American Ethos (2025) Electrathon America Racer

[Functional Artist]

America "seems" to be coming BACK
...& this has inspired...me

As such...I'ma gonna call this one American Ethos

American ethos refers to the unique character of American institutions and the distinct national identity of the American people.
It encompasses the moral ideas and attitudes that are associated with American society.

My "left brain" started workin' on another project

So, I rounded up some parts
...& arranged 'em

Maybe...something like this?

* Notice the "Driver Safety Cell"?
...with its "I'll bust thru your wall...PUNK"...look

 

[Denny]

So it’s going to be gasoline powered? Because America runs on gasoline! Well, and beer too. Real Americans need beer too. And whiskey lots of whiskey. Preferably home brewed, with real spring water. I got to stop now I’m getting thirsty.

 

[Master Hack]

If its 'merican is there a recall for engine "failure"?
where the "vehicle could lose proplusion"?

wait, diamonite isn't done!

 

[Functional Artist]

I got (2) sets of Sway Bar bushings for a '66 Mustang

Yup, they are Made in the USA

 

[Functional Artist]

So it’s going to be gasoline powered? Because America runs on gasoline! Well, and beer too. Real Americans need beer too. And whiskey lots of whiskey. Preferably home brewed, with real spring water. I got to stop now I’m getting thirsty.

Hey Denny,
Um...NO

It's gonna be a "unique" Electrathon America Race Car
...& will be designed, to comply with Electrathon America rules

 

[Functional Artist]

If its 'merican is there a recall for engine "failure"?
where the "vehicle could lose proplusion"?

wait, diamonite isn't done!

Hey T,
Diamonite is still "in the que"
...next step is fiberglassin' the monocoque/body

This spring has been unseasonably cool (chilly for doin' fiberglassin')
So, I have just been waitin'
&
While a waitin', "new" ideas start "poppin' in my head"
...& suddenly...we are...here

 

[Denny]

While a waitin', "new" ideas start "poppin' in my head"
...& suddenly...we are...here

Are you sure it’s not gas?

 

[Functional Artist]

Are you sure it’s not gas?

Yup...pretty sure
...but, I'll double check, for ya

Well, the "gas tank" is a battery pack
...so, yup there will be NO "actual" gas involved, with the propulsion of this racer

 

[Functional Artist]

What are the Sway Bar Bushings for? (someone may ask)

The Sway Bar Bushings will be used as "hinges" for the "suspended" Nacelles or Outriggers

Nacelle
A nacelle (/nəˈsɛl/ nə-SEL) is a streamlined container for aircraft parts such as engines, fuel or equipment.[1] When attached entirely outside the airframe, it is sometimes called a pod, in which case it is attached with a pylon or strut and the engine is known as a podded engine.[2] In some cases—for instance in the typical "Farman" type "pusher" aircraft, or the World War II-era P-38 Lightning or SAAB J21—an aircraft cockpit may also be housed in a nacelle, rather than in a conventional fuselage.

Outriggers
An outrigger is a projecting structure on a boat, with specific meaning depending on types of vessel. Outriggers may also refer to legs on a wheeled vehicle that are folded out when it needs stabilization, for example on a crane that lifts heavy loads.

 

[Functional Artist]

The Sway Bar Bushings will be used as "hinges" for the "suspended" Nacelles or Outriggers

Yup, for the ISS (Independent Side Suspension)

The "plan" (so far) is to have an independent motor & brake...system
...kinda centrally located
...on each side of the racer

With independent hand controls (for motor & brake)
...instead of a conventional steering system

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, for the ISS (Independent Side Suspension)

The "plan" (so far) is to have an independent motor & brake...system
...kinda centrally located
...on each side of the racer

With independent hand controls (for motor & brake)
...instead of a conventional steering system

Kinda like these karts (Zero & Land Speeder)
...but, (hopefully) better designed & balanced
Zero

Land Speeder

 

[Functional Artist]

Each Nacelle (or outrigger) has to
...support, that side of the chassis
..."hold" the chassis at the "right" height
...& be independent of each other

Plus, they also need to be a base or mount, for
...the wheel
...the motor
...the coil-over shock
...& the brake system

FYI: I'ma usin' some
1.) 10g. steel plate (a little thicker than 1/8") as the "base", for the nacelles
2.) a 2" wide x 1/8" thick U-shaped mount, for the axle mounting bracket
3.) a piece of 1/2" Schedule 40 water pipe (~7/8" OD x ~5/8" ID with a ~1/8" thick wall) for axle replicability & re-enforcement
4.) a piece of 5/8" solid steel rod (as the axle...itself)

A 48V 1,000W brushed electric motor will be mounted on the top of the "base plate"
...protected in-between the (2) "main" frame rails & behind the wheel
...& the brake mounting bracket is to be mounted below

The Sway Bar Bushings will be used as shock absorbing "hinges" to mount the Nacelles to the chassis

So far...I'ma thinkin'...maybe
...something like this

 

[Functional Artist]

After makin' the first one or side
...I used "it" as a template ta make another

After addin' some motor mounting "slots"
...& some trimmin' or "body work"

Double checked by Quality Control
...yup, they look ta be the same
...but, opposite

Another view

* Yes, I will agree that the "slots" are NOT quite perfect
...but, can & will attest that the fact that, they "will do"

 

[Master Hack]

That material looks like 3/16 or maybe 1/4? How did ya bend that?

