Urgency? After 4 years of trying? If Roy were here, he'd say once agaim I've allowed things to come about "In the fullness of time."
This all begins 5 years ago when I first pondered the possibility of using the time from my work slowdown by building my own plane. And maybe I should start with something whereI wouldn't fall so far if it came apart on me. While I was researching a LoCost build, I came across Mr. Jawfish talking about his Terrapin, and I figured I'd do both.
The LoCost hit such snags as ordering some parts from a not so reputable source who waited quite awhile before finally sending me only part of what I ordered; or more like nothing I had ordered, as what did come was useless junk. But eventually I progressed to having a frame, body and suspension parts, etc., and just as I was ready for the donor the NASA organization cancelled the Se7ens Challenge series I was going to run it in. Suddenly most of my suitable donors were no longer suitable, and if I do find the right remnant to finish it I'm still a long way from anywhere I could race it.
I also went to work on an all wood car.
blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/08/16/build-your-own-mahogany-sports-car/ Well, mostly wood. I was collecting ATV parts for suspension and running gear since it's so light. If you look at that frame I can imagine it would be stiff enough, so I was experimenting with "Lincoln Log" type cuts in wood to fit and refit together different ways and see what might work in a more rigid manner. So it rains one day and a new neighbors fence was collapsing; here he comes and steals most of my wood. I caught him when he came back to steal the rest of it. He laughed because I was angry. Oh, he's been a great addition to the neighborhood. He stole firewood too.
So I'm going to have to keep my steel tubing locked up in case he decides to build a sandrail or something. At least my plans did come, thank you, and he didn't get the chance to steal them. He'd be disappointed if he knew.
So I'm running out of excuses for not finishing a car. For so many people it's not just the lack of time and money that keeps them from finishing their project, but the fact they really don't even have the skills necessary. I've also spent the last 4 years in classes for welding, machining, composite fabrication, even motorcycle repair as a substitute for auto shop, since it's cheaper to buy the old bikes and easier to haul them to class. I've also leveled my backyard and have a double gate that'll allow me to bring cars to it, just as automotive writer Verlon Braden once parked 18 cars in the backyard of the house next door. (If you've seen any of his books, I shot some of those photos for him.)
So I'd kept busy while work has been slow, which helps to explain my patience, at least to everyone but Roy, who's a real "The clock is ticking" type. Not that he's ever accomplishing much of anything, I'd be hard pressed to go to his place and find something he's done that progressed his life anywhere.
So flying and racing have one thing in common in that it's usually a lifelong dream: In fact people many people who longed to do it since before they were 16 often have to wait until after they're 60. I'm rather fortunate that I gotten to both long before then. (There's a complete Solstice racecar in the garage next to the LoCost parts.) But there are still lifelong dreams: I built such things as a kid, from unusual bicycles from junk parts to huge treehouses that people were always impressed with, if only because it was a child doing this. And more. Somehow I quit doing it, and I really don't understand why. I guess life just got in the way.
So I've gone back to it at the 'Bit off more than I can chew' level. Those classes I took ended long before I'd learned all I needed to know. But I know a few other people who try things like this. (Roy is NOT one of them.) Between the lot of us, I think we'll get some of this built: In the fullness of time.
But again, thank you. It's almost scary looking at those plans, knowing all the work I've set myself up to do. But at least I'll be able to figure out what tube size changes I need to make to fit the SCCA regs.
And yes, when I have something worth looking at, I'll remember to get pictures up here. In the fullness of time.
