Claude Thibodeau Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 Hi! A very sliced and diced Revell's 41 Willys coupe body (chopped, sectionned, fenders molded shut, opened trunk etc.), hiding a scratchbuilt AWD custom chassis that integrates modified Corvette Indy front & rear suspensions + rear engine. Parts box skinny tires & disc wheels. All the rest scratchbuilt, with painted carbon fiber finish on belly pan/floorpan & bulkhead panel. Testor's White lightning pear over grey primer. Home-made decals. Another member of the Flat Earth Society! Long live the Salt! CT
Scott Colmer Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 I've been really enjoying all your posts. This is by far, my favorite. I really like the mono shock front end.
cobraman Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 That is crazy,wild, cool ! I love it ! Very well done !
Codi Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 Now that's stretching ones imagination Claude. GREAT concept and nicely executed. cheers,tim
Mr mopar Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 Now wouldn't that be fun to drive ............ very nice work super clean well done !
Claude Thibodeau Posted May 11, 2019 Author Posted May 11, 2019 Hi! Thanks for the comments. To Mr Mopar's point... I suspect the combination of wheelbase and ultra-low stance would generate a "go-kart" handling. Alas, we'll never know! Thank-you Tim, coming from a Master, your compliments are much apprciated. CT
Ace-Garageguy Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) Probably the slipperiest Willys ever built. Lotsa trick stuff going on there, too. What did you use for a gearbox in the sidewinder configuration? Edited May 11, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy
Claude Thibodeau Posted May 11, 2019 Author Posted May 11, 2019 Hi Bill! Actually, I used the rwd powertrain from the Corvette Indy, which was low on details. I added many components, plus a custom driveshaft that goes to the front differential, which is a Winters-type unit out of the Mickey Thompson quad-engine car. Said driveshaft passes under the driver's seat and the front bulkhead panel, to join the fixed quick-change third member. The IFS was converted from twin to single transverse mono-shock, for packaging issues. CT
Nitrobarry Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 The LAST place on earth to witness automotive innovation (in my opinion).Bonneville! You nailed it!
Earl Marischal Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 That is very impressive and innovative modelling. steve
bytownshaker Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 Amazing detail, workmanship, imagination and execution of your imagination. Yours builds are simply amazing. Edgar
misterNNL Posted May 11, 2019 Posted May 11, 2019 Incredibly well designed and built. Low,slick and flat out gorgeous piece of automotive art. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
Claude Thibodeau Posted May 12, 2019 Author Posted May 12, 2019 Hi! Thank you for the kind comments. To Barry's point, many grey beards like me believe that Bonneville is the purest form of automotive sports left... simply because it is still mostly AMATEUR, meaning without major sponsors. A bunch of faithful show up, and weather depending, go at it! I read all that is avail on le salt flats, but I've never been there. It IS on my bucket list. In the meantime, I try to built at least one Bonnie car per year. This Willys is the latest member of my imaginary Flat Earth Society. If only the GSLMCC could coincide with the running of the races, I would be there for both! And thanks Mr. Woodruff, for the encouragements. It's an honor. My wife was curious: any relation with Bob Woodruf, the news anchor at ABC? CT
Jon Cole Posted May 19, 2019 Posted May 19, 2019 That's just.... stunning! I don't know how you do that; as in design and layout. So convincing.
Claude Thibodeau Posted May 20, 2019 Author Posted May 20, 2019 Hi Jon! Well... I try to think "out of the box", and come up with things that are different, if not really unique or innovative. To that end, Bonneville cars are a blank canvas, because all kind of engineering marvels have raced the salt. There are rules of course, mostly for safety, but salt racers are an imaginative bunch. I just try to see things like I think they would! It's still just a fantasy, hence my Flat Earth Society theme... CT
stavanzer Posted May 22, 2019 Posted May 22, 2019 What is the blue Roller Looking thing sticking out from the bottom, near the engine? Speedometer fixture?
1930fordpickup Posted May 22, 2019 Posted May 22, 2019 Wow I sure missed this beauty earlier when you posted it.
Claude Thibodeau Posted May 22, 2019 Author Posted May 22, 2019 Hi! Thanks for the comments. To Alexi's point, that blue "cannister" sticking trough the belly pan is a part of the Corvette Indy transaxle unit. I figured it is (and wired it) as the starter... but I can't swear to it. I could have "shaved it", but for the sake of realism, I left it on. Might create wind drag, however. What do you think? CT
stavanzer Posted May 22, 2019 Posted May 22, 2019 Thanks, for the answer Claude. I don't think it is enough to worry about.
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