Dave Martin - Upstate Super Replicars Daytona Coupe
The interior started with the placement of the parking break on the trans
tunnel. To be period correct it should have a 14" lever forward on the
right side and operates more like a truck style lever. I opted for a simple
Lokar on the top of the transmission tunnel more like a sports car. I
created mounts from 1" thick aluminum cut to the tunnel curve which I
then mounted in place with 2 3/8" bolts from the bottom - but not before
I structural epoxied them in place. To prepare the tunnel for eventually
getting an outer skin of aluminum I had to fabricate a set of 3 bulkheads
which I first did in foam core and then later transferred to .063 Aluminum.
Tabs were created against the tunnel so that I could epoxy and rivet them
in place along with folded edges so the aluminum sides and top would also
have a mounting point. I then finished the tunnel off in Dynamat Xtreme
to control both the heat and sound - both of which plague Cobra's and
Daytona's. I also did a quick dryfit of the driver seat. More work there...

Updated 08/08/07
Drivers seat is now bolted in and I've re-aligned the steering column. Ahh
did I mention that I replaced the straight shaft steering column that came
with the kit with a NASCAR Woodward collaspable. Once all this was set I
found the position of the tachometer was blocked by the steering wheel
so I had 2 of the original dash cut outs welded back and will place a large
5 inch tach where it's useful - originals had a 15"" steering wheel so there
was more space to see whereas I've opted for a 14". I also completed
rebuilding the drivers door and instlling the mini bear claw door latch.
Well, I just finished final registration on the Coupe although there are still
lots to do on the interior but I thought I'd post the results to date. I've
got the carpet in along with the re-upholstered seats (they are from a
1988 Mazda RX7 with speakers in the head rests.) The headrests were
reworked so they would fit inside the body curve. I'm working on the
interior panels which I fabricated from .063 Aluminum coated with clear
ceramic - Aluminum is a pain to keep fingerprints off of. Still need to do
the door panels and rear deck which is right now covered with carpeting
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