Of all the cars shown at the 2008 Challenge , I'm most intrigued by David Brown's 4WD Mirage. It's a snowy day outside and a rally inspired car would be a hoot on a day like this. so, are we going to see any further articles on David's car , or is there a build site I can visit ? The idea of having a FWD vehicle at a Challenge cost appeals to me for my next project.
Warren
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Feb. 21, 2009 2:16 p.m. deadskunk27 New Reader
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Feb. 21, 2009 3:22 p.m. carguy123 Dork
Snowy outside? And here I was just admiring the wildflowers which were starting to bloom. It's freezing here too - bout 50 with a breeze that cuts right thru your Tshirt.
I was just reading the write ups on those cars too. Is that the one that they said was a first gen EVO?
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Feb. 21, 2009 3:55 p.m. problemaddict Reader
What would be the advantage of the Mirage over a Talon/Laser/Eclipse chassis? Is the Mirage lighter?
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Feb. 21, 2009 5:29 p.m. deadskunk27 New Reader
Well, I'm one of those guys with short legs and a long torso. I tried sitting in an Eclipse back when , and my head rubs the roof. The other thing that I find appealing about the car is it's so nondescript, a real sleeper. I was just wondering how much cutting and welding it took to make it, or is it all bolt in stuff? I have no idea if the sedan is lighter than the coupes. I suspect it will have less content, therefore less weight, but I'm guessing. And Carguy, driving this time of year up here can be really entertaining when we get snow and it manages to stay for a while!
Warren -
Feb. 21, 2009 7:54 p.m. Appleseed Reader
I don't think the Mirage is lighter than an Eclipse. It is a bit longer. VR-4s are way cool though. GRM did an article a while back on them.
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Feb. 21, 2009 10:14 p.m. belteshazzar Dork
mirage? do you mean galant? the mirage seems quite a bit smaller to me.
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Feb. 21, 2009 10:41 p.m. William None
I cant speak for knowledge of the work that went into Dave's awd mirage...
...but i do know how much work went into Kevin's AWD Tracer. If you want intriguing, check out the list of Fords that the componets came from to make it a first-time awd vehicle.
good build blog http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123708939
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Feb. 21, 2009 11:08 p.m. kcbhiw Reader
Haha, thanks Wil. Though there is something to be said about the strength of the Mitsu gearbox and engine. David's car was FAST!
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Feb. 22, 2009 12:04 a.m. Josh Reader
A quick google yields:
3rd Gen Mirage Curb Weight: 2020 lb. 4th Gen Mirage Curb Weight: 2090 lb.
1st Gen Eclipse GSX Curb Weight: 3145 lb.
Yeah, I think the mirage might end up a little lighter :).
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Feb. 22, 2009 2:08 a.m. Appleseed Reader
Woops! Total brain fart.
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:28 a.m. John Brown SuperDork
David is a regular at nearly every Detroit region SCCA event, including rallycross. He is a nice guy and will talk up his car any time.
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Feb. 23, 2009 10:14 a.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher
David's car was maybe my favorite at this year's challenge. It was an incredible sleeper, and even had a complete interior. (he takes his kids to school in it!) The car handled extremely well, and was a joy on the autocross course. (according to the guys lucky enough to drive it)
IIRC there was quite a bit of work involved in getting the rear suspension/ subframe to mount to the Mirage. The finished package looked like it came from the factory, but there was quite a bit of fabrication and massaging involved.
And yes, the Tracer was incredible as well!
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Feb. 23, 2009 11:49 a.m. maroon92 SuperDork
John Brown said:
David is a regular at nearly every Detroit region SCCA event, including rallycross. He is a nice guy and will talk up his car any time.
wait just a Tick. I detroit rallycross... what does he run?
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Feb. 23, 2009 12:59 p.m. John Brown SuperDork
He was running the day WE were in Fowlertucky, the baconator must have clogged your noodle.
He runs his car in modified / 4wd and it looks completely unassuming. I remembered the car from the previous challenge coverage and talked to him a few minutes. He was parked between you and the Illuminati tent.
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Feb. 25, 2009 11:20 p.m. davbro
Hey guys, I am honored to have a thread started about my car. Wish I had found it b4. I do have a build log on cardomain (not as detailed as Kevin's but it should answer some basic questions). It is truly a fun car. It is probably around 2400 lbs, but I have not weighed it since the conversion. The Mirage was 1900 lbs b4 the project...the donor Talon was almost 3100 lbs. As it was said earlier I do rallycross, autocross, drag and I still drive it on the street. Its funny, the only problem with it on the street is that I keep running out of gas...5 gallon fuel cell + no fuel gauge + no odometer = phone call to AAA of a friend...and the fuel economy rapidly changes with boost.
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Feb. 25, 2009 11:27 p.m. davbro New Reader
Here is my cardomain site: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2616542 I also have some videos of my friend Anthony HooSang (actually thats him in his EVO RS on page 95 in the April GRM issue) the Mirage in the snow. I will post as soon as I figure out how
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Feb. 26, 2009 12:28 a.m. davbro New Reader
A bunch of pictures (including my GRM $2008 pics) http://picasaweb.google.com/MaroonRacing
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Feb. 26, 2009 12:54 a.m. davbro New Reader
Anthony HooSang at a RallyCross...this guy is crazy...having way too much fun. Thanks to this video I finally figured out the source of those mysterious dents on the fender (that noise you hear is the wheel at full lock and full bump hitting the fender) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9j17tIQpIw
