2/15/06
I purchased a Thoroughbred V-drive which is WAY too anemic for 1100 HP,
and that also must go. This V-drive is like a toy compared to the monster 200# model 203 pictured a few pages back. And even that huge thing may not be enough. The Stude steering column, gas tank, and the radiator which came with it (not a Stude original) also must leave. The bench seat is of no value,
as buckets and some sort of console seem inevitable. The original glass will be replaced, and is of no value other than as patterns. I have a very nice linear original speedo, and I'm not going to use that, either. The window cranks and interior door handles will be replaced with more updated stuff, like power windows. The neat little tilt-up vent in the cowl will get closed up, as Vintage Air or something like it will be used. I have not finalized any dash/instrument cluster design. There are LOTS out there, and many are WAY cool.
I do intend to go leather, not because I am a leather fan, but I feel the look of the car will demand it. I LOVE red leather, so may just go that way. I would love to get some look-alike Ostrich (it is readily available), dyed tangerine, to go with the intended silver and tangerine paint scheme. I would also like some Lavalle flames done in a subtle and limited way.
Pardon the rambling, but I'm just considering how the car will sound with 24 cylinders
of basically stock Corvette motor. As noted earlier, it will not need any more power with over 1100 HP in stock tune. But it would be nice to get a little nasty on the exhaust. There can be said something for it being whisper quiet and shocking in that regard, but with 18” rear tires, I think some throat is needed. Pushing 24 cylinders through ANY pair of mufflers should produce some sound, and a set of nasty Flowmasters woud likely do the job easily.
Trim on the motors is intended to be carbon fiber covers for the rockers, and perhaps a little carbon fiber elsewhere, maybe in the dash and interior, to carry the theme through.
Santiago at Anacapa said he had someone who could rework the grille. That would be a good thing.
2/18/06
Now that the body is done, I can't get a connection with Scott's. We're playing a lot of phone tag. No matter, I'm short on money until next week. I owe Anacapa a little money, and also owe Santos half of the paint dough. I'll be checking with Santos and Scott's again at the beginning of the week to see what is going on. I've had some discussions with Randy regarding the engine coupling, and we're working on a variation of the chain drive concept. There are LOTS of unanswered questions regarding the subframe, exhaust, charging, number of batteries, dash, etc. to be addressed. Plenty of fodder for the column.
3/1/06
Randy and I went up and visited the frame at Scott's yesterday. Justin had done just as he noted on the phone earlier in the day. The frame has been stripped off all but one crossmember, the front and rear suspensions removed, and all the erroneous holes filled, welded, and ground smooth. The rear crossmember was replaced by a 2x3 bar tig-welded in at the very rear of the frame. The front has been boxed on the right, and Jake was working on the left side when Randy and I arrived. My concern was that they had not yet checked the frame for clearance on the rear tires, and I did not want them getting ahead of the game by boxing the whole thing only to have to narrow it. They are aware of that requirement, and are certainly more than capable of handling it. But I am learning in this process to take NOTHING for granted. Absolutely nothing. I stated it clearly to Justin: “I know I'm stupid, and knowing that keeps me from acting stupid.” So I'm up for LOTS of education. Justin confirmed that he has been taking some digital photos of his process. Good. Roy and I are planning a strategy session for tomorrow to discuss the subframe, engine mounting, etc.
I scored some overdue money and paid Anacapa their balance. So the body is probably already over at Santos' shop for priming.
