Will; I looks as if you used the original suspension is that correct ? If so did you take measurements of the orininal locations from the original Q-porte and use those dimensions in your tube frame ? I have an idea of using a modern totaled q-port with the paddle shifters and doing something similar.
Yes, The front suspension components are mostly stock QP III except for urethane bushings, shocks and springs. I did measure the original QP III chassis pick-up points but mostly for the relationships between the pick-up points for the suspension arms, the anti-roll bar and the steering rack. I changed upper and lower control-arm pick-up points to give the car some anti-dive and to reduce camber change. In the rear it was difficult to change dynamics but I determined that with the very long control-arms, the camber change was reasonable enough. I did eliminate the trailing arms from the rear suspension, since that required the rear sub-frame to be rubber mounted for compliance. I instead added an angled link running from the outer end of the lower control-arm to an extended inner fulcrum shaft. This basically made the lower-control arm into an a-arm and keeps the suspension unit from wiggling around.
Well, blue it is. All the body panels have been painted blue except for the nose which is still in primer and will be painted next. Originally the car was going to be red with a blue interior, like the 450S this car is very loosely based on, but we decided, with some prodding, to make the exterior blue. It's a monochromatic blue and I think it's quite dramatic. I already had the blue leather for the interior so....what the heck, we'll have a blue on blue car. Once I was used to that idea I went further with the blue theme. The car now has blue seat belts, a blue MOMO steering wheel, blue Wilton carpet, blue brake calipers, blue mirrors, etc. We're hoping to have the car at the big Italian car fest in the Poconos in PA at the end of June so we've definitely got the project "off of the back burner" now. Next to go on the car are the windshield, dashboard, rocker panels (outer sills), fuel plumbing, wiring, etc. Soon the engine will be assembled and re-installed in the chassis. I hope we make our self imposed dead-line. It's been a long time coming. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Progress looks fantastic and I am glad it is not just another red beauty. As you used the QPIII front end what shocks did you put on? On one car I have put the set from MIE but it does raise the front end and to me looks odd. Pics are on my thread re the 81 and 86 QPIII. It would be good to have another option. Best William PS good luck with getting it ready in time.
William, I think you might be best off with the MIE shocks. While the front suspension technically came from a QP III, it's true source appears to be the Pantera, a rear-mid-engine car with considerably less weight at the front. That suspension with it's coil-over shocks (dampers) was never meant to hold up half the weight of a QP III, with the engine sitting over the front axle center-line, all sitting on a couple of little rubber shock bushings. We have a set of US-made coil-overs by Vari-Shock on this car. They are machined from billet aluminum, are re-buildable and are externally adjustable for damping and ride height. They also come with a choice of urethane bushings or spherical bearings at the load bearing points. I'm not sure they would be suitable for the QP III. You would have to check with the manufacturer. On my roadster the bare chassis only weighs about 200 pounds and the engine sits very far back from the front axle center-line. The weight on the front shock bushings is considerably less than on a QP III. Thank you for your encouragement even though I'm not being very encouraging here.
Wil is pedal to the floor getting this project done for the Belle Macchine D'Italia show in the Poconos (Mt Airy, PA) this coming Saturday. Engine still apart, trans to be put in, plumbing, details, details. Here are some photos from the old garage last night. You can get the drift of how it's shaping up. Will post more from the show Saturday. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks! Wil and his crew worked long hours all week, up to 1 am last night, loaded the trailer and spent today at the Belle Macchine D'Italia concorso in the Poconos. Smelling the roses today! Next...to get the car running. It's almost there. Engine/trans in, missing the plumbing. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Wow. That car looks awesome. The style, color work so well. And that you've built it yourself is amazing. Congrats on a job well done. Love the side pipes, the wheels. The blend of modern and classic design. Awesome job.
Oh my. She's simply stunning. Better even than I had imagined. I'm sure there is immense pride in the accomplishment. Major congratulations.
Very, very nice !! Nice touch with the blue wrinkle finish on the cam covers. You have unbelievable talent. Ivan
Thanks, gentlemen. It means a lot! Here are some photos other people took. I'll be back to work on it this week. There's still lots of stuff to do. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you, Jack. Here's a photo of Wil sitting in the car. Next shares from us will be links to video of the car running. Back to work getting the engine going. - Sandy Image Unavailable, Please Login
For anyone who didn't follow the entire history of this thread, here's a shot of Wil's sons. Same boy 'driving' the finished car as sitting in the chassis. It is unbelievably gratifying, from the spouse's viewpoint, to witness the finish of this endeavor! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Awesome! I know I may catch some flack, but here are my observations... I would love to see a set of Borrani's and a proper Nardi steering wheel. I do not think the alloys are in keeping with the vintage look of the car and IMHO detract from your incredible craftsmanship.... Thank you for sharing this with us!
I understand the goals for this car thus i understand the wheel spec and steering wheel for that matter. i also understand what chris parr is advocating for and i do agree that the car would look insane w/ wires and some vintage race avons and a nardi. the car is simply spectacular. this is a special machine and it was finish with the inspiration of wil's departed loved one. therefore it is to be cherished by all of us. it is finally complete wil !!! Thank you for the journey. best, peter
