R35, The Inside Out Car

[Duncan]

not sure if this is an r35 only thing, but I found it really interesting....

back in the old days, cars had a seperate chasis built like a ladder. then you bolt the car/cab on top

someone thought up making the chasis part of the body, lighter and just as strong. so they welded 2 chasis rails to the bottom of the floor plan instead of bolting a ladder on, and created the unibody chasis.

nissan obviously were trying to create a flat floor for good aero, so they sat back and looked at what sticks down below the car - and came across the chasis rails.

when you strip the carpet out of an r35 , instead of the normal steel floor and tar you see fitted high density foam. (in fact there's almost no tar in the whole car).

Lift up the foam, and there is the chasis rail running down the middle of the floor, the foam brings it up literally 20cm to make a flat floor.

looking from underneath the difference is really clear - flat sheet metal for nice smooth air flow.

must be a real pain to build and repair since all the cutting and welding will be inside the cabin, but for now it is an interesting idea.

[funkymonkey]

[BLK33T]

hmmm...

so the gearbox will be that far back ...

I guess the positive is more even weight distribution correct?

[Duncan]

yeah thats what they are after with the rear mounted box, and it makes the rear passengers (poor bastards) sit very high with a knees up position.

but it was the wierd chasis rails that caught my attention

[BLK33T]

you watch now that nissan has done this it will catch on like wildfire ... IMO

[giant]

very interesting! what a great idea! brilliant

[Duncan]

yeah wish I'd got pics now. Russ if you get your hands on one sometime you'll have to post up

it does mean once you strip carpet and foam you need to create a checkerplate false floor or something. and the seat sits amazingly high above the chasis floor, plenty of space for a big amp or whatever

[sewid]

Picture Ando in the back seat of one for a laugh.

[GMan]

that was very very interesting!!