914-6/904 project begins Options

[Unobtanium-inc]

I hate to say this at this point of the project, but that chassis looks like a perfect candidate for a Kübelwagen or Schwimmwagen!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

PS: Also, i second the safety glass recommendation. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. I now always use those that are like goggles and go all around the sides.

After looking at the last pic, I was thinking wouldn't it be cool to extend the rear out like a truckbed. Not going to do it but it would be fun, a Kubel-truck.

[KELTY360]

I hate to say this at this point of the project, but that chassis looks like a perfect candidate for a Kübelwagen or Schwimmwagen!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

PS: Also, i second the safety glass recommendation. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. I now always use those that are like goggles and go all around the sides.

After looking at the last pic, I was thinking wouldn't it be cool to extend the rear out like a truckbed. Not going to do it but it would be fun, a Kubel-truck.

Isn't that kind of how the VW bus was born?

[Mark Henry]

I hate to say this at this point of the project, but that chassis looks like a perfect candidate for a Kübelwagen or Schwimmwagen!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

PS: Also, i second the safety glass recommendation. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. I now always use those that are like goggles and go all around the sides.

After looking at the last pic, I was thinking wouldn't it be cool to extend the rear out like a truckbed. Not going to do it but it would be fun, a Kubel-truck.

Isn't that kind of how the VW bus was born?

Sort of...they had a VW bug truck for the factory floor, one dealer named Ben Pon saw it and thought it would be cool. He made a quick drawing of his bus idea, but it was a year or more before the project resurfaced. The VW pan was too weak so the prototype was a one off coach build, with a VW engine, trans and T81 Kubelwagen reduction boxes. The rest is similar to the bug but heavier front end and brakes. One interesting fact is it has the same wheelbase as a VW bug.
That's the quick version, but it's fitting because the time between starting the prototype and production was something ridiculous like only a few months.

The hippy's in the bus crowd credit Ben Pon as the creator of the bus.

[Mark Henry]

If anyone wants one of these I have a guy who wants to practically give one away. I found it in middle FL.
I wanted the stablemate.

That RSK kit is like the one making the rounds up here, but it has a way better gelcoat.
I don't think anyone realizes how small these things are till you see one in person. I was parked beside a spyder kit car at a local show here, they are only half as tall as a 914.

[Unobtanium-inc]

That RSK kit is like the one making the rounds up here, but it has a way better gelcoat.
I don't think anyone realizes how small these things are till you see one in person. I was parked beside a spyder kit car at a local show here, they are only half as tall as a 914.

Just like the 904, they are tiny in real life. I'm glad I'm not a big guy, it took some real twisting to get in and out of 0014, and I'm only 5'9".

[Dave_Darling]

I think he used Lotus stuff, right?

Yes. Uprights at the very least; I think he cut the wrecked car down to make a front subframe? There is a build thread around here somewhere.

--DD

[Unobtanium-inc]

I think he used Lotus stuff, right?

Yes. Uprights at the very least; I think he cut the wrecked car down to make a front subframe? There is a build thread around here somewhere.

--DD

Before I do anything drastic I'm going to try to lower the towers. I can't hurt the test car, so I might as well try it.

[Mark Henry]

He's another A-arm, expensive, but if you are a super pro fab guy and know how to jig you could DIY.
I can see it uses standard aircooled VW late bug spindles (pretty sure lowered) and ball joints.

http://www.red9design.co.uk/wishbones.htm

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.red9design.co.uk-26-1451921869.1.jpg)

[Unobtanium-inc]

I was making really good progress today until I had to go and see the eye DR to do the final scrapping of rust out of my eye. But the rear end is really starting to look like it belongs. More updates tomorrow, it's in the single digits outside so lots of time to work in the warm shop, winter is here!

[Unobtanium-inc]

Got it within about 1.5 inches of where I want the rear end today. Tomorrow I will play with lowering the rear shock towers, that should buy me the space I need for a perfect fit. The headaches are getting bigger, but so if the fun!
Starting to look like a car.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Today was eventful, got the rear end where I wanted it. Getting it there wasn't easy, we had to drill out all the spot welds on the rear shock towers. When we build the real chassis we will lower the shock towers. In fact, I will probably re-use the ones I pulled off the test car because the race cars ones have been modified for the roll cage. But the rear end is now in the right range of where it needs to be, a good dry fit.
Then we moved onto the main body and our heads really started to hurt. Lots of measuring and staring, and drawing, and re-measuring, but we will do the main body cut tomorrow, right behind the floor center cross member.
Lots of dramatic moves on the body, and cutting is always fun, but we are now getting into the more serious cuts and lots of math.
Stay tuned!

[904svo]

Here's how I attach my rear lid to open like a 904.

[Unobtanium-inc]

SVO, thanks for the pics!

Today was both dramatic and eventful. After what seemed like a million cuts we got the car into two pieces, and then made it back into one, losing 5 inches in the process. From there we were able to get the main part of the body in place, so you can start to see the 904 emerging. It's getting fun!

[SirAndy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[MikeSpraggi]

I had a rare opportunity to study and photograph a very early 904 yesterday, 904-0014. A friend was very kind and let me crawl all around the car he has had for over 40 years. He was also a wealth of info on the cars since when he bought his car it was in a million pieces, so he knows every inch of it after 40 years of assembly.
It was cool and also once again surprising how small they really are!

Yea, I know that car too. Takes your breath away in person....sigh.....

[Unobtanium-inc]

I had a rare opportunity to study and photograph a very early 904 yesterday, 904-0014. A friend was very kind and let me crawl all around the car he has had for over 40 years. He was also a wealth of info on the cars since when he bought his car it was in a million pieces, so he knows every inch of it after 40 years of assembly.
It was cool and also once again surprising how small they really are!

Yea, I know that car too. Takes your breath away in person....sigh.....

Wow, you must have seen it when it was at Dave's, I love stopping off to see him, a real character. And the ambiance of hearing the cars at Summit Point while standing in his yard is priceless.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Today was all Hollywood, meaning it was all about the nose job. We ran out of day but got to a good stopping point.

[Cairo94507]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Love this build.

[euro911]

Making better progress than I originally thought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

[Unobtanium-inc]

Part 1 of this build is now complete. The body has been dry-fitted to a 914 chassis. From here we have to figure out suspension, front and rear. But it has been proved, you can modify a 914 to accept a 904 body.