FRANK G. NICHOLS'
INFLUENCE ON NEW ELVA
™
Frank was very concerned that the car be a top shelf quality,
high-technology sports car without gimmicks or gadgets. Therefore, he felt
the car should be as light and stiff as possible, but not succumb to the
whims of technological fancy. The car will have a carbon fibre chassis,
but no heads-up displays, no electronic wizardry that would not help the
car go faster or handle better. ABS brakes and traction control might be
exceptions, as they do help the car go faster. However, cup-holders, and
cell phones do not. You may not want to try to drink coffee, or talk on
the phone while driving this car anyway.
A golf bag will
probably not fit in the trunk either, as this would throw off the balance
of the car in any case.
Frank wanted the sills
to be as large as possible, for stiffness, and the efficiency of structure
that this provides, and he did not care whether that will make the car
difficult to get in an out of. Therefore, the sills will be about 14
inches high, requiring the driver to pick up his/her legs fairly high to
climb in. In fact, the sills are so high, they will be the arm rests, and
will require the doors have a cut-out to accommodate the sill.
Frank was also very
concerned about safety, and insisted on a roll bar. Various roll bar
designs have been suggested, and many customers do not like the look of a
roll bar on a street car, but this was his wish.
Top speed is an
irrelevance, so the gearing will probably not allow the car to go more
than 140-150 mph. If you decide to race the car on a track with long
straights, you may want to change the ratios. Live with it.
A big V-8 engine should
not be fitted, and even a V6 might be too big. The engine should not
weigh much more than the driver, as this would cause the car to be
unbalanced in cornering. Large drivers might find it hard to get in and
out anyway.
If Frank’s philosophy
of sports car driving is to your liking, then you will love the car. If
not, buy something else.
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