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Who says you can't build in aluminium??
Benonymous - 23/9/09 at 01:50 AM

These blokes did. Only took 2 and a half years and a MIG factory.

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/

The build diary is PDF's behind the links.

Staple balls - 23/9/09 at 02:05 AM

I don't think anyone did, just that you shouldn't build a spaceframe out of alu


very impressive work in there though.

RK - 23/9/09 at 02:35 AM

yes and slightly more expensive than the 250 pounds we have been spending.

nitram38 - 23/9/09 at 05:20 AM

Monocoque............there I've said it!
Lots of cars built this way are ok or steel chassis with aluminium panels.
Aluminium doesn't like being a stressed member as it fractures.
I've welded up plenty of old cars (austen 7) which used aluminium tubs. These fracture over time.

rgrs - 23/9/09 at 07:02 AM

Taken from their site :

Q: Is the frame of the car made of aluminum?

A: No, original frames are mild steel painted black. We use DOM mild steel material and black powder coat. The frame is also available in stainless steel for those who prefer the panache.

hth Roger

Agriv8 - 23/9/09 at 07:08 AM

Dont care if it is right or wrong that is Ferkin stunning. Was the shell at a show a year or so back.

regards

Agriv8

cd.thomson - 23/9/09 at 07:53 AM

not as nice as TrevD's work

jollygreengiant - 23/9/09 at 08:31 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cd.thomson
not as nice as TrevD's work


Damn you beat me to it.

Seconded.

nib1980 - 23/9/09 at 08:49 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cd.thomson
not as nice as TrevD's work


completely agreed!

Davey D - 23/9/09 at 08:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Agriv8
Dont care if it is right or wrong that is Ferkin stunning. Was the shell at a show a year or so back.

regards

Agriv8


Have to agree - What they have done there has taken a serious amount of Skill, time, and money

i wouldnt dare take the thing out on a public road. imagine how enraged you would feel parking up, and comin back to it to find some tw*t has opened their car door onto your car, and left a ding

balidey - 23/9/09 at 09:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rgrs
Taken from their site :

Q: Is the frame of the car made of aluminum?

A: No, original frames are mild steel painted black. We use DOM mild steel material and black powder coat. The frame is also available in stainless steel for those who prefer the panache.

hth Roger


Actually, the chassis being talked about here IS an aluminium monocoque, the quote you have listed above is about the 'normal' kit chassis that Kirkham supply.

nasty - 23/9/09 at 09:21 AM

Any idea how much it weighs? They don't put it in their specifications, so I can't imagine that it is all that light.

02GF74 - 23/9/09 at 10:40 AM

... and how much less will your wallet weigh?

Davey D - 23/9/09 at 10:42 AM

im sure i read somewhere that they claim to have better power to wieght than a bugatti veyron, which i believe is 500bhp/ton? 1000bhp in a 2 ton car?.

they claim their engine was around 600bhp, so that means that their car weighs a shade over a ton?

Theshed - 23/9/09 at 11:10 AM

"Aluminium doesn't like being a stressed member as it fractures" -errm a tad simplistic? He says laying himself open to a barrage of criticism..... What about the wing spars of a 747? In the right place aluminium is vastly superior to steel - in the wrong place or joined in an inappropriate ways - vastly inferior.

That car is very beautiful and I for one can see the attraction - however probably not a patch on a steel framed car in terms of cost or weight...

MikeCapon - 23/9/09 at 11:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nasty
Any idea how much it weighs? They don't put it in their specifications, so I can't imagine that it is all that light.


In the "Testing" chapter they show the corner weighting being done. Total is 1771lbs which is only 805kg. Seems very light to me?

designer - 23/9/09 at 03:23 PM

That's made in Poland in the old MIG factory.

Volvorsport - 23/9/09 at 04:00 PM

thats made of billet ally , whole different kettle of fish .

martyn_16v - 23/9/09 at 07:37 PM

Jesus Horatio Christ, a copy of the build manual costs $4500