Chassis design is complete. It's a homologous concoction of no less than four cars that will bring the unibody construction striking similar to the factory 507's structure. Best part? It should satisfy everyone on the board since it'll encompass parts from all of the Big 3!
The front chassis, rear frame rails will be 67-70 Mopar A-Body for the torsion bar suspension, then transitioning to a late 70s Mercedes SL convertible rear tub section, with GM AD series truck front door jambs (almost identical to the 507s) and GM A-Body wheel wells. Firewall will be custom, A-Pillar will be custom made surrounding the correct 507 windshield so dimensions stay true to the original design. That's three makes, but what about a Ford part to complete the big three American car companies??
Glad you asked!
Modified Mustang seat pan risers on the floor! See?? Everyone is offended equally!
Already figured out powerplant, transmission, and rear axle selections too. Biggest challenge on this project is mainly finding 507 specific parts but I'm planning on fabricating most myself and using eerily similar readily available donor parts from other makes and models for others. Door handles, mirrors, tail lights, wheels, seats, and several other parts are already on the list and bought. Assembled in it's entirety..... unless placed next to a factory 507... the plan is to not know that this is Chassis #DM507001
and not a factory original!
Is this a daunting project? Sure! Will it be a colossal failure? Probably! But will it be fun to watch this Andrea Doria sink to the bottom as that Stockholm slowly approaches?? Of course it will!!
More to come.....
Cheers
Dave