Determining body material

[project hotrod]

For some time I've been kicking around this choice but have yet to finalize a decision between steel, aluminum, or carbon.

I have the skill set required to construct any method chosen but the fate of the build is really dependent upon one factor.

The judges...

So, what would you choose if you were building a vehicle with a goal of competing for the Ridler award?

I tend to think the judges would favor something built from steel or aluminum.

[jerome]

is the body based on a production body?

[Bow Tie 67]

I would have to agree, and would lean toward aluminum.

[project hotrod]

The body or vehicle is a one off roadster design.

One other concern I have would be the longevity of paint on a carbon body. With enough resin and prep work the surface could be smooth enough for show paint but over the years I think problems could occur.

[project hotrod]

I would have to agree, and would lean toward aluminum.

I'm kind of leaning that way myself... It's a whole lot easier to hammer form, push on the english wheel, and I can use hard work bucks for hammer forming which I can't do with steel.

For some reason I think carbon is the easy way out as far as craftsmanship.

[Restomod]

Laser straight aluminum Roadster with no paint done in a 40's Saltflat racer look.............YEAH thats the way to go!!

[B Schein]

Building a body from carbon the correct way is going to be a lot more time consuming that from some sort of metal. I Built the body, side pods and all the other carbon parts for our fsae car at school and it was a lot of work we did fast due to my experience as a body man and another team member has worked in a carbon shop before but it was still very time consuming. I say aluminum its very easy to shape and not as fragile as a thin carbon body

[70 Chevelle]

How about hybrid fabrics? I would imagine an entire car with a consistent weave would be very difficult but would probably stand out in a crowd. Not that a ridler worthy car would need to stand out more but it sounds like your looking for something different. Only drawback is that it would probably look dated in a few years but everyone always remembers the cutting edge cars. Something like this:
http://www.uscomposites.com/hybrids.html

[project hotrod]

Laser straight aluminum Roadster with no paint done in a 40's Saltflat racer look.............YEAH thats the way to go!!

Man, I've always been a HUGE fan of the 40's salt racer look. I have a few designs floating around and had a 29 sedan delivery under construction with a 64 394 olds motor, 54 original B&M hydro-stick 4 speed combo before my divorce and had to sell it off.... Chopped 3 and channeled 4... Not really a salt flat type car but it was going to be styled like one and I wish I could of kept it.

Did you ever see Boyd's "Alumatub"? That car was pretty cool. All aluminum including the chassis.

The design I'm building for the Ridler award is a bit more modern but uses alot of subtle things I've liked throughout many eras of popular hot rodding. As it sits right now I have a few years just in design work and deciding how I want to build it. I would really like to start a build thread about since I am pretty excited but, I don't think it's a good idea since most keep these type of builds under wraps.

I've looked into some of the hybrid carbon materials and discussed it with the supplier I've been using for ren board while I'm in prototype / scale model phase... Price wise it's not bad but I do think it will be more time consuming than metal.

[B Schein]

That carbon/Kevlar stuff is wet lay up only from what I have been told its not available in prepreg. I personally woundnt build anything that was a body panel with anything but prepreg do you have access to an autoclave big enough for the panel sizes we are talking about here, you will never be able to make panes look as good as the need to be for ridler quality car with out one if you want the panels to be raw carbon.

[project hotrod]

That carbon/Kevlar stuff is wet lay up only from what I have been told its not available in prepreg. I personally woundnt build anything that was a body panel with anything but prepreg do you have access to an autoclave big enough for the panel sizes we are talking about here, you will never be able to make panes look as good as the need to be for ridler quality car with out one if you want the panels to be raw carbon.

The biggest hurdle is the autoclave. Through my connections around here I can get access to one. If I did go the composite route it would be raw carbon.

I've done small scale stuff in carbon including some wet lay up but I am a much better metal worker than anything else. And, there is something about working an english wheel that just feels so good. Ya know?

[project hotrod]

Looks like aluminum will be the material of choice for the body. :)

I forgot I had this on my computer here so I thought I would share.

Before I decided to build my roadster design first I planned on building this... It's based on a 1956 or 1957 Chevy Pick up with quite a bit of body modifications. Within the future and if I can find a nice donor this is one of my favs to build.

For the most part the drawing which was done mostly in photoshop is correct minus the bulky door handles and the lower part of the bed between the cab and rear fender. The truck also features one of my wheel designs. :)

[rellim51]

Forget the english wheel, you need a Yoder or Pullmax and a good planishing hammer.

[project hotrod]

Forget the english wheel, you need a Yoder or Pullmax and a good planishing hammer.


I plan on ordering a planishing hammer within the next couple months. I would LOVE to by a Pullmax but I don't have the budget
for it yet. Hopefully I can find something cheaper...

[BRIAN]

It will take one WELL equipped shop to create such a complex body out of aluminum or steel. That is no 1930 Rod. Good luck. You can have just as many problems with poorly prepped lead and aluminum work in regards to finish concerns.

[project hotrod]

It will take one WELL equipped shop to create such a complex body out of aluminum or steel. That is no 1930 Rod. Good luck. You can have just as many problems with poorly prepped lead and aluminum work in regards to finish concerns.


"My dad used to be a TV repair man, he's got an awesome set of tools" :)

Thank you for the input.

Kidding aside, I have most of the tools needed with the exception of the given power tools such as a planisher, larger power hammer, and the all too important shrinker.

Although this will be my first entire one off build I am quite experienced with metal work from restorations to chassis builds. I also attended school for body work, engineering, mechanical drawing, and graphic design. Actually, everything I've done to date has been prep work just for a project of this level.

I'm not trying to come off as a know it all type guy. Heck, I'll be the first to admit any ignorance on any level. :cheers: