Aluminum Sprint Car Body

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05-30-2012, 17:41
Tinelement

Aluminum Sprint Car Body

I know there are a few knuckle busters, wrench turner, car guys on here. Hell, if you're a guy you're more than likely are into cars!

So I'm doing a re-body on a 70's sprint car. I don't know all the history on it. The owner has a collection of vintage race cars in his garage. He approached us wondering if we could make an aluminum body for this project vs the fiberglass bodies that are normally on them.

I thought I would share the process of shaping body panels with you fellas! It's a fun craft!

I will update as the project moves along. I estimated about 200 hrs to knock it out. We aren't going to do it all in one crack, so pictures will come as the work progresses.

This is a fairly quick project but it has lots of shape in it which makes it challenging, and fun!!!

I started with the back body panel, gas tank cover, boat tail. So here we go..........

Bare chassis.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1614.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1615.jpg

Fiberglass body we will be using as a buck. (template)

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1617.jpg

Making the paper template.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1623.jpg

Transferring the paper template to .050" 3003 aluminum sheet.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1628.jpg

Flat sheet on the buck.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1629.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1630.jpg

After 4 hrs of shaping. It is laying very nice on the buck. Still needs some final smoothing.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1632.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1634.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1635.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_1636.jpg

So I will use the same method thru out the build. I won't post as many pictures every time. Just wanted to show the process!

Hope you all enjoy! [Beer]
05-30-2012, 17:47
bogie

Man, I'd really like to check out your shop sometime. That work you do is art, man! Looking forward to seeing more.
05-30-2012, 17:51
Tinelement

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogie

Man, I'd really like to check out your shop sometime. That work you do is art, man! Looking forward to seeing more.

ANYTIME!! We are pretty much always here! [ROFL2]
05-30-2012, 20:25
redneck122

I would love to check your shop out also. You do amazing work!

Where in Berthoud are you?
05-30-2012, 20:27
Tinelement

Quote:

Originally Posted by redneck122

I would love to check your shop out also. You do amazing work!

Where in Berthoud are you?

Shop is actually in the land of love.

www.tinelement.com
05-30-2012, 20:43
birddog

Thats incredible. What motors do those have? Being one of those gearheads you mentioned I love this stuff. Keep it up.
05-30-2012, 20:57
smchop

Pretty cool in the last few pics you can see the English Wheel in the reflection!
05-31-2012, 08:27
Tinelement

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhebrew

Thats incredible. What motors do those have? Being one of those gearheads you mentioned I love this stuff. Keep it up.

That I don't know. The guy just basically dumped the car off a few weeks ago and I haven't seen him since! I'll find out he'll drop in it next time he is here.
05-31-2012, 09:28
SouthPaw

Does this car belong to Kevin in Windsor?
05-31-2012, 09:30
Tinelement

Yup
05-31-2012, 10:17
hghclsswhitetrsh

As an sprint car racing fan I find this to be very awesome!
05-31-2012, 12:41
2008f450

Beutiful work. probably a small block chevy for power. Question. What is the vehicle in the background of second pic with the narrow front end?
05-31-2012, 12:49
Tinelement

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008f450

Question. What is the vehicle in the background of second pic with the narrow front end?

Don't ask!! I'm kidding.

Gentleman approached us about a year ago wanting to make a 1964 Corvair trike, yes a trike. Here is a link to some build pictures, not up to date though.

This is just silly!! [ROFL1]

http://www.tinelement.com/Site/Proje...4_Corvair.html
05-31-2012, 12:54
2008f450

Different. Kinda cool. I personally like Corvairs. My dad and I used to build corvair engines for our sand rails. Grandpa built a couple mid engine V8 conversions when I was young. I just wish I learned to work metal when I was younger.
05-31-2012, 12:58
Tinelement

I agree. It's not my cup of tea, but for what he is wanting to do, he picked the right car.

The lines make sense. We are using on of the dual headlights and one of the dash bumps.

People that come and see it are pretty taken back about how well it is working out!

Still completely silly!!!!
05-31-2012, 13:04
2008f450

Sometimes silly is good. If i get the time and space to build some of my projects I am sure some will call them silly. But thats what makes it fun. Looks like a ton of work to narrow that thing down. great work though. the lines look really good.
05-31-2012, 13:10
2008f450

Please tell me the Corvair is getting a 60s style bubble roof. I think that would look so cool on it. I really want to come look at it now that I know what it is.[ROFL1][ROFL1]
05-31-2012, 13:16
Tinelement

Not getting a roof. Making it a true roadster. We'll cast a roadster type windshield frame for it as well.
05-31-2012, 15:13
jerrymrc

Might be a CAE. Not an Edmunds of the 70's. Almost every sprinter was SBC by the 70's. There were a few fords as well. It is a 4-bar car so that means dirt as most pavement cars had gone coil over in the front for pavement. Beautiful work.

Our car circa 1970 (Midget) that we still have. http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...ldgroup155.jpg
05-31-2012, 15:33
SouthPaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinelement

Yup

Glad he brought it to you. Kev and his whole family are really good friends of mine, practically family. Take good car of her. Looks like your off to a great start. I remember when he first got this thing.
05-31-2012, 15:44
Tinelement

Agreed. Great people!!
08-15-2012, 17:45
Tinelement

Finally got back her this week! Rear tail is fabbed and mounted. Needs some clean up work but is there! Onto hood and side panels and then nose cone.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...EBA7088C5E.jpg

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...EBAC84DE16.jpg
08-23-2012, 18:34
Tinelement

Kind of a cool in progress photo of the hood. Still amazes me metal will move that far!

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...678141A656.jpg
08-25-2012, 06:08
SAnd

1 Attachment(s)

Mr. Element, was this one of your early projects?
08-25-2012, 06:23
Tinelement

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

Mr. Element, was this one of your early projects?

Nope. Wrong brand. [ROFL1]

That thing is way cool! Someone's got some time in that!
08-25-2012, 07:03
jerrymrc

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

Mr. Element, was this one of your early projects?

That is very nice. Early Offy powered midget complete with hand brake and fuel pump. Yes, in the old days you had to manually pump the methanol.[Beer]