LocostUSA.com

Since i'm kinda new to this board i'd thought i'd show you guys my two projects. Some will remember them from the yahoo group.

First, the Seven, a Lotus 7 S3 copy, but running a carb'd Toyota 4AG.



And the newest one, an Eleven S2 copy. Which as of the past couple days will be running a Coventry Climax motor. Just need to find another pair of 40 DCOEs.











My biggest problem right now with the Eleven is i have to remove the head fairing, really upset that its molded into the rear panel.

Cheers,
Rod

Let me be the first to say "Welcome" and two very nice projects going there!

Very tastefully done. I have a bicycle just like that one too. What kind of wheels are those on the Locost?

The wheels on the Seven are Dunlops with a Cortina bolt pattern. They were the rims that most of the Twin Cam SS' and the Seven S had. Supposedly fairly rare, luckily the guy who sharpens my skates had them left over from his Cortina days.

More pics of the Seven:

And a couple more of the Eleven, including some of the Curtis Panels:

Rod

Both builds look really good. I wish my steering shaft was that straight with a 4age Engine. Can you still fit the stock filter and oil cooler connection?

It looks like you are nickel/bronze welding the eleven frame?

greater work Dave W

Welcome from a fellow Vancouverite.

Nice projects they both look great. How did the registration process go for your seven. Do you intend on fitting a windscreen on the 11?

I look fwd to your progress.

Andrew

Dave,
The stock filter and oil cooler plate do clear the steering column, but i have yet to fit an oil cooler. I've got one off a later Corolla, but just havent got around to fitting it. The car doesnt overheat in traffic and runs almost too cool whilst in motion, so i havent had any reason to.

As for the Eleven frame, its MIG'd with some of the tighter spots brazed (not any of the real structural bits, just the front body mounts).

Andrew,
The Eleven will be fitted with the Appendix C screen as seen on the current Westie Elevens and the bulk of the Series 2 Elevens. I've been reading the "code" book for BC, and it appears that there are several loop holes in regards to windshields, wipers, heater etc. So if i have any problem with the 'screen, i'll remove it for the inspection process then re-fit post inspection. Either that or i'll bribe my inspector, lol.

Cheers,
Rod

Hello.
I am looking into building Lotus 11 with R1 bike motor.
What do you think the total Lbs of your car will be?
Also if you have other photos could you send them to perfmarine@earthlink.net?
Thanks,Randall Wefel

What are the upper control arms from? They look like Ford Festiva lower control arms with a custom swaybar/radius rod.

Thanks for posting pictures of your projects. Your cars are impressive. Do you build cars professionally?
Are the compound curved components of your Lotus 11 molded carbon fiber, FG ?
Thanks.
Philippe.

Great set of projects!

I love the Eleven - that will be stunning! I assume the donor parts are from a Midget/Sprite? Looks like it will be an extremely accurate replica.

The Seven looks great. Is that a Cortina or Pony rear axle? I've got much the same parts on my project - dual weber 4AGE, Hyundai Pony rear axle, Hyundai Stellar spindles. I've still got to make the header so yours provides good inspiration.

Thanks for sharing.

The upper links on the Eleven are Lotus/Caterham top links with a Lotus sway bar. Chunky Chapman first raided the Ford parts bin for the lower link on one of the mid 50's Fords and modified it. Then once ford dropped that model, Lotus made one of their first Lotus only parts, the upper link.

The front and rear sections are in fibre glass, nothing too exotic there. The price was right, $1800 for the front, rear, scuttle and doors in glass, though i'm not using the doors and scuttle. They look much better in ally. I do have the other (curtis panels) still for sale and will include the scuttle and doors if anyone is interested.

And finally, to answer Daves questions, the Seven is running a Cortina GT axle, very similar to the Pony, but the Cortina axle is the proper one for the Seven. The Eleven has a Nash Metropolitan rear axle, Sprite/Midget gearbox, Standard Triumph front uprights, and will be getting a Coventry Climax FWP converted to automotive use, basically a poor mans FWA. I'm hoping the Eleven will weigh in around the 1000 to 1100 lb mark. The Seven tips in around the same but has something like 170 hp at the flywheel.

Cheers,
Rod

Excellent work Rod. As always ... very inspirational!