Technical How far from windshield?

Hardtop version?

 

That's one decision I've been working on. A Metropolitan might be a good starting point, but they're too small for my comfort, safety-wise. A Ford shoebox is already slab-sided, but they're a little bigger and heavier than I want. The early Falcon/Ranchero is about the right size, they're light, and I could probably find another one for cheap (I have a '61 Ranchero I got for $100). From scratch would be a lot more work, but it's tempting. I'm probably going to get the Ranchero going and just build an aerodynamic bed cap for it, to start.

 

The picture I posted is the 1938 Phantom Corsair (minus the front) overlaid on the BOcruiser.

 

So you're talking a front engine rwd platform, where are you planning on putting the engine and what are you planning to use?

 

When I read the OPs post, the only thing that popped into my mind was "Why would anyone even think of that as a priority to build a car?"

 

This begs the question; Why is the windshield placed at the distance it is?
Initially, it was for protection from the air (and other things). Obviously, over time and increased speeds, it was found that angling it helped. Cost of the glass support and design also enter into this.
Keeping the glass at arm's length is for safety, too (think early beetle).
But thinking on this, another reason is for vision. Having something fairly close allows us to change our depth of field so that looking through it tends to allow stuff on the glass to be unfocused, where if the glass is further away, this gets more visible. Think about looking through a screen door.
It also has a big area of wasted space that should not have anything on it, unless you are driving slowly thru neighborhoods selling bread!
I mentioned the dust buster vans, and they had major solar gain. This may not be something you are concerned with and the angle might not be the same. Just another possible reason why they aren't way out there, just like ease of cleaning and packaging of components.

I didn't know what BOcruiser referred to, I thought it might be your own project. So I did a search.
It came up with the PowerCore SunCruiser. Look if you want. Front windshield, but also front driver position. Seems the glass follows the common distance from the eyes.

 

"Depth of field" seems like a good way to put it. I was thinking of focal distance/length. The '57 Chevy guy drove from the back seat, and the bakery delivery guy essentially did, too, so I think I'll be fine.

That's the second iteration of the same theme. The problem is that the driver is too close to the front- not enough of a crumple zone.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...otoshop-threads.300531/page-938#post-14903717

 

So will the windshield move back also ? Putting your passenger compartment where ever you want it should not be a problem, but there would be little purpose in putting the windshield farther away. It could be done to a certain amount but you have to consider that your dashboard needs to be not too far behind the winshield and you need to be close enough to read it and reach the controls on it. Guess you could house it all in a console and have a plain dash ....but then where do you hang the pedals and how ? If you mount them on the floor they may look odd and even be in the way when entering the vehicle. So basically it just sounds like you need a long nose on the vehicle and a passenger compartment thats more rearward........kinda like expensive vehicles had in the early thirties....