Anyone built a Lotus 7 replica?

pookie · 07-24-2005, 03:34 AM

I was wondering if any one had ventured out and built a Lotus 7 replica? There are tons of ads for them in magazines, but when you start looking at cost, the ones I saw were something like $4995 for the frame and body panels. You have to supply all the other parts, motor, trans, suspension etc. There is another one I saw that uses a Miata as your donor car, wouldn't be bad for the cost of the car, I am sure you can find one that runs for cheap, but the cost of the kit is around $9000. I thought it would be an interesting way to start racing, but $9000 + doesn't sound to good. I did see one on autotrader that had a motorcycle engine as its powerplant. So know were talking what at least 100 hp if it was out of a liter bike, in a 7 style package. That would be cool. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had any experience or thoughts and if so if they wouldn't mind sharing.

Thanks in advance

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

The car next to me at the Ann Arbor Rolling Sculpture show (search for thread/pics) had the Hyabasa (bad spelling) motorcycle engine. He had a small bottle of NOS on it, but wanted to add a turbo. He was originaly from the UK and put the stearing wheel on their side.

This car drew massive crowds, leaving the adjacent Bug-Eyed Sprites and my 911 looking unwanted.

I don't have any contact information on the guy, a nice guy who can go 0-60 in 3.1 seconds if he has to.

Joeaksa · 07-24-2005, 08:18 AM

Have driven one years ago and love it. Would love to have one!

Joe A

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Some info, and drawings here:

http://mcsorley.net/locost/default.htm

Tom

Ronbo · 07-24-2005, 04:18 PM

I built a Caterham Super Seven kit back in '93. I still have it, and it's still a thrill every time I take it out. Once I made the mistake of driving the Carrera immediately after the Seven. The Carrera never felt so big, slow, and heavy as it did then.

pookie · 07-24-2005, 06:08 PM

Ronbo,

Got any pics or tips on building one?

Thanks

onewhippedpuppy · 07-24-2005, 06:14 PM

Just saw a Seven replica today, I can't imagine a better track and weekend car.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronbo
I built a Caterham Super Seven kit back in '93. I still have it, and it's still a thrill every time I take it out. Once I made the mistake of driving the Carrera immediately after the Seven. The Carrera never felt so big, slow, and heavy as it did then.

Good thing you don't a bug-eyed Sprite too.

Just look at the size difference, the Lotus knock-off weighs only 1,100 lbs.

pookie · 07-25-2005, 05:15 AM

That pic next to the 911 is awesome. Thanks for that.

Whipped,

That is exactly what I was thinking building one for use as a dedicated track car. That thing would be wicked fun.

RallyJon · 07-25-2005, 06:24 AM

I bought a Fury kit a few years ago. A Seven underneath but with a sexy body. Learned an important lesson about kit cars:

If you can buy a COMPLETE kit, that has EVERYTHING needed ready to bolt together, and be happy with the component choices that the kit supplier made, great.

But if you're a tinkerer or a control freak who can't look at a part without thinking, "I wonder why they chose this/did it this way?" then stay away!

I got bogged down in re-engineering paralysis where the breadth of options far outstripped my ability to pull them all together.

Sold the kit on Ebay and bought the 911 instead.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by pookie
That pic next to the 911 is awesome. Thanks for that.

The yellow car is not backed up to the curb like the 911 is, so it's sitting about 2-1/2 forward of it, making it look bigger than it is. Look at the yellow line down the center of the street. The Bug-Eye is a shorter car so it sits back from the 911 a couple of feet.

Perspective is a funny thing, the 911 is still a hog compared to the two fleas next to it.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

THere's a few guys on the Grassroots Motorsports board that built them. May be a good source for info. Several different power train configurations there from what I remember...

dd74 · 07-25-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RallyJon
I got bogged down in re-engineering paralysis where the breadth of options far outstripped my ability to pull them all together.

Sold the kit on Ebay and bought the 911 instead.

Too bad. I've always liked the Fury. Here's the one I'd get:

Mid-engined; with a 1100 cc motorcycle powerplant, paddle shifting, etc. - truly bad-assed.

Ronbo · 07-25-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pookie
Ronbo,

Got any pics or tips on building one?

Thanks

Here's a few low-res pics I took a while back. There's lots of Caterham build sites on the web. The kit comes with a comprehensive manual. I never did anything more complicated than oil changes and valve adjustments, but had no problem assembling this car.