The Cal-look Lounge

Today was a big milestone for me. My tube chassis for the first time was rolling on the floor. It has been mounted to the chassis table for far too long and this afternoon was it's first voyage. Ok, not engine power but my 3 year old can push quite fast and make engine noises

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-1.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg.html)

There are quite a few people I need to thank so far.

Ron Lummus-
Sold me the chassis kit at a great price and was always very quick to reply to my emails when we had any questions or advice was needed.
A great person to deal with.

My Dad-
Without his skills as a welder/fabricator this project would never have happened. A lot of hours have been spent on this.

Family-
Putting up with my hobby!

Gizago on here-
Providing me with a lead on a notchback, thank you

Local Cal look guys to me-
Always pushing me, especially when I've got down about the project.

Still a lot to do, floor needs modifying to meet new SFI regs and then we need to start mounting the body.
Hope everyone likes the first project pics
Lee

Well done, looks really good 8)  Hopefully this is some of that motivation you were looking for ;) ;D

cheers Richie

Thank you Richie,
Lee

Nice!  Love tubes for some reason.

Nice to finally see it rolling, I know how much work you and your dad have put into it

Come a long way since we collected a pile of tubes in the back of my van !

Thank you Ron, you and your van are great :D

Looks better than last week  ;D

Now stop dreaming of a 1641cc motor and get on with it.

Nice! Well done Lee, looks great so far!

Couple of earlier progress shots

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/image-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/image-1.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/image.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/image.jpg.html)

Excuse the untidy garage

Nice to see it taking shape  8)

looks good lee glad you stopped moaping around and got on with it  :D what ha sto be done to the chassis to make it comply with safety regs or whatever sfi thing is ?

Needs to be a dual tube in the centre not just a single one. And a bit of cross bracing on the floor also. Nothing major just more time and notching by hand of tubes!!
Lee

when do you think itll be ready? and what motor are you going with?

Another 3 years. 82x94 Comp eliminator motor. Heads are tivalved 48x40, FK89 and high cr. have all the bits just needs building.
Lee

Great work on that frame Lee...   Looks and sounds like it's gonna be an awesome car!

Looks great - they are so beautiful when they are in the "tube stage"!!
Good luck!
Johan

Looking great Lee, fantastic to see this taking shape.

Thank you Jamie,
Progress has slowed slightly, just picked up a one owner og paint 69 beetle ::)
Lee

How soon can get it lowered? ;)

Looks good. you can be lucky to have the time to build your own car :-)  Good luck with it

Udo

YES....!  ;D ;D ;D

You know we need to see a few pics don't you mate?

Its neatly tucked away at the moment whilst collecting some important bits ;D
Will do some pics soon as off first week of December, so may progress with Notch as well
Lee

Hi Lee,

Project Pro Stock Notch is looking good chap  ;D

The Centerline ? wheels on the front, what size are they width wise please and are can't see if you have front disc brakes, so do they clear calipers etc.....

Cheers,

Shane.

Hi Shane,

The wheels are CMS 3.5 inch wheels. They are te ones that are normally on my oval as well. The front is just mocked up with drums, I will probably run spindle mounts that I have (that Jason Foster is kindly looking after for me at te moment)

Lee

Right, in the spirit of the revived post rate on here ;D an update should happen tomorrow.

Question: what size tube should be used for the centre two tubes running down the middle of the chassis (floor section)
Anyone know the regs/requirements?
Lee

Jim Smith knows Lee, you could shoot him a message ;-)

Michael

OK, a slight update. Dad and I spent a few hours trimming another Notch shell today. It was rough cutted out with a recip saw dad had borrowed from work. He's a site manager for a demolition company so you can imagine it made short work of a rotten uk notch.

Rocket Ron kindly let me borrow his trailer (thank you) to transport the shell from my nan and grandads to my parents where the chassis is. My family must hate me ;D

This is where it went slightly wrong, the shell was still very heavy (dad and I only just got it on the trailer) so there was no way we could lift it over the rolling chassis. We are going to do the final neat cutting/trimming next weekend so it will be lighter and clear the chassis.

Just got home, filthy and with a stiff back ::)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image-7.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-7.jpg.html)

Hello,

  Look ......... http://youtu.be/QR96_AdLkxI

www.notchdrag.blogspot.com

Already seen it ;D
Massive inspiration to me, and I blame you for having no money as well :)
Lee

Congrats to the nice work....

