AirDave's Kool Wheelz Collection

[Kevin WS]

Intriguing choice Dave!

[N96HBK]

I think this is the first time I've seen somebody do a paper model of that whacky car. I think it had an interesting unconventional semi automatic shift layout where the wheel had buttons on the front for up/downsifts, instead of paddles at the back. I should get that car on Assetto Corsa, would be a hell of an experience. It looks like it'll tip over if I hit an inside kerb too hard!!

300km/h??? I guess that shows how powerful that V10 was, I can only picture the whole bodywork ripping off the chassis at that speed!! Great model

[airdave]

kmh...not mph!
300kmh = 180mph
F1 cars hit that speed.
The motor was the same motor in the current (at that time) Williams F1 Renault.

The Espace F1 was literally an F1 chassis underneath, with an extremely light carbon fibre body.
So, no top weight, other than the wing structure on the roof creating tons of downforce.

you may be right about the button shifting.
I think this would have been pre-paddle shift racing.

[N96HBK]

I didn't say mph (300mph wouldve been a death machine, thank God they don't make F1 go that fast), but boy, it's still astonishing that they could go that fast in something that was based on a minivan that could never even dream of reaching that speed!! I wonder what gearing they used for the top speed test. It's a marvellous piece of engineering, it certainly didn't look like it would have that screaming V10 sound.

Ferrari had semi-automatic transmission since 1989, but reliability was horrible... Williams upgraded theirs in I think '91, but couldn't beat Senna in the Manual MP4/6 (I recently realized that this was the last manual car to win a championship) due to constant reliability issues. I think by the mid 90s, everyone had paddles. So I wonder why they used those yellow buttons instead... I think it'll feel awkward to use, even with power steering, it would be inconvenient for the thumb to reach the little buttons on the front. I guess there was a reason behind all of it.

[airdave]

Lets keep in mind...it was built to be an F1 simulator...
and not actually run at F1 speeds or in competition.
I doubt it ever hit top speed...the power and performance specs are just based on the engine from an F1 car.

I'd liken it more to a theme park ride... it took Reporters and VIPs for rides around the F1 circuit.
So, 100kmh would probably have thrilled anyone who rode in it!
And then theres the liability risk.

The sound of the engine would have been enough for most.

[Miles Linnabery]

Oh My God Keepda fingers out of the motor. and would it not get hot inside?
Thanks for the interior picture
Miles

[airdave]

I think the smell would probably be worse than the heat!
Those are air intakes (the suction roar!) with fuel injectors spraying tons of race fuel!

The fire risk is probably pretty great too!
LOL


I wonder if there is an engine cover missing from that photo?

[Kevin WS]

The fuel smell must have been horrendous - reporters and VIP's vomiting out of the windows!

[SMWulph]

a Most interesting subject, Airdave.
*Smirks* It would have been hell in street drag races,
It kind of looks like Bumblebee from "Transformers: The animated Series" 2008 IMHO
Thanks for sharing your work again with us, Airdave

[Michael Bunny Exclusive D]

but i'm making yours just the way you make it! small! anyway i found this one photo!