Most of you are aware of my Cheetah inspired build. I built a dedicated 93 inch wheelbase frame for a 1963 Cheetah inspired body that I made. I stripped a junk C4 down to the frame to make a jig for the suspension and steering mounts.
Recently I picked up a 1987 C4 that had a blown head gasket. I removed the heads and found a cylinder that was pretty badly damaged. I paid $1200 for the Vette. It's in pretty decent shape. it has upgraded brakes, nice American Racing wheels and good Nitto tires. I'm trying to decide whether to rebuild the motor and put it back in the car. Or, to try and make a toy by stripping it to the frame, fab a weld in structure to stiffen the frame and support one of my bodies. (The C4 frame has about a 1 inch lip at the bottom on the inside of the rails. A structure could rest on this and then would be welded in). This would require lengthening the body by 3.2 inches. I would add the length to the cockpit. I would move the drivetrain rearward by about 16 inches. Thinking of a low, speedster style windshield. Maybe a rear spoiler or low head rest. Not sure.
I made my body to fit the standard width of the C4 suspension. So, I don't have to widen the body. However, the body curves under at the sides. The C4 frame is a perimeter style frame. To fit, I need to cut off about 6 inches of the bottom of the body. It then would rest on top of the frame. I would mold in a flange so that it would mount to the top of the frame.
What to do with the exposed frame? Thinking of double stacked side exhaust, like the Daytona Coupe has. Or, a polished aluminum cap with "C4 Wildcat" logo cut out of it. Maybe other options?
I have most of the parts to do this build. It would be quite a bit of work. But, I think the end result would be a fun car. I like the the look of the cockpit lengthened. It would be nice if I could use the Vette Vin to register the car. But, I think that I probably would have to go through an inspection and reissue of a VIN. Nothing is easy!
I'm winding down on being able to build. I'm going to be putting the molds and jigs up for my Wildcat up for sale. I'm looking for a project to do at my pace and to motivate me to get out of my chair and do something. :)
