Combining C4 suspension with a space frame and a Cheetah inspired body.

A number of years ago I scratch built a Cobra tribute. I used C5 Corvette suspension and engine. It was a nice car but, for me, it was too common. I recently sold it and decided to build a 60's inspired car that used Corvette parts.

I found a guy in PA that did a Cheetah tribute body designed around C4 suspension. I had a bunch of extra parts, including C4 suspension left over from previous builds. The only thing is that his body is 80 inches wide. I ordered a body with out a roof. I knew that I would narrow it and modify it to fit my vision.

I built a suspension jig from a C4 roller. I mounted that to a jig base that I had made 20 years ago. Then I built a space frame. It took several attempts before I was satisfied with the frame. The one in the picture is the final version and is almost complete.

I'm using a MGB windshield and wipers. I think that its the perfect size and fits the look of the car.

I'm having fun playing in the shop. [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/my%20cheetah%20side%20with%20mgb%20windshield_zpsxpqrdp5j.jpg.html][/URL]

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In reply to jmc14:

Ooh this is looking awesome! Planning keeping it topless?

I've really enjoyed your past builds, nice to see you back at it. This one looks fun.

Really unique build. MGB windshield is perfect. What is wheelbase? 90"?

I Alway's Loved the Cheetah, When I was a Kid In the 60's All my Slot cars were bodied with the one's you bought at the Hobby shop. AWESOME!!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IxG0t128m-M

jmc14, great start, powertrain...LSX? kinda partial to the coupe though.

Awesome build! I'm looking forward to updates.

Is there a link to said cheetah-tribute-body-maker? Does he have more??

Thank you for your comments. I worked in the shop today doing the final mock up of the body. I'm happy with the look and proportions. The air cleaner shown will not be used. I'm going to be using a cast aluminum one.

The original Cheetah was built as a Coupe. Because of heat in the cockpit one of the original cars had it's roof cut off. They put in a panel low between the rear fenders. I didn't like that look so on my build I raised the rear deck.

The Cheetah was 68" wide (if my memory is correct) and had a 90 inch wheelbase. The engine was set so far rearward that the transmission bolted to the diff. In that configuration I could never fit into it. I moved the engine 12 inches forward. Even so the engine is set pretty far behind the front axle center line.

For my build I'm trying to imagine if the Cheetah continued on and a street roadster was developed. I live in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. The roads here and through out northern New England are a blast to drive. I like open top driving so that is what I'm building.

I set the wheelbase at 93 inches. The body at the rear wheels is 72 inches wide. It's 41 inches to the top of the windshield and 43 inches to the top of the roll bar. (I like the looks with out the roll bar)

I built the frame so that any combo of Chevy V8, including LS engines and the most common transmissions will fit. 4speed, Tremec T56, even Automatics.

When I purchased the windshield frame I also purchased the folding convertible frame. I think that I can modify it to work with my car. The other option will be to create a top that will utilize the roll bar.

In the past I scratch built a Cobra tribute. I used all Corvette suspension and drive train. It was a nice car but too common for me. :) Because the Cobra used Ford drive trains my build was not "correct". For this build I decided to start with a body design that used Corvette components from it's time. This car is for the Chevy guys! (Note that I love Fords too. I drove a 1970 Boss 302 in High School.)

I have GREATLY modified the body to fit my frame and my design ideas. I am going to pulling molds from it. And, I have built a JIG to reproduce the frame. If any one wants to build one I would sell a body and frame kit. This would be a hobby venture for me. Something to keep me occupied in my retirement years.

Mr Bruce is the person I purchased the body I started with from. If you go to the cobra club forum and search for him you will find him.

I need to clean the shop! I'm embarrassed at how it looks in the pictures.

Tomorrow I will continue with fiberglass work. On Monday I plan to pull the body off and mount it on a second frame that I have. Final body work will be done on that frame.

Next week I will finish the frame and get it painted. Then the actual build will begin. Here are some pics of today's work.

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For this build I'm using the Dana 36 differential with a 2:59 gear ratio. I'm using a mild SBC engine with a Richmond 4 speed. I'm building this car mostly with parts that I've had left over from previous builds.

The frame weighs 222lbs as it sits. It will probably be just under 230 when done.

The dash is from an old Kellison kit car. I think that it fits my car nicely. Of course final fitment is needed.

I'm 6'2" and 230lbs. I fit great in the car with plenty of cockpit and leg room.

