Can you think of a challenge for: The front halves of two front wheel drive cars welded together back to back. What you end up with is dual engine 2/4wd, 2/4 wheel steering, and the ability to drive at an angle.

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), March 30, 2001

Answers

Just driving a straight line would be a challenge!

JustJay

-- JustJay-captain-Three Rusty Juveniles (justjay@neo.rr.com), March 30, 2001.

Is Peter Funt still doing Candid Camera? This car screams for that! Also, I think there was at least one twin-engine Austin Mini built for the European professional road rally circuit back in the 60's, but they welded up the rear engine's steering rods. Four wheel steering (with just one engine) has been tried on a number of cars, including the Honda Predule for a VERY short time. Maybe someday we'll see a four wheel steering car go up against Tim's articluated chassis machine in a tight maze course on JYW. What fun!

-- Chip Haynes (ehaynes@co.pinellas.fl.us), March 30, 2001.

Any idea why Honda gave up on four wheel steering?

Because there are usually both front and rear wheel drive vehicles in a scrapyard... there are many interesting combinations. In most challenges, I believe most will opt for a single engine since keeping it simple is a priority with limited time.

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), March 30, 2001.

You just have to make sure that both halves aren't in the same gear when you drive them! At least with this design, you can have one engine break down, and still have a back-up.

This kind of reminds me of when Red Green duct taped two Hyundai Ponies together side-by-side and made a Hummer. http://www.redgreen.com/gallery/pics/april98/contest.html

-- Robert M. (rcm_ca@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.

How about two fwd vehicles (or just the front halves) welded together side-by-side with a large span in between. The vehicle could rotate on its center in either direction, rotate around either end in either direction, travel forward and reverse and has some bizarre steering abilities. A wacky giant axle vehicle! With a bit of thinking... it may be able to cross ditches without a bridge, or even be a bridge :)

Cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), March 30, 2001.

Front and rear wheel steering is already a common occurence on custom built four wheel drive vehicles. usually on rigs built specifically for rock climbing.they have hydraulic steering that is self-centering, which makes them very expensive (up to $25,000 for the steering alone).They can go in a straight line, turn normally, turn almost within their own length, and at an angle.

-- Robert La Chance (rlachance@iopener.net), April 03, 2001.

How about 2 rear ends and they have to figure out how to make them steer?

-- john (jthornt4@tampabay.rr.com), May 13, 2001.