chassis question
 

I'm new to this forum, but not new to the locost world & have a fair amount of race car & fabrication experience.
I've been considering building for some time, but like to research plenty before embarking.
Heres my question;

Has anybody built/fabricated a full monocoque version of either the original Champion Locost or the Gibbs/Haynes Roadster?
I see that there is/was a manufacturer in the UK that built a stainless steel version but after hours of "googling", there seems very little information on these. But, has anyone built one from mild steel rather than stainless steel?
Has anyone any specs on the torsional rigity (FEA results)? and/or does anyone have a notable amount of photos of one of these cars (monocoque structure)?

After some quick mathmatics, I think one could be built within just a couple of kilograms, to that of the equivilent space frame spec. Obviously, because of the compact size of the car, the weight differences don't become significantly different. But I understand that if building a "full size" car the weight differences would become more noticable.

Though not a sheet metal worker by trade, I quite enjoy sheet metal work & have the equipment to be able to do it.

I know plenty of people will say "why bother", "just build it from the book" blah blah blah - but I'm keen to do something a little different to the masses.

I think your talking about the Quantum Extreme that has a full stainless body tub with GRP nose etc, there was also the Robin Hood light weight made in bonded/riveted ali sheet but that turned out to be a filing cabnet on wheels and the less said about the better!

yes, the quantum is the one i was refering to regarding being constructed as a s/s monocoque

Go on dare to be different monocoques are cool:cool:

...and i'm a cool kind of guy:D :cool:

Best you get on and make it then..:cool:

The problem with living in Wait Awhile(WA) is stepping out the square and being the first may cost you big bucks in respect of getting an engineer so sign off on it for road use etc .But good luck to you.:)

give it a go if you have the skills,
I assume it would need a fair bit of design and analysis first.
Good luck keep us posted on progress it will be an interesting project.

Any ideas on spec for the ally to use ?

I would say it's better to use fancy steels like chromo tube than ali:)