tsmall07 wrote:Some downforce, front and rear, may be in order as well.
This. I had a great talk yesterday with a newly introduced neighbor who works in an auto collision repair shop and specializes in vintage corvette builds on the side. I learned a ton of stuff from him regarding safety features to incorporate into the frame as well as aerodynamic considerations to get some downforce and minimize lift and drag. We talked through some good bumper systems, which includes just some normal bumper shocks in front (taken from a car with comparable mass) installed at the front and rear of the car, hidden under the body. The angled tubing of my main side beams should absorb impact and bend upwards if an accident were to occur, but he highly recommended that I bend one of the diff support arms so it doesn't feel inclined to find its way into the cabin should I be rear ended.
As for the body, I've had the basic silhouette figured out for some time now but I need to focus on making it as proportional and aero-efficient as possible. I'll have a massive, gaping grill in the front, with brake ducts and a front splitter below. Front fenders will either be louvered or non-existent depending on where I go with the final design. The rear end will have a very large diffuser lurking underneath. And a spoiler... Think old 911 Whaletale, only smoother and better incorporated into the design

The bottom of the car will be flat aside from a finned diff cover and something similar for the transmission (maybe slats in the floorpan?). Any input on cooling is appreciated.