 

[Functional Artist]

That material looks like 3/16 or maybe 1/4? How did ya bend that?

Hey T,
I'm tryin' ta keep 'er as light as possible
...but still be able to "handle" all of the different "stresses" that will be imposed on these Nacelles

Like
...supporting the whole racer (w/driver) while traversing the racetrack
...& being able to "handle" all of the torquing/thrust forces, of accelerating
...plus, all of the anti-thrust/stopping forces, of braking

So, I'm tryin' something different
...the "plate" is made out of~10g. steel
...& the U-bracket(s) are made out of ~1/8" steel
&
I just bent 'em with a DIY/homemade bender

It's the same bender that I used to make the "legs" for my DIY/home made "Truck Rim Fire Pit" (~5 yrs. ago)
...& them "legs" are made outta 1 1/2" x 1/4" steel

* The bender can be seen "in action" in the video

 

[Functional Artist]

What wheels are ya usin'?

I have a 6" steel rim with (4) studs (for a rotor or sprocket) left over
...from when I was "trying" different parts for my Tsunami racer

So, I got another one ta match 'er

Had an issue...though

The (4) studs on (1) of the rims had a lot of the power coating on them
...& I figured that "running" a nut down them a couple of times would "clear" it off
But,
The nut got stuck on (1) stud (with extra thick power coat)
...& when I went to "back it off" the stud "unseated itself"

Plan B
I rounded up a 3/8" fine threaded DIE
...to "chase" the threads (should have done this...in the beginning)
...but, the handles, on the DIE holder, would not "clear" the other studs

So, I had ta get creative
...& "make a tool"

A "slim" DIE holder
...with an adjustable/removable handle

Inside view (w/power coat debris)

On a stud

Top view

Yup, that's better

 

[Master Hack]

Necessity is the mutha of invention. Thats why I like hex dies....

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey...why are them studs "stuck" into the workbench, in that pic with Ducky...the cat?

I drilled (4) holes (same spacing/pattern as on the rim) into the workbench top
...to use as an "aid" (another hand)
...to help secure the rim (hold 'er in place)
...ta mount the tire

First, I got tire started

Gotta make sure the "tucked in" side "goes" down into this "low area"

Once the tire is on/around/over the rim
...I "pulled upwards" on the tire to kinda "seat the "front" side

Then, "flipped" 'er over
...& "pulled upwards" on the tire
...while "holding" the rim down
...&/also, adding air to the tire

The tires are 15 x 6.00 x 6 Ribbed tread tires
...& they look like this...when done

 

[Denny]

I

Hey...why are them studs "stuck" into the workbench, in that pic with Ducky...the cat?

I drilled (4) holes (same spacing/pattern as on the rim) into the workbench top
...to use as an "aid" (another hand)
...to help secure the rim (hold 'er in place)
...ta mount the tire
View attachment 154084
First, I got tire started
View attachment 154085
Gotta make sure the "tucked in" side "goes" down into this "low area"
View attachment 154086
Once the tire is on/around/over the rim
...I "pulled upwards" on the tire to kinda "seat the "front" side
View attachment 154087
Then, "flipped" 'er over
...& "pulled upwards" on the tire
...while "holding" the rim down
...&/also, adding air to the tire
View attachment 154089
The tires are 15 x 6.00 x 6 Ribbed tread tires
...& they look like this...when done
View attachment 154090

thought Ducky sat on the rim and drove the studs into the workbench. Is she preggers again?

 

[Functional Artist]

I

thought Ducky sat on the rim and drove the studs into the workbench. Is she preggers again?

Oh...No...Oh HECK No

Ducky has had (2) litters
...&/so, she has provided us with (9) "new" family members
...& we LOVE them ALL
...but, that's ENOUGH

First litter: Henry, Almond, Boots, Rusty & Emmy

Second litter: Socks, Cashew, Creamora & Angel

Crazy thing,
Almond (from the first litter) is a mostly white cat
...with a tan "hat"
...& (almost) heart shaped spot on his back
&
Cashew (from the second litter) is also mostly white
...also, has a tan "hat"
...& a tan spot in his back, too

Almond

Cashew (& Creamora)

This is Emmy (she looks & acts most like her mom...Ducky)