. I apologise if I have been longwinded and or boring with my story. But a very big thank you for sharing/making so much valuable information available to those who are interested. Have a great week:thumbsup: