The Geepstar worked well from the first test drive. The speed control was good, the brakes were good enough and the steering was light but direct.
The single motor drive was strong enough for an adult passenger to give driving lessons and the articulated front axle maintained traction when the going got rough.
A few driving errors proved the bumpers to be strong enough too.
The Windscreen.
The windscreen was made differently to the plans because of the materials available. Instead of an aluminium 'u' section channel being used for the frame some 8m square steel bar was bent in the vice to form the right shape.
Once this part was formed to the correct profile a 12mm x 2mm thick strip of steel was tack welded to the outside of this. When viewed from the front, this provided a 4mm shoulder on the front edge to accommodate the screen itself.
The screen was made from an old picture frame which had polycarbonate instead of glass. The profile was traced from the frame and cut on the bandsaw.
The polycarbonate was then drilled and screwed to the frame using 3mm screws.
The screen hinges were made to the plans as normal hinges would give a finger trap hazard.
However the angle of the frame was tilted back by 10 degrees so that when in the upright position it would not be exactly vertical. Accordingly the position of the pivot was adjusted so that the screen still laid flat when in the down position. The lower edge of the screen was sanded to 10 degrees to align with the screen base when in the upright position.
The screen was held in place with two over-centre clips on the cab side of the screen.
Two seats were cut from old pine shelving.
They were screwed in place with a single woodscrew so that the position could be varied for different drivers. They were tilted back by a few degrees by mounting them on angled wedges.
The outside of the Geepstar was finished with some decals, some tools, some grab handles and a Jerry can on the back.
The Geepstar at speed on the common.
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