LocostUSA.com

My wife has a love of small British sports cars of the 1950's and 60's, such as the Lotus, AC and TVR. Has since before I ever met her (even having an AC Bristol poster). So of course the moment I hear about the Locost, I start planning on surprising her by building one. But our finances are, well, less than ideal. Never admitting defeat, I started hitting the freecycle and free pages on Craigslist.

Now, within the past month I've scored enough steel for the frame, although it is mixed circular and square tubing (properly angled steel, which I've been brazing into tubes), taken the suspension off of my dead Mustang (blown transmission, and its motor went into my Mercury Mountaineer), and then landed a free engine out of a Subaru. I am still trying to sort out what exact configuration I want to build, but I am leaning in the direction of a non-traditional build. You'll notice, I never mentioned a transmission. That is because I am debating on what kind of transmission I want to use, debating between a nash style chain gang (drove one when I was a teenager and absolutely loved it), hydrostatic (something about this just appeals to me) or just straight up generator and going pure electric drive to the wheels. I personally prefer mid-engined cars, so am leaning in that direction. Lots to consider.

Sounds normal, for this bunch at least.

aaaand now am offered a Fiat 124's transmission, which would then all but force a FR arrangement....

Sounds like you have an interesting path ahead of you, no matter which directions you may go...Decisions, decisions decisions.

Remember when we had a thread called "You know when you have to much HP when ...."? Since he's still looking for an engine, I submit this for consideration,

108,000 HP at 90 RPM!!

download/file.php?id=12685&t=1

Welcome to the group downnix. We're not all crazy but we try.

think a "power" bulge may be needed, or a walk around catwalk

Imagine the air scoop for that thing!

I have begun building the clutch system however. Always had my own designs for a belt clutch, so adapting my old design.

And more opportunity, as our queen bedframe has a bracket break in such a way to make repair difficult if not impossible. The foothold with its brass tubes useless, but the main frame is solid, made up of 1" and 1"*1.5" 14awg steel tubes, to hold up a waterbed. Wife wanted a new frame anyways, so the old one is mine. Now have ample tubes to work with.

In other news, talked to the Excalibur car company, and they are helping me locate the information to make my locost in the style of the Excalibur-J. I will attach a picture of the J once home, and I think it would make an excellent Locost style.

Added.

I can't find the original website for the engine but here are some pictures and details about it. Wikipedia has more specs but no pictures.

http://www.vask.org.nz/index.php?topic=14640.0

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming (sorry 'bout that).

Alright, located someone with the original frame dimensions. The J used a ladder frame, but I am building a space frame because I know the strength of one. I will be taking the weekend to draft up plans.

i like the coat, very natty and dapper, i wonder where i can get one?

i could get a hat with a feather in it, oh no, it might blow off.

Surplus Navy topcoat. My uncle has the same jacket. Burlington Coat Factory sold them too I believe.

GAH! Now the wife wants me to look into a custom fiberglass body to put onto the Mercury Mountaineer frame, as she's sick of the 15mpg it is getting, and wants something "super cool" to drive.....

I come up with one project, and I get two handed to me. Any thoughts for what to put on the Mountaineer?

Alright, plan in place. She's given the Locost to me, providing I can make her a 1970 Mercury King Cobra (yes, the one-off prototype answer to the Superbird) *and* I can do the Locost first, so we have a running car when I do the truck body switcheroo. Days like this I am reminded of why I love this woman.

downix,

a hat with a feather and leaderhosen