Hey everybody! It's been a while since my dad and I have posted but we are still kicking. In case you don't remember us, we built a mid-engine exoskeletal car using a Chevrolet Cobalt donor. We called it the DF Goblin.
Original GRM Build Thread - Ultralight mid-engine performance car from a Chevy Cobalt donor
The project morphed into a business and we've spent the last couple of years tooling up and delivering the first kits. Here's a look at three of our cars:
I'm posting today because we've made some videos that we think will be very useful to many GRM builders. Just before Thanksgiving we started putting together a series of videos showing the build process of one of our cars, starting with the donor car. These videos will act as an instruction manual specifically for the Goblin but there is still a ton of information in the videos that can be used with other project cars.
Video Links
Part 1 - Preparing the Donor Car
Build Guide Playlist
We are up to part 10 so far and we are still rolling them out as we finish them. We'll keep adding videos until the car is finished.
My dad is handling the build process, cameras and voiceover. I'm doing the editing and script. If anybody has any tips, tricks or recommendations on making better videos, please share them. It's all new to us so any feedback is valuable.
What's the latest with these? Are you able to update the build (and re-build) thread? I'd love to see how they've developed further; I'd love to turn the wife's beater car into one of these.
In reply to edwardh80:
This year we shipped 29 first stage kits, 11 second stage kits and one factory built car. Customers are building their kits all over the country (except for the southwest):
A few of our customers have their engines running and a couple have them down on the tires. They all would have made it further if tooling up the shop hadn't taken so long and if we would have provided instructional build videos sooner.
As for our cars, the original prototype was completely disassembled and the frame was sold to a local high school student who was interested in rebuilding it.
P1.5 (the one we rebuilt) and P2 are our shop demo cars. We've taken them to Cars and Coffee Dallas, smaller local shows and to Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina/Tennessee.
We actually towed the two cars to Tail of the Dragon behind two Cobalts.
The guys at the CobaltNation and EcotecNation event at ToTD were definitely surprised to see two Cobalts towing our cars in.
We parked the Cobalts and drove the Goblins for the rest of the day.
Video at Tail of the Dragon
We've finally made it to the actual build portion of our build guide (before now we were just stripping the donor and preparing the wiring harness). Here are the first two actual build videos:
Sheet Metal and Main Hoses - YouTube link
Steering, Pedal Box and Brake Lines - YouTube link
Nice job, guys. It's exciting to see you make a success of this.
Wow, I'm really impressed with the professionalism of your build videos. Great job! Does your car support builds with a manual transmission?
In reply to nderwater:
Thanks, we're hanging in there.
In reply to mblommel:
We are definitely tip toeing at the edge of our comfort zone with videography, editing and voiceover. I'm glad you like them.
We've made it easier on ourselves by keeping the videos straightforward and instructional. If we had to make it entertaining or talk into the camera it would all fall apart.
The car can be built with a manual transmission. It just comes down to what transmission the donor Cobalt has.
I was actually wondering what happened to ya'll the other day (while looking at a cobalt SS for sale on craigslist). great job getting it going.
In reply to Mad_Ratel:
Was that Cobalt SS an early model with the supercharger or late model with the turbo? Did you buy it?
By the way, the next video is up:
Main Harness & Dash Accessories - YouTube Link
We are just a couple of videos away from getting the engine in.
Am i seeing one in the Bellingham area?! I still look at your kits, I just have too many projects and not enough $$
In reply to java230:
Wow, nice job. We actually do have a customer in Bellingham. Here's his build thread: AleX1/9's Supercharged City Goblin
In reply to adoyle88:
Thanks! Ill go stalk his build now. I missed a HHR SS at auction I could have had for nearly nothing.... Front was a bit messed up though. Oh well, later I will build a tube frame something.
We are getting to the more interesting parts of the build guide:
Installing Radiator and Fuel Tank - YouTube
Installing the Powertrain and Fuse Box - YouTube
The next video will get the engine running.
I've been watching your build videos and enjoying them. Just wondering: is there a timeline for the double wishbone rear suspension option?
In reply to mblommel:
The double wishbone rear suspension has been put on the very back burner so there isn't a timeline for that.
The last two videos of the Stage 1 assembly process are up:
First Start - YouTube
Finishing Stage 1 - YouTube
Congratulations on the Video for The Smoking Tire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gehBoHBXT3s
Jaynen
SuperDork
5/26/17 9:38 a.m.
Just watched it yesterday.
Was wondering about suspension geometry and the shock availability. Whats the widest tires and wheels you guys have run for track duty?
