The Diva.... Finishing up a kit car

[69CougarXR7]

Ok, so not exactly a PT car... And as you can tell from my login, not a 1969 Mercury Cougar either... But, I got the opertunity to help finish up a Diva Roadster kit car and thought that the guys and gals on this forum might get a kick out of it...

first, a little back story...

I have become close friends with the owner of the car... He bought and started to build it in 2000.. At about the same time he also acquired a business makeing N scale model railroad buildings and trusses... He build up a small block Chevy and bought a lot of parts for the car and actually assembled quit a bit of the frame... Then unfortunately, his wife was diagnosed with brain cancer and subsequently died in 2005... The car has sat ever since...

Now enter me... I am a A&P IA aircraft mechanic... The car owner also has a Stinson 108-2... He has recently decided to get back into flying and we became friends while working on his airplane... Put a big engine on the airplane and will be repainting it next year...

When I found out about the car I did a little research and finally talked him into letting me help get it done and on the road...

So, with that said here a couple of pics...



The one piece Diva Roadster body... Hand layed fiberglass... Got it out of the weeds and sprayed off... Needs a lot of finishing work but that will come in time...



The cars frame... Buried in years of stuff... Sail for a catamaran, telescope tube in a box behind it... Stuff from the modeling business... But also suspension parts, seats, dash, windshield frame.... Lots of stuff to sort through...



Just your typical 350 CI small block Chevy that has been dynoed at 500 HP on nitrous with over 600 Ft Lb of torque.. Backed with a Richmond 6 speed overdrive to boot... Ought to make this little 2000 lbs car scoot..



I can not lay claim to this photo... It is just one I got off the net and posted here to show what a completed Diva looks like...

Heres to having a little fun...

Brian

[69CougarXR7]

I have only been able to do a little work on the Diva a couple of Saturdays a month... Most of that was cleaning and getting a door installed in the shop area... Last Saturday we got some progress on the car itself...



Got my son helping with clean up of the dust...



There has already been a little modifications done to the frame for shifter clearance... I will be designing and welding in some new tubing to finalize this area...



Front suspension... This is exposed on the car so everything is going to be nice and neat when done... With lots of chrome...



Both sides done...



Wheels on so we can get this frame on the ground and roll for the first time ever...



Next step is get the engine set in place so I can finish the modifications to the frame for the shifter and then get brake lines and electrical routed... Then everything will be removed again...

Brian

[digitalsolo]

Cool project, looking forward to seeing it come together.

[69CougarXR7]

Short day... But got the engine in place...



On the hoist...



On its way in... Had to take the water pump motor off for more room...



Set in place...



It's a tight fit all around...

Brian

[Twentyover]

Brian- Just a suggestion, visit the Locost USA forum http://www.locostusa.com/forums/ if you run into any problems. The Locost site is devoted to fabrication and assembly of so-called 'clubman' derivatives, the most common clubman's being Lotus/Catherham 7, Westfield, and Mallock.



Friendly bunch like around here, and more than willing to answer questions, give suggestions, and swap lies with each other

[Z06killinSBF]

Cool project you have going on.