27 lakester hot rod inspired build

I got a few hours today to work on the Hot Rod. - I mocked up a driveshaft. This will be sent to a driveshaft shop to have a new one made up. - I tacked together the trans tunnel. This will be a bolt in piece. I did it this way so that I can pull the tranny without having to pull the engine. - I tacked in some plate steel where the brake pedal will bolt in. - I did some work on the windshield frame.

I hope to get a couple more hours in tomorrow.

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Glad you're feeling well enough to be back on this excellent project. Out of curiosity, what is wheelbase?

I'm finally back to working on my Hot Rod. I spent most of the summer remodeling a house for one of my daughters. I started back on my car a couple of days ago.

I removed the trans tunnel frame work and redid that. I'll post pictures of that shortly. Then I added some foam to the where the windshield will go to give the cowl a more Tbucket look. This allowed me to mold in a dash that is large enough to mount gauges. I will be mounting the gauges into a panel that attaches to the dash. It will easily be able to be unbolted and slid through an opening in the dash. The goal is to be able to remove the body in 5 minutes with out having to disconnect anything. I want the car to be very simple to work on.

It's hard to see in the pictures but the dash is angled for easy viewing. I will be blending the cowl with body filler. This body will become the PLUG from which I will pull a mold.

Having fun.

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Looking awesome, cant wait to see it all come together.

I'm making slow progress.
- I'm using the Vettes torque arm. I shortened and bolted it to a frame crossmember and trans tunnel.
- I'm working on the aluminum skins for the frame. - I'm working on the gauge arrangement and face. This will be mounted to the trans tunnel. The body will be cut to fit over the top and sides of the face. The idea is to be able to remove the body with out having to disconnect gauges and wiring. - I worked out the steering shaft angles and mounts.

Having fun

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I've finished mock up. I rolled the car outside. I had my 6'2" tall son try it on. Leg room is great. But, I think the seating position is a little high. I'll fab some new seat bases and lower them by about 3 inches. I'm also going to order some Lakester headers and see how those work out.

The next step is to disassemble it for final welding and building.

I'm going to be gone from this Wed until Oct 3 selling a product that I invented at a large state fair. Then I'm going on vacation. So, it's going to be Nov before I get much more done.

I put the car on my racing scales. As is, it weighs 1480lbs with 45% on the rear. I believe it will be just under 1600lbs when done. And, I'm hoping for over 50% rear with me and fuel in the car.

Having fun. [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/tbucket%2034%20from%20rear%209-10-16_zpszvcbbhs4.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/tbucket%2034%20front%209-10-16_zpssfwi0wfr.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/tbucket%20from%20rear%20with%20johnny%209-10-16_zpsuujj4moz.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/tbucket%20side%20with%20johnny%209-10-16_zpsoqwtn27z.jpg.html][/URL]

So cool, seeing someone in it really gives perspective

This is a super cool project and it's made even more impressive by your circumstances. Best of luck with your health in the future.

JMC14...your e36m3 is way kool. just found this, but have been following the 'cheetah'. Sorry to hear about your health, hope you're doing OK. Will go to the beginning on this....late

Thank you for your comments. I'm not sure about the e36m3 comment though. I'm naive when it comes to some of the references. I thought it referred to a BMW. But, I don't have a BMW. What can I say. I'm old.

I found the body for my Cheetah build last fall. When I saw it I jumped on that build. I haven't finished the Hot Rod. In fact, I wasn't happy with some of the frame design and my welding. I've thrown out the frame. I'll build a new one this winter and get it done!. My welding isn't where I want it to be, but it's getting better.

I'll be updating my Cheetah inspired build in a day or two. I have finished welding the frame and am fitting aluminum skins to the frame right now.

I'm having fun working on my projects a few hours on most days.

In reply to jmc14:

E36 M3 is the forum auto moderation for poop, you will soon you will start reading it as such

Can't wait to see you get this thing together! New frame sound like a lot of work to me

'I've thrown out the frame' like out in the dumpster!??!? Your work is awesome and having finished reading this with your health and all I'm speechless....I'd gut my MGB-GT and do a Loose Cannon with that frame!