32 Ford

[mikevillena]

Just a little bit of bench time tonight. Putty work trying to blend things.

Quick and dirty mock-up of the wheelbase and stance using the kit supplied wheels and tires:

I'm going to have to use a deeper radiator core to handle the cooling requirements of the Cosworth. The Cosworth is rather compact length-wise but I might shift it further back slightly past the stock firewall. It will have a bell-housing but the transmission will be part of the rear axle so that the engine shouldn't intrude too much into the cockpit. I will also incorporate teardrop shaped bulges on both of the engine side covers to accommodate the "bundle of snakes" exhaust headers. I will have to use the non-louvered covers to make it work.

Edited June 11, 2014 by mikevillena

[Bernard Kron]

Thanx Mike. The curvature of the nose is just lovely. I understand now that this will be a modern rod, not a traditional one. I'll look at it through those eyes as I follow along. I have long term plans for a carbon fiber monocoque Deuce 3-window with four wheel independent suspension and a contemporary motor. You have my full attention towards that end. Thanks also for the pics on the Seven build. Obviously the larger scale helps, but in the end I've always felt that if it's possible, regardless of scale, an approach that approximates the construction of the source inspiration, usually a 1:1, is the best solution. After a run of drag cars I'm in the midst of a customizing projection and your bodywork approaches serve as an inspiration. It looks like you've got plenty of 'pan showing and are well on your way to a pretty slick Modern Rod... Build On!

[mikevillena]

Thanx Mike. The curvature of the nose is just lovely. I understand now that this will be a modern rod, not a traditional one. I'll look at it through those eyes as I follow along. I have long term plans for a carbon fiber monocoque Deuce 3-window with four wheel independent suspension and a contemporary motor. You have my full attention towards that end. Thanks also for the pics on the Seven build. Obviously the larger scale helps, but in the end I've always felt that if it's possible, regardless of scale, an approach that approximates the construction of the source inspiration, usually a 1:1, is the best solution. After a run of drag cars I'm in the midst of a customizing projection and your bodywork approaches serve as an inspiration. It looks like you've got plenty of 'pan showing and are well on your way to a pretty slick Modern Rod... Build On!

Bernard, your absolutely faithful approach to replicating the classic and traditional fabrication techniques in scale is simply marvelous and is an inspiration especially on a traditional hot rod build. And your carbon fiber rod modern rod project sounds absolutely "top drawer". Hope you share that build when you start it. BTW, I was doing research on modern front suspension designs for the '32 and I saw an interesting design. It had a CNC milled front beam that is rigidly attached to the chassis. The front suspension travel is via "sliding pillar" (just like a proper Morgan) but the springing and damping is done remotely via hydraulic lines to the coil over units mounted on the firewall. For the life of me, I can't remember the site. Anyway, I'm flattered that you have taken interest in my build. And I do look forward to your inputs.

[mikevillena]

Finally got the belly pan's external shape close to where I want it:

Instead of using a razor saw to cut the belly pan loose from the body shell, I simply (and carefully) pried it free using an x-acto knife. You can clearly see the internal "planking":

I blended the lower part of the radiator shell as part of the design. I used my Gyros super fine saw blade and my flex shaft mototool set to crawling speed to carefully cut the upper part off:

Using various sized rotary ball cutting bits I started shaping the internal wall to follow the external contour and thinning it to the same thickness as the body shell.

[Bernard Kron]

Great! At last a curved bellypan that's deep enough looking to make the difference. And thinned to body thickness to boot. Obviously you wouldn't go to all this trouble if you weren't planning on showing us a tasty piece of chassis work...

Edited June 12, 2014 by Bernard Kron

[fitforbattle]

Even though you won't admit it, you're a man of spectacular skill and problem solving solutions. Always love seeing your updates Mike.

[Danno]

Wow! Outstanding.

[mikevillena]

Great! At last a curved bellypan that's deep enough looking to make the difference. And thinned to body thickness to boot. Obviously you wouldn't go to all this trouble if you weren't planning on showing us a tasty piece of chassis work...

Bernard, you and I think alike (which might be a great misfortune for you) I got really ambitious although I don't know why but I decided to design my own version of a "birdcage". More on that possibly poor decision later. It could be the strong Italian espresso that I've been drinking.

Even though you won't admit it, you're a man of spectacular skill and problem solving solutions. Always love seeing your updates Mike.

Robin, you are too kind as always. But most of this stuff is relatively simple and straight forward. The real key is a good working knowledge of the material and what you can get away with. As to problem solving, I've had some practice in my previous life as an engineer.

Edited June 14, 2014 by mikevillena

[mikevillena]

Wow! Outstanding.

Thank you Danno. I ought to pay a visit to the new "ford only" site. I am a Ford man myself having owned several Mustangs, Escorts and a Focus. My favorite was my old 5.0 GT with headers, straight pipes, re-worked electronics, lowered Racer Walsh suspension, street cage and grippy Yokohama A008's. Needless to say, the tires last less than 8,000 miles.

[mikevillena]

Just a little bit of an update as I've been away from the bench.

Sanded the inside contours of the belly pan and applied some spot putty:

More sanding and surfacer:

Started laying out the chassis. Began with the lower spaceframe tubes:

I'm going to try and build a "birdcage" as inspired by the Maserati Tipo 61. The main tubes are .062 diameter and the rest will be fabbed from .040 rod. It scales to roughly 1&1/2" and 1" respectively.

[Bernard Kron]

Bernard, you and I think alike ... I decided to design my own version of a "birdcage". More on that possibly poor decision later. It could be the strong Italian espresso that I've been drinking.

Space frames. the ultimate in post WWII engineering elegance. Of course the birdcage was an example of Italian rococo; perhaps the final challenge - synthesizing a monocoque from a matrix of small tubes. Personally I have always admired the minimalist discipline of Frank Nichols of Elva fame. Either way, I can't wait.

The funny thing is we do think alike. I have a space frame Deuce roadster ultralight on the boards for this year some time (although I'm beginning to fall behind with too many starts already on my bench). That's what I like so much about auto modeling in particular (as opposed to the more replica-oriented traditions). It allows so much freedom of expression.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Bernard Kron

[mvillena]

After almost two years being fully occupied with school, moving and a new job, I'm dusting off the bench and my projects.  Incidentally, I was totally unable to log in with my previous account;  I tried multiple times to have the password reset and link sent to my e-mail but to no avail.  Not trying to deceive anyone here.  If the admins won't mind, I'd like to continue with this build.

[misterNNL]

Great project with outstanding innovation in techniques and styling.Your idea for extending the wheel well openings into the belly pan totally works.That integrates the pan into the upper body very well.Thanks for taking the extra time to detail your procedures and photograph every important step along the way.I'm sure a lot of builders will be using several of your ideas on future builds.

[bob29579]

I'm sure there will be no objections to you going forward with this build.   Any progress ?

[Bernard Kron]

It's already November and we haven't had the pleasure of your return. Hope this project makes it all the way back. I have my space frame Deuce project barely mocked up so I shouldn't talk, but boy would I love to be inspired by your great work!