Hey guys, Finally finished the last weld on the cage today. It is not in the photos, but the seat is mounted and the paint is drying. I'm going to have two Kirkeys and the back seat in place. I'll follow up with the pictures of the complete interior at a later date. Anyhow, it's up to the inspector now. Anyone wanting to build one themselves I would suggest giving it a try (assuming you have access to a welder and tubing bender). I've got this one pretty well hidden from all outward appearances. I can't be happier with the results. Thanks everyone for your input and encouragement! And a special thanks to my buddies Carl, Tyler and Tony for all their help and input! I couldn't have done it without them. (Can you tell I'm watching the American Music Awards right now?!?)
Thanks everyone! Yes those are the 1979 Brazilian tail lights. The seat mount was my buddy Tyler's idea. The thought behind it is that I am staying with the cage no matter what happens to the rest of the car. All the belt mounts go to the seat mounts and cage as well. Tyler and Carl come from a dirt circle track background and if they would have had their way this car would have had triple door bars as well! LOL But they made some good arguments on a bunch of points and I can't argue with solid logic. I like that you really don't notice the cage from the outside of the car...that's my favorite part. Looks 'almost' stock from the outside. Now, how exactly do I explain to my wife that she has to play on the monkey bars to get into the car from now on?!? LOL We saw one of those 'and they walked away' type videos on cable this weekend and I said, 'See, that's why I'm making the roll bar so strong.' She said that she hadn't thought about that, then told me I wasn't allow to race. Oh well, gotta start breaking her in again. It looks like she hasn't spent enough time at the track lately!
Wow, i've never seen the back support bar that long in a Maverick....you must be vertically challenged!!
Oh....I see....you got rid of the back seat and put the main hoop up where the back seat was, that's why the back support is so long!!!
Yes, I'm vertically challenged. Gravity seems to take a larger toll on me than other people! I'm 5'6". But on the bright side, it makes for more leg room in the back seat! The main hoop is back behind the window post up on the step where the rear seat is. essentially right above the front spring perches. It is far enough out that I will have the back seat in there (I've already had it in, but had to remove it to paint the bar). I will have to cut the plastic arm rests though for clearance.
Don't be a stranger Gene! You're always welcome to come visit...open invitation! It's always great to talk Maverick with you. Meanwhile, I'm an exhaust and a driveshaft away from finishing this. Well that and all the assembly...and debugging afterwards. Thinking about it, the only thing that hasn't changed on this car since I started this project is the body itself. Everything else is new. I was just going over my spreadsheet for the motor and I realized that I didn't use one original bolt or part on it. It must be the obsessive/compulsive Tony taking over!
