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Hi metal shapers!

My name is Adrian and I am originally from Olympia, Washington but I currently reside in Grants Pass, Oregon. I work as an engineer designing large composite containers for military equipment. My obsession is riding mountain bikes and building trails for them. I see parallels between building trail and coachbuilding. It takes vision, patience, and a hell of a lot of work and when it's done (not that its ever truly done) you have something you can be proud of and have fun with!

I have a passion for cars, especially classics. I could stare at pictures of D-type Jags, Porsches, and Bugattis all day long. Classic styling and cuuuurves make me nostalgic (even though I'm only 29).

I plan on building an alloy bodied car of a unique design that follows the styling cues from the cars that I admire. I have access to solidworks with which I am proficient and a CNC waterjet. Once I decide on a car design, I will use SW to design the wooden buck and then order a chassis! (Possibly Corvette C6, 550 spyder replica chassis...all depending on what I settle on).

I owe my inspiration to Chris at The Motoring Journal and his Frankfurt Flyer. He really opened my eyes to this world.

I am totally new to car building and metal shaping. I have access to equipment including an E-wheel and more. I mentioned my idea in passing to a buddy and it turns out his father has all of it collecting dust in the garage. What luck!

I really look forward to learning from everyone here (and being able to see pictures as a member :) ) and vow to post my build here once I have something concrete.

Happy building!

Welcome Adrian.

Frankfurt Flyer is one nice project, great inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LynsRY9tiBA

I didn't see any details on the web site.
Searching only turned up a later article on the 550 replica.
http://www.themotoringjournal.com/featured-cars/along-came-a-spyder-porsche-550.htm

Hello Adrian and welcome to the site.

I would suggest learning to shape with hand tools only to start with. You will get a much better feel for how metal is moved before going to machines.

If while cutting a new trail you come across a nice stump, take it home and you will use it for the rest of your life.

Jere

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Tom,
I have asked him why he no longer has the build details on his website. He didn't say, but I suspect he wants to protect his intellectual property as he is making a go of selling his cars. Some build info for his first car can be found at http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=492754. He also posts photos and updates on the current 2-seater version on his Facebook timeline.

Jere,
Thanks for the advise on hand tools. I will peruse the hand tools section now that I have access and start building a collection. I saw a very interesting hammer made out of a baseball bat that looks like it would work well in conjunction with the stump you speak of. Fortunately, most of the trees around here and alive and well. I build my trails around them :)

Adrian if you can find a wooden bat cut it 13" from the big end and then find the balance point and drill a 1" hole and fix the small end there.

Also look for an oxygen tank cap. Be sure to pass the handle all the way through before welding.

Jere

I'm so glad I found this place! Thanks Jere

Hi Adrian and welcome !:)

Hi Adrian welcome to the forum
Peter

Thanks Rick and Peter. I am currently engrossed in Jamie's 1933 D8 Delage K.G. Special. http://allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=5864

So incredible!

Welcome to the forum.

David