ThunderRanch 718 RSK Just Ordered

My newbie needs advice topic disappeared off the forum so I lost a lot of my Q&A. How are these Spyders to drive in cold weather? What are the high and low temp. limits? Do I need a helmut and goggles to protect from flying rocks and bugs, etc? Can I use a driver zipout tonneau and cover the passenger side to hold heat in around my legs? Do these things even have a heater? I see pictures of people showing there car off at 'the races' are there amatuer racing venues for these cars?
How much face protection do I need if I'm just driving around town at 30-50mph? If I take a road trip do I have anywhere to bring luggage?
Should I wear a Helmut all the time due to the lack of protection or would I just look ridicules ? In other words what is the clubs general consensus on these issues?
Has anyone rigged up a luggage carrier for the rear? Has anyone used a bra to cut down on the usual road chips?

Larry:

Seems no one has responded to your inquiries.

I can't respond to all your questions, but for winter runs in mountain snow the tonneau cover on the passenger side works well to keep the cold outside air from circulating in the cabin. I have a "pudding bowl" type helmet which is used mainly to keep the cold air off the head when it is really cold. Others use wool hats or the like. The helmet has a leather face mask that snaps into the sides and a set of goggles completes the face protection. Long underwear with a set of insulated ski bib overalls and turtleneck sweater/wool scarf covered by a leather jacket seems to keep the body heat in.

There are of couple of gasoline powered heaters available, but I have not mounted any. Don't like the idea of a gas burner sitting under the dash directly below the gas tank. I have rigged up a sort of heater through the shifter tunnel. Holes drilled in the firewall in the tunnel direct warm air from the engine compartment forward to the shifter. The leather cover over the Brandwood shifter is removed and the negative air pressure behind the windshield draws warm air forward. Make sure your exhaust is well sealed before trying this!

I am sure others have found different, and perhaps better, remedies.

Larry,
The thread wasn't deleted, it was just shuffled to a more appropriate category "General (Non-Technical)"
-=theron

TR said they have two ceramic heaters that do a very good job. The comes with standard zip in half tonneau cover so I guess my legs should stay warm. Can't wait to get the car. Larryh

Hi there,
well over the pond in Great Britain it's either always cold ( Or raining....or both together!) I drive with a full windshield , as my car is an RSK RS60 replica by GP Plastics.( see the pic's on this site)
I have a tonnau cover which is kept half zipped. To top it off I have a 'flying jacket' for a heater.
At minus 7 degrees c last 'boxing day'I was as warm as toast. The only addition is the leather/sheepskin flying helmet on the coldest of days.
Normally I'm bare headed ( its the motorcyclist in me...cold ...what cold!)
Good luck

Magwa

Larry: To keep my hair (what's left of it) in place I wear an old Luftwaffe pilot's hat. It also provides a little sound attenuation.
We have a lot of sun in Arizona, so some sort of hat/cap is in order from the sunburn stand point.
In winter, we can get into the low 30's high 20's; a fleece lined pilot's hat is comfort supreme.
Keeping the tonneau cover on helps with recirculation air in the cockpit.
Normal cold/warm weather colthing for the rest of the bod is a matter of metabolism.
Cheers!

Hi Larry,
Has anyone rigged up a luggage carrier for the rear?

Yes, I have taken the original luggage carrier from the Porsche 356 and made to fit the rear air intakes. Works well and I can carry a reasonable light (aluminum) suitcase. But don

Thank you Axel, I've been wondering about a luggage carrier for a long time as I might want to make a short wknd trip. Does anyone know of a small Lt. Wt. carrier that will work? Hopefully not to pricey. Larry in Kansas

Hi Larry,

I had the pleasure of helping out Tom at the TR display at the Chrysler Classic in San Diego last weekend. On display were; my 550, a 356 and a RSK. I sat in the RSK to see how the cable shifter that this particular car is equipped with felt compared to my regular linkage (get the cable shifter).

Any way, to answer your questions, there is no stock heat, either heater boxes can be added as an option or the ceramic heaters as mentioned earlier in this thread are about as good as you are going to get.

Here in SoCal there are plenty of organizations to race with. However, most of them are run locally. I would suggest contacting your local raceways and seeing what kind of events you might fit in then contact the organizers for more info.

As far as face had head protection go I would recommend a helmet and goggles for the RSK, I noticed that the windscreen is pretty low while I was sitting in the car and, while aerodynamically it should keep the wind out of your face, I can see how heavier objects such as rocks and bugs could proceed unobstructed directly between ones eyes.

Skip the bra, the few dings you get from the road should be worn like a badge of honor. Your car is meant to be driven and a little road wear will only add to it's character.

For a luggage rack I would recommend waiting until you get the car. The rear deck has no gasket and you should be able to come up with a removable clamp on type system so you wont have to drill holes in your new baby.

I hope this helps, I only live about two miles from TR and I'm there all of the time so If you need me to go by and take pictures for you or anything else just let me know.

Good luck and happy motoring

If you really cannot stand the cold, you can rig the original VDub heat exchangers to feed warm air into the cab. A short Ali flexi pipe and ball type vents fitted behind your seat give a 'warm' behind! And at least the heat is being vented from the engine bay.
best of luck
Magwa

To Keith Klinger, I was just at TR on 10/14-15 to pick up my options. I bought the trailer that Tom has been using and he and Jeannie will bring the 718 to me in Dec.her ing Kansas. He promised to stay a few days to help me put a few miles on it and to work out any bugs and make any adjustments that might be needed. I ordered the upgraded engine about 170-180 hp so there should be plenty of get up and go. Stay in touch Larry

I called TR yesterday and, as I assumed, they are trying to build cars and move to their new showroom/ assembly warehouse which has a street front location. It's pretty cold here in Kansas so I told Tom to slow down on my car, get moved and pick it up in Jan. or Feb. for delivery. I'll keep you posted if anyone is interested. Larry

I was just at TR last week, your car looks really cool. My digital camera was just returned from a friend so next time I go I'll take some pics. I owe somebody on the other forum some pics any way. A bit of advice though, don't ever tell Tom to take his time with your car. You probably just set yourself up for a later than expected delivery.

Thanks Keith for the picture offer. Jeanne said she would take pics and email them to me but that might take some time. If your would do it I would be ever grateful. I told Jeanne to shoot for a March delivery. Thanks again, Larry

Well, Tom called me and said it was done and he was just putting a few miles on it before delivery. It was supposed to be here this wknd. but I guess it will be later. If anyone is close by, give it a look and tell me what you see. regards Larry

Larry,

I'd love to see some pictures when she arrives.

John S.

Have you gotten it yet? I'd love to see some pics. looking to order one myself. anything you'd like to share about your experience?