Springfield Flyer.

[tauruck]

I've decided the canopy will fit using a tongue and groove setup.
There are some lovely rubber profiles here that will make sealing dust proof and I'll get some before building the grooves.
The latching system is in the works and I'll be using a version of the 411 Tom Burkland car.
Thanks for always being there for me Tom. It is an honor to have your advice and assistance.

One more pic.

[manta22]

"This idiot with a race car called a Formula M wants a floor tray for a badly designed car."

Very small brake rotors & only 4-bolt wheel lugs?-- not much of a race car.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[tauruck]

I knew my car was long but since I've started working on getting the plug for the body work done it seems even longer.

I started shaping the styrofoam for the nose section today. What a mission. I need ten pairs of hands. 

Some pics of the starting point.

The marks are where the ribs need to be bonded.

[LeeTurner]

Hey Mikey - I've read all 40 pages and as usual there's no compromise, just 1st class work.
It's my first post on the forum but I've been friends with Mike for a good number of years. I will now go back to lurking and reading as I've got nothing to offer but support, unless you want to talk musical instruments

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Lee, if you want to talk musical instruments you should go to the Milwaukee Midget topic or to Wayno's "Utah Belly Tank", and probably others -- but those are the first two that come to mind.

MM plays the washtub/broomstick/string thing and Wayno tootles along on a bleach bottle.  But they both seen to enjoy telling folks about their musical abilities.

[tauruck]

Hey Lee, This is cool. 
Welcome and thanks.

Jon, Lee used to be the keyboard player for Johnny Clegg and Juluka.
He's probably more famous for working with me though.

Lee, I miss you man. I could do with a friend like you right now.

[Buickguy3]

   Mike,
  I thought you played backup for KISS! 
     Doug 

[tauruck]

Doug, I can dance some but that's where it ends. I'm as musical as an ice cube.

Johnny and Lee on the other hand caused Michael Jackson to cancel concerts in Paris because all the fans went to see them.

These guys are pros

[tauruck]

Today I marked out and cut the profile for the nose plug.
I joined two pieces of foam because the inventory was running out.

I used the same round bar from shaping the canopy profile and tweaked it so that the profile will clear the leading tyre by enough to include the wheel tub.

Next was to mix up some Epoxy resin with micro balloons for thickening and a drop of pigment to show me the way.

Epoxy is clear and without the pigment I'd miss some bonding areas.

I cut strips of offcut foam and after laying down a bead of "Gorilla Snot" I pinned them to the base which was pre marked.

[tauruck]

After pinning down the strips on one side I buttered the rest for the right hand side.

[tauruck]

I got 80 pins for $3 and the coloured heads make them easy to spot.

I lost half of them on the canopy plug.

I left them in too long and removal was impossible after the resin had cured.

I  pulled the heads off because as you guessed they are el cheapo Chinese product.

I made sure I got a lot of resin into the gap between the strips.
Left side is as straight as I could get it.

[tauruck]

Time to fit the profile.

I got it in place and squeezed the right side strip hard against it pinning as I went.

It will be rigid enough to start bonding in the side profiles this week.

I taped two squares to the upright. One on each side to keep it in place.

Looks OK and the big work starts in a few days.

It doesn't look impressive but once the ribs go in it will start to get some personality.

It was so easy and I never battled one bit. That's a win.

[Buickguy3]

   Mikey,
  You make this so easy! All I could say is Huh?, What? How'd he do that? Nice work. You need to live over here.
     Doug 

[tauruck]

You don't think about it, you do what you have to.

Doug, I've had my head down on this build from day one.

The big picture is too daunting so I take little bites concentrating on the job at hand.

The missus helps where she can and you'd be shocked at some of the heavy stuff we've moved together.

I've had a setback on the wheels. I was promised I'd have them mid month and my friend Markus hasn't even ordered the blanks from Germany.

You don't want to nag people but if you don't you get left behind.

I'd love to be there, you know that.

[tauruck]

Update.

New sponsor on board (99%).

Technopol produces Polystyrene sheets like what I need for the plug.

Great people to talk to and Francois wants to help.

The help locally has been overwhelming and it continues.

This deal will go a long way to getting the body work finished.