Now I've done it! FV street car project.

[Richard/SIA]

Made a deal to buy a never completed FV project.
Cost to pick it up exceeds purchase.
No idea who made the body and chassis, Google search went nowhere.

Plan is to make a street toy as it has no history and even Vee racing is just too expensive now.
Should be good for over fifty MPG despite spirited driving.

Additional parts so far are a 914 trans I happen to have and 1.0 or 1.3 Suzuki engine.
Rear suspension from one of my junk 67'ish bugs so four-lug and IRS.
Not sure about front suspension, possible reversed ball-joint beam and forward steering as used in the "Sting" FV.
Or maybe just graft on Triumph Spitfire/Lotus front suspension.
Not limited to FV rules so may be able to use some fat little 13" tires if I may find the right wheels.

Single seat and fender-less cars are road legal in Nevada so long as they do not exceed the weight limitation.
I'm certain this will be lighter than the T-Buckets I see everywhere.

Pics once I have the parts laid out in the shop I am building soon.

This will be a great practice exercise for my future Tatum Crusader build.

[oprn]

Interesting project! What is the weight limit for fender-less cars?

[Richard/SIA]

I believe the limit is around 1,600 Lb.
This one should be right around 1,000 Lb.
About a third less than a Geo Metro and much smaller frontal area.
Should make for a very sporty runabout or commuter car.

I've been doing some preliminary research.
Need to get the numbers from my 901 trans.
Seems axles and fitting should be pretty simple as I'm using the F-Vee frame not a Bug.

Have to decide, use the 50 HP 1.0 I already have, or get a 80 HP 1.3 from the salvage yard?
Have to do a rebuild in either case.

Electronics may be the biggest hassle but should not be too bad.

[oprn]

I have often wondered what kind of fuel economy a VW diesel would get in a light sleek car like that would get. It might put you too close to the weight limit but what about the one from the Smart car?

[Richard/SIA]

I'm intent on staying with what I am somewhat familiar with.
I've had to make repairs on the Suzi's before so have a better idea what it takes to keep them running.
For a "Modern" engine they are still fairly simple with basic throttle body injection or a carb conversion.
No VVT or other overly complex "Features" such as ignition lock-out if the seats do not match the ones in the ECU.

[calebmelvin]

Would love to see some photos!
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[Richard/SIA]

Picking up the body and chassis on Monday.
Already have the 901 trans.
KEP makes the engine adapter.
Two 1.3 Geo engines at the local self serve yard.
Looking at the gear ratios I think the 1.3 will be better than a 1.0
Also found a MS1 3.0 system in my stash if the Geo ECU is too much of a pain.
Now looking for wheels, since it is not to be an actual FV I can put more rubber on the road.
Considering some sort of fenders for better Aero and less sand thrown in my face.

[halfassleatherworks]

[halfassleatherworks]

A problem you are going to run into, is FV uses a swing axle and Porsche Is IRS you will have to totally remake the rear
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[halfassleatherworks]

I looked up the sting FV very interesting rear suspension and layout a lot of pics here

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-stan-townes-the-sting-race-car-formula-vee/
_________________
Halfass Leatherworks*****GOT LEATHER Made to order Leather crafts, you can find us on that face book thing

Belts, wallets, mouse pads, drink coasters, Engraving, most things made in leather.

personal items if you want it in leather in Reno Nv, *****

[Richard/SIA]

My 901 is a 1971 tail-shift.
A 901 requires IRS.

Since it is not to be a true F-Vee I may do anything I like for suspension.
The rear of the chassis has never had suspension mounted so is a blank slate for me to do whatever I like.

At the front I think I will be duplicating the "Sting" F-Vee if possible.
I borrowed a lot of pics, the auction ends tomorrow so anyone else interested in those innovations needs to get their own copies now.

Once I get it home I hope to be able to identify who made it.

[Richard/SIA]

After a very long drive it is home.
I had not realized how small this is.
Body is a little strange in that instead of being pointed the nose looks more like something from a Formula Ford.
Has to be vintage, rear suspension is designed for two shocks and a Z bar!

Only clue for origin that I have is that it was the spare car for a Pharmacist from Paradise CA many years ago.
Never raced but was nearly fully assembled when the seller got it.

Pics in the morning if it is not snowing.

[Richard/SIA]

I think I'm going to chicken out on the Porsche trans.
I now realize that it can be used in the Tatum build if I swap the diff.
Also do not want to turn the FV into a monster now that I realize how small it is.
So it looks like a simple IRS Bug box and 1.0 three cylinder engine.
This should be good for about 50 HP and still enough performance to get me arrested.
Where to mount the radiator is still to be determined.
Might create twin side-pods and use two.

[Richard/SIA]

[Richard/SIA]

Pictures!
Hoping someone recognizes this.
Unusual for a Vee as the front is not pointed, but it has the bump for the steering box.

Very simple frame but I suppose clamping the front beam in place might also add some stiffness?

Includes an engine cover and a rear spoiler. I note the attempt at breaking up laminar flow on the spoiler?

Probably much more practical as an Auto-X car than street.
But I have to street register it for hill-climb use.

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[Richard/SIA]

Identified!
Or almost.

APEX Speed turned up a couple of pics of this type body.
Waiting on Mod. approval before I can post there.

Seems to be a Tatum "Wedge" Formula Vee! 

I have so little that it probably has no real value.
On the other hand, the body is still new and has never been fitted so might be good to make new molds from?

Small world, I met Chuck Tatum several years ago and bought his "Crusader" sports car molds from him.

This body actually completes the set, FV and the street car it spawned. Have not seen a chassis tag, too bad, would be a genuine vintage Vee build if it was there.

Here is a pic I found. Seems I am missing a piece that goes over the engine. Now I need to track down the owner of this car.

[rayjay]

Like the car in the pic, I would mod the main hoop for a more normal upright seating position. For your intended use comfort and vision will be more important than the last tiny bit of CD you get from a reclining seating position.

[Richard/SIA]

I think this just got added to the Build, Play with, Sell! pile.
I have fourteen cars and not enough inside storage.
It will be a fun little toy but the two-place Tatum will be just a bit more practical as it is just a bit larger so more visible in traffic.

With the newer suspension and higher rev engine this should be great in Auto-X.
Probably won't get more back than I will have into it but as a learning exercise it will be priceless.

[Richard/SIA]

Um, I've fallen in Lust with a Morris Minor Pick-up project.
Had one years ago and miss it a lot.
So look at the for sale forum to find this one.

[mountain bug]

Hello Richard/STA, Most F/Vs have no chassis tag as such. They are identified by the stamped roll bar number and that is tied to an SCCA log book. If you have the log book your Tatum becomes more valuable.

See my Samba ad # 1081183 for a Hot VWs Magazine (June 1974) featuring the Tatum F/V when it was new.

Good luck with your sale, Dave Brown (mountain bug)