Hi, just a little back story of this ride of mine.
When I started looking around for an actual belly tank, it seemed that while some were available to be had, they were either so far away or they wanted just too much money for them.
So I went looking and found something that I figured would work. Ultimately, my only goal is to build it, drive it, and take a cool picture on the Salt Flats. I may attempt actually running it but I don't know enough yet that's for sure.
When I found something I thought would work, I bought it and brought it home. The tube itself was known as a paravane. Basically, it's a minesweeper. It's 14 feet long, 28 IN diameter and 1/8 in steel. I figured the tube would make a nice unibody design with minimal inner framework. After playing around with it, it'll work just fine for a unique ride... although the construction may bite me if I ever try to compete with it, but that's ok.
A bit about me, my dad was a greaser and taught me all about hot rodding early in life and I've done other projects in the same manner. Use what ya got and make it work... then throw in a little artistic talent to make it look the part. And if it has a few sharp edges, that's just fine too.
The running gear on this consists of early 40's ford front axle and rear banjo. The rear axle seen on it right now is some plymouth axle I found for 50 bucks so it's just sitting there for now. Both the front & rear will have a transverse leaf spring suspension.
The engine, well... assuming I can talk a friend out of it... a nifty aluminum block 215 out of an early 60's JetFire should do the trick.
Then, do it for under 2000... in my driveway. Yep. (pretty ambitious huh?)
Next step, get the rear end from its current weed field/resting place... and get the front axle on it... then find some rims & crappy tires for now.
So far, I'm only into this about 500 bucks.
Anyway, thanks for looking. I'll update as I go. Comments welcome.
Here's a pic of that nifty engine.