Old Cars and Aerodynamics~ a project on the design board of my mind

[albyneau]

Looking towards the possibility of building a diesel powered car for a daily driver. I've got a 26HP Mitsubishi tractor motor lying around, and toying with the idea of coupling it up to a good 5-speed, and popping it into either an ultra-light body, an aerodynamic body~ or hopefully both! So far my possibility list has the following chassis:

Datsun early Z
Datsun 1200 fastback
MG Midget
MGB
Triumph Spitfire

Parameters:
Must possess superior aero design, or
Ultra-light (the 1200's 1540#'s), or both,
Front engine/rear drive,
Pre- 1975, i.e. no smog. (i'm in CA), and
Of moderate/large production numbers (for parts accessibilty).

It'd get gutted to a spartan level, and shaved/frenched/smoothed to baby-butt status on the outside.....

Let the ideas begin~!

Peace~
Scott

[sgtlethargic]

Please clarify your weight numbers; I think 1200's and/or 1500# is a tall order.

City, highway, or combo?

Looking at your list I think of the Opel GT.
New Project 69' Opel GT 1.1L - GasSavers.org - Helping You Save at the Pump Hypermiling and Fuel Efficiency Forum

I know a local that has MGB GT's for sale.

[JackMcCornack]

Get yourself an SB100 (I think that's California's name for it) permit/waiver/thingie that allows 500 Californians a year to build their own cars without smogging them...provided they resemble pre-smog automobiles. Then make a "replica" (the quotation marks are for the loose interpretation of the word) of a late '50s Le Mans racer.

Seriously, it's not that hard. To hit your target numbers I think it'll be considerably easier to start from scratch that to modify an existing car.

Click here...
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-11009-19.html
...for my own Lola Mk1 inspired Locost rebody (I have the molds if you want parts) and the next few pages on that thread have some Lotus 11 pix.

The small displacement sports racers of the era were quite efficient; considerably moreso than their modern counterparts (which trade streamlining for downforce).

[larrybuck]

I can't help but think of the 2nd generation Saab Sonnet!

[Grant-53]

A VW type I with a fiberglass body could be light and low drag. The locost has a strong tube frame, a proven design, and available parts.

[oil pan 4]

If its not turbocharged, turbo it.

[Ladogaboy]

An early Z is neither light nor aerodynamic. The first production years were the lightest, and they were still about 2,200-2,300 lbs. The aero, IIRC, was > .30 cd.

[Grant-53]

An early Camaro/Firebird would have fiberglass panels available to make it lighter but still heavier than an import RWD subcompact. Kit trike might work if fully enclosed.