space frame

[Porsche]

wondered if these images might be of interest. They are of my early 240z from around 1988
I had become fed up with all the continuous welding on my 240z and 260z so I decided to design and construct a removable space frame . I got the idea from the Jaguar E type.

Took a couple of months to draw to scale and fabricate and build and it was a bit Heath Robinson but it worked really well. You could undo a few bolts on the bulkhead and wheel away the entire front end including transmission.

It was exceptionaly rigid and the car cornered as if on rails.

I finally sold it to a racing driver who intended to use it in the classic races back in the days before they were banned . ( due to winning everything all the time )!
I would love to know what happened to it. Does anyone ever recall seeing this beast ?

 

[twoforty]

Good idea, that's what I will do with mine eventually. Did you strengthen the panel at the top of the bulkhead? it's pretty weak up there.

 

[Porsche]

Hi yes I had to do quite a bit of strengthening at both the top of the bulkhead and the bottom. I put in complete new chassis rails which joined with the bulkhead .Its been 20 years so memories are not perfect but still have plently of pictures of the various parts that made the whole construction.
I'll post some more later.

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[Rob Gaskin]

Very interesting, I've never heard of this car before.

I assume the front end was fibreglass.

I would think it took a bit of time to get the geometry correct (but I bet there are a few repaired 240s out of line).

You sited the battery nice and low too.

Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Porsche]

here she is trailered ready to leave with her new owners. Never finished putting the front spoiler on but she was a runner . Had been stored for a year and needed a respray and some other work . The new owners would presumably have gutted her and put in new engine transmission etc

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[Porsche]

Very interesting, I've never heard of this car before.

I assume the front end was a fibreglass.

I would think it took a bit of time to get the geometry correct (but I bet there are a few repaired 240s out of line).

You sited the battery nice and low too.

Thanks for the pictures.

Yes it took quite a time measuring the entire car and drawing it to scale before designing the frame .
It wasn't too difficult as I had the car's geometry checked and adjusted before measuring and I am an Architect and Engineer so detailed measurements and scale drawings/design work is my bread n butter.

I simply picked up and plotted all the existing attachment points for the engine, suspension,steering ,running gear etc and triangulated the entire front end of the car then built a space frame around them. I built in adjustable caster & camber and very slight adjustments were necessary when finished. The wings, bonnet etc are all the original items as I never intended to race it .

Not having a spare £500,000 at the time for detailed static and dynamic loading analysis etc I simply massively over-engineered the entire frame and chassis . You could have dropped the car 20'.00" and still driven it away

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I wonder how many engineers do this sort of thing for the hell of it and then never use their creations?

I have a mate near me, ex mining engineer. He's always got a car 'project' on the go, he's more interested in the challenge that the driving.

Very useful and handy chap to know!

 

[twoforty]

The front wings look like a perfect fit, Can you upload all the pitures of your project when get time....I'd also like to see your drawings if you would be so kind

I wonder who has the car now?

What was the registration number?

Yes it took quite a time measuring the entire car and drawing it to scale before designing the frame .
It wasn't too difficult as I had the car's geometry checked and adjusted before measuring and I am an Architect and Engineer so detailed measurements and scale drawings/design work is my bread n butter.

I simply picked up and plotted all the existing attachment points for the engine, suspension,steering ,running gear etc and triangulated the entire front end of the car then built a space frame around them. I built in adjustable caster & camber and very slight adjustments were necessary when finished. The wings, bonnet etc are all the original items as I never intended to race it .

Not having a spare £500,000 at the time for detailed static and dynamic loading analysis etc I simply massively over-engineered the entire frame and chassis . You could have dropped the car 20'.00" and still driven it away

 

[Porsche]

they should be a good fit. the frame was built to a 3mm tolerance with adjustable attachments where possible.
I have some more pictures but the drawings have long since been disposed of I'm afraid.
The reg No was VBR770L has the car ever been registered with this forum ?

 

[Porsche]

I wonder how many engineers do this sort of thing for the hell of it and then never use their creations?

I have a mate near me, ex mining engineer. He's always got a car 'project' on the go, he's more interested in the challenge that the driving.

Very useful and handy chap to know!

interesting observation Rob.
I have always preferred the challenge of repairing or creating something to actually using it.
I love cycling but get far more pleasure from designing and building them . Another of my hobbies is repairing laptops, I must have over 30x in various stages of repair but have never used one. Can't stand them lol