Re: SN65: Off to Detroit Autoramma

It's not like he cannot go back later and do all the powder coating and shrouds and what not should he want to. Remember this is his brother's body shop, it's not like they are out much to go back and change their minds should they want to.

The idea to make the car as production line like as possible is a noble goal and probably only appreciated by people like myself who can't just design something fancy that takes a lot of man hours to accomplish. When I design product I have to try to get the best performance, looks, use, durability, product quality, all while making it cheap and such that ham fisted monkeys with sledgehammers can assemble it. And that's not even taking into account the needs of product service and the marketeers who want everything but the kitchen sink in a package and budget only big enough for a 1/4 of it.

Designing something great that takes talented crafts people and a billion man hours to accomplish is easy by comparison.

I appreciate the SN65 because it tries to do something more or less within the bounds that I have to work within every day. He built a car that is really a few stamping tools away from something that could be made in volume. It's really a prototype of something that could be built by the tens of thousands minus the attention to paint and other finishes.

If a bunch of craftspeople and metal fabricators don't appreciate it, oh well. When I see something that can only be made by hand by skilled artists of the industrial arts I think that's nice and it begins to race through my head how to make it a production vehicle. The Ford GT, I wasn't sitting there in amazement, I was looking it with the eye of how could I deliver this product for market for half or less of what ford is selling it for with a great deal more volume.

It's all in the point of view. You're looking at the car from the eye of an artist who just has art and craftsmanship to be concerned about. I look it with the eye of an engineer doing product design and development. If I had access to the production SN95 and 1965 mustang tooling a pittance of tooling money by automotive standards along with the ford assembly line I think I could get that car into production, and that makes it worthy of praise in my view.

Here's a post from Bob Julian to the Corner-carvers.com forum:

Holly (@$(&@$&!!!!!!!

I just took the SN65 out for a spin (only around the block) and I am totally blown away. Every fear I had about lackluster acceleration, poor ride quality, misc. rattles, sluggish handling, etc.... has been officially laid to rest.

This car is a real screamer. :-)

When I pulled it out of the shop, I told myself to take it easy. We still have to log about 500 miles before the new clutch setup is fully broke in and I was really concerned over loose nuts and bolts, etc... After all, we did have every last nut and bolt off the car at one point or another.

I eased into the throttle and the car pulled away very smooth and responsive. Slight changes in the throttle gave me a feeling that the car will pull really well. The handling was phenomenal. Going around a couple corners at moderate speeds gave me the feeling that the car was on rails. The cockpit is just tight enough to give you a nice secure feel without being cramped.

The ride quality was a major concern of mine. We eliminated quite a few rubber components and replaced them with Delron and aluminum. I was really afraid that these changes would make the ride overly harsh and noisy, but the ride was surprisingly smooth.

The sound from the exhaust was just perfect. The car produces a nice mellow rumble at idle and a throaty growl under moderate acceleration.

Speaking of "moderate" acceleration. When the car is rolling along at about 35 to 40, if we just pop the throttle up to about 1/5 to 3/4 acceleration, the tires tend to break free. The F1's are a bit worn, but they still have a bit of tread left. I thought they would hold better. I guess the real test will be with the new rims and Toyo's rolling.

I really did not want to bring the car back to the shop. I just wanted to drive off into the sunset. It is the most fun I have had in a car ever, and it only lasted about 3 to 5 minutes. It is going to drive me nuts having this thing sitting here and not being able to drive fit.

I want to drive it to a couple of Ford dealers in the area just for an oil change. I want to drive it to a couple of exotic car dealers and take a few people for a test drive.

Speaking of test drives, I really want to be able to take some of you out for a spin. I wish I could take all of you, but time will not allow. Mark my words. If any of you who have been following this thread, ever come up to me at a car show, and we can arrange for some time on the road, we will do it.

Better yet, when we do the power tour, we will be happy to swap passengers with others on the trip. After all, If you get to ride in our car, we get to ride in yours.

Well, I have to get back to work. We have lots of little details yet to finish before the unveiling at the Autoramma.

Bob __________________ Bob

SNIP...

Hi 180,

So, some people do read those posts. :-)

We have just returned from the Autorama. And while we did not win the "Ridler", we did not leave empty handed.

We were presented with the "Outstanding Engineered" award for excellence in engineering. The Judges said that this was the most well engineered auto they have seen in a long time. The attention to detail was phenomenal and the execution of the concept was extraordinary.

Also, the fact that the SN65 looks like it could have rolled off the factory assembly line is exactly what make the car interesting and unique. As far as overall difficulty goes, doing a project in the way that we did is actually more complex than a traditionl buid.

Bob

Congratulations on the trophy. That's a great accomplishment, to be the best engineered car at the top indoor hot rod show of the year. There's no doubt it's well deserved.

Do you get to drive it some more, now, or is it booked for car show appearances the rest of the year?

Hi 180,

We have only been able to take it out a couple of times. It is a blast to drive. Not only is it fast and nimble, but the driving experiance is totally surreal. The sound of the engine and the feel of the road as you push the pedal to the floor. The mix of 03 and 65 in the interior give you a totally different perspective as you look out over the hood. It is the most interesting blend of old and new. I really can't get enough. If I could drive this car 24/7 I would do it.

Bob