My 50's inspired Miata project

I started a new thread because I have finally settled on the chassis design, specifications, and the body for my build. This has been a 3 year process with many changes along the way. I will post the build on this thread.

I pretty much finished up the frame yesterday. I do have seat belt tabs and shock tower bracing left to do. It has a 95 inch wheelbase and I moved the engine further back by another 8.2 inches. I'm shooting for 54% rear weight with me in the car.

The frame, with the roll bar shown weighs 229 lbs. The roller weighs 1252lbs. The wheels are very heavy at 22lbs ea. I won't be using the wheels and tires. I had them already and am using them for mock up.

I test fit the 1958 Devin SS inspired body this morning. I am modifying it to fit the chassis and to my taste. Lots to do and some changes coming but I like what I see.

I am going to build a second version to use as a track car. I am going to skin it with aluminum. The roll bar pictured will be for that car, not the full body. Having fun.

[URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/phantomframeside7-25-2_zpsa5bb298c.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/phantomframefinal34hiside_zps443c3e77.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/phantomfinlsidewithaluminum_zps7ede28ec.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/phantomwdevinbodyside8-10_zps57699423.jpg.html][/URL]

That thing is gonna be so badass.... though I have one question. As someone who's investigated building ones own chassis in the past, what's the rationale for using box steel over round tube?

mndsm wrote: That thing is gonna be so badass.... though I have one question. As someone who's investigated building ones own chassis in the past, what's the rationale for using box steel over round tube?

Tradeoff of ease of building and strength vs a bit more weight. Square tube is stronger than round in bending loads, but weighs a bit more.

ditchdigger wrote:

mndsm wrote: That thing is gonna be so badass.... though I have one question. As someone who's investigated building ones own chassis in the past, what's the rationale for using box steel over round tube?

Tradeoff of ease of building and strength vs a bit more weight. Square tube is stronger than round in bending loads, but weighs a bit more.

Good to know, thanks!

Wow, nice build. I'll be following this.

Thank God.

With a title like that, I thought someone was grafting tailfins on a Miata.

Trans_Maro wrote: Thank God. With a title like that, I thought someone was grafting tailfins on a Miata.

That's already been done

....and yes, Ditchdigger is right; it is a lot easier to work with square tube.

In reply to JoeyM:

That person should be stabbed in the eye...

Trans_Maro wrote: In reply to JoeyM: That person should be stabbed in the eye...

...tell us how you really feel!

I've always wondered why no one has offered a kit to do this, it just makes perfect sense.

You mean, like the kits that have been offered by Ginetta, Kokopelli, Catfish and (of course) Exocet?

It's true that what I am doing is nothing new. It is my hobby to design and build my own cars from scratch. I like the idea of using Miata parts. But, I don't like the looks of the kits that use them in their stock location. For me the cowl is to tall, the engine to far forward and high to get the lower, longer hood/bonnet look that I prefer. So, to achieve the look, seating position, cockpit space and weight balance that I like I have to build my own. In the process I am having fun.

jmc14 wrote: [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/phantomwdevinbodyside8-10_zps57699423.jpg.html][/URL]

I gotta ask where you got that body from? That plus miata reliability just seems like absolute heaven.

There were a number of body iteration photos in the previous thread - he's sculpting the body step by step from scratch.

nderwater wrote: There were a number of body iteration photos in the previous thread - he's sculpting the body step by step from scratch.

WOW - where is said previous thread?

Photos:
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/library/?sort=3&page=8
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/library/?sort=3&page=4
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/library/?sort=3&page=3
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/library/?sort=3&page=2
http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/library/?sort=3&page=1

Notes are scattered across a number of threads (took some digging):
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/sammio-spyder-550-vw-based/35362/page2/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/picture-of-miata-based-car-i-am-scratch-building/36329/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/interest-in-miata-based-kit-cars/28380/page8/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/opinion-on-body-design-requested/44582/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/my-first-miata-drive-today/47937/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/prettier-exocet/67372/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/miata-project-3rd-attempt/65131/page1/

It's taken awhile for me to settle on the body for my Miata project. It has been a slow process with several twists and turns on the way. I have done a number of bodies from scratch. But, for this project I am extensively modifying an existing replica body of a Devin.

This is the version that I am going with. I found it on Ebay and purchased it from a private party. If you google "Devin" cars there is a website dedicated to them. On the site is a company that I believe is making the body. I am making a lot of changes to it. I don't want to replicate a car. If I was doing a replica than I would need to have it exact. Otherwise it looks off. By doing my own design that evokes the feel from the 50's then what ever I do will be OK. There won't be a car to compare it to. Hopefully it will end up looking like an expensive classic sports racer.

I know that with the Miata suspension and drive train that it will be a blast to drive.

