Project Bat-Viper

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Zacman	Project Bat-Viper	Lead	[-]
Posts: 9 (10/14/08 7:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Well….My story begins….I have had an interest in building a '66 Batmobile for quite some time. I began researching about a year ago after seeing a replica in person here in Michigan...The Mystery Bat. This past August, I got a chance to see Chris Woodside's car at the Woodward Cruise. It was a work of art in my opinion and convinced me to pursue my own build. I considered many options, from a variety of donor chassis' to each of the known replica body builders. After quite a bit of due diligence, I decided to order a Don Currie kit which is scheduled for delivery this coming spring. I am very excited about this kit and Don has been great to work with. His attention to detail is incredible. I looked at Lincoln donors and came close to going that route, but I am a Mopar guy. I looked at early Imperial donors as Don had suggested and even thought about a tube frame chassis with a 440 crate motor. Then I started looking at the Dodge Viper chassis. The Viper wheelbase is too short at 96", but the track is nearly perfect. I also liked that it has a ton of power and a proven drivetrain, brakes and handling etc. Long story short, I took delivery of a 1999 Dodge Viper today stripped of its body and interior. It runs and drives just as you see it. The car had some rear-end body damage, but other than that was in good condition. Today it was delivered to a frame shop here in Michigan to be measured and confirm it is straight. Next it will go to a local fabricator to begin the stretch. I will keep you posted. Thanks, Zach
CA WOODSIDE	Congrats to you Zac'	#1	[-]
Posts: 1166 (10/14/08 9:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Welcome to the fun. It was great to meet you in MI earlier this year. A Dodge Viper will sure add a new twist to any BAT-power made to date. Please do keep us posted!
Amazzen	Sounds like a plan!	#2	[-]
Posts: 421 (10/15/08 2:05 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	A "venomous Bat"????......... works for me! Good luck Zac, we look forward to keeping you company along the way, Paul
66BAT		#3	[-]
Posts: 2607 (10/15/08 8:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	There's something just not right with Viper V-10 power and a set of such skinny tires!! But there is something VERY right about a Viper V-10 powered Batmobile!
66Batmobile		#4	[-]
Posts: 2037 (10/15/08 1:07 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Now this will be a very interesting project to watch it unfold--looking forward to it!! Welcome to the board Zach
DonC	Bat in the oven...	#5	[-]
Posts: 1047 (10/15/08 8:05 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm as excited as Zach is about his upcoming Bat build...and to have my Gen 3 kit ~ Viperized ~ ...well that's just the ' Bats Meow' !!! Unique Movie Cars and Props
D J Scannell		#6	[-]
Posts: 3 (10/15/08 8:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hey Zacman, I do hope that you keep us updated at least weekly on this build, even if nothing happened. I loved the idea of a corvette based bat, and now a viper based bat. I can't wait to see the rake on this ride, not to mention est. rear wheel hp. and tq. Please let us know all the good things that go well with this build as well as the little things that don't go as planned so we can all learn. Looks like you may need your own thread. Thanks D.J.
