LocostUSA.com

The clamshell fenders look like an aerodynamic disaster; giant scoops catching the air.

Is that true? Or are they just riding in the turbulence behind the front tires and not affecting drag much?

I think they were designed to catch water and debris from the road rather than having any aerodynamic properties. I think you "aerodynamic disaster" is a true statement.

_________________
2015 & 2016 EMod Florida State Autocross Champion
2013 & 2014 DSP Florida State Autocross Champion

Scrap Metal Build Log viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14558

Weren't the clamshells added to let the Seven be classed as a closed wheel car for racing? From what I've read about clamshells, they cause some front end lift.
Kristian

_________________
V6 in a book frame build. Now registered.
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=7587
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=18172

I dunno, but I noticed that the S3 clamshells stop about at the windshield, while the S4 clamshells go all the way to the back fenders. But then the S4s were plenty strange...

Can't come up with any documentation but as I remember it (I was around then) the SCCA rules at the time stated that a fender had to be faired 3/4 of it's length to the body. So to qualify the 7 for SCCA races they came up with the clam shell fender. That's when the 7A was designated, the A being for America racing.

Like i said up front, no hard evidence, just what I remember from the early 60's. Could easily be rumor. Tough as it is to believe, it has happened.

I haven't enough experience with the clam shells to say they cause lift. But they do keep road debris and buffeting down considerably.

_________________
Larry in Seattle

Can't come up with any documentation but as I remember it (I was around then) the SCCA rules at the time stated that a fender had to be faired 3/4 of it's length to the body. So to qualify the 7 for SCCA races they came up with the clam shell fender. That's when the 7A was designated, the A being for America racing.

Like i said up front, no hard evidence, just what I remember from the early 60's. Could easily be rumor. Tough as it is to believe, it has happened.

I haven't enough experience with the clam shells to say they cause lift. But they do keep road debris and buffeting down considerably.

_________________
Larry in Seattle

I think you hint at 2 different issues --- "lift" in the first sentence, and "drag" in the second. Seems to me that both would be issues? And probably, in an era when people are putting 700 hp motors into Stalkers, that "lift" would be the more pressing of the two issues?

_________________
***************
Geek49203 aka
Tim Wohlford
Louisville, KY
Hayes front, S10 +2 rear, Lalo body.

But you can't beat the looks if you're looking for classic styling.
Does anybody in the states still produce a set? I've found them across the pond but not domestically.

Thanks,

DG

I got my clamshells from Curtis Unlimited. They have the standard width and a 3" wider width. They don't have a web site so they are a bit difficult to contact. I don't have the contact information here with me but it might be on Jack's Kinetic Vehicles web site.

_________________
My car viewtopic.php?f=37&t=16434
1930s Style Sports Car viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16888

The email 3 years ago was curtisunlimited@aol.com. Phone was 707-443-8523. A pair of wide clamshells was $190 plus $80 shipping from California to Pennsylvania.

_________________
My car viewtopic.php?f=37&t=16434
1930s Style Sports Car viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16888

Thanks for the info Run. I used a set from the UK on my first build 8 years ago. I do have an email into Jack about the XI bodywork as I am leaning toward a classic style wire wheeled build along that route in the near future (as soon as get done with the other projects)

DG

Aerodynamics is tricky stuff. I think the amount of drag & turbulence from one car to the next might vary wildly for two reasons: The size & shape are different and the mounting is different. I made my own and I'm very happy with them. I don't race and the car is plenty fast enough for me running an unmodified 40 year old Pinto 2.3L engine. Drag has never been an issue.

John

Where's your build thread, John? Did you cover making the fenders?

I think I was about half done or further when I started getting active with the LocostUSA forum and never put a build page together. I'm pretty sure I put together something about doing the fenders on here somewhere though.

John

You could mount the clamshell on a pivot at over the wheel and the back mounted to move at an arc. then the faster you go the flatter the profile would be. btw i have a set of molds for narrow clamshells not sure on the size though.
Dale