Udo

Looks real good, did you get a chassis cert on it yet? reason I ask is mine wouldn't pass with that style floor bars[single up middle etc] and it never should have been made like that ::), as you can read here Lee is updating his to make it correct

cheers Richie

Does Ron now do a dual centre tube or are the regs in the USA different?
Lee

No idea but the SFi regs I looked at went back 14 years and it should always have had 2 tubes with an X, couldn't find any regs that showed a single tube was acceptable :o ::)

How strange, I remember talking to Jim Smith about it and he said it was quite a new rule. My response was he was going to be very busy updating tube chassis cars but he said it was only required on new builds (like mine) and would not require existing cars to modify to comply

Lee

Bit more progress today.
Managed to trim the shell enough to get it over the chassis. It became very obvious how heavy a notch is compared to a beetle. Lots of steel cut out
Lifted the shell over the chassis for a quick mock up. Need to order some tabs and start mounting the shell permanently.
Still not sure whether to run the full sills or trim them off?

A happy Lee ;D

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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpg.html)

Shell will need final trim and levelling before final fitment

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_5.jpg.html)

I like it Lee! I'd keep the sills - no reason other than i prefer them like that! Stops them looking too top heavy, which is easily done with a notch!

Really nice!

Thanks guys, appreciate it :)

Looking good lee

I got dragged round looking at patio furniture today so looks like you had a more productive day   ::)

good stuff, almost there  :D

Not quite, but progress is progress ;D

Oh dear ;D what patio table did you go for?
Lee

Obviously the one "we" liked  :D

I like...

Just posting here to remind Lee that neither of the Pro Stock notch projects at the top of the forum are his... ;) and i know I shouldn't be taking the mickey with my lack of progress on my cars! :D

There could be an update coming this weekend Neil. Bought a lot of tubing from Andy Robinson Race Cars (Andy and Kate are fantastic) and we are 95% done on the sfi floor spec. Thos was a case of one step backwards, two forwards as some tubes had to be cut out to weld new in. Andy laughed at my floor design, saying that it was a design for cars being tagged to 7.50!!
Funny car cage is also happening for definate now.

I am in no rush, its done when its done and it will be done right. My dad and I are keen to do most of the work, so the odd weekend here and there is all we can invest and time flies

Lee

what changes needed to be done to the floor?

Dual centre tubes the main change. And some cross bracing and seat mount tube.
Lee

It´s good that you put extra tubes in and also that you are putting in a FC cage. Safety is important. Also think about getting a Hybrid Hans setup in the future.

SFi floor update

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_14.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_14.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_13.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_13.jpg.html)

Seat and shifter to mount next. Then off for a funny car cage
RLR/Strange rear shocks, disc brakes and rear wheels on way as well :)

Lee

Looking great

Looking really good lee

Thanks guys  ;D

Got most of it done then.

Yep, when you left Dad became a welding machime and did loads :)

good stuff

Thank you

Bit of an update. Chassis is now fully welded with the SFi floor update done. This meant turning the chassis upside down. Hopefully that will not be repeated when its racing  :o

Next jobs are mount seat, shifter box and finish the custom tie rods.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_15.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_15.jpg.html)

Nice!

A few more goodies have arrived  ;D
Thank you to Rocket Ron for helping with the seat

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_17.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_17.jpg.html)

Have an early style berg handle for the shifter as well

Bet you sat in it and made engine noises didn't ya!

Yep, ran an easy 9 second pass  ;D

Terrible launch

Another piece of the puzzle  ;D

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The shocks fitted

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_20.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_20.jpg.html)

The shell off to it's new home

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_19.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_19.jpg.html)

A couple of pieces for the project. A pair of NOS doors. Sorry about my photography skills but you get the picture :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_23.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_23.jpg.html)

And my rear wheels. They match the wheels I use on my oval when I race, but these are wider. It means I don't need two set of wheels to race two cars

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpg.html)

Looking forward to lightening the NOS doors  :o

Nice job on the build

I now have 2 new stickers on my chassis  ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpg.html)

And a funny car cage
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_28.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_28.jpg.html)

And finally boxed in ladder bar mounts

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/image_29.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_29.jpg.html)

As you can see in the photos the funny car cage has been done and I would like to thank Andy and Kate Robinson at Andy Robinson Race cars for the excellent work and customer service from this company. I have bought a number of parts from them over the years and recently Andy has been very helpful with floor specs, info and support. I would 100% recommend them. It was quite amusing seeing my climbing frame next to very exotic machinery at their work shop :o
Andy also had the chassis tagged by Mark Norton, and I can run 6's it seems now :o

I would also like to thank my Dad again, not only for most of the chassis work but also helping me load up the car and trailer 3 times on the last month for racing, and chassis drop off and pick up.

