Spirit of South Dakota Lakester

[Tman]

OK, I want to announce that SteveM is the gracious gent that offered up a powerplant! With some fairing of the front or rear wheels (TBD) we will try for a diesel liner record. I am in the process of finding a dummy block to start mockup and move forward from this point last year when I lost my engine partner. Thank you so much Steve for the offer and opportunity!

[Tman]

Did I mention in my 45 years on the planet growing up around trucking I HATE the diesel smell!?!?!?!?!?! I love the advances and power vs. mileage, don't get me wrong. But, I find this twist wayyyyy ironic for me!

[SteveM]

With the cancellation of WF, I will have the Rampage back here within the week. Just bring the lakester by, and we can swap the engine over. Easy Peasy.

[Tman]

Looking locally for a mock up motor. We never had a strong VW dealer here until recent years so it is harder than in some areas.

[Tman]

I got it on the ground for the first time EVER. Dodge this thing is tiny! For reference, that is a yardstick in the cockpit and I am 5'9" for those of you that have not met me. car is 2-3" higher than ride height in this shot!.



The scale is not evident here. With the 4cyl I can do the 144"ish wheelbase. This thing looks like it would ride in a longbox pickup!

[SteveM]

I'll have the real deal here in a few days.  Save your money on that mock-up stuff. ROAD TRIP!

[SteveM]

That thing is itty-bitty- it's gonna be FAST.

[Captthundarr]

Trent you gonna fit in that? Ok.

[tauruck]

Nice one Trent. For once I bet you're happy you're not tall.

All best and I have a feeling this project will be off the charts.

[Tman]

Yep, I fit in it and have always found that being shorter is way better than taller! Getting it off the jig and the shop cleaned was a big step in getting excited again. I really got stalled out on everything for about a year since our dog got sick. So, today I am off to buy some more shelving. I have too many projects and they need to be stored properly.

[SPARKY]

I know the storage problem of having to many options!!

[kiwi belly tank]

What are you doing, TDI?
  Sid.

[Tman]

What are you doing, TDI?
  Sid.

SteveM has offered up his engine out of the Rampage.

I also took the front axle off and am looking at options to tuck the wheels inside. May just go with wheel spats? The rear is narrow enough I can fair them in like the original Flatfire.

[Tman]

Racers have superstitions................the fact that James Deans last photo that was taken before he was killed is behind me is both scary and inspirational. I grew up around drag racing and circle tracks. No green, black, nor brown cars. Never loan your helmet and you cut the belts when you sell the car. And all people in the pits wore whites! The scumbums you see in pits these days in depressing..............

[RidgeRunner]

     Maybe some, but the umbrella girls of LSR sure lift my spirits!     .........as long as they don't have a bag of peanuts with them 

                     Ed