Photos and Text by 
Byron Anderson

We all become weak-kneed at the sight of seductive cars. Precision Design’s GT250 California Spyder is one of the top cars on the top of our short list. While not a replica of the ‘60’s Ferrari SWB California, the Precision car does a great job of helping us recall the limited-production “redheads” of ‘60-‘61 and evokes the same level of attraction that the original cars still garner. This car is in fact a kit car, originally marketed as a Modena and designed by Mark Goyette.

The Goal: To Produce a Hydrogen Powered GT250 California Spyder 'kitcar.'

The Modena company went through several owners. AHA member, Lou Linxwiler ended up with the tooling a few years ago and enlisted the help of Goyette to help improve his handsome car. Since the Precision Design version was introduced in 1995, it has garnered plenty of critical acclaim.

The ACE Project

Lou and other volunteers are now working on the construction of one of these fine cars built from the ground up to run on Hydrogen. The effort has been dubbed the ACE Project. ACE stands for Air Cleaning Engine.

March 12. 2000: Lew Linxwiler Drives all night from Escondido, CA
to deliver the Stage 1 chassis and Engine assembly to AHA in Phoenix, AZ.

The immediate goal of the group is putting together a rolling chassis, an engine and hydrogen fuel system. The aim is to show the construction, tubing and tanking configuration in the chassis assembly. The group will show the “Demo Version” of the ACE car at the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles show on April 29, 2000 at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA.

After the show the group will carry the project forward and complete the Hydrogen powered ACE car. The prototype ACE will be performance tested at a drag strip as part of an AHA public relations demonstration. Dynomometer readings will be part of the over all engine-testing program. Emissions will be documented by an independent lab and are expected to reveal “minus emissions” with cleaner air in the exhaust than the intake to the engine. This provides a reduction between 30 to 70 percent removal of smog constituents from the air. The car will be also be demonstrated at the Bondurant School of Competition driving.

For those of you interested in hydrogen conversion, follow this page as the project evolves. We will eventually have more photographs, specification sheets, procedures, documentation, parts lists, vendors and suppliers lists. In sum we will have a complete start to finish project description. We may be offering the entire project in booklet form in limited numbers for contributors. It will also be made available for purchase by weekend mechanics wishing to do their own conversion. With close up shots and how-to guides it would be a very attractive supplement to "Fuel from Water" by Peavy and "The Philosopher Mechanic" by Roy McAlister, two fine reference books which AHA sells. Contact American Hydrogen Association about these books. In the future we will have a small e-commerce section on our web site which will offer reference books, materials and other useful products. 

 

Front View

3/4 view of engine. Injectors and manifold installed.

Computer test bed.

Rear Hydrogen Tank (CNG Type)

As of April 2001, the ACE has had a number of test firings. We are now perfecting the computer system by adjusting the run parameters and control systems. The team found that the only way to handle timing was to develop our own computer chip. Stock computer modules from mainline manufacturers including Ford were proprietary and had far to many complexities for handling the many variables for gasoline fuel. We put together our parts from Radio Shack and other sources. The entire parts list came to around $100.

As we continue to develop the ACE, team members are keeping engineering logs which will be used to create a 'recipe' list of components and tips and tricks used in the project.

• Extra - ACE Project Car is now running.

• * See www.CalSpyder.com for Kit Car Information.