single seat sports car project - seeking feedback

[siverson]

Hi all,

This thread:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=117048&st=80

has prompted me to share a project I've been thinking about for a while and now am just getting started on. I thought I'd share with you guys as we're typically like minded car guys...

I'm making plans to build a single-seat, mid-engine, street-legal sports car.

- Less than 1,600 pounds

- 600 horsepower Chevy LS7 engine (dry sump)

- Porsche G96 transmission

- Street legal, but should be a pretty amazingly track car as well.

- Several donor parts from a C6 corvette (e.g. suspension uprights)

- Can accommodate drivers up to 6'8" and size 15 shoes (impossible with other lightweight street cars (e.g. Ariel Atom, Caterham)). (I'm 6'6".)

- 105" wheel base. This is about the same as a C6 Corvette, and much larger than other lightweight cars.

- Fiberglass body styled after a "modern 1960s F1/F2 car" (e.g. Porsche 718, Brabham B19).

- Single seat, super simple. no frills. Very simple dash, no doors, no wipers, no a/c, no heat. But safer and more comfortable than a motorcycle.

The Ariel Atom, SuperLite Nemesis, Palotav DP2, Light Car Company Rocket all share some characteristics of what I have planned, but none are quite right and hit the mark for me.

What do you think? Any ideas or suggestions on what to change? Like it? Hate it?

And below are just some conceptual drawings I've put together. Nothing is "engineered" in these concept drawings.

-Steve

[Flieger]

Good luck. I would like to make my own single-seat road legal sports car as well, but it would be done a little differently to suit my tastes (911 motor for starters ).

[stomachmonkey]

Cool project.

Has an old school F1 vibe.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that crap so for me the modern lighting package feels out of place.

And I'd either move the cockpit up or lengthen the nose, cockpit feels dead center right now. Think Golden Ratio.

Good luck with it. Can't wait to see it progress.

[KaptKaos]

Steve,

A trike would be easier to make road legal, since they are classified as motorcycles.

Good luck!

[Flieger]

By the way, are you planning on making this a business of kit cars or just one for yourself?

[DARISC]

Nice renderings. What 3D software are you using?

Street legal will require headlights/tail lights at prescribed width and height, relative to the corners of the car, cycle fenders at the least... Given the wheelbase you're dealing with, I'd swell out the fuselage to accommodate a 2nd seat (hard tonneau when not occupied).

[Schumi]

Let me point you towards this:

http://www.f1-67.com/

[siverson]

> the modern lighting package feels out of place.

Yeah, I agree, but I've struggled with what to use. 1960s F1 cars didn't have any lights...

The ones pictured above are from a new BMW 5-series. Any ideas for a more period correct look?

> lengthen the nose

I think that's a good idea, I'll play with it.

> making this a business of kit cars or just one for yourself

For now, just one for myself. If it turns out great and I think there is demand, I may consider that.

> What 3D software are you using

3ds Max.

[siverson]

> F1-67 - Stuart Taylor Motorsport - Chevy Powered Period 1960's Race Car - The F1-67

That's awesome! Thanks for the lead. Crazy that I haven't seen that before...

[gwood]

I know you're going for a 60's look, but with that kind of power to weight ratio, I'd want some wings.

[gwood]

An English thread on the idea:
Single Seater Road Legal - PistonHeads

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by gwood

I know you're going for a 60's look, but with that kind of power to weight ratio, I'd want some wings.

I would agree. That thing will be scary fast.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by gwood

I know you're going for a 60's look, but with that kind of power to weight ratio, I'd want some wings.

And a tailhook

Nice rendering, however. I like the look and feel of the car.

[LWJ]

Not certain at all about this but aren't there a whole bunch of laws for new vehicles regarding street legal? Ie: fenders, wipers, impact bumpers, smog stuff. These will kill your project. I think that points to either taking an old titled car and modifying it or not having it street legal.

BTW, I have had a similar project kicking around in my head for years. Keep it up. This is cool!

[gwood]

Xanthos Cars built a copy of the Lotus 22, but the project doen't seem to be going anywhere.

[Hard-Deck]

I know nothing of the laws for homebuilt cars....but have you considered a hotrod motorcycle engine? Like a Hayabusa?

[oldE]

I really like the general concept.

On a style related manner: With the headlights you have in your rendering, have you considered an early Sixties, Ferrari F1 style split intake nose? I think it might serve to carry the theme of the lights.

Whatever you do, have fun!

Les

[masraum]

Not certain at all about this but aren't there a whole bunch of laws for new vehicles regarding street legal? Ie: fenders, wipers, impact bumpers, smog stuff. These will kill your project. I think that points to either taking an old titled car and modifying it or not having it street legal.



BTW, I have had a similar project kicking around in my head for years. Keep it up. This is cool!

The laws for a home built car are much different

You still need some thing like lights, horn, etc but I don't think bumpers or crash protection

If bumpers are needed then something like nerf bars or what was used on a Shelby cobra would probably be fine

[Shifter]

Lots of good information and builds on this site.

LocostUSA.com • Index page

[intakexhaust]

Very cool and I'd say let your creative drive motivate. My little dream was building a slower but handful driving fun replica 1959 Aston DBR4 formula 1... front engine. Acquire the donor guts from an XJ6 Jag (complete w/ title to ease registration) 6 dohc, trans and all the underpinnings. Break out the welder, tube cutter and lots of ally panel beating