Cy-Car TigerCat 3V2 prototype construction
Chapter #20, Mile post #25
“To fender or not to fender that is the question”
9-15-11
As part of the general body design concept, which was to follow the “32” Ford Hot Rod look, a number of things were still in a “flux”. One of these items was the Front Fenders. A number of the “Finger Pointing Design Club” where in favor of “No-Fenders”! I pointed out that it rains every now and then even in Oregon and some kind of front fender would be nice. Grumble, grumble, grumble was heard from the Club. From the back of the Club came the remark “……It’s a Hot Rod and no fenders are required” So, the owner can take them off he they want to go “fenderless”, and re-fit them when they wanted I replied. Silence!!! I am not sure I won that argument.
When Jack and Mark Ashcraft had a done a number of design drawings of the concept TigerCat there were always front fenders. In most cases the fenders were “cycle” or “flying” fender types. Some with lighting installed and some much more modern, see the drawings of Mark’s fender ideas. It was decided that at this point in the prototype build we would go for the simplest styles and a strong but simple mounting system.
A selection of modern fender designs and a new concept Harley engine Air Cleaner (lower left) designed for side facing engines.
A pair of 15” dia. trailer fenders were chosen and purchased. It was then that we found out that not all trailer fenders are created equal. Some had flat tops and some were built right but were ugly. After a good search we found a local source for a steel fender with good shape and fit the size and width of tires we had chosen earlier. We also wanted a design which would fit with 13”, 14” and 15” dia. wheels. This would give the owner a wide selection of wheels and tires to fit and make the final assemble more custom. In the following photos the wheels and tires are 13”. The mounting design will allow us to make a simple change the mounting bracket to fit all three sizes.
At this point the project was handed over to Smiling Steve design and fabrication. He fumbled and fumed around the Fab shop cutting this and welding that and now and then trying to fit his masterpiece to the wheels. After few hours his face lit up with delight and he started to whistle his favorite song “The day the Merry-Go-Round broke down” (Loony-Toon Theme). At this point he call us over to take a look, we rubbed our chins and hymned and hawed a little and then shook our collective heads in approval.
Steve setting up the first of a few designs, but he is on the right tract.
His design has a number of good options besides the simple assembly shown in our photos.
• The tubing mounting struts can accept wiring if we decide to add lighting.
• The tubing mounting struts can also be made to allow the fender to “hang” from the strut and allow the fender to be removed from the struts for plating or painting a different color.
• We can use strong steel struts and aluminum fenders if we option item #2
• The strut angles and be changed to eliminate any vibration and fender shake if detected.
Simple mounting, and strong, I think the bracket is on the wrong side of the spindle top mount, what do you think?
For now the solid welded assembly will work well and allow for a testing program without any maintenance or re-design. You will notice that the fenders are not the same. The struts are at different angles to test for the vibration and shake monster that may be lurking somewhere in the assembly.
The fenders were painted grey to signify that they were standard parts and not in question at this time. You will notice parts of different color on the car. Grey means, design work done for car #1, Blue means, parts to be an option or accessory, Brown (primer) means, Parts being added to or subject to change for car #1, and Black means, the part or assembly (body as an example), is in basic form and will change.
Clean look of the fenders and mounts will always please the driver and his look over the “Front End”
We think the simple but good looking fender installation add to the strong front end view with more to come. Note … we can see Huey the shop dog looking over things so he can give his opinion.
We will be talking about the ever important “Tail Cone” and “Main Body” in the next two chapters. This is where the fat hits the fire, because if we get them right we will have a winner on the board. Looks will be a big subject as we move toward the finish of the first car.
Carl
