Cy-Car TigerCat 3V2 prototype construction
Chapter #21, Mile Stones 30, 31 and 32 (Decisions)
It only has three wheels, what will it look like from the rear?
10-6-11
10-16-11, REV. A, Additional photos
With the addition of the front fenders it was time to begin creating the rear tail or rear body structure and skin. This simple body section is more important than any other because it is the most creative and visible section of all. The main body and cockpit are somewhat controlled by the needs of the cockpit, windshield and firewall. The tail is not only a fender but also the tail light pod, trunk, license housing, rear chassis cover. It is the “thing” that everyone will look and give an opinion, good or bad. It is also required to be made removal-able as is the sub-structure steel framwork, for repair and replacement.
There was a definite look we were trying to achieve as seen in these drawings. The look of the 32’ Ford Roadster but designed with the third wheel in mind. This was going to be a challenge.
We knew that we were going to need to take small steps and KNOW what it was going to look like as we went along. We decided to build the tail section “on the car”. This was so that at each step we could look at the results and move forward or make small changes and then move forward. There were going to be many changes and we knew that when we started. So we started with double layer cardboard and a box knife. The next few chapters will cover only the beginning processes and the work it took to get underway.
Smiling Steve was given the project of developing the tail from the drawings provided by Mark Ashcraft and because he has a background in fiberglass construction. The balance of the crew was going to stand around and point fingers at his best efforts and give advice even when it was not ask for. At this point we thought it best to remove the car from the general shop and place it in an “undercover” location (two doors down the complex) so that Steve could work in peace.
First we created cardboard bulkhead for the seatback and the tail light pod which will be a seperate part with lights and ect..
Then we created the interior of the trunk/storage compartment to be sure we had proper tire and wheel clearence. We will add additional storage space later in side pods and cubby holes.
Steve began a number of tail cone shapes (4) until we got the right look. This one was all wrong.
Once we got the correct shape we started to add additional 3/D formers and size into the tail cone. This was only the beginning of many hours to follow.
We had to add this photo of the Builder (Steve), the Designer (Mark) and Fabrication, (Glen) acting like members of the “Finger Pointing Design Club”. Oh that elusive 32′ Ford look being reviewed.
“Upon closer inspection I think we should change this curve, what do you think”? Is Steve rubbing his chin or picking his nose?
One of the things we know is that designing for production and bulk assembly is much different that just building one car. Some of our desisions seem strange but we are looking down the road to the day when we have five cars on assembly stands in the production department, and parts, sub-assemblies and systems are arriving all the time to be placed into the final construction. Small things will add to a lower cost and quality construction values. Stick around and see if you can find the problems that we are bound to have as we move along.
In the next chapter we will begin filling the spaces with foam and filler so that The tail cone can be shaped.
Carl L. Myers
