The Dauphine @ North Dallas Hooptie
Bill got his heavily-modified Renault Dauphine to the race on Saturday; unfortunately, it never left the trailer. Seems he blew out his right-side custom half-shaft earlier in the week on its maiden voyage and couldn’t get it back together for the race. The car was incredible in every way. One example: it’s painted in 5 gallons of donated runway paint. Nearly all that’s left of the original car is the body shell, as the rest of it was rusted away. Apparently the floorpans dissolved into a pile of rust when they tried to start cleaning the car out in prep for caging it. Bill is resolved to getting it on the track for the Yee-Haw It’s Texas race at MSR-Houston in September and I hope that he makes it.
The car is carrying a Mercury Sable motor and transaxle. In the back seat. The periscope (shown below) is the cold air intake — thus the Yellow Submarine title of the car. The fender flares are from Tractor Supply — one each for the rear and one split down the middle and shared on the front. These photos really don’t do the car justice, as it’s totally, completely awesome. I think it’s safe to say that everyone who saw this car (including Jay and Nick, who have to be about as jaded as any two guys on the planet at this point to the novelty of crazy swaps) found the Dauphine to be completely and totally over the top. It makes me want to buy a total crapbucket and build a project from it. However, as I’d also like to remain married, I’m sticking with the MR2 for the time being. Ok, now on with the photos (click on each photo for a larger version):
Dauphine on the trailer. It’s low enough that the rock guard on the front is completely necessary:
(jump for more photos of this spectacular ride)
Yes, that’s the main hoop appearing mid-rear door. The rear doors are functional, as they are necessary for engine access 
When running, Bill has a steel firewall that comes over the top of the engine and wraps around the front to isolate the engine from the driver’s compartment.
Close-up of that mighty Mercury V-6:
View of the engine from the trunk side of things. Bill’s plan is to put a transmission cooler down below and behind the engine (it’s an autoslush). My concern for him is that it won’t get enough air, but who am I to quibble?
Cold air intake:
View from behind. Yes, that’s Bill’s converted ambulance that he uses as a tow rig.
So much awesomeness in store there. I can’t wait to see it on the track. Good luck Bill from your friends with the TARP Clown Car!
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