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'32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 3:15 pm
by Kaye
I’ve recently been researching full size electric cars, dragsters, hot rods etc., and discovered there's a class for electric cars at Bonneville. Maybe everyone here already knew that, but I didn't.

I'm having a go at building a model electric salt flat racer out of bits and pieces I have in the hobby room. Below are some pictures of what I've 'mocked up' so far, along with pictures of cars that have inspired me; none of them electric powered.

My model body is fibreglass but I'm going to experiment with fabricating one out of ABS left over from another project. The brushless motor and ESC bracket is from Yankee; it's a nicely machined piece. I haven't bought the ESC or motor yet.

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 5:19 pm
by Kaye
Another picture.

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 2:53 am
by CALracing
Kaye looks like a great project. Geoff

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 6:38 am
by Kaye
CALracing wrote:Kaye looks like a great project. Geoff
Thanks Geoff. I was inspired by your electric model car, and grateful for your input.

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 7:26 am
by Al Gibson (QSL)
Awesome project. Nice out of the box thinking

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 8:53 am
by Mike Casey
John foster built some salt flats car for the speed demon team. Exact replicas. Nice work kaye, great find on the electric setup too!

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 1:11 pm
by Emilio
I like the grill area. Also have you thought about bringing your idea to a 3d print shop?

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: December 22nd, 2017, 6:28 pm
by Kaye
Emilio wrote:I like the grill area. Also have you thought about bringing your idea to a 3d print shop?
Emilio:

Thanks for your kind comment. I struggled with the grille and nose area of the car for weeks.

The chassis I'm using was designed for a Grand National type car. The trouble with it is there's quite a big overhang forward of the front wheels, not ideal for a '32 look'. Given that I'm working mostly with 'stuff that I've already got', and that I didn't want to cut the chassis meant I had to solve the overhang issue as best I could. I looked at pictures of all sorts of racers and hot rods to get some ideas.

I tried many different looks. Each time I came up with an idea I 'mocked it up' with foam board, viewed it from various angles, and in different lighting conditions over several days. I'm getting comfortable with the way it looks in its present form.

3D printing of the front end is something I'm considering. When I started out I developed a list of ideas, materials, and processes I'd like to try on the project:

Ideas

- Electric power
- Skeletal body frame / cladding

Materials

- carbon fiber
- ABS plastic
- polycarbonate
- aluminum
- vinyl

Processes

- Parametric design (probably Fusion 360)
- 3D printing
- aluminum bonding
- polycarbonate / polymer sandwich
- body finish with vinyl wrap

Re: '32 Roadster Bonneville Salt Flat Racer

Posted: January 15th, 2018, 4:45 pm
by RcBurnout
Looks awesome. Would love some info on the electric setup. I think I want to go electric to.