oldtin
UltraDork
4/5/13 3:02 p.m.
1963 TR4 vintage racer under construction. Basically rescued from returning to the earth - I've got it back to a solid shell and in the next couple of weeks will be building the cage/structure. In the firewall there are some air vents - double-walled areas. Cutting out the double wall makes the cage install easier - but is a point of no return as a street car. A more minor issue - cutting out the trunk floor for fuel cell. Solid original floor, but I think I'd rather be carrying the weight of the fuel lower. So what do you think, leave the double wall for the hypothetical someone/someday or carve it up and forget it? FWIW right now I'm not in love with this car and have little intention of keeping it - mostly want it done and gone. Suggestions?
Race cars rarely return to the street.
dougie wrote:
Unless you're a purist, then you drive your vintage race car on the street.....
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsmFs5J4qKo&feature=share&list=UUKgBelHspm4MhfouAnzLrXQ
Beautiful car, nice video. You should have included some footage out in the country on a twisty road where you were able to let it stretch it's legs...
Whenever I pass a roll cage tube thru a bulkhead, I cut a round hole first slightly larger than the pipe. Drill a pilot hole and then use one of the greenlee hole punches that the electricians use to punch large holes in metal cabinets. Before I weld the pipe in place, I slide another piece of sheetmetal with a smaller hole in it over the pipe. The sheetmetal gets riveted to the old bulk head and make a nice tight seal around the tube. If you ever want to return the car to the street, you can either weld in a circular plug or just rivet back on another piece of sheetmetal to cover the hole. People like to see evidence of previous race history, so a covered up hole is a nice touch. So are roll cage plates or feet.
wspohn
Reader
4/8/13 4:32 p.m.
Todd's method gives a very nice result.
Once it is a race car it is never going back. And if it is a real race car (meaning not a stockish engine class) you can't drive it on the street anyway - I expect Doug hasn't got a full race spec engine in the nice Healey!
oldtin
UltraDork
4/9/13 11:30 a.m.
Pretty car Dougie. I think I just have to get over myself - the old car guy in me says don't do stuff that's irreversible or messes with the value. The racer side says make the most effective tool, all else be damned. Guess that's the vintage conundrum, it's not the most effective platform to begin with...
Racecar.
Make it safe.
Make the cage as easy to install as possible.
It will save you hours in labour.
Fuel cell get it low but make sure to cage it too.
