New BBQ - Or should I say CAR-B-Q :)

admin

Well got myself into a project that is pretty exciting for me. I'll be doing a big bbq at my shop towards the end of this month, so I figured that I should do something a bit more appropriate with what I normally deal with. So I went and picked out a 1971 Fiat 850 Sport Spider! Here's where things are at now. Attached Images
Reply:Playing around on how to paint it. The car still needs to be all blasted off, then properly painted with flat black BBQ paint. Still plenty of work ahead of me to get this done on time with all the other orders. Attached Images
Reply:Clever project. Was that the gas tank I saw up front? I assume you removed it, right?Miller Bobcat 250Syncrowave  200Millermatic 252Spoolmatic 30ASpectrum 625 X-TremeMaxstar 150SVictor O/A torchesDewalt angle grindersWelded on/off for over 40 years.
Reply:Originally Posted by GobyskyClever project. Was that the gas tank I saw up front? I assume you removed it, right?
Reply:When I saw the title and the 1st pict I was thinking you were going to do a self propelled "trailer" grill. I had visions of the trunk turned into the grill and a small fuel cell moved up front so you could drive the grill to outings..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Ive been wanting to do this for a while. Can't wait to see it finished.Northern Tool MIG/Flux coreWEL-BILT 4 1/2 angle grinderYou gotta start somewhere!
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWhen I saw the title and the 1st pict I was thinking you were going to do a self propelled "trailer" grill. I had visions of the trunk turned into the grill and a small fuel cell moved up front so you could drive the grill to outings.
Reply:Could use a bit of help here from possibly some trailer experts. Taking a close look at the underside of this car, I might of gotten myself in bigger trouble than I would of really liked to be honest. I need to make this tow-able so I need to weld or bolt on some bracing somewhere to hook it up to the hitch.I'm surprised that the wheels are still attached on the body/frame. The crossmember that is holding on the leaf spring is pretty much all rotted out along with the frames that bolt up to it. If anyone has any really clever ideas to help out, it would be great! Attached ImagesLast edited by dj55b; 08-13-2012 at 01:52 AM.
Reply:Here's the point attaching it to the chassis highlighted. Attached Images
Reply:Verrrrry cool! Can't help with towing ideas, but it would be neat if the steeringwheel operated the vents of the actual firebox.
Reply:Well spent last night working on remaking a new cross member for it. Its made out of 4" C-Channel 3/16" thick,and the angle iron on the end it 1.5" legs, 1/8" thick. I think it should hold up a tiny bit better than the old one there I'm just going to go over kill on trying to brace this all together so that it doesn't fall apart on anyone when I rent it out. Attached Images
Reply:A couple more updates on this. Started making some of the back bracing for the hitch, and some of the sheet metal also. One main tube that goes from one side to the other side is 2" square tubing 1/8" wall. The 2 tubes that connect it to the crossmember are 1.5" square tubing, 1/8" wall also. The 2" square tubing will also be braced to where the door hinges attached to for extra strength. From there I'll be cutting some more 2" square tubing to go to where the hitch will be. The steering has also been welded solid now. The wheels have been taken apart also now to be blasted. Once blasted I'm going to powder coat them red now I think. I was going to go while as they were, but red should go better with the flat black paint job, and not to mention the original chrome centers. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by ElsalGastonThe car still needs to be all blasted off
Reply:A couple of updates. Finished putting on the tongue on the trailer now, also did a bit more sheet metal work. The front bumper has been painted silver and red, I think once the whole car is done it should go together nicely. Attached Images
Reply:Very cool and fun Idea.
Reply:Thats just frigin cool!  Nice work!
Reply:Finished up the rims today, and mounted them already. Attached Images
Reply:Car is all painted now, and I know its not pictures, but all the lights are back on there as of now, just too dark to take any pictures of that. Tomorrow, I'm going to try and find a gauge to put in place of the stock front badge. I was going to put another badge on there, but I think a temperature gauge makes more sense. Attached Images
Reply:that looks really cool, so the hood won't be used at all when cooking?miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:The hood stays on, I just had not put on hinges on there at the time yet.Ran it today with chicken and worked fantastically good actually! Here's a few more updated shots of it right now with the lights and dash in there. Attached Images
Reply:That came out awesome! I might have to do something like this.  Word of wisdom though, watch that windshield isn't going to blow out while in tow,  I'm not sure how to tell  you to prevent it but I just want to warn of the possibility.
Reply:That's something I"m already looking into getting sorted out actually. Just trying to think of the cleanest way to do so. I appreciate the concerns though, and if anyone can point out anything do let me know. I still need to also sort out something for the hood, the grills, and the bottom removable tray. Still lots of small things to sort out.
Reply:Car-B-Q finally had its first "drive" today. Needed some quick alignment adjustment and still trying to sort out a shake that only occurs at 50km/h, beside that all seems well so far. I've installed the lights and and plate on there now.
Reply:With great product, comes great stories when trying to sell them  Here's what I wrote in my ad for this:http://london.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-se...AdIdZ548740803Owner at: www.re-speed.comLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/respeed
Reply:A great design. A brilliant project. Looks like a lot of work.PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps