I have to start by saying I am not all that happy right now! I had over 100 pics of the build, with jigs used and the steps taken for the build table and stripping the donor car to this point, and the memory card was erased by the airport!
With that vent out of the way, my build started on
March 12, 2008 when I got the steel. It actually started with me dreaming about building a locost after seeing one at a local autocross (Geoff's car) and reading the article in GRM about Jon's all aluminum beauty built with help from his son. Since I have three boys (and a little girl), I figured it would be a good project to teach them some skillz (with a Z).
So far, so good. I started with a
book build as it looked like the bodywork would be easier to do, and I like the idea of it being as small as possible! I have a business that hotrods the new MINI and the new Lotus, so I am into small, and those just weren't small or light enough.
I decided on the
Miata as a donor quickly, as I had owned and raced a Spec Miata for the 2004 SCCA season, and had a blast. It is also a great lump, and it seems there is a lot of support for the donor. I found a 1997 Miata that had been "tapped" in the rear (actually it wasn't that bad, considering the rear subframe bolts up straight and true and the rear fenders aren't even tweaked inboard) for $1500. I drove it home and remembered again what a blast these cars are - and drooled about the possibilities that lie ahead with the loss of 1000 lbs or so.
I am working on the suspension layout right now, and already have gained valuable knowledge from the forum here - thanks! I have been talking with locost_adam, chetcpo, Stein, Emile and Jack and still am gathering info from everyone. I even stole some ideas from Emile on the build table that will look familiar if you check his blog. I want not only a
good rear IRS design, but I'm not all that happy using the original book mounts for the
front a-arms being they are at a different length, and angle when using the track and upright from the Miata. Tall order and I hope not to get stalled too long with it.
In the meantime, I have the donor stripping and selling of parts to complete, so I shouldn't be want for work just yet.
So here are just a few shots of the project to date (all taken at once due to the loss of the entire build photos to this point!):

The Build Table - thanks for some of the ideas Emile!

The chassis to date.

Overhead shot - I changed the rear bulkhead mount point a little - plan to build a shock mount in there somewhere.

Another pic of the rear.

I ended up building a jig to get these pain in the rear front uprights cut with the compound angle on a standard chop saw. The hardest part of the build - so far!

The donor - it was hard tearing into a great car!

Got a 1.8L - woohoo!

The rear is stripped - you can see the damage in this shot too.

Go the top off, the interior stripped and all the wiring marked. This took about 2 hours. Great car to work on (did I mention I think the Miata rocks as a donor?)!

The workbench has pretty much been overrun!

There's still room on there somewhere to work, eh?
I really look forward to the input from you guys. To date, your help has been priceless. If anyone has
any ideas on suspension design, I would love to hear more. I am using Allan Staniforth's and Herb Adam's books as well as anything I can get from anyone who will give me info. Most of my knowledge is in the MINI (FWD front engine), the Elise (RWD mid-engine) and Porsches (RWD rear engine) so
the Seven is a new adventure for me at this point. Obviously some of it carries forward, but I always appreciate helpful input from those who know better than I.
I'll post more as I have time to work on it - not only do I hot rod cool UK built cars, but I fly airplanes for a living, so I'm gone for 4 days at a time (and I mentioned I have four kids).
Thanks for looking and I hope to help as much as I have already received from the other build logs I've stared at for hours!
Randy Webb