Car body on a Goblin?

[noddaz]

Has anyone put a stripped down car body on a Goblin chassis?
The Goblin would no longer be open wheeled and would add some weight. But it could also give the Goblin a VIN number from the donor car for silly states like Maryland. And end up with something like this:

It could also give you someplace to hang a windshield for picky states that want you to be safe.

 

[Gtstorey]

At some point you don't gain anything over a stripped down, rear wheel drive car. I doubt what you are talking about is any lighter than the donor car. All you are getting is relocated engine.

 

[noddaz]

The issue is Maryland looks at Goblins as sand rails and will not issue them VIN numbers as a kit car. I am just looking for a work around. And it would not have to be a heavy donor. It might work with a MG body or even a (gasp) Miata body.

 

[Gtstorey]

I understand the attempt to get around the rules. Still not sure what you gain with a Miata body swap vs modifying a Miata. Except for the ones that have done a lightweight fiberglass shell. This will be a lot of work for less performance than modifying an original. At some point, just make a Vette-Cart.

Unless you plan on registering then removing said extra body.

 

[Ross]

Nobody has wrapped a Cobalt over a goblin, but you could be the first.
What makes you think that Maryland won't look at it and say "tube frame... its a dune buggy now"?

I talked to the motor vehicles here in Arkansas, and they said if I put a 1957 VW bug vin plate on my goblin, then it would be titled as a VW bug.
I asked how much of the original VW bug needs to be on my car. She said the vin number. That is all. lol.

MX184 has cut up an old race car body, and plans to put it on his goblin.

Steve Sallenbach made a body on his goblin.

 

[ah.b.normal]

Hmmmm? I think you would benefit from a visit to my GOB-BALT thread in Other Builds on this Forum. I am using Goblin bits to place the engine in the rear of a Cobalt coupe a'la the DeTomaso Vallelunga of 1965. (And my wife didn't want an open car.) Plus I am trying to build a running car on the cheap. Feel free to message me directly with questions or curiosity. This is why Ah. B. Normal, because I am obviously not "normal". It only seems to be a problem for others.

 

[ah.b.normal]

View attachment 44261

Steve Sallenbach made a body on his goblin.
View attachment 44260
[/QUOTE]
These are both very cool Ideas IMO! I have to mention that sadly, Steve S. has passed away and his kids have the car and are working on it with a Forum member named Launchpad. He is somewhere in the wilds of Nebraska and has many car projects going on, but would prolly know and share much more about "The SS/Goblin Special"(as I would name it). I'm watching ya and rooting for your success, eager to see what you come up with! Best of Luck and don't be afraid to ask me for what little help I can give you, glad for the chance to help.

 

[ah.b.normal]

There is always the possibility of registering it in Montana. It's not an awful and complicated idea. Many RV and antique car owners(especially from Cali) register their cars(fleet?)in Montana or South Dakota. Many trucking companies register their trailers in Maine?

 

[LaunchPad]

View attachment 44261

Steve Sallenbach made a body on his goblin.
View attachment 44260

These are both very cool Ideas IMO! I have to mention that sadly, Steve S. has passed away and his kids have the car and are working on it with a Forum member named Launchpad. He is somewhere in the wilds of Nebraska and has many car projects going on, but would prolly know and share much more about "The SS/Goblin Special"(as I would name it). I'm watching ya and rooting for your success, eager to see what you come up with! Best of Luck and don't be afraid to ask me for what little help I can give you, glad for the chance to help.
[/QUOTE]


Thanks AB! I just saw this and had a little chuckle at the referral.

Steves Chassis added only 200 pounds to the entire car- he did not get to fully test the aerodynamic loading improvements, but they should have been quite substantial compared to the minimalist goblin bodies and even more so over open tubing. the faster one drives the more the aerodynamic effects will show. i.e. I would not recommend for an autocross car but road course or track with avg speeds over 70mph it would be well worth the little weight. Steve was a member of our little car enterprise, and his chassis was based on the spec A racer (Spec Racer Home Page ) ((Spec Racer Ford Gen3 | 2023 SCCA National Championship Runoffs | VIRginia International Raceway (youtube.com) )) with a formula nose grafted in to clear the goblin frame. We still produce the spec A bodies in batches here and there and I have been attempting to acquire the molds to Steves nose though I am not certain if that will pan out or not.

Should you want a SPEC racer body in stock form I can give you contact info for the guy that controls the gateway to the fiberglass (so-to-speak). He might be convinced to have one made or he might balk at the effort. our little co-op is made up of a bunch over older gentleman 10-15 years older than my parents and myself. the older guys are all looking at end-of-life wrapping things up and fully retiring including our fiberglass guy- eventually i should become the owner the all the molds but no telling today when that might be the case.