[Cars] A truly peculiar 4x4

[dancefloorlandmine]

Following a side-link from one of my favourite webcomics (The Whiteboard), I discovered that the creator, 'Doc' Nickel, had finally managed to put his automotive image gallery back online. 'Doc' is, by profession, a paintball engineer. And also a blacksmith, component fabricator and general batterer of things metal (including a rather fine sculpture of a wolf's head (made of over seventy pieces of 22-gauge sheet steel - he doesn't do things by halves)).

But, in addition to a 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, the highlight of the "other stuff" gallery is something truly strange ...



A 1965 Chevy Corvair body mounted on the chassis of a '77 Blazer, Where he did all of the engineering, building etc (except the paint spraying). I presume it gets a little slow sometimes in Alaska ...

Comments

[rich-r.livejournal.com]

I've been doing a lot of research into Mitsubishi Pajeros recently, as we're probably going to replace the Legacy GTB with one in the next few months. Because the body isn't a structural part of the car, it's actually only held onto the chassis (and hence engine, wheels etc) by six bolts. To fit bigger wheels (for higher ground clearance), all you need to do is undo the six bolts, lift the body, insert spacers and bolt it back down again.

So with a traditional 4x4 truck chassis like that, you can put anything you like on top - as long as you can mate up the steering column and pedals.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

all you need to do is undo the six bolts
Ah. the Meccano approach to vehicle design.

Well, Doc seems to be an enthusiastic bodger (and precision fabricator) ...

[rich-r.livejournal.com]

Seems strange to me, after all these years with Renault 5s lowering the suspension to get better handling and looks, that I'm now looking at how you raise the suspension to get better performance off road. You can go up 2" just by putting spacers between the springs and chassis, and then lift the body up to 3" with spacers between the body and chassis. Any more any you have to start extending pipes and wires etc.

Just waiting for funds to allow and the right vehicle to come up. Seems strange too selling a perfectly good 13 year old car to buy a 16 year old one. The other Legacy will be sold next year along with one of the Renault 5s to fund a 5 year old Legacy though as a replacement.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

after all these years with Renault 5s lowering the suspension to get better handling and looks
[grin]

Any more and you have to start extending pipes and wires etc.
Heh.

So you're aiming to end up with a Pajero, a Legacy and one of the Renaults ...

[rich-r.livejournal.com]

Yep, hopefully something like:

1993-1996 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8 diesel long wheel base.
2002-2003 Subaru Legacy 2.5 petrol estate or Outback.
1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo 1.4 petrol.

The Pajero will mainly get used for K's short commute to Selby rail station, and camping trips/holidays, with the Legacy for my longer commute to York and visits to shops/friends/family. The Renault 5 is for summer fun and a backup in case one of the others breaks. You know where I live - a car is required to get to where public transport starts. Or a very scary cycle ride over the bypass maybe!

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good combination for all purposes. And means you can go to Scotland again without fear for your suspension and underbody ...

[palmersperry.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good combination for all purposes. And means you can go to Scotland again without fear for your suspension and underbody ...

I didn't think the roads in Großbritannien where that bad?

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Rich and Kirsty went on holiday in Scotland recently, and were grateful for the sturdiness of their Subaru.