I have a complete C5 suspension, an LS engine and a Tremec 6 speed in storage. I have already started a second frame that these parts will bolt into. The body will be the same but will run flares to accommodate the extra suspension width and wheel/tire size. I have a Cobra Tribute that I built with the C5 parts and an LS engine. I love the car and it is a great performer. But, the Cobra (Ford) guys don't like it much. So, I'm planning to sell the Cobra and build a similar car that uses the C5 parts. The Chevy parts will be accepted in this car with out a problem.

One version will be mild. One will be wild. Having fun.

Keith Tanner wrote: You mean, like the kits that have been offered by Ginetta, Kokopelli, Catfish and (of course) Exocet?

I was trying to not derail the OP's thread, but since you insist on bringing it up.

Ginetta - has no doors, looks like poo (IMO). Kokopelli - imitation Lola, not exactly a sexy street car Catfish - Love it, still no doors, and JUST now making it to market (Miata's only been available what, 20 years now...) Exocet - I don't feel like Exo-cars make even somewhat tolerable street cars.

So no, not like the kits that have been offered by Ginetta, Kokopelli, Catfish and (of course) Exocet.

Keep up the awesome work, JMC, maybe someone will pick this up and run with it for something that's marketable. I for one, love the Devin-esque look you're going for.

Thank you for the comments. It should be noted that the frame shown has side impact bars welded in that would preclude it having functioning doors. But, my frame has a stressed backbone that provides the necessary structure to allow for doors. I am going to use this frame to develop several different bodies. This is what I do for fun. Some versions will have doors, others would not. The full fiberglass Devin inspired body will have doors.

jmc14 wrote: It's true that what I am doing is nothing new. It is my hobby to design and build my own cars from scratch.

....and it is a really fine hobby. best of luck

CLynn85 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: You mean, like the kits that have been offered by Ginetta, Kokopelli, Catfish and (of course) Exocet?

I was trying to not derail the OP's thread, but since you insist on bringing it up. Ginetta - has no doors, looks like poo (IMO). Kokopelli - imitation Lola, not exactly a sexy street car Catfish - Love it, still no doors, and JUST now making it to market (Miata's only been available what, 20 years now...) Exocet - I don't feel like Exo-cars make even somewhat tolerable street cars. So no, not like the kits that have been offered by Ginetta, Kokopelli, Catfish and (of course) Exocet. Keep up the awesome work, JMC, maybe someone will pick this up and run with it for something that's marketable. I for one, love the Devin-esque look you're going for.

When you posted "I've always wondered why no one has offered a kit to do this, it just makes perfect sense.", I assumed you meant a kit that reused the Miata subframes and suspension. All four kits I mentioned do exactly that, and I believe there have been a few others in the UK. Whether you like the way they look or not (and the Kokopelli is a Lotus 11 copy, not a Lola) is immaterial. The reason I added "of course" for the Exocet is because it's been discussed at great length in this forum.

If you meant "a kit that looks the way I want it to", well, then we're into a much longer list of possibles.

I like what jmc14 is doing. He's been down a lot of false starts with this in order to get something that he likes. I can't wait until it gets a bit further.

Keith Tanner wrote: The reason I added "of course" for the Exocet is because it's been discussed at great length in this forum.

...and that ya'll are selling them. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. Obviously, there's lots of love here for FM and their products. Heck, I've never even owned a miata, and I've still bought something from you guys.)

No, it was because it's been a subject of great discussion on this forum. With hundreds of posts on the car in the past few months and the GRM forum actually having some input on the design, it's a car I would expect anyone on the forum is familiar with. Just as I would expect a level of familiarity with the FFR 818.

We're talking to Catfish too, but because that car hasn't been discussed at length here I don't expect people to be as familiar with them.

I don't talk about stuff like this because there's a buck in it for me. I do it because I'm an enthusiast and I'm involved in this community. This is where I like to go when I don't have to work. Yes, I've been talking about the Exocet a lot. But that's because I've had the chance to drive one - not many have - and because I really can't wait to get some more time with one. I also tend to try to restrict my posts to stuff I know, which it why they tend to be Miata-centric with a few old Land Rovers and MG pieces thrown in.

Fair enough. I know that you've always been very helpful when answering my locost-ish questions.

Sorry to suspect you of slipping into astroturfing. I should have known better. You tend to be straight forward and very upfront about it when you're selling things. (...and yes, the ninja tool was brilliant.)

Just for the record I am an enthusiast. I like a lot of different cars and motor sports. I respect anyone that works to build the car of the dreams. I think that each of the different kits mentioned have their merits.

I have eagerly followed the development of the Exocet. I think that Warren has done an excellent job of improving it. You can tell that he is enthusiastic about the Exocet and cares about his customers.

I have sent many PM's to Keith asking questions about Miata's. He has graciously answered every one. I can tell that he cares about his customers, products, and services. I know that I will be ordering a turbo kit from him at some point.

For me this is all about having fun.