Okrasa Special

[steve wright]

Andy, sorry missed your post as well. Yes, glad I decided not to go with theh Dunlop's as it would've looked very over-tired. It's amazing even with the crappy 165 15's how big the wheels look already, a function I guess of pulling the bodywork tight down over the car.

[one-two]

This is a fascinating thread - and a really interesting project. My only 2#s worth would be that if you ever want to use the car for competitive events you will probably want to be able to fit Dunlops. They come in two shapes and sizes if that helps, Ls and Ms.

[Barry]

Little and Medium?

Large and Monstrous?

Lunatic and Megatastic?

Little Grip and Moderate Grip?

Have I missed any?

Good point though: any thoughts / comments Steve? What are Andy's ones? Certainly if they are one of the above L's or M's, they'd very much need to be the bigger option, otherwise we would really struggle to fit them around the design. I don't know about the dynamic implicatiosn: I know Steve is delighted with the whole driving experience as it is now though.

Surely the L&M's can't be the only race-friendly options, can they?

[cubist]

Would 'Abarth' arch lips accommodate wider rubber and compliment the styling without the need to alter the already clean lines?









Last Simca's a bit Works Escort robust but could suit the proportions well...

[steve wright]

the ones Andy kindly lent me were 5.50's. in reality 4.50's would probably be okay and still fit under the arches, but it would be a bit of trial and error. the tyres on there at the moment are 165/70's so there is quite a bit of room. I reckon a trip to an event with a tape measure might be the order of the day!

[one-two]

I think the period of the car suggests Ls - tall and narrow - or even Rs, of which I have no experience at all. You could always bring it to Goodwood next month! Best, Robert

[steve wright]

Hi Robert,

I'm not sure if the paper bodywork would pass scrutineering! I think in all reality we're probably looking at 2012 before we're doing any shakedown tests at glorious Goodwood!

kind regards,
Steve

[Bruce M]

Wow, that rear end is coming together really well!

Outstanding work.

I really like the clean lines of the side. Have you considered having the engine vent as a grill along the base of the rear window? A less agressive racey look though.

Would love to see the "paper-ed" rear end with a dusting of rattle can white paint.

[Barry]

Hi Bruce: the paper was only used because that was what I had taken to read at lunch . Having said that, it does give it a certain 'something', and even with the print, it's easy to get a good idea of the shape.

I think we'll do a final surfacing (I drop as it sounds good, but I only gathered that's what it's called this morning ), so, we'll do a final surfacing in something a bit less distracting: either a film of some sort, or just plain paper: end of line (unprinted) newspaper would be ideal.

As for the vent, right from the start Steve has been keen om the idea of a side vent, high on the wing, blending into the wingtop. The wing shape at the moment is rather inbetweeny, as it's going to be tweaked to match whatever vent shape and placement is settled on.

I have to say that I can't wait to get back up there and carry on with it.

Quick update: just mananged to get onto a three day wheeling course with Eckold (in november). Whilst I've done the Contour Autocraft Foundation and Advanced courses, plus one year+ of saturdays at a coachbuilders (Rod Yates), there's always lots more to learn. These guys are in the Birmingham area, and are again time-served coachbuilders. With the loss of work, travel and B&B, I think the whole thing will tot up to around £1500. I'm sure it will be worth it. I gather the RAF use them quite a bit to train their own people. Something else to look forward to, and always great to get new / different approaches.

At some point I'd like to go to the States and do a couple of the courses out there: Ron Fournier, Ron Covell and Fay Butler are very well known in metal shaping circles, and a chap called Lasse was featured on American Hotrod, and again, offers a very good course.

All good fun, and almost endless opportunities to learn.

[jury]

Looks great!! Lovely project, and look forward to seeing it evolve over the next few months.....Barry, I would love your job

[Ren]

[steve wright]

ooh, I like the imaging. Gosh there are lots of talented people out there!

Spent a very enjoyable evening up at the worksshop last night Barry cutting out paper shapes (felt like I was assisting at my kids school). Let me know what you think!

[40 scout]

Beautiful work - very clever man Barry!

Steve

[louis356]

Sorry couldn't resist


Just to see what it would be like

[Macaulay]

It's looking great... The garage I mean! :D

He he no, great work Barry, it's such a joy seeing something I have
starred at and thought about for quite a long time now starting to take shape, I can only imagine what Steve must feel.

Love the back end so far, the arch over the rear wheel looks great imo, also the curve from the side window and down to the sill.
I'm looking forward to see how you guys figure out shaping the front from the wheel arch to headlight aria and tip,
I found it pretty tight there and hard to make a nice "side view" curve since it's so short nosed. I'm sure you'l make it sweet.

I'm slightly shocked every time I get to see someone standing next to this thing, it's so tiny! :D

Keep on bending!