Projects Bonneville XF/GMR Build

Still plugging away on the streamliner but it is such a huge and complicated undertaking. So friend and me are going to build a basic, much more simple, roadster to get some seat time and have fun racing while the streamliner gets finished.

26/27 glass T body, pulling the drive train from the Rouster roadster for power and using parts we had laying around to get this one together.

here is the progress from last weekend. First work session on the car other than gathering parts.

bent up the main chassis rails, started bending roll cage, and mocked up rear end mounts. Rear end will be rigid mounted but am planning on making it so I can easily add suspension down the road if need be

 

And I thought I had projects!

 

Man...lots of good stuff in that shop! Looks like it's gonna be fun.

 

most of the cars in the back ground of the pics are client projects

 

Congrats on new and exciting challenges...do you have any Artistic Inspirations to this newest Lakes Roadster...sometimes those sketchy quick renders are the icing on the cake...High Fives and thanks for sharing the experience of go fast...speed you're shooting for is? I'm class challenged......maybe it's the same as the Liner class you are building...

You're living the Dream...Cool Shop you have there and what you accomplish within those walls breathtaking...love the motor choice...indy meets the salt under a new skin...Bullet nosed I'm thinking...

At first glance I thought you had a front mount blower...but it's the tank...

 

Looks good but I would seriously rethink the lack of rear suspension even if you limit it to 1/2-1 inch.

 

...and Stogy thought rigid frame Harleys defined hardass...its Traditional and truly purpose built...you can't experience the Yesteryear without going there...but I'll bet money what your suggesting was being experimented with...Indian style plunger rear...

I do recall seeing a postwar coil sprung T Lakester...Belly panned and low...but again I'm pretty sure this is an era specific decision...and around here that's certainly not uncommon...

 

I saw these pics elsewhere, cool car. Love to see more Bonneville and lakes cars being built and posted on here. And just how many records have Costellas cars set w/o suspension? I rest my case.

 

A rigid front suspension works fine. However rigid in the rear is not the way to go. The surface condition's over the last six years have been all over the place. Being rigid in the rear on a poor surface will end up as a wasted run.
Also a roadster can never be compared to the Costella built cars with there long wheel base, narrow width and extremely low profile. I would bet the frames due to the length actually add some suspension from movement over length..
Ronnieroadster

 

Also email Russ Eyres (SCTA Roadster Committee) and ask for the checklist they use for determining legality of body location, etc. when evaluating protests and other technical questions specifically for 26 - 27 roadsters. This provides tolerances they accept. You never know when you might be protested or wind up in record cert.

vic

 

You are right about the wheelbase and movement Ron

 

Just don’t pinch in the body at the lower hood parting line (cowl). I know 2 which were dreamed illegal.

 

Can you elaborate JD?

 

I have missed updates on the streamliner, but understand the enormity of that project.
If you can get some Roadster seat time as soon as next August, it will be a help in the long run.

 

I can only tell you to look at a stock T body your going to use and measure the distance at the lower edge of the front on the cowl at the lower hood part line.
Not knowing the true number so I can’t be quoted let’s say it’s 12”. Your shipped fiberglass body sitting on a floor as you received it in 9”. If you build the car and leave it at 9” it will be illegal. Pulling it out at the bottom to 12” and you would not.
I hope you and others understand what I’m illustrating.

 

Gotcha.

Since I am using bone stock Ford tin I feel solid. Mine is up in the mezzanine right now or I would offer up the true measurement

 

You sure you don't need a heavier-duty rear end behind the flathead?

I don't have my Dream Wheel nor a current record book handy, but I think the record is in the 160s, so there ought to be a bunch of car rear ends that are 1. strong enuf, 2. less expensive, 3. with lots of ratios available and 4. not having another set of gears to pull in high, straight-thru transmissions.

 

Tman - Email Russ Eyres and ask him to send you the T roadster measurement sheet. It contains the tolerances that the roadster committee uses for the many areas related to T roadster body mounting and modifications when deciding rules questions, protests, and record certification. Having it eased my mind when building the 1429 RMR in 2009.

vic

 

Great tip, I need to call him anyway. Been a while since we talked.

 

Back in the shop after TROG and Hershey. Been making a little progress here and there. Its slow going on this one since i only work on it nights and weekends.

 

A little more progress from today.

 

Looking good, I want to see it with the body on again.

 

Have you figured u joint angles for that much rear offset? Maybe go with double cardan joint?

 

Its less than 10*, i have had my driveline shop check it out and they dont see a problem with it.

 

the body hides all the neat stuff lol

 

Nice, but why kick up the rear frame over the rear end..most leave the frame flat when building a modified roadster.

 

because i wanted to. Makes pulling the rear end out easier, i am making a diffuser for the back so the kick up helps that flow.

 

I want to see how low the cage sits in the body! Agree on covering the cool stuff.

 

It’s too bad that Peek modified is no longer run. I have heard to meet the cage rules as be able to get in and out a lot would need to be modified. It still a great car..

 

here is one from when i was still working in the helmet bars. Will look much better with the tonneau cover over the cock pit opening