Carlos Salaff Project Caden

It's very cool to see Project Caden's aluminum panels expressing the movement in the sections below. It's an awesome process to see the surfaces, and the character of the car coming to life.
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Thanks Ryan, so glad you are enjoying the journey.

I love the McLaren F1 too. It has in many ways been a spiritual blueprint for Caden. Dimensions are actually quite similar.

Caden's basic dimensions:
L 4394mm W 1918 H 1124 Wheelbase 2790

McLaren F1 basic dimensions:
L 4288 W 1820 H 1140 Wheelbase 2718

 

Some of you have been following this build of the Project Caden prototype from the beginning(thanks guys!)

For those of you joining the fun now, and those who have been following a while, I felt a post gathering my thoughts and plans would be welcome. Caden will become the first car model offered under SALAFF Cars. it will be made in small numbers, with a continued focus on quality, artistry, and experience.

Caden is for the driving purist and art appreciator. It is raw, visceral, and analog.The inspiration behind the project is 60s-80's era race cars. The F1 cars, the Group C monsters, and a bit of aircraft reference of course.

"Large" performance car manufacturers are moving towards sequential gearboxes, forced induction, and greater computerization. These technological leaps are amazing in their own way, but this leaves behind an unfulfilled void for purists who want a direct man-machine experience. That's where Caden comes in.

A naturally aspirated BMW V10, routing power through a 6-speed manual will be at the heart. The driver's seat is positioned in the middle(3 seats in delta formation like McLaren F1). The chassis is being custom designed and built with the purpose of being a thrill to drive on the track, and a joy on the street. Caden's body and chassis tub are of handcrafted aluminum. In an age of plastics, I feel that aluminum has a special beauty and depth. When crafted by hand, it has a timeless quality that we still feel when experiencing great vintage cars.

This is a passion project for me, and I am enjoying sharing my story with you.
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A lower view of the rear fender/deck panel taking shape.
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Metalshaper Rodney applying oil to a fender/deck panel. The oil helps keep things moving smoothly while using the planishing hammer.

This shot also helps show scale. Caden is a compact car--roughly McLaren F1 size.
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Patience, grasshopper😉 Updates soon☺️

 

Thanks John!

 

Rodney checking and adjusting a cardboard template. It helps him to visualize how the aluminum panel needs to be sculpted.
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Update on the glass making side of things.

I have completed CNC milling the slices that comprise my glass plugs. These plugs will be used for creating polycarbonate parts for the windshield/sideglass and rear window.

The next step was to assemble the slices. Here are some photos of the assembled plugs.

The last step is to hard coat the foam, and sand the molds glass smooth. Then off to the polycarbonate making shop.
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Project Caden will have a riveted/bonded aluminum monocoque tub, inspired by the great Group C, GTP, and Can-Am cars.

Construction of the tub is now full steam, starting with the floor and front footbox area.

The first part built was this nickel-plated steel bulkhead (right). It reinforces the front of the aluminum tub, which rivets to its flanges.

In the rendering on the left, it's the gold-colored piece.
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I thought that today would be a good day to present a sketch rendering of Project Caden on social media, and the philosophy behind the project:

Great cars are not about numbers or spec sheets. They put the driver at the center of an unforgettable experience. Inspired by vintage racing cars, ‪#‎ProjectCaden‬ is about man-machine connection, and handcrafted artistry. A quest to create living, breathing mechanical sculpture.
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Thank you Robin!

 

Progress to report on the aluminum tub construction at Metcalf Racing.

In these photos you can see the foot box, floor, and sides of the tub getting positioned. The floor will be reinforced by aluminum honeycomb. Steel suspension pickup points are currently being fabricated, and will be integrated into the foot box for safety and strength.
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Hi Pete,

the aluminum thickness in the photos is .060", or ~1.5mm.

 

Hi Zack,
I'm shooting to have the prototype track testing next summer.

 

Pete's Custom Coachbuilding had an open house yesterday.

It was a great afternoon--I had the chance to show the work in progress, and answer many questions that the attendees had.

I should mention that if any of you following the project happen to be passing through the Cleveland, Ohio area, you are always welcome to come by and see the progress--and have a beer. Just give me a heads up a few days in advance
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Rodney and Pete(owner of Pete's Coachbuilding) fastening center body panels to the buck with clecos. In the foreground is a newly-minted rear fender panel.
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The new rear fender panel. Rodney and Pete determined that this panel should be made of two pieces, in order to capture all of the contours with more finesse. They will then be welded together. This is the rearmost piece.
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