70 replies to this topic

[GrandpaMcGurk]

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This project will be called "WILDWOOD".
My pal Rick & I will be designing and building the car.

We have a concept in mind and are finalizing the overall design now.
It'll be a one off 1/8th scale model that we would build full size if money were no object and we had a completely equipped machine shop and every tool known to either of us.
In other words either one of us would be thrilled to have it parked in our garage.

What I can tell you so far is that it will be powered by a blown (yes, I said blown not turbos) Ferrari F-40 V-8 engine.
Power rack & pinion steering, 4 wheel power disc brakes, air conditioning, independent front & rear suspension.......some will be functional.
Working head, tail, dash, dome lights, doors.......roll up windows will function etc.
If I can get speakers small enough it will have tunes as well!

It will also have "real" 1/8th scale wire wheels.

It'll be based on one of the Madd-Fabricators Willy's fiberglass bodies and we'll be using a bucketful of TDR parts.

The chassis will be a combination monocoque & tube space frame.

Yeah, it's certainly not going to be inexpensive to build but we'll manage!

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 02 June 2012 - 01:14 AM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Well let's get this show on the road.......the pics don't do these wheels justice......they were fabricated and laced by Chris Garcia.
The disc brake rotor is a TDR item. Rick G. had these wheels custom made by Chris for a project he had been working on....they are gorgeous.
I'll be stripping the red paint and more than likely faux anodizing them, adding a valve stem, some big & little white sidewall tires and use them on Wildwood.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

In case you're wondering why it's called Wildwood....it's simply because it's going to have wooden coach work...in other words - a Woody.
We are going to build a woody that is as politically correct and acceptable at the country club as it is with a long board on the roof at the beach.
I'm not going to just slap some veneer & balsa together and call it a day...it will be properly framed out and I'll use some rather exotic woods for the skin. Luxury interior.....with all the bells and whistles.

A little bit hot rod, custom, show car, luxury beach cruiser...........what more could you want in a daily driver? Shoot, I think even the Donald would approve......hee, hee.

[comp1839]

sounds like an incredible build don and rick. can't wait to see it progress. keep us informed on the details.

[cobraman]

Those wheels look beautiful. Very realistic. This will be a build to follow for sure.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Thanks guys, Rick hasn't seen this sketch yet so it may change but here's my first draft......I wanted to retain the overall visual recognition as a Willys but being it's going to have a Ferrari engine I borrowed a few styling bits from the Enzo. I also want it to be a bit more contemporary than simply a retro rod Woody.
Whatcha think? Input is more than welcome.

.

[crazyjim]

Looks impressive, Don.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Talked to Rick, he's good with the sketch and sent me a Pocher F-40 engine kit so it's heater time.......not too shabby with the twin turbos and all but we're going outside the box for this cruiser........I hope some of you Ferrari guys will keep me on track with the wiring etc. Haven't decided yet whether to put a distributor on the thing...or use coil pacs and 'puter.

Here's a pic of the Pocher kit I'll being using for those of you that are unfamiliar with it.......



Looks like a lot of pieces but there's parts for complete engine and another partial engine. Rick also included most of a trans kit (hardware).



Now we all know there's no substitute for cubic inches and I have a spare block etc.
I can leave this as an 8 cylinder or make a (fantasy) 10 cylinder, If I was going to do a 12 cylinder I'd have used a Testarossa engine.

[crazyjim]

I've many a car guy say "Go big or stay home", Don.

[donkeypuncher76]

Cool idea, Being a trucker my mind calculated this and as usual was wrong, Wildwood+Florida=Big Rig Chrome Shop in Wildwood off I-75, has to be a big chromed out Chicken Truck. lol,

[eviltwincustoms]

I am tuned in to watch this project come together! Specifically due to the project being a Willys... and using Porcher parts to boot! This is going to be something wild just based on the drawings.

Can't wait for the next update.. don't wait to long, and keep all of us in suspense!

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Cool idea, Being a trucker my mind calculated this and as usual was wrong, Wildwood+Florida=Big Rig Chrome Shop in Wildwood off I-75, has to be a big chromed out Chicken Truck. lol,

Boy does that ever jog the ol' gray matter....been there many times in another life. Fruit stand, tourist trinkets, cheesy motel & restaurant.........took some serious downshifting to get thru Ha, Ha " downtown without getting a green stamp.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Here we go Bart....I'm hoping that this build will be informative and helpful to some and at least eye candy for others.
As it progresses I'm sure there will be screw ups and gremlins that have to be dealt with but if nothing else it may keep some of you from repeating our boo boos in your own builds....in other words Rick & I will use our coin and time to (with any kind of luck) save you some $, time and frustration.

