The BMW 507 Ultimate Build Thread!!!

[A12pilot]

Thanks, Samitron!! It's pretty fun trying to mimic the original structure. I think I'm going to be the world expert on the 507 after I'm done with this! Well, the world according to Dave, anyway.

Maybe I'll open up a shop. "SuperDave's Coachworks. If you can think it, I can build it. Possibly." I know one thing, Mr. Ashton has already committed to having it on display in painted form on a rotisserie for all to make fun of, er, admire next year. Luckily, it'll be in my usual spot back by the bathrooms in Hall G.

Cheers
Dave

[mockingbird812]

Originally Posted by A12pilot

Thanks, Samitron!! It's pretty fun trying to mimic the original structure. I think I'm going to be the world expert on the 507 after I'm done with this! Well, the world according to Dave, anyway.

Maybe I'll open up a shop. "SuperDave's Coachworks. If you can think it, I can build it. Possibly." I know one thing, Mr. Ashton has already committed to having it on display in painted form on a rotisserie for all to make fun of, er, admire next year. Luckily, it'll be in my usual spot back by the bathrooms in Hall G.

Cheers
Dave

I wouldn’t be surprised if you were (or already have been) approached by some org wanting to buy your schematics on yr 507. Don’t sell for less than five THOUSAND U.S. American Dollars!

BTW, I have met some interesting individuals in Hall G back by the restrooms!

[A12pilot]

Well, the problem with that is if someone were to buy my blueprints and pay my inflated, bloated, and simply unrealistic asking price they would be disappointed when the packet shows up. Comments like “This is mostly done with crayons” and “All this seems to be is a collection of jibberish, and is that a smiley face where the wheel centerline is supposed to noted!??” would be the ensuing conversation between the business partners on their purchase. Although is would be on large drafting paper with blue ink. So it’ll look cool

Don’t you worry, I’ll bring all my scribbles with me for display next year. All questions will be answered in regards to dimensions, design, and insanity.

Cheers
Dave

[83hurstguy]

Dave,
I enjoy watching this project get built and appreciate being able to follow along - it's looking great. As an engineer, something caught my eye...

On a four link, all the force driving the car forward comes through the lower links (those are in compression) while the upper links are in tension. The lower four link brackets in their current configuration are cantilevered in two directions - horizontally inward, then hanging down. The suspension will be trying to "twist" that bracket off the frame rail anytime power is applied.

Can you tie those into the crossmember in front of it, gusset them to the frame rail, or run a continuous crossmember across the frame rails there? That is one of the most stressed areas on a chassis - right now it is the most flexible portion of that frame section.

I attached a picture of a Chevy II four link conversion with how the subframe connector gets tied into the LCA bracket - if you could do that to the large crossmember tube, it would help a lot. Just my 0.02...

Luke

[A12pilot]

Greetings Luke,

That's incredibly good advice. Yes, I can do that with no problem. I wasn't aware of that section being so stressed so yes, I can add something that way. The notch was due to floor pan recess but I can easily apply a gussett and a frame extension to that crossmember.

Thank you for the suggestion!

Cheers
Dave

[mockingbird812]

Members helping members!

[83hurstguy]

Originally Posted by A12pilot

Thank you for the suggestion!

Cheers
Dave

No prob - happy to help! Want to make sure you can fully harness all the fury the 215 can unleash; which in a light car should be plenty

[mssl72]

Dave, a few things. First, what an incredible, insane job you're doing!!! I can't imagine taking something like this on even if I was retired and I had nothing to do!! You have unbelievable focus on your projects.
Second I'd also like to help a fellow member as well. When you're done I can offer you free storage for it!!!

[A12pilot]

Ha! Thanks Mark! The way things are falling into place, I may be bringing the thing completed next year to MCACN instead of just in paint but not completed.

Thank you for the compliments. It's definitely a test in patience. Case in point, the dash:

First, need to lay out the A-pillar crossmember and then get the measurements from the windshield base frame to the dash structure. Oh, and I need to make the windshield frame to boot!
With that, I need to make sure the wiper transmissions have clearance so I need three measurements on those. Oh, and since there aren't any, I need to find them! Once things get measured up then I can weld the frame up but only before I make the mounts and verify the steering column sits correctly. It's truly a puzzle and it's so much fun to figure this out!!

I'm already starting to figure out what car is next on the agenda after this is done. I know...one thing at a time!!

Thanks for the thoughts fellas....

When I do get this done I want everyone that sees it to sit in it and enjoy it. You're all a part of this disaster whether you like it or not!!

Cheers,
Dave

[A12pilot]

So moving forward, I wanted to get the engine bay front support beams done along with a few other things. As you can see, the front skin goes back on again. I'm lucky to have a wife that understands this project (actually, I don't think anyone does.... Including me!) and she's willing to lend a hand when needed. Once that was back on it was time to run the side beams which serve two purposes. The first is to have a place to support and mount the front skins and the second it to tie the front end together. The beans consist of a 1.5" square tube that connects to the front post by the core support and the other connects to the firewall via a plate that connects to the A-pillar support frame. Everything ties together creating a rigid box.



















But before that was done I formed up the lower splash shield and here's where I may add an extra couple inches or so later to cover that steering rack. For now, this will work.

Onto the dash....

Cheers
Dave