Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: Gary Perkinson on October 26, 2014, 12:18:15 AM
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Hey, everyone...quick question. In altered, can I fill or cover a window opening with sheet metal (so that it's essentially not a window anymore), rather than replace the non-laminated glass with polycarbonate? I'm thinking primarily of the rear side windows on a wagon (in my case, an HHR) and basically just doing a homemade panel wagon conversion by eliminating the rear side windows. I know that rule 5.D.2 says "No taped or filled body, door or window seams are allowed from the firewall back," but I'm not talking about filling the seams, I'm talking about filling in the entire opening. I also know that the same rule says that "The body shall be mounted to the chassis with all body panels mounted in the original relationship to each other," but I wouldn't be changing the relationship of any body panels to any other body panels.
Any thoughts? I can see where such a change could be construed as streamlining, but I would actually be interested in doing it more for aesthetics than anything else...
Gary
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They also built it as a no-window panel truck, right? I don't see a problem.
But, as always, YMMV. :mrgreen:
Mike
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They also built it as a no-window panel truck, right? I don't see a problem.
Actually, they did! I didn't even think of that...great point. I had to look up "YMMV," but yeah, you're right--my panel efforts will most likely not be showroom quality... :-D
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If you cover/replace the existing windows to a panel truck appearance the covering must be in the original window opening. You cannot flush mount window coverings in the Altered classes.
DW
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Dan:
He can't fill the windows of:
(http://www.carautoportal.com/car-images/chevrolet/chevrolet-hhr/chevrloet-hhr-2008.jpg)
to convert it to (as from factory):
(http://www.babez.de/chevrolet/hhr-panel/chevrolet-panel-hhr-01.jpg)
???
Mike
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I would say IF he can make the rear doors convert into a body part it might fly. If he just wants to remove the window the replacement piece must conform to the original window placement.
Another way of saying this is if he wants to convert it to a panel truck do that, don't plate over the windows as it won't be allowed.
Here are a couple of pictures of GM's HHR running in Comp Coupe. It retained the window locations.
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Didn't the HHR runin the 230's?
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Crashed at 250+
DW
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From what little I've seen, those station wagon shapes don't usually do well.
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http://www.canepa.com/news/hhr.html (http://www.canepa.com/news/hhr.html)
In 2006 the HHR crashed at over 250 MPH when Minneker lost traction when the parachute deployed. Minneker was beating the previous record of 226.835 in the G/BFCC class (G Class/Blown Fuel Competition Coupe) with a qualifying run of 246.686 mph when the HHR lost traction at the five-mile mark of the long course. The vehicle’s terminal speed at the time was 249.793 MPH. Minneker was able to walk away from the incident with nothing more than a stiff neck.
Mike
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They didn't work very well in drag racing either. Remember Don Shoemakers "Wonder Wagon" Vega sponsored by Wonder Bread?
Also if memory serves me, didn't Gary Gabelich lose his legs in a 4 wheel drive Vega Wagon Funny Car?
And somebody (Animal Jim?) built a Ford Taurus Wagon ProMod when the class wasn't even a class.
Ol' One Run, out.......................
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Pretty crazy that they rebuilt that car and haven't done anything with it.
Seems like if you filled in the door handles and made flush sheet metal, then you would be fine. Get it in writing though.
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Dan:
He can't fill the windows of:
(http://www.carautoportal.com/car-images/chevrolet/chevrolet-hhr/chevrloet-hhr-2008.jpg)
to convert it to (as from factory):
(http://www.babez.de/chevrolet/hhr-panel/chevrolet-panel-hhr-01.jpg)
???
Mike
Probably a lot easier to find one of those to start with :-),
Sumner
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Well, sure: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/4706618982.html (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/4706618982.html) :lol:
But that's not what he asked. :mrgreen:
Mike
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Hey, thanks for all the info everyone. I'll just keep whatever I end up filling the opening with--polycarbonate or sheet metal--the same dimensions as the glass, rather than the opening. There's maybe a 1/4" seam between the two, and it would probably look better flush, but it's no biggie...
I don't think Gary Gabelich ever lost his legs, did he? Unless it was in the crash he died in...
And yeah, believe me, I wish I had gotten the panel version of the HHR, but twas not to be. I'll just have to live with the grandpa version... :-D
Gary
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I don't see why if you made it look exactly like the panel truck it would not be legal as a panel truck. If not I don't see why you would use metal instead of Polycarbonate.
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I believe that I saw where you can buy a "panel" kit to do exactly what you are suggesting.
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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I don't see why if you made it look exactly like the panel truck it would not be legal as a panel truck. If not I don't see why you would use metal instead of Polycarbonate.
I'll probably just keep it as it is--if I was really going to go the panel route, I'd have to eliminate the passenger doors, too...but you're right, if I was going to fill it, polycarbonate would make more sense...
Gary
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I believe that I saw where you can buy a "panel" kit to do exactly what you are suggesting.
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Yep, I've seen that, too. Probably the way to go if I was determined to do it, but pretty pricey for something I'm on the fence about anyway... :-D
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Gary did not lose his legs in the crash, major damage was to his arms. He recovered and still drove later until he was killed on a street bike when he hit a truck.
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Thanks Glen, I just remember that it was pretty horrific deal. Gary had more guts than any other race car driver. I wonder if any books or articles were ever written about his amazing career? Bob
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Bob:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gabelich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gabelich). Lots of references and some direct links at the bottom. :cheers:
Mike
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Bob:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gabelich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gabelich). Lots of references and some direct links at the bottom. :cheers:
Mike
One of my first racing heroes--didn't realize he was so involved in the Apollo program...
Gary
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Gary lived just across town from me, his dad was a good friend.Gary had no fear, My wife went to school with Gary.