Zacman	The Stretch Begins	#7	[-]
Posts: 10 (11/26/08 6:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	It took a bit longer than I had hoped, but I finally got the Viper chassis out of the frame shop and over to the fab shop to begin the stretch. The first image below shows the initial fixturing on the surface plate. The chassis was base-line measured and then mounted in order to allow the rear half of the car to be pulled back to the proper wheelbase. We talked to some engineers at Team Viper (Chrysler) and they guided us on the best location to cut. The second image shows the cutting as it began. Pat from McManman Racing scribed lines for the path to follow and then went to work. Less than an hour later, the car was split in two pieces and stretched to the proper wheelbase of 127". Next week we expect to begin the reframing and grafting of sheet metal. All is well. Zach
DonC	Bat Viper	#8	[-]
Posts: 1073 (11/27/08 10:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Nice clean cut... Lookin' Awesome Zach! Unique Movie Cars and Props
Zacman	The Stretch Framework	#9	[-]
Posts: 11 (12/16/08 7:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Made good progress on the Bat-Viper this past week. The bones of the stretch are now in place and looking good. The center stretch matches the stock Viper tunnel and will be a good platform for the bat console. It is ties-in from the firewall to the rear bulkhead and creates a very solid frame. I am very relieved to have this part behind me. Seeing the chassis in two pieces was a bit unnerving. In the photos below, you can see the structure welded in place. The sheetmetal has been cut and formed also. The next step is to close out the tubing which should be completed by this weekend. I am pumped now and cannot wait for the body to arrive this spring. Hey Don….Maybe these photos will inspire an early completion of my ACR. Take care, Zach
66Batmobile		#10	[-]
Posts: 2142 (12/16/08 9:57 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	WOW!!! Very impressive
Zacman	Rocker Framework	#11	[-]
Posts: 12 (01/01/09 7:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Just a quick update...Below are photos of progress over the holiday period. The A-frame was removed. Much to my surprise, it was bolted-on and not welded. The rocker panel framework is coming together nicely. It will match the Viper framework so that underneath it will appear stock...albeit 30" longer and beefed-up. The last image shows the chassis in-full. You can really begin to appreciate the length from this view. I hope to have the floor pan completed by Monday. Happy New Year! Zach
CA WOODSIDE	Very professional looking!	#12	[-]
Posts: 1197 (01/01/09 8:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Great to see some real modern technology coming into these cars to really make them enjoyable. Thanks for the updates Zac' Chris
Amazzen	Nice build!	#13	[-]
Posts: 451 (01/05/09 3:44 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hi Zac, Looks like you're progressing nicely! It will be interesting to see what your framing will end up looking like, but I don't see where you might encounter any problems grafting the body on to this unique chassis. Having owned a GTS myself, my only concern for you, is to make sure that body is securely fastened!!! Wouldn't want the snake to "shed it's skin" at 150 mph! PS...I'll get you the automated dash set up details asap. All the best.
Zacman	Floor Finished	#14	[-]
Posts: 14 (01/06/09 6:31 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the notes from Chris and Paul....This project has been a lot of fun so far and seeing your cars has been inspiring. Today, the floors were completed. There is just a little bit of welding left and the stretch will be 100% complete. The stretched pan will have a seat mount added to match the front bracket and for a bit of strength. The new drive shaft should be complete by next week along with brake and fuel lines.
Zacman	Bat Gadgets	#15	[-]
Posts: 19 (02/10/09 8:44 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Well, with the chassis stretch completed and driveable again, I decided to swith my attention to bat gadgets for a while. I am working on the beacon light, detectoscope, radar antenna, switches and bat phone. All are at various stages of completion. I tend to jump around a bit on my projects. As I dream-up a way to tackle something, I cannot wait to try it. Maybe that is why I am the king of unfinished projects. There is no project that I cannot start. LOL Below are images of my version of the radar antenna and dash switch. Both are made from ABS and machined to shape and chemically welded. I thought I would try a new twist on the antenna and added the bat insignia. I am not a purist and thought it was kind of cool. The dash switch is operational using an automotive type push button style switch imbedded. It works great. I still have to paint the items, but you get the idea. Take care, Zach
66BAT		#16	[-]
Posts: 2836 (02/10/09 9:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I am digging the bat emblems on the beam! Nice personal touch!
66Batmobile		#17	[-]
Posts: 2271 (02/10/09 10:01 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	WOW! Now that is really trick!!
szabol	Viper based 89?	#18	[-]
Posts: 408 (02/10/09 10:02 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think that viper would make a great base for the 89 batmobile too. Know if that's in the works with anyone. Looking good so far - I can't wait to see the tire selection and track choice Last Edited By: szabol 02/10/09 10:06 PM. Edited 1 times.
CA WOODSIDE	Very nice details!	#19	[-]
Posts: 1225 (02/10/09 11:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Zac', I personally would love to see you paint the inside of those bats solid red leaving a thin black edge similiar in size to the thickness of each horizontal bar. What a sweet looking detail. I might even outline the "square" aspect of it in red (or neon orange if you go that route) to set them off against your black car. Keep up the great pics. Very enjoyable (powerful) build.
Zacman	Bat Gadgets	#20	[-]
Posts: 20 (02/11/09 4:14 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the comments guys....Chris, I like your color scheme ideas. Adding red could be very unique. I will do a photoshop mock-up first to test the waters. Take Care, Zach

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