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I should have posted a bunch more build photos before getting to this stage, but in the meantime - here's the first drive out the garage today!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orfcmTyPXcg

WOOHOO!!! Way to go, Bro!!!

You far exceeded my personal requirements for a "first drive", i.e.- nothing fell off, broke in two or caught fire. Actually, it looked like a great little ride! Well done!

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JD, father of Quinn, Son of a... Build Log
Quinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special
"Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom

Thanks GonzoRacer. Technically it was my second run, I had a minor driveshaft tolerance issue that needed the attention of a file for 5 minutes after the first attempt. I was going to keep that to myself, but I guess I'm too honest for my own good.

Yah, he didn't "do a Hempy" How boring.

Seriously, a nice brisk test drive. I envy you guys that can take a little spin on the road before the car's finished. With a traffic cop living across the street from me, my options were limited.

You're on the home stretch now, congrats on a successful test run

Ron

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They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. By the time you finish the car it'll feel like you've done it on your knees.

That one got me, Ron*... Didn't see ya comin!

* - It's the quiet guys that ya gotta watch...

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JD, father of Quinn, Son of a... Build Log
Quinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special
"Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom

I have a detective that lives across the street and I'm married to a beat cop LOL. But, getting inspected should be a breeze.

ooohhh...so jealous! Congrats on the drive!!!

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Building a MNR Vortx w/ '99 Miata donor: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=9631

I know what you are saying, we have three on our street, doubt whether I could even get away with using my driveway to turn around.

Congratulations on the first drive, has to be a thrilling moment indeed.

Al

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Super Seven 3.4

Built a scuttle on Saturday. I'm using pre-painted aluminum panels. I was concerned about the paint being stretched, but it seemed to work out great - no paint blemishes from what I can see. I used Rust_Bucket's idea of modifying the jaws of my bench vise to form the stepped edge:



The clear protective coating is still on the panel.

The plan is that all fastenings will be concealed. The dashboard will be formed from vinyl covered plywood. This will be attached (using hidden fasterners) to the edges of the aluminum that are bent over the rear of the scuttle, to hold that side tight against the frame underneath. I will be concealing the rear edges of the aluminum that were cut to go around the curves with a vinyl-wrapped rope bead sandwiched between the scuttle and the dash. I hope to do that and the hood this coming weekend.

Looking good, Martin.

I imagine you custom built the scuttle to match the Kinetic fiberglass nose cone. Did they match up easily height-wise?

Cheers,

Lonnie

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Hi Lonnie,
Yeah, I spent a bit of time getting the lines I wanted. So there is a slight rise from the nosecone to the scuttle which I like. I put a slight rise in the scuttle itself too.
Cheers
Martin

I made the dash on Friday using 1/2 inch plywood and some vinyl. I'm pleased with the outcome. I'm having no gauges on it with the exception of an oil pressure gauge which will hang below. I wanted a minimalist look so all the fasteners are hidden.


Saturday morning, I fixed the nosecone on with dzus fasteners and hinges, so it hinges forward. Then finished up the afternoon shaping the curves on the hood. It is shown here with the plastic hood scoop I bought.

Sunday was a day to touch up paint on the chassis rails, fit the steering bellows, tidy the garage and collapse in a heap after a tiring, but productive, weekend.

Looking very, very good, Martin. The engine actually fits better with respect to the nosecone height than I imagined it would. It looks like you moved the air intake and air cleaner to the driver's side or do I just have a bad memory? The current position actually looks like a good one, especially if you put an opening with a screen in the hood where it sits. The scoop looks good too, almost like it was meant to be there.

How are the adaptation of the Miata wiring harness and the your fitting of your new fenders going?

Cheers,

Lonnie

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Well, the build pace might be slowing down for a while. My wonderful wife gave birth to our beautiful baby daughter on Tuesday. It's an amazing feeling. Happy days

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"There are times when a broken tool is better than a sound one, or a twisted personality more useful than a whole one.
For instance, a whole beer bottle isn't half the weapon that half a beer bottle is ..." Randall Garrett