In the pictures showing the rear deck you'll see that I fastened a thin sheet of plywood across it. I created a little dome shape to it when I screwed it down and then used duct tape to create a taper from the wheel arches to the plywood. The painted it. The idea was to create a little distinction between the wheel arches and deck and to give it a slight side to side arch. I wasn't completely with the flat deck that I had glassed in. I like the look with the arch and transition's. Now I have to glue it down, create the tapers and transition's with body filler and glass it.

Having fun!!!

Thanks so much for the great write-up. A messy shop is a sign of someone gets things done. Keep up the great work and keep us posted please. Great Builder.

Any chance of not having the hole in the hood? It kinda messes up a beautiful shape!

I agree about the carb sticking through the hood. I would prefer to not cut the hood. I have the engine mounted so that with a 6.5 inch deep pan the pan is level with the bottom of the frame. The engine I'm using has an Air Gap intake. It's taller than stock. But, even a stock intake wouldn't allow room for the air cleaner.

An LS engine will fit under the hood. I have an LS engine in the shop and I checked that. Thinking more about the molds I should mold the hood with out any bumps, scoops, or shrouds. Maybe I should put the LS in it.

By the way, the original Cheetahs had the air cleaner sticking out of the hood.

Not afraid to slice and dice the fiberglass are you! Looks like you are having fun.

Glad to hear that the bullet is 12 inches forward. As I recall, the headers in these rascals passed over the top of the ends of the foot wells....a bit warmish eh? A smallish L88 hood bump perhaps?

Thank you for the comments. - I'm not sure what color for the car yet.
- I bonded the sheet of plywood to the rear deck and worked on finishing the interior cockpit. - I started to work on the windshield base. - I worked on the seam line between the firewall and hood. - To get an idea of some possible add on pieces I set a mold for a rear spoiler on the rear deck. And, mocked up a cowl induction hood bulge. The bulge might be workable.

My plan is to mold the rear deck with out a spoiler and the hood without a scoop, bulge or hole. An LS engine will fit with the stock hood. I probably will make a rear spoiler and cowl induction hood bulge as separate pieces that can be riveted or bonded on.

The hood will have a finished edge so that when it comes out of the mold it will mate to the firewall perfectly.

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I look forward to seeing this thing come along!

Love projects like this. I've always thought the cheetah body would work well on a locost frame. I like the MGB windshield, works well with the shape of the body. Kind of gives it a XKE vibe.

Thank you for the input.

I'm having fun but I hate working with foam and fiberglass. :)

I made the windshield brackets and tacked them in. I think that I'll drill some lightening holes in the bracket. The brackets hold the windshield above the body.

I glued in a thin piece of paneling under the windshield that followed the windshield taper. I left this about 1/8 inch gap between the bottom of the windshield and the paneling. I'm going to have about a 1" wide aluminum strip that will be glued to the front of the lower edge of the windshield frame and seal the leading edge to the body.

I glued in a "dash" panel. I did this so that there is structural integrity to the body as it comes out of the mold.

I'm molding the transitions from the dash to the sides of the cockpit and to the rear cockpit so that they will come out of the mold and look good. The hope is that when the body comes out of the mold it will have a finished fit.

Next I glassed everything, including the rear deck.

Tomorrow I'm going to pull the engine and switch to the LS one. Then put the hood back on to see if it clears.

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Today I jacked the car up and switched engines. The LS still protrudes through the hood. Although by much less.

I think an engine cover for the LS that mimics old school fuel injection with velocity stacks would look cool. Or a Jaguar XKE style hood bulge might look good too. I'll need to decide which engine to run.

I scratch built a Cobra years ago. I made an engine cover for it to dress it up. I don't think it would be to hard to make a cover with the velocity stacks. :)

I also spent a lot of the day cleaning the shop.

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I vote hood bulge. Unless you are actually going to get one of the LS manifolds with ITB's. Then let that E36 M3 stick out the hood.

For what little it's worth I'm in the hood bulge camp as well.

I want to see hood trumpets. However you manage it.

Thanks again for the input. I decided to run the LS engine and mold in a hood bulge. (I'll have to find a good way to incorporate velocity stacks :) )

I laid out the shape with foam, cardboard, wood strips, and duct tape. The rough shape is shown in the pictures. Then I glassed it. Next I will be having fun with body filler to smooth out the radii.

This car is pretty small. I thought that it was interesting to compare the dimensions to a 427 Cobra. Cobra- 90 inch wheelbase, 48 inches tall, 156 inches long, 68 inches wide, and weighs about 2300-2500lbs.

My car- 93 inch wheelbase, 41 inches to top of windshield, 43 to top of roll bar, 148 inches long, and I'm shooting for 1900lbs.

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