Behind the Scenes photos
- Thread starter dbk
- Start date
Not really. I don't think the carbon pillars are molded into the tub or are structural. The FIA-spec rollcage provides the rollover protection and strength. I think the roof and a pillars are just body skins..
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
fjpikul
GT Owner
GKW05GT
GT Owner
I thought it is, only a metal roll over bar as is on the GT. But no metal in the sills, floor, or bulkheads.
Mentioning composite monocoques, I am a huge fan of British engineering and this is one of the best:
It's a GRP monocoque, made by GTM. The only metal is the rear subframe for engine and suspension.
They built the Libra and Spyder until one of the owners died, sold all stuff to Westfield who shelved the project. Around 400 cars built in total.
These cars had a curb weight of around 1400lbs. They even weren't painted, the red stuff is gelcoat, straight out of the mold.
It's a GRP monocoque, made by GTM. The only metal is the rear subframe for engine and suspension.
They built the Libra and Spyder until one of the owners died, sold all stuff to Westfield who shelved the project. Around 400 cars built in total.
These cars had a curb weight of around 1400lbs. They even weren't painted, the red stuff is gelcoat, straight out of the mold.
TO AWSUM
Ford GT Owner
TO AWSUM
Ford GT Owner
Mentioning composite monocoques, I am a huge fan of British engineering and this is one of the best:
It's a GRP monocoque, made by GTM. The only metal is the rear subframe for engine and suspension.
They built the Libra and Spyder until one of the owners died, sold all stuff to Westfield who shelved the project. Around 400 cars built in total.
These cars had a curb weight of around 1400lbs. They even weren't painted, the red stuff is gelcoat, straight out of the mold.
I used to write the various OEMs about doing exactly this about 30 years ago. I said it would be especially useful for pickup trucks that take a lot of abuse scratching paint which leads to the metal rusting, and cars running on roads salted in the winter. I think a plastic car/truck would flex in accidents reducing whip lash, be lighter, rust proof, etc. Maybe these self driving cars will be manufactured like this.
STORMCAT
GT
They can stamp metal fenders , hoods, and the whole half of a uni-body vehicle in seconds,, GRP and CF items these take to long to make for mass produced vehicles.. If you ever get a tour of and automotive stamping plant you'd be amazed !!
A GRP monocoque multi purpose "works"vehicle existed in England, using Ford running gear (Escort or Fiesta, forgot name and details). Yes composite monocoque cars are extremely safe because of the construction soaking up all energy. Still they are very stiff, the GTM shown above had a better lbs/degree torsion rate than a Lotus Elise. My car, a Midas, was crashtested at Mira and only the first 50cm was damaged. The problem is in the production process, it's a slow process that takes many manhours. That's why composite monocoques are still not mainstream. Even combining fibre material with thermoplastics (something you are referring to for future "google" cars) has still not matured. Then there is the question of recycleability and repair. I've read about people wanting bare carbon skin on their GT as Pagani does (a 100000 euro option). What if it gets damaged? Reskinning is extremely difficult.
Sinovac
GT Owner
I thought it is, only a metal roll over bar as is on the GT. But no metal in the sills, floor, or bulkheads.
By "full monocoque" I mean the entire cab structure (like the LaFerrari below), not just the lower part.
Front of the tub. Indentation is the area just ahead of the steering wheel. Bracket being put in looks like it should be for the front hood.
Sinovac
GT Owner
Yes it is. I'm reaching a level of Porsche-like geekiness about this car. I'm not sure I like this side of me.
