Non Cobra build--Cheetah

[john chesnut]

I'm anxious to got on with the build. To do that I needed the body. I drove from near Lake Placid, NY yesterday to the Pittsburgh area. This morning I met Mr Bruce and picked up the body. I just got home. I'll make another trip in a few weeks to pick up the nose.
Mr Bruce's body is different than an original Cheetah in a few ways.
The original Cheetah was tiny. 68 inches wide with a 90 inch wheelbase. The engine was mounted so far to the rear that the tranny bolted directly to the diff. The result is that the cockpit was extremely tight. Mr Bruce and I are essentially the same size. 6'2", 240lbs with a 34 inch inseam. In addition Mr Bruce designed the car to use C4 Corvette suspension. This is wider than what was used for the original.

The result is that Mr Bruce's Cheetah is wider, 79 inches at the rear wheel arch's and has a 93 inch wheelbase. There was 1 original Cheetah Roadster. A coupe had the top chopped of to create the Roadster. The rear deck of Mr Bruce's Cheetah is raised between the rear wheel arches. On the original it was lowered. I like the changes Mr Bruce made but the resulting car is more of a tribute than an a replica.

Tomorrow I'm going to start on a new frame.
Having fun.