The BMW 507 Ultimate Build Thread!!!

[A12pilot]

So today the frame is back on the ground and I'm going to install the suspension again. I'll then start with positioning the firewall and start in on floors. I final welded the rest of the 4-link mounts and notched the lower forward mounts for floor pan recess. Engine and transmission show up next week so I can get those mounted too.



A cool thing I bought of eBay is a vintage Grady White aluminum steering wheel. This thing is EERILY similar to the 507's wheel. The handle reliefs in the grip area and the reverse side has knurles just like the original. I'll probably buy a 1940s Ford aftermarket wheel and graft the hub on to this. I'm so excited!! I love it when I find parts like this!!!




Front and rear skins piled in the corner just look cool. More to come this weekend....


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]

Moving right along, I mounted up the suspension and am now at the point where I need to start fabrication on the inner unibody. I'm starting first on the engine bay which consists of two large box rails that hold the body skin along the sides (with included drip troughs) and meet at the front which connects the hood hinges and doubles as a core support. I tacked the firewall in place so I can then start into the floors after this. I can't weld anything in place on those until I get the engine in place.









Basically, one thing can't be done until another thing gets done before the other thing gets done.



So more to come later this week with fabrication a plenty!!

Cheers
Dave

[mockingbird812]

Exceptional Dave, simply exceptional. Love it! More, more, MORE!

[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!