30s style roadster

[kensar]

The reason I got a 3D printer is to do my own designs and this project is exactly that.  Now that I have done a few designs and prints, it's time for a unique project.  I am designing, printing and building up an English roadster style car and maybe later, a saloon style car.  My vision is that it looks like something from the late 1930s, but it has 1950s technology, and would be built today.  To that end, I will use a late 1950s Aston Martin engine from a DBR1, my own transaxle gearbox design, and modern tires from Blockley.  Being a road car, I don't need an engine with 2 spark plugs per cylinder, but that's the engine's configuration.  This will be a nice project where I will design everything (and will borrow a few parts from elsewhere - like the engine).

First, I designed some wheels.  I didn't know what size spokes could be printed, so I made two versions - one with 0.010" spokes and another with 0.015" spokes.

Then I printed them out to check them.  I'm thinking the 0.015" spoke version could be used on the saloon car.

Wheel with 0.010" spokes.  These printed okay and I will use them for the roadster.  The spokes are not quite straight, but it doesn't show that from this angle.  In the future, I will likely use 0.013" spokes.

I used a DBR1 engine design from Bill Cunningham - thanks for putting this out for free use, Bill.

Next I designed the frame and a few other components that would make up a rolling chassis.  The design in the rendering below is not quite complete, but you get the idea.  The suspension is a leading link design.  The front is very much borrowed from the VW bug (torsion bar with dampers).  The rear is a De Dion axle design.

So now I am printing out the chassis to check it and test fit the engine.

So, what do you think ?

 

 

[Zippi]

I think it's looking pretty good there Ken.  I'm liking the wheels and the Free .stl file from Bill Cunningham looks nice.  

[Kenmojr]

Excellent idea. Will look forward to more...

[Spex84]

I love that we're in an era where people can design their own model kits. This one looks promising so far!

[kensar]

Update

I have printed the chassis and designed and printed a few more parts, not all are shown here, though.  I just printed the exhaust system, battery, radiator, master cylinders, and steering linkage.  Working on the interior currently.

Mockup with engine and driveshaft.

I'm going to have to start on the body very soon.

Thanks for looking in on this.

 

Edited Sunday at 11:49 PM by kensar

[Spex84]

Wow, that was fast! Looks fantastic so far, I can barely see any layer lines.

[stavanzer]

I can't wait to see how you design the body!

It sure looks great so far!