Rick & I after some head scratching' and our usual bantering back & forth collectively decided to keep the F40 a V-8.
Had to chuckle a bit when Rick said " Stay with the V8. It's a hot rod, not a Beverly Hills grocery getter".

Anyway on to the pictures......
Here's some out of the box Pocher kit pieces for the front covers and alternator....in my mind, no better or worse than any other kit. A bit lacking in detail perhaps considering the cost of Pocher stuff, but that's for you guys to decide.

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 30 May 2012 - 05:54 AM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

I'll be using a number of bits from various vendors including TDR and the Madd Fabricator.......right up front let me say I am involved with TDR & MF, but whatever I use I'll be calling like I see 'em. Fair 'nuff?

These next few photo's are of the kit pieces assembled, painted, and some trans kit hardware pieces added.
The only reason I'm posting them is for comparsion between the O.O.B. parts and assembled with the trans kit stuff so that you can decide for yourselves if trans kits are worth the coin.
These are spares and I did not assemble them!
I'll be breaking them down to salvage the trans kit hardware parts only.
I don't know who assembled them and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but if you look closely some of the plastic bosses are broken out and drilled off center. That may be okay for some but I want want this build to be super detailed and the best my particular skill level with allow.











The trans kit bits I'm using are a Scale Details item for this engine.....I've been asked if it's worth the cost?
Let me just say the the quality is right on the money, if I had to to round up the hundreds of bolts, etc. that come in the kit not to mention the P.E., brass tubing and supplied info...it would cost me way more than the price of their kit and the reseach time would be out of sight.
Is it worth it....that's for you and your piggy bank to decide.

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 30 May 2012 - 06:31 AM.

[deathskull59]

wow that looks pretty exspenive lets see how all turns out.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Nathan, the expense is really like asking how high is up........the most expensive parts and so on will still look like dog doo if poorly assembled and painted.
It gets back to that same old bugaboo about how much time and effort are you willing to put into a project.
I'm sure you have seen box stock models painted with rattle cans that are drop dead gorgeous.
It really doesn't matter how much money you throw at something....it's all about you, if you have a "well that's close enough" attitude.... your end result will reflect that.

However if you take the time to develop some sound basic skills and patience even a "snap kit" can stand head and shoulders above the slam, bam call it a day builders.
I'm mot saying there's anything wrong with that, some guys just enjoy building and assembling and if that's what works for them, more power to 'em.

This build won't be inexpensive in either time or money...mostly time.....but hey, it works for me. I'm going to push myself as far as I can and who knows....I might even learn a thing or two to add to my bag of tricks.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Some concern has come up about the first drawing I did losing the appearance of a Willys, the grill rework seems to sit fine with everyone but the hood and air intake causes it to lose it's identity...anyway someone suggested a scoop on each side of the hood, that's cool.
Here's a really rough thumbnail of something else that's rattling around in my head.....still retains the obviously Willys nose and looks aggressive as all get out.
The F40 is fairly low profile & even with a blower sitting on top, I'm trying to keep the whole deal under the hood line as much as possible........the last thing I want is a bug catcher or huge scoop sticking through it. Even though it's a woody the coach will be slick and flowing...not a boxy add on.

Any suggestions or input are welcomed.

Edited by GrandpaMcGurk, 30 May 2012 - 09:33 AM.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

We've messed around with this hood design long enough....it'll work itself out after it's determined how high the engine will sit.

On with the engine......as with most Pocher kits there will be some problems with parts fitting etc.
Don't get me wrong...even at today's inflated prices you still get a lot of bang for your buck...just keep in mind that if you expect to glue the parts together and paint them you'll wind up with with something like the next few pics depict....it's my spare parts engine previously built when I got it.

Pocher has been out of biz for quite some time, therefore it's not unusual to find that parts are missing, distorted or have become brittle over time. Sink marks etc. are common to most models and need to be dealt with also.

As you can see, not much prep work was done on this example, gaps, sink marks and ill fitting parts..oh my.
Sure, a lot of this stuff wouldn't be noticed once completely assembled but I think we can do a little better.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

I'll be starting with unmolested "old" parts...
I trimmed off those pesky boogers left behind from the parts trees, washed them in warm soapy water, dried and shot a light coat of Krylon rattle can primer on everything.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

I filed all the mating surfaces flat to close up some of the gaps & assembled the block pieces with solvent being careful to keep everything square.



You can see in these photo where the bottom of the block needs to be filed to allow the oil pan to fit flush.



These large gaps in the rear of the heads are unavoidable......it is what it is. I'll fill the gaps with thin plastic and sand smooth even though they wouldn't be noticeable
with the covers on
.


A little 2-part automotive filler will take care of the unwanted seams & sink marks, etc.