Wow Danny, that looks great! Just wanted to tell it looks huge on picture, reading that you found it larger than expected as well. Once the wingtips are ready its 74", 1.8m if I remember it right?!?
38" is just under a meter, i think that should fit in 90% of all cars. People flying RC planes usually have big cars anyway... Forces on the "joint" build up quickly when you reduce the span of the middle part. For me this size would be fine.
I'm not posting that much here but follow this thread on a daily base, thanks for posting all the details and pics! Keep up the good work Danny