LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 29, 2024, 5:44 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 22, 2014, 6:42 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 22, 2014, 4:41 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Encinitas CA
Hello: My name is Dan and I have been lurking on this board for quite some time. I am near completion on my build of a GBS Zero GT kit from Great British Sports Cars in the UK. While GBS is kinda unknown Stateside (so far), they are fairly big in the UK. Apparently they sprang up from the old Robin Hood builders, but the Zero is different. From what I can see, my car is very similar to the Haynes car in general layout.
Mine uses Miata bits for the diff, rear uprights, spindles, brakes and I choose the Miata 1.8 engine and trans. My goal is to build a very traditional 'old school' appearing car with modern innards. No carbon fiber, digital dash or 20" wheels, just the basics. Nothing wrong with those things, but I still wear a hand wound wrist watch.
This forum has been a huge help with the build. I'll post some pictures, as soon as I figure out how.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 22, 2014, 8:05 pm 
Offline

Joined: June 21, 2013, 4:11 pm
Posts: 96
:lurking: We'll wait right here- just not very patiently! Glad to have you on- even with Limey kit (CC was some kind of Brit wasn't he?). Just funning ya- any time we get to see some differing solutions to the 1001 problems in one of these projects is a good thing. Bring it! Also believe there is tutorial in lower down part of forum contents page. Past that I'm going to let the genius admin types who keep this playground functional do what they do best (and b the way thank them for running this midnight daycare center for run amok project mavens!) Chris


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 22, 2014, 11:52 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 22, 2014, 4:41 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Encinitas CA
Here is a recent picture of the Zero. Image The protective film is still on parts of the body panels, hence the white. I am planning on leaving the car with the mill finish on the alloy panels. My zero has aluminum panels. Stainless panels were an option, but I like the old school look. Here is a pic of the engineImage It is an early 1.8 Miata JDM Miata with a Ford Escort GT cam cover and Borla TWM ITB set up. It really makes the BP series look like a Kent based Twin Cam.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 23, 2014, 4:01 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: January 14, 2006, 1:06 pm
Posts: 813
Location: Vista (north of San Diego CA)
Welcome Dan! I hope you've met some of the other builders in the area. There are several active or fairly complete builds in the north San Diego County area. Get some pictures up!

John


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 23, 2014, 5:40 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 22, 2014, 4:41 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Encinitas CA
Ok, I think I have pic posting figured out,

Image

The body is aluminum, mill finish, with most of the protective film still on. Hood is going to get louvers, but not right away.

Image

Under the bonnet is a '97 Miata JDM 1.8 pretending to be a Ford with a '91 Escort GT cam cover. All stock except for the Borla TWM 45mm ITB's and a Fidenza light flywheel. Oh, also went with LS6 style coils and converted to direct fire spark.I'm using a Haltech Sprint 500 ECU with the WB1 wideband o2 unit. Just finished creating the base map last night, all systems have been tested, but have not got up the nerve (or time) to try to fire it up yet.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 24, 2014, 6:57 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 22, 2014, 4:41 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Encinitas CA
Here is a link to a few more pictures. I have been really slow about setting anything up about my build, so now I have started, finally. I hope to get the car out of the garage and into the sunlight and break out the good camera for some real photos.

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/Dek409/library/?sort=6&page=1

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 24, 2014, 8:34 pm 
Offline
Mid-Engined Maniac

Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6410
Location: SoCal
Dek409 wrote:
... No carbon fiber, digital dash or 20" wheels, just the basics. Nothing wrong with those things, but I still wear a hand wound wrist watch...

And ITBs... <cough>

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: October 24, 2014, 9:51 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 22, 2014, 4:41 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Encinitas CA
The "modern innards" part of the project covers the ITB choice.
Really wanted side draft Webers, but after remembering the last half dozen cars I did with them almost 35 years ago, I decided the ITBs were probably way less frustrating and more reliable to boot.

I had a chance to get a complete, big valve, Weber head Twin Cam with Trans, but just could not justify the expense.

Besides, the ITB's reminded me of the coolest real Seven I have ever seen, which had a mechanically injected, dry sumped Cosworth engine. Don't remember what it came out of, but the cars owner was somehow connected to Cosworth in the UK at one time. It belonged to a regular customer of an auto parts store I worked in during college. This guy used it as a daily driver, which was pretty amazing. It was kinda funny, as his other driver was a real MKI Lotus Cortina. Always wondered where those cars ended up.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: January 26, 2018, 12:28 am 
Offline

Joined: January 14, 2018, 1:47 am
Posts: 8
Dek409 wrote:

Hi Dan,
Thank you for sharing the pictures !! A beautiful build !

Did you build the car in the USA or UK ? I am interested in Great British Sports Cars http://www.greatbritishsportscars.co.uk/our-cars-2, but have not found any information about them in the USA. The Robin Hood seemed to be very popular in the UK.

Thank you!
- Mark


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: January 26, 2018, 1:29 am 
Offline
Mid-Engined Maniac

Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6410
Location: SoCal
4-yr old thread!

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: January 26, 2018, 1:43 am 
Offline

Joined: July 23, 2007, 1:46 am
Posts: 267
Location: Kingston, WA
Hey Mark!

Funny you bumped this thread, because I'm thinking about going the GBS route, too. I just recently started talking with Paul Barnes, the US rep--really great guy.

His email is gbszerousa@gmail.com

Joe

_________________
http://www.pbase.com/ninerjoe/lotus_19_build


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: GBS Zero GT build
PostPosted: January 26, 2018, 7:56 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: October 24, 2008, 2:13 pm
Posts: 5326
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
Hello Dan (Dek409),

I think I passed you on I5 the other day. I thought you might be on this system. I'm in Carlsbad. I'd love to see your car.

Posting here ==> viewtopic.php?f=41&t=19166

Cheers,

Lonnie

_________________
Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
POWERED_BY