Projects Introducing the Roofus Special

I think the 87/88 aspect ratio was the unstated default under previous versions of the metric tyre-size system. I recall being told that the first Firestone "wide-oval" tyres were 82% AR and later ones 78% - both distinctly tall profiles by today's standards.

Duallies on hillclimbers were often the same size as the front tyres. (That means 50- or 45-series tyres on the back and conventional period tyres on the front might look right - if you squint ) Another thing one did see during that era was "fats and skinnies" with the same overall diameter, something like the traditional approach to custom bike wheels and tyres. There are many examples on the Specials thread.

 

All of that tropical moisture pumped in by the former hurricane made it difficult to get interested in doing anything in the shop. I did get the outdoor pics though.

 

Here's a quick sketch, based on one of those side views:

There are a few tweaks: taller wheels - I've taken the liberty of showing the special-style "fats and skinnies" I mentioned earlier; grille shell moved back and given a visible radiator cap; hood extended into the cowl area; "door" cut-outs reprofiled a bit; cycle mudguards; aero screens. What do you think, Flipper?

 

I like that a lot! Looks just like it should.

 

And a little angle from under the rear axel to the tail. A line from under the axel vertically, to the tail at the axel line horizontally. Just a little lift in the tail.

 

It also seems that the sketch has a shorter "rear wheel to end of boattail ratio". I like it.

 

That's an unintended consequence of drawing a circle with a compass instead of constructing a near-circular ellipse for the rear wheel. The rear wheel ends up ever so slightly longer horizontally than is geometrically correct. The intention with the sketch is to see what overall proportions end up doing rather than to represent the car photo-realistically. On top of that the overall diameter of the tyre is greater than in the photos, so the rear edge will be further back, and the cycle mudguards read as part of their bulk.

The taller tyres and mudguards will tend to balance the visual mass of the tail better, without any changes to wheelbase and/or rear overhang.

 

I think a bit of an arch on the body panel from the rear wheel to the tail would look good, but it looks like you would need to modify your frame to accomplish that. Looks pretty good just sitting there. Where does the body sit in relation to passenger height. Looks like the seat position might have the body up under your arm or at neck level which might call for some triming.

 

In the latest mock-up configuration, the driver's arm and shoulder are outside the body at times. The shape of the cut out allows plenty of clearance.

 

That's why some of those old racers made similar to your car had sort of thick padded upholstery wrapping around the cutout to the outside of the car -- for an arm rest.

Definitely angle the bottom of the tail at least from the back of the rear wheel up about 6-8". If not you will end up dragging the tail at times.

 

My plan for dragging involves a wheel back there.

 

And when you pull the rear wheels off the ground? Well, the suspension should have a bit of down travel, but you have a frame rail running under the axle, so it could happen. I hope you're not serious with the little caster.... better run something like a go-cart rubber tire. I think you'll need it unless you just stick to major streets. I'd kick it up at least a few inches, but it's your ride!

 

Hi Flipper,
Well, it's taken me a few evenings now to get through every post in your thread - phew!!!
I'm blown away at your inventiveness - turning random pieces of metal into a brilliant rendition of a boattail speedster.
It looks like you've already got lots of suggestions about what you should do with your special - I think Dawie's sketch with the shorter boattail looks better, it will help with approach angles as well though I understand it's mucho work to unpick what you have, but I think it will be worth the effort - you can rejig the clearance around the rear axle to get the ride height too.
Anyway, enough about my $0.02 worth - please keep posting your progress and good luck with finishing it as soon as you can (while fiting it in around your life too)
Cheers.

 

As I said above, I haven't shortened the tail. It's exactly as Flipper has it; it's just the taller wheels that make it look shorter.

 

I think he used this angle for the sketch.

 

Correct.

 

Hi Flipper.Looking GOOD.Love the build.Keep up the good work.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

My little car needs wheels and tires along the lines of this sweet little car! ...maybe a tad smaller on the rear.

 

The wheels, yes, but I'd still go with same size tires all around -- between the two sizes shown in the previous post would be about right. Just my opinion is all!

 

Hey! I made those wheels!
Jimmy

 

He told me you made them. He said you were also working on something special for his coupe.

If this thing turns out to be worthy of cool wheels. I will probably be giving you a call.

 

Cooler weather is just around the corner...maybe I can get something worthwhile done on this thing soon.

 

Heading to Dad's house this weekend. High temps are supposed to be in the low 60's

 

Keep up the good work Flipper, make sure you keep posting updates and lots of pics please.
Cheers.

 

I stripped it down (body panels off and engine and trans removed) and rolled it on its side so I could weld up the bottom seams.




I love the fish shape that the body has



After I was done welding, I put the motor back.



I really need to figure out floor supports. It needs to connect the front inner frame to the rear inner frame AND put some structure under the area that I will stand on when I step into the car (in front of the seat).

 

Oh yeah. I picked up a few needed parts at a swap meet. ...shackles for the front spring and cool little old tractor headlights that will be converted to tail lights.

 

..never noticed the beautiful fish-shape of the frame until you showed it from underneath, very nice! and congrats on your swapmeet finds, let's see 'em! good luck, always good to see some progress, this will be a unique beauty, that's fer sure!

 

Just curious how you are going to register this car? Also, how does the insurance company come up with a value on this car if it ever gets totaled, or stolen?

 

At this point, I'm not sure if it will ever make it past garage art / big go-kart status. It has taken a lot longer than I ever thought it would. ....but I am enjoying the hell out of the project.

I love the shape and imagine it will be so much better with cool engine noises to match the looks. I can't help but thinking I really wouldn't want to wreck it /get run over by a SUV.

 

Don't worry Flipper, speaking as a long time sports car guy, when/if you do ever get it on the road, you'll find that you are so much more agile than anything else on the road that avoiding SUVs will be a lot easier than you can imagine.

I used to live in Australia, my fear was three and four trailer 120 tonne roadtrains while I was driving in 900lb spaceframe cars. Just try overtaking a 120 tonne 150 foot long vehicle with 58 wheels all kicking gravel up on country roads when you don't even have a windscreen. Best invest in some goggles.

Rick