The 89 MattMobile Build Thread.
- Thread starter MattMunson
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Judge Spartan
Sr Member
Well you'll just have to build it here in my garage...
Judge Spartan
Sr Member
My garage is plenty big enough to build the Mattmobile.
Judge Spartan
Sr Member
Most definately. I would'nt even drive it, it would just be awesome having it in my garage
And I am sure you wouldn't mind driving it every-so-often...you know, just to keep the fluids running through the engine.
slave1pilot
Sr Member
I've been dealing with this issue my entire life.
You'll get used to it. :thumbsup
EyeofSauron
Master Member
you know, i love when people build cars. sadly this will never happen for me, as you need to build 3 identical cars, and give up to for testing, so you get it licensed...
A few thoughts.
IDEALLY, one does not want to cut the front part off until the whole shell is mounted. From what I'm told, there's a lot of flex to the shell, and once you make that cut, it's difficult to get everything lined up correctly again. Not impossible, just difficult.
What I wanted to do was get the shell installed, THEN do the cut. I am indeed going to be doing one of those builds where the front lifts up somehow. This will not only give me access to the engine, but will let me park it in smaller spaces. So that was always the plan.
The bummer is, it looks like now I'll have to cut it before I mount it, which is a bummer. I'd prefer not to do that, but it looks like my only option.
For reference, I live in a condo, in a neighborhood with crazily rigid rules and regulations. There's no way in hell I can make any changes to the exterior of the house, in any way. :lol. After having lived in Irvine for so long, it sounds like madness to even suggest it!!!
The other news is that if I'm going to cut it in half anyway, my shipping options increase, and costs decrease. So there are some benefits. And besides, though it's difficult, I'm sure it's not impossible to get that body lined up again once it's cut.
Still, interesting stuff!!!
IDEALLY, one does not want to cut the front part off until the whole shell is mounted. From what I'm told, there's a lot of flex to the shell, and once you make that cut, it's difficult to get everything lined up correctly again. Not impossible, just difficult.
What I wanted to do was get the shell installed, THEN do the cut. I am indeed going to be doing one of those builds where the front lifts up somehow. This will not only give me access to the engine, but will let me park it in smaller spaces. So that was always the plan.
The bummer is, it looks like now I'll have to cut it before I mount it, which is a bummer. I'd prefer not to do that, but it looks like my only option.
For reference, I live in a condo, in a neighborhood with crazily rigid rules and regulations. There's no way in hell I can make any changes to the exterior of the house, in any way. :lol. After having lived in Irvine for so long, it sounds like madness to even suggest it!!!
The other news is that if I'm going to cut it in half anyway, my shipping options increase, and costs decrease. So there are some benefits. And besides, though it's difficult, I'm sure it's not impossible to get that body lined up again once it's cut.
Still, interesting stuff!!!
Fyberdyne Labs
Well-Known Member
Matt
Have you thought about putting it in the garage caddy corner. You might get the room you need. This will only work if it is a 1 1/2 or 2 car garage.
Mark
Have you thought about putting it in the garage caddy corner. You might get the room you need. This will only work if it is a 1 1/2 or 2 car garage.
Mark
Judge Spartan
Sr Member
Well, no, only to keep the fluids running through it just to keep it in pristine condition and ONLY with permission and knowledge from Matt. I would also videotape the "short" drive and post it on youtube so Matt could see that the Mattmobile is being very well taken care of
Matt, you could pre-mount some alignment brackets on the inside of the body BEFORE you make the cut between the two halves. That way you can have an easy starting point when you want the two back together.
-Gary
-Gary
Yeah, that is the direction I'm headed. Just not sure of the logistics of it. for example, it'll probably take more than one day to glass those things into place properly. Where to store while the glass cures??
And for reference, before anyone actually asks, I will be the ONLY person to drive this car. I'll be happy to give out rides all the time, but nobody drives the MattMobile except MattMunson
Judge Spartan
Sr Member
OOHHHH maaaaan , Just kidding Matt I would never ask, I'm just excited to hear that the shell is completed, but probably no where near how excited you are. Can't wait to see when you get it to your house and also the stretched frame. I hope the shell gets home safe and sound and the Mattmobile can start taking shape.
, Just kidding Matt I would never ask, I'm just excited to hear that the shell is completed, but probably no where near how excited you are. Can't wait to see when you get it to your house and also the stretched frame. I hope the shell gets home safe and sound and the Mattmobile can start taking shape.
That wasn't directed to you JS, more to some of the oddball PMs I've gotten
Matt, I think removing the front of the car is the only option you have but dont be put off by alignment issues, it'll be easier than you think if you have time on your side.
I've spent the last 17 years restoring classic cars, a large percentage of which were Triumph's ie the Spitfire & Vitesse. I'm fairly familiar with a separate front end & the 89 body your going for has a seam already there:
I'd suggest using variouse thicknesses of hard rubber spacers between the body & the chassis mounting points for alignment & to reduce vibration from the chassis to the body.
If your a bit trick, you could also make some double hinges for the front so that it lifts & rocks back (clearing the canopy), if you can design them to rock back enough you may be able to park the car in you garage just by opening the front.
HTH
I've spent the last 17 years restoring classic cars, a large percentage of which were Triumph's ie the Spitfire & Vitesse. I'm fairly familiar with a separate front end & the 89 body your going for has a seam already there:
I'd suggest using variouse thicknesses of hard rubber spacers between the body & the chassis mounting points for alignment & to reduce vibration from the chassis to the body.
If your a bit trick, you could also make some double hinges for the front so that it lifts & rocks back (clearing the canopy), if you can design them to rock back enough you may be able to park the car in you garage just by opening the front.
HTH
I knew it was going to be close but didnt want to rain on the parade. You will want to look into a convertible hardtop pulley to lift the nose off the car a foot or two then pull the car inside. This little pulley lift will also be invaluable when fitting the body. Building a car in the garage is like building a ship in the bottle. This is my garage circa 2004.
Sample lift:
http://www.langeoriginals.com/lange...th=1_6&zenid=875f5cad604b6620b1741103fd5d1a54
Sample lift:
http://www.langeoriginals.com/lange...th=1_6&zenid=875f5cad604b6620b1741103fd5d1a54
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