Combining C4 suspension with a space frame and a Cheetah inspired body.

That hood bulge looks like it always belonged there!

Yeah, that's really nice looking.

I'm late to this party, but man that is a great looking body design. I know it's inspired by the Cheetah, but it really seems to solve some of the awkward proportions of the original muse.

I've been cleaning the shop and hauling stuff to the dump. Here are a couple of pictures of my son in the car. He's 6'2" tall and long in the torso.

Having fun! [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/my%20cheetah%20cockpit%20from%20top_zpspg9ple5n.jpg.html][/URL]

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To me, the rake of the windshield looks just right. If it was laid down more it would look like a modern interpretation. But this screams old school.

I've been working slowly but surely on my project. - I glassed the hood bulge and started to shape it with body filler. - I made bulkheads that fit into the snout of the hood. The hood flips up. The bulkheads duct air through the radiator. - I fabricated the hood pivot system. It's hinged at the frame. Then metal supports bolt to the bulkheads. - I did the final fitment of the hood. - I've removed the hood and body and have it upside down. I've cleaned up the underside. In the next couple of days I'll glass where I've made mods. - I've done the following: Mounted the transmission. Put in the driveshaft. Fabricated the torque arm. Made Pedal mounts. Fit the Ebrake. Mounted the fuel tank. Put in seat mounts.
- Tomorrow I'll mount the rear upper shock mounts. Then I'll take everything apart and do the final welding.

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jmc14, are those black hood vent lookin' thingies going to be part of this? Great to see progress !

Love it.

When I found out that a Cheetah was a real car, not just Hotwheels I was in awe.

When I saw one blast up the front straight of Road America I was in love.

Keep up the good work, I'll follow this.

759NRNG wrote: jmc14, are those black hood vent lookin' thingies going to be part of this? Great to see progress !

Thank you for the question. The original Cheetahs had simple square holes in the location of the black vents. I purchased the black vents years ago thinking that I would use them on a Cobra. I am bonding them into the hood. They will be permanent and the same color as the hood. I will cut out the openings and glue screening to the underside.

I've been fiberglassing the underside this morning. But, it's a beautiful day and our town golf course opened today. I'm golfing this afternoon then going to races tonight. It's good to be retired. :)

It's been awhile since my last post. - I have finished welding the frame. I'm in the process of cutting and fitting the aluminum skins for the frame. - When I looked at the body on the frame I decided that it was a little low. So, I ended up raising it by 1 inch. It's more work to change this then you might think. I had to cut off all of the molded in body mounting flanges and glass new ones. One inch doesn't sound like much but it gives me better tire clearance. It also will allow an engine with a Carb and a performer style manifold to fit under the hood. It also helps to meet the NY headlight height requirement. And, I like the look of the occupants sitting down low in the car.
- I ordered and received a packet from NY DMV on the requirements and process for registering a self built car. I should have ordered that first! I have 2 used engines. If I use them I have to have all of the emission control systems that were on the car that they came from. I called DMV to discuss this. They told me that if I buy a new GM Carbed crate engine I only need a PVC valve. I may sell my used engines and buy a brand new one.

Here is a picture of the car with the body raised an inch. And, one from the rear showing it as a 3 wheeler.

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Cant get over how well the MGB screen works wit this body.

In reply to NOHOME: match made in Carvana

Looks sweet, much bigger with a driver than it looks just sitting there. Lose the rear spoiler, it's too modern a touch and detracts greatly from the beautiful vintage lines of the body.

Speaking of which, that body is a great beginning. Love the headlight "cut lines" molded right in, perfect placement.

Looks like a terrific start, keep it up and post more pics. Some of your links are down right now. Want to see ALL of them ! ! ! !

With the body at the height I think looks and works the best I set out to finish the frame. - I spent a couple full days welding. There are a lot of joints! - Then I cut and fit 29 aluminum panels. These seal the frame, create the duct for the air flowing through the radiator, and form the foot boxes. This took some time. - I finished painting the frame today. In a couple of days I'll rivet the aluminum panels on then start assembly.

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Now that summer is here in the Adirondacks I'm not going to get much time to work on my project. This month I've been working on our family camp on Lake Champlain and my house. I'm going to spend July and August at the camp and enjoy family. I'm gone all of Sept selling kids coin banks that I invented at a large fair. So, it's going to be Oct before I get back to my car.

Have a great summer everyone!

I will miss the Cheetah build, I may have to do Summer rereads till fall.

jmc14, Hope you had a great summer. Was thinking of this while reading the ZR-1 C4 thread. I know I'm a tad early on any up dates, just sitting here not to patiently . 

Thank you for the good wishes and interest in my build.  

Im in Springfield, MA today at the New England State Fair. It's my 25th year selling coin banks that I invented for my kids. www.bigbellybanks.net.  

I get back home on Oct 2nd then am going to MN to visit one of my daughters. I return in Oct 23.  Then I am getting to work on my car in earnest.  I better have it completed for the spring!  

I need to figure out how to post pictures without using photobucket.   

Im trying to decide if I'm going to make molds of the body. I have a feeling a few people might want to build a car like mine.  I've made good jigs for the frame and a second frame so that it's easy to copy.  This is my hobby.  Im not going into business. But, I may build one per winter.  I really like the way this car is turning out. 

Ill be back soon

Oh yeah,  I've had a GREAT and relaxing summer!

In reply to jmc14 :

Totally agree, that thing looks amazing, I am sure you could sell a few bodies/kits. Id be interested, but have a lack of funds 

jmc14, safe travel on your future journeys.