EMPI Sportster - Four Seater

[ollie]

Hi,

I'm looking to home-build a Sportster and have found the plans for the two seater but can't find any for the four seater... any leads or help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Ollie[/img]

[BL3Manx]

Four seaters were sold as turn key and semi-finished kits.

The only differences would be an unshortened vw chassis and 12" longer lower body side rails.

Also most 4 seater windshields didn't hinge. The original ad photo was retouched to remove the hinge. They also had top corner extensions to support the surrey top

[dustymojave]

I can see that fabrication of the body in the rear seat area is not the same as working from the original plans. But not all too complicated either.

The back seat used appears to be stock Bug back seat supported by a 1" x 1/8" angle iron frame.

The body around the seat is simple. But it would be cool if someone took some detail pictures of the body structure in the back.

The surrey top structure could be made of 1.25" x .065 wall tube. That's pretty much the same as 1" EMT conduit and you could probably use a conduit hickey to bend the tubing.

Personally, If I would build one it would be with a real roll cage because people on the roads these days are wacko.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[joemama]

I have always liked the Sportster. If I ever build another vw based (or any) it would be a Sportster, and I would love it to be a 4 seater. I agree with Richard about a cage.

[BL3Manx]

I think the prototype 4 seater in the first picture might be a better design than the production version. The prototype re-used the front seat side rail, moved to the rear seat. The prototype also had the rolled rear "pick-up" bed edge which supported the side rail. I think the prototype might make it be a bit harder for the rear seat occupants to enter/exit, but would probably provide a bit more feeling of security for them than the cut back flat rail EMPI used in production.

Also the vertical tubes besides the occupants heads on the white one are just unacceptable.

[BL3Manx]

This EMPI Sportster 4 seater body was included in a yard sale in Apple Valley this week. Word is it was bought by a VW mechanic

[yankee1919]

I like the color orange, interesting how the rear fenders are narrow, I kinda like it. Hopefully the new owner will jump on The Samba and give us details.


Tony