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toddshotrods
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JUL 14, 02:36 PM
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Some information in this post was edited to make this build thread an accurate depiction of the project...
Yes, I meant 1927! Yes, I think I have finally lost my mind. If you see it running around please contact me...  Additionally, I need another project like I need a hole in my head, but I have stumbled across an idea in the vast expanses of my hyperactive imagination that is kind of irresistable.
On another forum, I said that someone needs to develop computer software that can analyze a hotrodder and predict what his or her preference in automotive toys will be at a given point in time, in the future. If I would have had access to that it would have told me that I would want a bare bones, four-banger powered, roadster, street rod in 2007. Such a beast to simultaneously satisfy my desire for an open air driving experience that I can enjoy on a daily basis, throughout the Midwest good weather season, even with three-buck a gallon gas prices. Around the same time, on that same forum, I read about "steampunk" - Google it...
The lost mind, mental hyperactivity, steampunk idea, and daily "hits" of this forum, have caused me to conjure up this idea. One type of "steampunking" applies old technology to modern ideas, kind of like this:
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My projects usually involve a "what if" scenario. In this case, with a slight steampunk influence, it's "what if Ferruccio Lamborghini had moved to America in the Roaring Twenties, started working for Pontiac, and come up with the idea for the Fiero?
The hard parts and layout are where the Fiero really comes in. Just like the steampunk enthusiasts who take actual laptops and make them look like they were created in the steam era, my plan would be to take actual Fiero suspension parts and make them look like they were created in 1927. If I do, it I will rob my current street rod project of its narrowed Fiero front suspension. I have a Fiero cradle and rear suspension cut and ready for the back. I also have a 3100SFI/4T60E from a 93 Cutlass Supreme for motivation. I also have Fiero pedals, and master cylinder for the controls.
The frame and body would be scratch-built. The frame would be a standard 2x3-inch ladder style frame, with kick up for the Fiero front suspension crossmember up front, and the actual rear cradle main rails welded in out back. I haven't started mocking anything up yet so I am not sure, but I think I would need to find some shorter struts to fit under the body. I would want it to be as low as possible.
The body design is my next challenge. I have to incorporate hints of Fiero in a basic roadster body design. Some of the concrete facts are a lowboy profile, really low track nose, exposed powertrain (form-fitting cutout in deck lid), and mesh "diffuser" to let the air out. Now, I have to stare at some pictures of Fieros to see what I can incorporate. One thing I am definitely thinking about is the logo, but that's in the final finish (maybe in the grilles too). By the way, the car would lean more towards the rat rod end of the spectrum. Maybe even some salt-blasted numbers on the sides...
This post is full of "would" and "would be" because I haven't decided to build it yet. I am seriously considering it though. I have the main parts I need, and the skills to make it happen, it's just matter of applying logic now to see if it really makes sense. It would take the Camaro's place as my budget hot rod driver. I lost focus and went completely overboard with it, and it's just too hard on gas to be a real driver now. If my logic is sound, this plan would allow me to really push the limits of my skills with my current street rod project, and go just a little bit further with the Camaro, while I drive the crap out of this one.
Any thoughts, comments, ideas?
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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-07-2007).]
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8Ball
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JUL 14, 08:03 PM
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I think you are absolutely insane, but I LOVE steampunk and I am along for the ride
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toddshotrods
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JUL 14, 09:23 PM
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I started doing some rough sketching to figure out what could be done for a body. The nose was inspired by the GT front fascia, but I rolled the bottom edge for a more street roddish appearance. The other more obvious Fiero cue is the round body side molding. It is a natural for a street rod body because they usually have some type of roll like this. Of course, it would be an integral part of the body - not an add on. What makes it "Fiero" is the lower placement. On a traditional thirties street rod, it would run just under the beltline (where the body and window glass meet).
The steering wheel and shifter are two of the only parts I would invest a lot of fabrication time in (beside the body and frame). The steering wheel would be a resin cast 12-inch wheel, made to look like a shrunken two-spoke fifties style wheel. I would also want it to appear to be a well-used, decades-old, junkyard part. The shifter would be custom made with a tapered, swan-style, arm; and a real baseball knob. The seats would just be upholstered pads bolted to the roll bar and floor.
The radiator would be rear mounted with the side intakes feeding it cool air. The big velocity stack intake is just an idea. I have to experiment with 3D models to come up with something. Ideally I think I would like to have Hilborn style stacks, of varying angles and heights, which are really just runners for a hidden remote TB. Okay, so now it's three major fabrication projects! The problem is doing a few exotic parts and not letting myself go too far and turn the project into a money/time trap...
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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 07-14-2007).]
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Xanth
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JUL 14, 09:42 PM
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That would be really amazing to see built. If you've got the time and energy I'd say go for it  ------------------
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toddshotrods
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JUL 14, 09:44 PM
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The Poopsmith
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JUL 14, 10:45 PM
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Steampunk crafts are totally off the hook and very very cool. I at first thought you were going to shoehorn a steam engine in the back of a Fiero and make it go fast that in it self would totally blow my mind. I think I get what your going for but a 3D model would defineatly help the imagination along. When I think of steampunk vehicles I think of heavy iron plating riveted together and shiny chrome features to make it all stand out. I will watch this thread as you make your decisions and I support your efforts in doing any thing both steampunk and Fiero related.
Daniel
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InTheLead
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JUL 14, 10:55 PM
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Have you ever finished any of your projects?
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toddshotrods
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JUL 15, 01:08 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by The Poopsmith:
Steampunk crafts are totally off the hook and very very cool. I at first thought you were going to shoehorn a steam engine in the back of a Fiero and make it go fast that in it self would totally blow my mind. I think I get what your going for but a 3D model would defineatly help the imagination along. When I think of steampunk vehicles I think of heavy iron plating riveted together and shiny chrome features to make it all stand out. I will watch this thread as you make your decisions and I support your efforts in doing any thing both steampunk and Fiero related...Daniel |
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It's not actually a steampunk Fiero. The concept is heavily influenced by steampunk methodology. That being said, the more steampunk stuff I see the more I love it. I am thinking about using a lot of copper. The reason is I can use faux finishes to gain the old world appearance on a shoestring budget.
I have my generic set of 3D wheels set up for the 115-inch wheelbase, 43.5-inch front track, and 61-inch rear track. The real world wheels would be 15x3.5's with 135R15's up front; and 15x6's with 205/70R15's in back. The wheels don't really fit the period, but I want to use them. They are Cragar 5-spoke aluminum wheels that I had on my Fiero. The plan is to have the fronts narrowed from 6 to 3.5-inches. Hopefully, being painted flat black will help them blend in.
I don't know how long it will take me to get any significant work done on the model. I am working on this now because I am not doing very much work this weekend. I needed to relax for a couple days and spend some time with my wife and foster son. Monday, I am supposed to push this back to spare time status.
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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 07-15-2007).]
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toddshotrods
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JUL 15, 01:16 AM
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Since the radiator is in back, and draws it's cooling air from the sides, a front grille is not necessary. I would want an intake for a cockpit vent, so Icame up with this. The Fiero logo would be water-jet cut, maybe even from real copper since it's a small piece. It would be mounted to look like it's floating in the opening.
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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 07-15-2007).]
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FierOmar
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JUL 15, 11:03 AM
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