Vini – the Powerflex V8 Mini
Discussion
Unsurprisingly we are anticipating underbonnet temperatures needing some management.
The manifolds and downpipes are Zircotec coated and the engine bay is gold lined (as per McLaren F1)
But you aren't allowed to see that bit yet!
Now the shape of the sump is clear.
Imagine that the position of the gap in the sump dictates the front subframe and steering rack positioning and therefore the front suspension geometry in the way that is located in relation to the front wheel position which cannot be moved.
The manifolds and downpipes are Zircotec coated and the engine bay is gold lined (as per McLaren F1)
But you aren't allowed to see that bit yet!
Now the shape of the sump is clear.
Imagine that the position of the gap in the sump dictates the front subframe and steering rack positioning and therefore the front suspension geometry in the way that is located in relation to the front wheel position which cannot be moved.
Getting the position of the column before final positioning
We wanted to retain the adjustable column.
It is decisions like these that made the build so complex.
It is so nice working with EDM.
The conversation would go something like:
"Do you want the steering column to be adjustable?"
"Well it would be nice considering Vini will have different drivers, but I know tha'ts a really difficult thing to achieve so maybe we leave it fixed"
"No problem, leave it with us"
Looking up from underneath, trying to get it to miss the manifold
We wanted to retain the adjustable column.
It is decisions like these that made the build so complex.
It is so nice working with EDM.
The conversation would go something like:
"Do you want the steering column to be adjustable?"
"Well it would be nice considering Vini will have different drivers, but I know tha'ts a really difficult thing to achieve so maybe we leave it fixed"
"No problem, leave it with us"
Looking up from underneath, trying to get it to miss the manifold
Final parts of shell prep to do before final fit out.
The car has to be built up almost to a running condition before going to paint.
EDM wanted all brackets and clips in place before painting so that there is no "Damn, I wish we had put a bracket here for the exhaust" going on with the shell all finished and painted.
You can see brackets on the tunnel for gear selector and handbrake.
It's the little things
Seam sealer going in
The car has to be built up almost to a running condition before going to paint.
EDM wanted all brackets and clips in place before painting so that there is no "Damn, I wish we had put a bracket here for the exhaust" going on with the shell all finished and painted.
You can see brackets on the tunnel for gear selector and handbrake.
It's the little things
Seam sealer going in
And now to finalising the wheel position and offset.
The diameter was fixed at 18 inch early on because the availability of road and slick tyres but to get the offset and rim width correct was a task.
I didn't want massive wheel archs. The car will be road registered and the look is subtle, not Thundersloon
A delicate balance of clearance of the dampers and using a subtle extension that will enhance the appearance without looking silly.
And no, none of these are the final wheel.
These will be a custom forged item designed for motorsport
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/tmF1j79x[/url]
The diameter was fixed at 18 inch early on because the availability of road and slick tyres but to get the offset and rim width correct was a task.
I didn't want massive wheel archs. The car will be road registered and the look is subtle, not Thundersloon
A delicate balance of clearance of the dampers and using a subtle extension that will enhance the appearance without looking silly.
And no, none of these are the final wheel.
These will be a custom forged item designed for motorsport
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/tmF1j79x[/url]
And so the shell returns from Normandale Products.
A fantastic job completed in one week.
Whilst the shell was well prepared by EDM prior to paintwork there was still a lot of work to paint the entire shell, in three colours, inside and out, rollcage (can you imagine how difficult that is to do with something this complex) plus doors, bonnet, wings, bumpers and boot.
I have recently had an Alfa SZ painted (not by Normandale) and that took 18 months to complete and it wasn't as good as this.
I am sure you too have experienced terrible service and quality from bodyshops.
This had to be perfect.
Land Rover Aintree Green body
Mini Chilly Pepper White roof
BMW Silver Gret interior that EDM insist on using on all their race cars. Looks so classy.
A fantastic job completed in one week.
Whilst the shell was well prepared by EDM prior to paintwork there was still a lot of work to paint the entire shell, in three colours, inside and out, rollcage (can you imagine how difficult that is to do with something this complex) plus doors, bonnet, wings, bumpers and boot.
I have recently had an Alfa SZ painted (not by Normandale) and that took 18 months to complete and it wasn't as good as this.
I am sure you too have experienced terrible service and quality from bodyshops.
This had to be perfect.
Land Rover Aintree Green body
Mini Chilly Pepper White roof
BMW Silver Gret interior that EDM insist on using on all their race cars. Looks so classy.
The engineering of the car is pretty much finished and with the car being on show for the first time at Goodwood next week, I thought I would share a lot more pictures of the details that no one will ever see.
It has been a massive project with difficulty custom fabrication work needed at every turn.
ATL Fuel cell aperture.
Built to FIA specifications and approvals
It has been a massive project with difficulty custom fabrication work needed at every turn.
ATL Fuel cell aperture.
Built to FIA specifications and approvals
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