New member with some questions

[svanlare]

I've had the itch to build my own car for some time. Last year, my 911 daily driver was destroyed in an accident and I picked up a small hatchback that I share with my teenage son. The urge for something more interesting has me looking at all my options again and so it is time for me to stop lurking on various boards and start participating (I'm an engineer so I tend to over analyze things before I jump in).

Couple of questions that I'm hoping folks have an opinion on and would willing to share.

* How well does the Type 65 stand up as a daily driver? I don't need a lot of creature comforts in a car, but I'm not sure how race seats and the interior would work in a daily driver.
* Is there anyone in the bay area that would be willing to meet sometime so I could see a finished car in the flesh? Or any recommendations on events where I go and find one?
* Looks like all the track cars have the 3-link rear suspension, but I lean to the IRS. Is there an advantage to the 3-link for track days or auto-crossing?

For background on the questions, I live in San Jose, CA and used to do a lot of auto-crossing with the PCA and track days until I started racing in 24 hrs of Lemons.

[rj35pj]

Welcome, I can't really answer the questions you have asked (I'm sure someone will) But the itch to build a car would be taken care of with the coupe and it would allow you to engineer in your own touches as well. I look forward to getting my car done, but then what.....I really like the building part. :)
Good luck in what ever decision you make,
Bob

[snakebit31]

Welcome,

I can only speak of my car, which is a drivable work in progress, no interior yet. As much as I like it, I cannot imagine using it as a daily driver. It is hot, cramped, not real easy to get into or exit( 5' 10'', 220lbs), and loud. It is what it is, a replica race car.
You have one of the nicest coupes near you, built by Russ Thompson. Here is a link to his vendor page with his phone information. http://www.norcal-cobras.com/store/russ_garage/orderform.html
There's also a guy in the LA area, Jack Lawrence, that uses his as a daily driver. He has several videos of his car on Youtube, just google his name or daytona coupe, you'll see them. You might also search him on the "other forum", not sure if Jack is present here yet. Here is a link to one of his videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px0ZdMEhtBU
The beauty of these projects, is you can build and customize them to the highest level you care to spend, or are capable of, only you can answer that.
Good luck with your decision, and again, welcome aboard.

Rob

[Jacob McCrea]

Welcome. For a good discussion of the pros and cons of the IRS and 3-link setups, scroll back a few pages in the Coupe sub-forum and read the thread titled "Help me plan my new project." As for using the Coupe as a daily driver, I can't speak from personal experience as mine is not completed, but from everything I've read it doesn't strike me as something that I'd care to drive every day. My understanding is that without a/c, footbox waterproofing measures and substantial soundproofing it is very loud, hot as hell, tough to enter, tough to exit, less than waterproof, and if I recall correctly, has no door locks as designed. Lest I sound like a wimp, I'll add that my "daily driver" is a road racing bicycle when it's above 40 degrees and not raining. So, bottom line, it may not be something you'd care to drive every day.

[RonSchofield]

If you have some skills, the Type65 coupe can be anything you want it to be. Mine will be a daily driver with all kinds of creature comforts, it has taken me over 5 years and I am not finished yet, but isn't the journey the best part? To be honest, I did go way overboard. You can check out my build at http://www.mycoupe.ca

Ron

[svanlare]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'll check out all the sites tonight.
-Steve

[svanlare]

Rob, Thanks for the links. I'll see if I can contact Russ and head that way in a couple of weekends. Have to be careful about which of Jack's videos to watch, but I hadn't thought of looking on youtube and there are some great Type 65 videos.

Jacob, The thread http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?4501-Help-me-plan-my-new-project&highlight=plan+project was a good read. I hadn't seen it before but the idea of simple vs complex makes a lot of sense. That there are more brake options is also a winner.

Ron, Wow, that is going to be one heck of a car when you are done. The attention to detail is amazing. I need to spend more time looking through it all, but is there a way to page though "sections" of the build?

-Steve

[snakebit31]

Steve,
LOL, forgot to mention Jack's "other" videos! Be careful.

Rob

[xlr8or]

I don't use mine as a daily driver but do drive it to work at least a couple times a week.
If you want to make it a daily driver you'll need to make it one and plan accordingly. I have A/C and seat heaters in mine. You can add in power brakes and steering, lots of insulation and sound deadening etc to help in this effort. It is only limited by budget and what you want to do.

[RobbieD]

Up here daily driver has a different meaning. That said, I drive our Coupe as often as I can. After long trips, I have to say it's nice to get into my Subbie. Quiet, comfy and no body wants to race me... :)

[CJBergquist]

Welcome Steve. You are welcome to drop by and see my car. I'm in Palo Alto. Give me a call (650-799-2009) just about any day but Tuesdays. It's not a completed car just yet but I hope to have it ready for paint by the end of next month and completed...or at least licensed by the Fall.

Current progress....

8121

[svanlare]

Thanks Chris, I'll figure out my weekend schedule and then give you a call to see if something works.
-Steve