Cheetah inspired build continued

[john chesnut]

Here's what I found.

[FUNFER2]

That's it, but without the flag paint job.

[john chesnut]

It's the car with the flag paint job. You can just see part of it on the front of the hood. I'll try to find a picture that shows it.

There are a lot of differences between the Shell Valley Cheetah and mine.
- I'm using an MGB windshield. I think its the perfect look and size. The glass is readily available for under $100.
- The body is low on the Cheetah. All of the original had the air cleaner/carb sticking through the hood. I didn't want that. I sculpted a hood bulge that was as low as possible.
- I molded in reverse air vents in the hood to allow engine heat to escape.
- I molded in the dash, cockpit sides, and rear bulkhead so that the body positively locks into place on the frame.
- The seating position is as far rearward as possible. This allows for greater leg room which allows a lower seating position. And, more room between the rear bulkhead and dash. The original Cheetah has a deeply recessed dash for the driver. This was necessary to create enough room for the steering wheel. I have very good room.
- One of the original Cheetahs had the roof cut off which created a roadster. Shell Valley followed the original design of the rear deck. It's pretty much a low flat piece that blends up into the rear wheel arches. It looks fine to me. But I didn't like that it makes it appear that the driver is sitting very high in the car. I made my deck higher and blended in a gentle arch into the rear wheel arches.
- I angled my rear deck down towards the rear.
- I tried to make my car as low and sleek as practically possible.

I wasn't trying to build a replica. Just a cool car that borrowed the parts of the Cheetah styling that I liked. I'm having fun.

I purchased the body shell from Mr bruce and have heavily modified it from there. It was a great starting point. The parts were very nice.

[FUNFER2]

I like your changes, fiberglass work is wonderful and looks cleaner. And this is coming from a autobody guy. What's up next ?

[john chesnut]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I like your changes, fiberglass work is wonderful and looks cleaner. And this is coming from a autobody guy. What's up next ?

Thank you very much.

I started this build with the intention of it being a one off. I've had some serious health issues and I'm pretty much retired. These type of my cars is my passion and therapy.

I'm phasing out of running my Big Belly children's coin bank business and passing it on to younger family. I've had 4 people ask me if they can get a frame and a body. I have a very good frame jig made. I need to have molds made as I want a body with out all of the body filler and extra weight.

I'm having a professional fiberglass production company make the molds. My body is simple. It's just 2 pieces. They quoted me a good price and a good price to produce the body. I have a friend that owns a race car chassis shop. He's offered to build frames. I'm going to put together a kit for the 4 people that want one. It consists of the frame, body, aluminum panels, and steering shaft assembly. I'm going to do the 4 kits for $9,900 ea. If anyone else wants one I can supply it.

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by john chesnut

Thank you very much.

I started this build with the intention of it being a one off. I've had some serious health issues and I'm pretty much retired. These type of my cars is my passion and therapy.

I'm phasing out of running my Big Belly children's coin bank business and passing it on to younger family. I've had 4 people ask me if they can get a frame and a body. I have a very good frame jig made. I need to have molds made as I want a body with out all of the body filler and extra weight.

I'm having a professional fiberglass production company make the molds. My body is simple. It's just 2 pieces. They quoted me a good price and a good price to produce the body. I have a friend that owns a race car chassis shop. He's offered to build frames. I'm going to put together a kit for the 4 people that want one. It consists of the frame, body, aluminum panels, and steering shaft assembly. I'm going to do the 4 kits for $9,900 ea. If anyone else wants one I can supply it.

If I wanted a project,... Quality, price =DONE !

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by john chesnut

- One of the original Cheetahs had the roof cut off which created a roadster. Shell Valley followed the original design of the rear deck. It's pretty much a low flat piece that blends up into the rear wheel arches. It looks fine to me. But I didn't like that it makes it appear that the driver is sitting very high in the car. I made my deck higher and blended in a gentle arch into the rear wheel arches.

Your mods to the rear deck are spot on. I remember seeing an article in one of the kit car magazines many years ago that showed Rich driving the then "sensational" new Cheetah roadster. He towered over the windshield and the top of the rear deck was about level with the small of his back. He truly looked like he was sitting on top of the car instead of in it.

The look reminded me of the pedal cars I had as a kid and was so off-putting that I never bothered to finish reading the article. I lost all interest in the Shell Valley product after that. Yours actually looks like it has a far superior layout and seating position.

[FUNFER2]

Buzz, you lost your mojo in building a Shell Valley, why ?

What was it and what did you do with it ?

[john chesnut]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Your mods to the rear deck are spot on. I remember seeing an article in one of the kit car magazines many years ago that showed Rich driving the then "sensational" new Cheetah roadster. He towered over the windshield and the top of the rear deck was about level with the small of his back. He truly looked like he was sitting on top of the car instead of in it.

The look reminded me of the pedal cars I had as a kid and was so off-putting that I never bothered to finish reading the article. I lost all interest in the Shell Valley product after that. Yours actually looks like it has a far superior layout and seating position.

Thanks Buzz. I remember the article and picture too. Rich was a giant of a man. He must have been at least 6'5" and 300lbs. He was an extremely nice and generous man.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by john chesnut

Thanks Buzz. I remember the article and picture too. Rich was a giant of a man. He must have been at least 6'5" and 300lbs. He was an extremely nice and generous man.

Yes John. I never met Rich, but I have corresponded with people who did and it is very apparent to me that he was regarded as an extremely nice and likeable man. I didn't realize he was that big, so that would've compounded my impression of the pictures. I remember the roll bar looked like it was barely higher than his shoulders.