27 lakester hot rod inspired build

I check out this forum often but haven't posted in awhile. Over the past several years I've posted pictures of different builds that I was working on. Several used Miata parts. I never finished those builds as I was never completely happy with my work.

I also had purchased Abarth sp1000 molds in the hope of building a mid engine chassis for that beautiful little car. Unfortunately, I've been in poor health for the past few years. A couple of heart attacks have left me with a damaged heart. My stamina isn't what it use to be. I didn't think that I would be able to complete that build so I sold those molds.

Despite my health issues I always am thinking about cool/different cars. I had a bunch of used and left over parts from previous builds. After the first of the year I was feeling some better so I decided to build a simple little Hot Rod. The only thing is that I wanted a great handling car.

Details: I was given a C4 Vette roller for free. I'm using the suspension and wheels from that car. I stripped the tub and turned it over. I then built a jig for the suspension and steering points from the tub.

Locost inspired frame built from mostly 1.5 by 1.5 by .083 tubing. It's just tacked together. I'll have a friend that builds race cars will final weld it for me.

C4 Corvette suspension with a stock 2:59 to 1 diff.

Small Block 305 Chevy V8. Modest horsepower. Approx 300hp.

I was going to use a Richmond T10 trans but because I wanted to keep the tapered look of a traditional hot rod there wasn't room in the foot box for a clutch pedal. I'm going to use a 700R4 performance built trans. I will be able to manual shift it or leave it in Auto mode.

For the body I attached 2 inch thick foam to the frame and started sanding. When I had the shape that I liked I glassed it. The foam is encapsulated in glass. The body is 1 piece and simply slides on and off. The body is in primer. It needs sanding, skim coat of body filler and finishing.

Here is my progress to date. I'll be modifying the headers or switching to Lakester style so that they follow the angle of the body.

My sitting position is low and comfortable. I'm able to sit with my legs pretty much straight out.

This is as far as I will get for the next couple months. On Monday I am having a complete knee replacement. Years ago I was hit by a car and rammed into a truck. The bumpers were at my knees. I had 5 surgeries to walk. My right knee is shot now and I can't put off the replacement any more.

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Good god, I want more pictures and details. I've had this same idea (except track t) in my head for a while.

I want to do it even more now....

Very cool man. Very cool

WOW. This is super cool. Makes me want to pursue my Track-T dreams too. Hope the surgery goes well.

Thank you for your comments and best wishes. Originally I was hoping to have the car done before my surgery. I'm bummed that that's not happening.

I'm happy to answer any questions. And, post pictures, if I have them, of anything that you want.

That is really interesting

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Schwing!!!!

suspension and frame details primarily. Drive train would be different in mine. Same with the body.

And I'll keep you in my prayers. Here's to wishing you a speedy recovery.

Awesome build !!

Good luck w/ the surgery and your health

What type of foam is best for doing this? I need to make some fender flares and something easily sanded would be great.

Could you post a picture that shows the mounting of the front suspension and maybe one dealing with the steering?

I'll bet someone could build something similar to this for $2016, or less. Just a thought.......I have them occasionally.

Awesome build! I was just thinking about you and that abarth recently, glad you have another project going!

Last Thursday I removed the body and took it to a friend of mine that does body work. While I recover he's going to be finishing the body out to paint ready. My son wants one so I'm going to pull a mold from it. It's obviously a simple, 1 piece lightweight shell that will be pretty easy to reproduce.

I had my surgery on Monday and everything so far is proceeding well. I'm in the therapy mode now. I hope that in 6 weeks I'll be well enough to go back to work on the car.

The foam is polyiscyanurate. Unlike styrene you can use polyester resin directly on it with out damage to it.

I'll see if I have photos of the front suspension and steering mounts. They are location points are copied from the C4 cradle. I used 1 by 2 tubing for the upper control mounts. The bolt holes will have welded in sleeves.

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JMC - Get yourself some arnica montana - it's an herbal healing remedy, it'll kick up your body's natural healing factor about 3:1, reduces inflammation from invasive surgery like yours. Very cheap, you can find it at any good natural health store. Comes in pill form and a lotion that you rub in. Get both. Best of luck with your recovery and the neat rod.

Great work! As a veteran of three knee surgeries and a total rebuild of my right shoulder, all I can say is be patient and do the work the PTs give you. I recovered 90+% of my pre-injury strength and range of motion but it took two years to get there and a lot of that time sucked. The end result was definitely worth it. Best of luck to you on a full recovery!

Paging Dr Gully.

I"m back! On Monday it will be 6 weeks since my surgery. Rehab has gone great. I haven't need or taken any pain meds. I've been shocked that I haven't had pain. I've been working hard on rehab and am walking well. I played 9 holes of golf yesterday. I walked the course.

I've ordered some parts for my Hot Rod. When they arrive I will start posting updates. I'm anxious to get it done.

My youngest of 5, Johnny, (21 now) has raced since 10. Starting in Karts, he's driven 2 different types of motorcycle powered Sprint Cars, Asphalt Late Models, and a New England Dirt Modified. We're cash challenged. We've been fortunate that he's ended up driving for other people most of the time. He's done well in everything he's driven.

He won 3 championships driving 3 different 600cc Sprint cars that were owned by the same guy. We became good friends with the owner. He was building a full size Sprint Car for Johnny to drive. But, while away for the winter his drug addicted son sold all of his race car stuff. So, no Sprint Car ride this year.

We wanted to race so we purchased an old (2002) and CHEAP Bicknell Dirt Modified. Last week we tore it down. On Monday we took it to Bicknell's chassis shop near Niagra, Ny. (They're just over the border in Canada). We had some safety updates done and put the frame on the jig to check it. Fortunately the frame was nuts on.

This week we will re-assemble the car, changing out old damaged parts for new ones. Practice is in 2 weeks, racing starts in 4. It will be fun to do this with my son.

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Glad to hear you're back! Can't wait for updates on your project.

That car really, really looks good.

truly admire your tenacity w/ projects given bouts of bad luck, best of luck

Great to see you back in action.

And congrats on accidentally becoming a race team owner.

I finally got to work on the Hot Rod today. It felt good! The knee is doing great, my sons race car is complete, my youngest daughter graduated college and my oldest daughter just purchased her first house. Tuesday I go from upstate NY to VT to start finishing the basement on that house. Working time for the Hot Rod has been hard to find and will be for some time. I worked on the frame and have it close to being ready for final welding. The body has had some work done. Still a lot to do there.

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Where in VT and NY are you? I'm in Starksboro. If you bring that Vette rod to VT I'd love to see it.

Great build.

I"m just across Lake Champlain from you in Elizabethtown. My daughter is in Norwich.

Your welcome to check it out at my little shop or in the future.

Thank you.