panic sets in
 

We had a bit of a panic yesterday. We dropped off a frame and body for some outside development--race development. :) The driver was supposed to pick up the frame/body combo and take it to the race team, but we got a panicked text saying that the driver says he picked up the body ONLY--no frame! Sh!t!

Well, he went back in the truck and double checked. Frame was there, covered in body. The frame was so light that the driver thought we'd forgotten to include it. :)

At the same time we've "partitioned" the interior out of the original 1990 tub. DAYUM it's heavy! What we thought would be a 30 minute job took about six hours. Top layer, bottom layer, lattice work in between. HEAVY, but stout too. This is the stuff that keeps the cowl from shaking.

Are you using that stock interior for the interior of the tube frame car? Interesting.

No no no no....way too much work & weight. I'm simply using the interior as a reference for the tunnel, etceteras. The first cars will have racing interiors (sparse) and later we'll introduce the more finished interior you see in the renders.

more molds
 

I'm off to San Diego tomorrow to look at the next set of molds. These hopefully will include the rear diffuser, front winglets and some of the finalized interior pieces. Time is short for SEMA, and I'm starting to stress a bit.

Also on the list of items is review of the headlight bucket cover. Oh how nice it would be to be able to own a Cobra and replace the headlight at Checker/Shucks/O'Reilly's. These "small" items make a big difference in a car like this IMO, but that doesn't mean that they come with a small price tag.

The good part is that we're transitioning from the "must have" parts to the "want to have" list, and even the "would like to have" parts.

This car will definitely be under the spotlights at SEMA... Looking forward to it :)

Cant wait for show pics <3

That's what I'm afraid of. :) Sure wish it was done already...

Catfish, Super Spec & Adam Carolla's 260Z
 

Leaving Tony Woodford's shop today I snapped a pic of Mule #1 sitting next to Tony's Super Spec Miata. It's "Super" because of the wide wheels and Rotrex. Peppy, and for sale if you're so inclined.

The mule frame is getting a slight patina, which means we'd better slap some paint and bodywork on it SOON. Actually, the plan is to drop the production frame next to mule #1, add any tabs that it's missing (ECU holder, tin work, etc.), swap frames, add bodywork and go to the show. We'll see if theory and practice match up.

The other two odd pictures are of a rotisserie restoration Datsun 260z project Tony is working on for Adam Carolla, of radio, cartoon and podcast fame. I heard that he has the most downloaded podcast program in the world.

This is THE race frame that was tweaked and improved into winning form, so much so that many of the geometry changes made were transferred to create the 260ZX. How so much time and energy can be spent on ancient Japanese car...I understand completely. :)

Firewalls
 

To give you an idea of the thrash we're under now, here's a representation of the front and rear firewalls on the car. They may look like nice, simple flat forms but it means that they need to fit like a Lego between the frame and body. The R&D for this is not a 15 minute job, and takes the coordination of the frame and body design, as well as Shawn Whetstone at Zukun Plan spitting out DXF files for us to manipulate.

Although they're flat in the picture, the front firewall will be an origami shape that's yet to be determined.

You might notice that the firewall extends beyond the frame out to the bodywork. This will prevent water/dust/smoke/etceteras from entering the cockpit.

Last, four large flat 'glass flanges will be made in the bodywork to connect to the firewalls. This will make our light 10kg side panels ultra-stiff. The side panels will be connected at the firewall, the rocker panels, connected to the interior panels, and to the front and rear body pieces.

I lost my fabricator to alcohol...
 

I lost my fabricator to alcohol. Okay not really. A friend was scheduled to do the interior tin work on the Catfish, and has taken a job at Stone Brewing Company. His time in the garage is over.

Now I would say that this new job has its perks, but he doesn't drink and now I've got to scramble and find a guy to fabricate the interior. Damn!

On the bright side--it's a good job and a good opportunity. Good luck Johnny. :)

If he doesn't drink, maybe he can replace his tinwork with discounted/free drinks for the rest of the crew (after the day's work is done). :)

Good luck!

Thanks Jack. BTW, he WAS the rest of the crew. :) No harm no foul. In fact, we'll probably celebrate the finish of the first car with a Stone IPA.

I found a back-up, who in Southern California not surprisingly has a background in desert racers. Included is some of his handiwork--all body panels you see are are in aluminum. What we have planned for the Catfish is much, much simpler.

headlights, new car design
 

I spent the day today at Disneyland, celebrating my oldest son's seventh birthday. He's been a little miracle ever since he was born two months early.

Of course we drove the cars at "Autopia", and I think I found our next car design. :)

The headlight cover design is ongoing. Included is a concept that didn't make the cut.

That's some amazing tin-work! WOW! You have found the right guy obviously!

There are some truly talented American craftsmen that are still out there, turning out quality work at affordable prices. It's been a great pleasure not only having these people work on the car, but to learn something new from each of them along the way.

SEMA start up
 

What you're looking at below is supposed to become a SEMA show car in less than two months. With all the subtle changes to the body and frame, we're starting from zero with a new frame and a new body. I must be crazy.

I think this is looking a lot sweeter now.

:)

Lots going on today. Visited the mold maker, Tony at AWR Racing, said goodbye to mule #1 so it could get cleaned up and ready for the SEMA frame, picked up a mold for a new secret part that will debut at SEMA and visited with our interior aluminum fab guru. Oh, and stopped by the water jet cutter to set up the chin spoiler surround. Phew.

The pictures show a test sample of the exhaust tip. It's got a .25" thick lip on it, mainly so I won't be visiting the doctor for stitches when my shin kicks the exhaust. The test exhaust system will be here on Monday for fitment. The 30" long stainless canister weighs just 5lbs. Nice.

You've got a bunch of non-Admirer's on M.net today.

Now, THIS is a concept or custom MX5......nice! - MX-5 Miata Forum