[Mike Jones]

Backbone vs Ladder Frame

I have an RUCC and instead of telling you how much I like it and the main reason I bought the car was the backbone frame. I would recommend that you buy or at least read Chassis Engineering by Herb Adams. I'm not a automotive engineer but Herb is and he also designed the VSE cobra. After you read his chapter on frame design there will be no doubt what the different is between the two frames and that the RUCC is indeed a backbone frame. Both frames have there place but learn from one of the experts what that is and which one would be the best for you. When I was doing my research on which cobra kit to purchase I went to the RUCC shop and spoke to Roger Upton the owner. Roger at that time had both a ladder and backbone frame (he makes both). During a test drive under hard acceleration the gap between the top of the door and body would flex open more than half an inch on the ladder frame and not move at all on the backbone frame. Read the book you decide.

Mike