Thread: Any Devotees of "Superleggera" tubular framed auto construction?

Runge cars are using Superleggera construction.
Runge Cars - Official Site for Runge Cars

Jay Leno has a nice video with Christopher Runge and drives two of his cars.

"EricTheCarGuy" on youtube has one on the go,, its quite scarey how little there is stopping death from happening!!

and from many years loving cars it seems most European manufacturers have used the "Superleggera" title for their lightweight model, not the real thing. Been some very famous Superleggera cars that the manufacturers just removed inside furnishings and charged extra for it!

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

and from many years loving cars it seems most European manufacturers have used the "Superleggera" title for their lightweight model, not the real thing. Been some very famous Superleggera cars that the manufacturers just removed inside furnishings and charged extra for it!

Porsche is infamous for this. Strip out the stereo, insulation and all creature comforts. Door handle is a nylon strap etc. call it a GTS and add $80k on the price tag. But you do get to experience mechanical sounds of the boxer 6 in all its glory.

Hello All,

I first got interested in "Superleggera" while trying to find a technique to use if I have to modify the tunnel on my International D1210 four wheel drive Ex-Telecom Linesman's van. The van came fitted with a Cleveland Ford V8 and an automatic gearbox. I will be fitting a Perkins 6354 diesel motor instead. It means I may have to change the previously modified cabin floor and transmission tunnel. There is also a significant amount of rust in the tunnel and on the floor. So I may have to start from scratch anyway and make my own new panels. I remembered that a year or so ago I was watching some general automotive metal shaping and I had come across Runge's cars. How Christopher initially uses a wood buck and then uses it as a template for the metal tubing frame.

Then last year I found an English thread on Youtube about a bloke who was making a tow truck out of a Land Rover Series 3 chassis with an ex-World War Two Chevrolet army truck cabin. Powered by a V8 Rover motor. The lack of having a floor is remedied by starting off using solid steel rod to span the spaces top form a frame. Then 3 mm sheet metal is welded to the metal rod frame to form a completed floor. Accessed 25th July 2021 from The hook, part seven. time to tear it apart .... - YouTube The technique seemed familiar and I found Runge's videos again.

While not Superleggera, Oak Swamp's Chevy-Landy V8 Tow Truck's does seem like Wray Schelin's ProShaper Workshop's "Wire Form Buck". Wray is making a life sized 1937 Studebaker Express Pickup Truck from scratch. Accessed from, 1937 Studebaker Express Pickup Truck - YouTube

Then Lazze has made a steel rod "wire" technique that branches off in a different directions - accessed from, Lazze Metal Shaping: Designing your own Metal Buck - YouTube

Does anyone on AULRO have hands on experience doing "Wire Form Bucks" or Superleggera coach-building? Or do you know of any publications or forums on the topics?

Kind regards
Lionel

Lionel,
Aston Martin used this technique for the DBs, which were designed by Touring. Steel frame, felt wrap, aluminium body.
The felt wrap was to stop electrolysis between the steel and aluminium. Unfortunately, whenever there was a leak (we are talking an Anglo-Italian car, so leaks are a given), the felt got wet, the steel frame rusted and the alumium rotted. As a result, DBs are notoriously expensive to restore. And to cap it off, they were no lighter than the competition...
Alan