Final thanks also goes to Ron, Martin and Harvey for the constant encouragement. Just need Martin to loan me the turbo stuff to really push the chassis along (hint hint)

Loads still to do obviously, but shifter set up coming very soon once some flexi joints have arrived :)
Lee

looks good lee i didn't get chance to see it finished last time i was there  but it was well under way good luck chasing the 6s as well  :D

Think it's fair to say its over engineered for the et's I will run  :)

Can confirm this is a work of art

Looking great!

With a great celebration Saturday night too :)

Pitty you had to do all the work, cooking classes are obviously paying off  8)

Ok, time for an update.

Recent times have been spent saving money for the next lot of bits needed.
Another order placed with Ron Lummus saw all the steering components arrive and a new set of pedals as well.
Shifter box mount has been made and all tacked in.

We are also in the process of moving house hence slow Notch progress but hitting it hard this weekend coming so a few update photos may appear. Body shell still waiting to be finished but there will be a twist with that coming to set it apart from the other uk notchbacks :)

Lee

It's not going to be red? :D

Maybe Pink is the new trend for Type3´s :D

Fantastic work Lee and Dad! Really impressive stuff 👍👍👍

Matt

Thanks Matt, that means a lot form you :)

Some progress over the weekend
Managed to grab a few hours to mock up steering position and then make the column. Thank you to Martin for the use of a pillar drill 😀

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/cal63/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0113.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/cal63/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0113.jpg.html)

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looking forward to seeing this all come together!

So am I  ;D
The shell came back Saturday from welding/repairs. Will update with pics soon but I did the night shift Friday so when I picked it up Saturday morning sleep was more important than taking photos!

Lee

Time for an update, well kind of.

Shell has been given a nice coat of satin black. The NOS doors have been lightened using large hole saws and the inner panels cut out. Alex Taylor@ Defcon 3 folded the cut edges over to give a bit of strength back and it looks nicer than just cut edges  

Doors are currently being primed and once back will be fitted with the custom hinge pin/hinge set up. All steering components finished and fitted and pedals have been mocked up. I have two pedal assemblies, I need to make a decision on what to use.

Chassis trolley was cut down height wise so shell could go back over the chassis and still go under the garage door.

Next jobs are to final set chassis ride height/body then start the never ending task of dzus fasteners for wings, flip front and Ali panels inside.
My wife and I have decided to have a bit of a break from the house renovation so hopefully more progress soon

Lee
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Got any other pictures?  The old uploads don't seem to be working.  I'm curious, taking notes; I might have a project up my sleeve.

Yep, unfortunately photobucket holding their users to ransom has removed most/all of the pics on this thread
If you need any specific ones PM your email and I will send them to you.

What project do you have?
Lee

The day I picked it up.  It's pan based, so it can be raced in super stock, but definitely not your average t3 pan car.

Cool project. Are you going to trans raise?
Lee

Yep.  Let me get a little further along and I'll share some pictures.  Will

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That looks the business in two tone! Coming on!

2 tone not staying, but it's getting there (slowly before Danny says it :) )

It made me think of Danny's bug when Chris had it as Hem bug
Lee

A quick update.

House renovation and garage build are almost finished (well, are they ever finished) so going to get back on the project now.

Although two years have passed, I have collected more bits and pieces including a turbo geared trans (currently with Pete in pieces!) as well as an 84mm flanged type 4 mains flanged crank.

First task is to dig it out of my parents garage as it has got a little buried, finish the body mounts and start dry building all the parts on to the chassis.

Lee

What do you think it can weigh


/// Micke

Hi,
My oval is 640kg, I would like to think 575kg is achievable for the notch but I am quick to say that is a guess!

Lee

Hi guys,

Thought I would update with an apology.

It seems my lack of progress/slow project has been bugging a few of you a little bit.

My apology is I just don't care  :)

Well, there has been a bit of a pandemic to work around... I've not done anything on the school project Beetle at all since last March!

Hi Neil, hope you are keeping well.
It was on a go slow long before the pandemic Neil.
I have never said it would be a quick build, I just have other stuff in my life (all positive) that is more of a priority and enjoyable.