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What's the intent of the project? Good question, here goes:
1) Modularity, the rear engine section will be a seperate frame unit, including engine, transmission, drive line and suspension. First "power unit" will be the Geo Metro LXi 3cylinder 5 speed that I got given to me, and I intend to get it all licensed and on the road in that configuration. I intend to play around with other "power units" as well, but that will be later on. (Briggs vanguard belt driven to solid axle? - Kubota diesel mated to VW bug transaxle? - Warp 9 driving solid axle? - Flock of gerbils in an excercise wheel?)
2) Commuter, I have a 65 mile commute to take care of, so yes, it will be a daily driver. DIY cars kinda have a bad rep as not good for daily driving, I think that is bullocks. They can be made as safe, comfortable and reliable as your average '90s Buick.
3) My goals are: less than 1,000 pounds, under 2,000$ complete, enough ground clearance to handle 2-track dirt roads, 4 season drivability, enough room for a backpack and/or a couple bags of groceries, 75-80mpg, not too ugly, comfortable to drive, easy to get into/out of, and it has gotta make me smile when I drive it.
4) it has to fit me. I am 6'6" and 285, mostly in the shoulders. Very few cars have the adjustability to be comfortable for me without alterations, even the "compensation" trucks that are all over here in Wyoming are too short for my legs. Compact/economy cars are especially bad. I like small cars for fuel efficiency, but need to move the seat rails back on any car I claim as mine. (ownership history includes '78 Vega, '85 Toyota Celica, '97 Ford Aspire, Geo Tracker, and currently a '78 Subaru Brat on 33's.)
I have had my go at the go-fast cars too, now I want to experiment with the sip-and-go cars.
Basic plan here is fiberglass over foam body on 1" square tube frame, single center seat, mid-mounted rear engine, rear wheel drive, twin A-Arm front suspension, fully enclosed, street legal, 75mph capable, daily driver. I hope it works as I plan (hopefully I'm not too old to drive by the time I get it done. . .).
TALON §
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