Ute Aerodynamics?

[freebeard]

I want you to have it for free too! If you have any ability to move and store it don't hesitate.

If it's a 1967 that goes double. If it is a '67 with all the one-year only parts (decklid, door handles) that goes triple.

If it's a Canadian build, then the badge on the frunklid is unobtainium.

If it's a basket case, then remove rusty metal and see what's left.



I think a 60MPG Beetle is achievable.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

I guess it’s all a question of how often I will have my tailgate down.

What would be the matter of concern?

[JacobLeSann]

Well, an update on the ute project.

No dice.

I found a guy who had done the same thing in my province using a 97 civic coupe. It worked great until the cops pulled him over and took it off the road. The end. I guess I should have expected that.

Shame, though. I had some pretty cool ideas. I would have a 48”x45” box if I went with the hatchback and a 60”x45” box if I used the sedan or a coupe. It could have been the ultimate custom hypermiler car because the box is modular and I could use different bed toppers to suit different loads. The end goal was a modified sedan using tailights from a hatchback, and a custom tailgate.

I think I will take these ideas and apply them to a proper, road legal hatchback. I have a 1996 CX hatch and a 1992 DX hatch.

Thanks for the all the info and help everybody!




(P.S. haven’t checked out the beetle yet. I think a straight restoration could be fun, although it supposedly has no engine. Putting an older Honda engine in there could be funky. Will see when the snow melts).

[freebeard]

It worked great until the cops pulled him over and took it off the road.

Disallowed or confiscated it?

The powerplant choice doesn't need to be immediate. Conserving what's left is first priority. Who knows what will be popular by then. It's gone Pinto>Subaru>EV so far. Here's a VW slant four:



The way things go, it may be wood gas conversion in six months to a year. Restoring a body to original spec would be spendy, but someone will be the first to bend up a SpaceX steel EMPI Sportster. Measured drawing were offered to make your own.

[JacobLeSann]

Disallowed. Car moved owners several times and is now sitting in a field, lol.

The trends of popularity remind me of my own mind. So many ideas, so many possibilities, but what *should* you do? That’s what I’m always asking. I have a CBR 600 in my shop, I always wondered what would happen if that was stuck in a beetle. Seen a CB1000RR engine in there and that looked awesome. A sequential shifter off a motorcycle would be crazy. My skills aren’t there though.

So far I’ve worked on and swapped D series engines from old Hondas. They take an insane amount of abuse, great gas mileage, and I’ve had one run with a baseball-sized hole in the block and no oil whatsoever. Usually around 90-100 HP/Torque so they’re not the most powerful. I’ve seen a D16Y8 swapped into an old Austin Mini, and that thing was awesome! You can tell I’m Honda-biased.

Much to do first though. Gonna fix up a lot of civics this year and really get a good skillset going, then I’ll pick up that beetle.

Wood gas power! I’ve seen that before. I’ve been looking at the thermodynamics of burning wood, very neat. When I was 13 or so I had my dad help me built a small forge out of an old water tank. Used a blow dryer in the rear to blast air through a perforated tube. Used an old water bladder tank as the hull, and it worked! Was able to get a good red heat using just scraps of spruce. Powering a car off of it would be a challenge. Less of automotive related, but have a look at “Rocket Heaters” online. I’m wanting to build one someday.

[freebeard]

Let us hope it's still there in a year. I fully understand about needing the space.

The rocket stove was invented by a guy at Aprevecho Institute in Cotage Grove, OR, in the 1980s. I have the StoveTech Firefly.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

I have a CBR 600 in my shop, I always wondered what would happen if that was stuck in a beetle. Seen a CB1000RR engine in there and that looked awesome.

When I was 13 I used to think some motorcycle engines could be reasonable to adapt into a car. That was in 2003, and most motorcycles still resorted to good old carburettors, while I was quite afraid of dealing with EFI

But anyway, if you're really willing to try adapting a motorcycle engine into a small car, some companies such as Quaife make a gearset matching the pinion of a motorcycle transmission to a limited-slip differential and a reversing gear.

[freebeard]

Don't know what kind of V-twin, but this is out of the Blackjack zero

https://thekneeslider.com › blackjack-zero-moto-guzzi-powered-3-wheeler
Blackjack Zero - Moto Guzzi Powered 3 Wheeler - The Kneeslider
Blackjack Zero - Moto Guzzi Powered 3 Wheeler By Paul Crowe The Blackjack Zero, a reverse trike configuration car, has been around for a while powered by a VW flat four engine. They've just come out with a version powered by a Moto Guzzi V-Twin which, to my eye, looks better and fits in the tradition of the old Morgan 3 wheelers.

[JacobLeSann]

Cool stuff, thanks guys! I’ve seen the Quiafe drive being used in a Honda S600 roadster coupled to a CBR engine. You can find the car on Jay Leon’s Garage. Very cool.

Trikes are neat too! Before I even had a license I was designing a velomobile and I always wanted to see a car designed that way. In the 80’s VW designed a concept called the “Scooter” which was pretty close to my idea. Take a FWD, front engine car and chop the rear into a single swingarm. I wonder just how much efficiency is gained for the tradeoff of stability/handling. Would understeer badly.

I love EFi. My little Aprilia has it and I love being able to start my bike just like my car. On the flip side I’ve never tuned EFi systems nor do I know much; they just don’t really cause me issues. Carbed stuff I’ve seen is almost 50/50 in terms of starting up correctly. May be an exaggeration.

[freebeard]

I went from wanting a Messerschmitt KR-200, to wanting an Arcimoto FUV. A little of this along the way: