Sariel.pl

Another take on the subjects of HotRods. Features full independent suspension, V14 piston engine, functional steering wheel and a 4-speed manual gearbox.

Datasheet:

Completion date: 01/03/2008
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions: length 52 studs / width 28 studs / height 19 studs
Weight: 1.34 kg
Suspension: full independent
Motors: 1 x PF XL, 1 x PF Medium,

Probably my first serious attempt to build a good-looking car. While it’s been largely inspired by the 8448 set, the basic concept was to create vehicle that appears like a ‘hotrodized’ Bugatti Type 35. I have been quite happy with the aesthetic side of the model, and hence the first wide use of post-processed photos.

The construction is, I believe, not typical for me. While I usually tend to create large, massive, complex vehicles, here the idea was to use only as many parts as necessary, and to keep in mind how every single part reflects on the look of the whole car. I like to think that it’s been built in a temperate way, and avoided excess of any kind.

The vehicle offers a number of features uncommon for its size. The suspension system, entirely independent, is taken from the 8448 set, with some minor modifications that increased the ground clearance and made the rear axle slightly narrower, simplied and stronger. The drivetrain is somewhat unique, not just because of the presence of a 4-speed gearbox, which has already been used in my earlier front loader model, but mainly because of location of the drive motor. An easy and popular solution involves locating the motor ahead of the gearbox and rear axle. Here, the motor is located right behind the rear axle, the drive is transmitted over it to the gearbox, and then finally to the axle’s differential. Please note that the V14 piston engine in front of the car is driven via the gearbox in a realistic way: that means, it works at the same speed regardless of the gear selected, including the idle gear. I consider it a realistic technical detail, and I’m using such a solution always when a gearbox and a piston egine are involved. The entire drivetrain mechanism is compact and strong, and has spared a great number of space in the chassis. Its diagram can be found among the photos below.

Other features include a functional and adjustable steering wheel, as well as a V14 piston engine. The car was fitted with a V12 version first, but there was still some space left, and I thought that some extend in the engine size is quite characteristic for HotRods. Some V14 engines did, in fact, exist, although they have been only used in a few planes, and none in a car as far as I know. Theoretically it should be perfectly possible to do that, as there are even some examples of aircraft engines used in WW2 tanks.

Photos:

Video:

Media reference:

The Brothers Brick