hernanca

For sure. But who needs fenders, anyway!? IF I need them for legal reasons, then they'll be close-hugging and satin black, to blend in with the tires. And easy to remove!



100% in agreement on the suspension - I would like to show it off - both front and rear.

The Bubble Top is my solution to retaining some of the hatch features and character The front and rear of the bubble will open separately. Should be able to hinge the rear at the top of the hoop.

I struggle with Rat Rod vs. Show Car. The plastic front and rear bumper covers don't lend themselves to Rat Rod metal patina. But since the new rear bumper will need to be a sectioned and chopped version of the old one, anyway, me thinks the new version should be made from metal as well. This would more readily allow for a Rat Rod look. The 60's Bubble Tops were show cars. Today, we have the Rat Rod tradition as well (a sort of rebellion against the uber-expensive show cars). Today's Bubble Tops can be either, IMO.


Thank you LeRox. A funky steering wheel seems part of the character of a Bubble Top. A chopped version of the 928 steering wheel should fit the bill.


That effect is a real concern for me down here in Florida, so the bubble will likely be heavily tinted (which means upgraded 928 H4's for night driving!).




Never had seen that video - nice to see it in action. Looks like more show than go, however - I can appreciate that from a budget perspective. I am hoping to strike a good balance between show and go!

Or not... Don't trust THEM!

hernanca

Colors may differ, but here's a fitting steering wheel. Just a [photo-] chopped stock 928 steering wheel:

hernanca

Some more inspirations (the "Atomic Punk" and the "Brown Neck Bandito"). I didn't know about the Atomic Punk until I saw a Dallas AutoRama flyer in someone's 928 at the 2009 OCIC.

hernanca

And, of course, a classic (2nd picture is a replica, I believe). I am modeling my front after the Mysterion's front (minus one of the two motors!), with a bit of front-engined rail dragster influence.

hernanca

Quick and Dirty top view. Front nose is still being sorted out, but it will be based on a left and right 928 front fender grafted together. Main challenge there is showing off the suspension elegantly but keeping the nose inside the front of the front tire.

Next comes measuring everything, 3x-5x.

Right now, to keep the proportions looking "right", the wheelbase will need to be extended 24 inches. Measuring and more accurate mock-ups will say for sure. If so, then I'll need to figure out how that will affect steering.

Though I did start this thread on April Fools Day (in other parts of the world before it reached us here today in the U.S.), of the many projects I've considered, this one REALLY calls to me. The Beatnik Bandit was my very favorite Hot Wheel. I saw it in person at Reno, NV, and have a 1/18 scale die cast of it. We will see. As a minimum, I will enjoy the design and figuring process.

However it turns out, Happy April Fools Day!

thirdgenbird

i hadnt thought about it till this thread, but a simple 928 based open wheel roadster would probably be a pretty straightforward project.

ALKada

Hook, line and sinker....

hernanca

atb

Carlos,

Ran across this ad for a tranny, might be cool for your project.

curtisr

And to think I've been holding out for a Momo steering wheel. What was I thinking?!

hernanca

Wow, good find, Adam!! Sad to see it being parted out. They probably don't even know what they have! If it withstood the deserts of Mexico, it should tolerate the Florida heat pretty well.

I will see if I can snag it! As a bonus, the mandatory tall shifter along with that 6-speed will make for an excellent rowing machine in the sauna bubble

Jim Devine

Some more things of beauty...

http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Bubble_Top

Randy V

The yolks on you!

hernanca

Or, is it...?

hernanca

Next step will look something like this...