#53 Pod Car was a major design change for the 2003-04 competition year. The student that designed this car took an idea from a landspeed motorcycle design. By placing the driving compartment in a pod in front of the engine pod, it was definitely a conversation starter!

The Pod Car utilized a student designed, fully independent, billet aluminum front suspension. The students solid modeled the suspension using Autodesk Inventor before any parts were made. The rear pod was attached using bearings and another air shock for suspension.

For this car, we also tried a Comet torque converter system. The torque converter was modified to run on the 2.4 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. Although this system gave the vehicle great acceleration and hill climbing ability, it did so at the expense of fuel economy.

Motor: 2.4 HP Briggs & Stratton
Transmission: Comet TAV2 Torque Converter
Tires: Kenda Quest 20” High pressure
Rims: Velocity Aero Heats
Front Hubs: Sun Race Juju 20mm
Rear Hub: Left hand drive BMX
Brakes: Hayes 8” mechanical disc
Shocks: Cane Creek AD-5
Chassis: ¾” round steel tube, 1” x 1” x 16 gage square tubing