Lotus 7 replicas, kit cars, etc., in the US

[Shuie]

Is it feasible or even possible to federalize one of the Fraser Clubman or DAX replicas? Does anyone in the US make a decent Lotus 7 inspired replica or kit car?

[Nostril Cheese]

DAX? yes.

I built one. owner registered it a a homebuilt

[FastCarFan]

It's not made in the U.S. -- I think it is made in South Africa -- but a friend of mine loves his Birkin (Birken?). He drives it year-round, even in Ohio winters. It doesn't even have a top.

He said it will out-corner ANYTHING on the street & that it is a blast to drive. It seems to be very well built.

[Ronbo]

Technically it's not a replica, but a continuation, I've had my Caterham since 1993. There are several dealers throughout the country.

[ERH]

For a US based Seven it would be hard to beat these guys...
World Class Motorsports

http://www.wcmultralite.com/

Good product and good people...

I'm partial to my Caterham but not a thing wrong with new ideas.

[ERH]

Oh, and if you want to go the Lotus/Caterham route talk to Chip at GT Classics, very highly recommended.

http://www.gt-classics.com/

Ed

[Shuie]

okay, cool. Thanks, guys. I just threw out the first two names I found in a google search for 7 replicas. I dont know much about the various cars that are available in the US.

[masraum]

I actually followed a guy to a Starbucks once back when I still had the 911. According to him his car was an actual Lotus, '73 model that I think he said had been in New Zealand at some point and currently had a Toyota engine.

Man, I'd love to get a decent 7 some day. I think they rock.

[johndglynn]

I find them totally frustrating to drive, but if I ever get one to figure out what I am not fully understanding, it will be this colour:

[ERH]

Originally posted by johndglynn
I find them totally frustrating to drive, but if I ever get one to figure out what I am not fully understanding, it will be this colour:

Think of it as a four wheeled motorcycle and it starts to make sense... well sort of.... Ok it does not make any sense but IMHO they are great fun.

Did a tour of the western US last year with about 50 other sevens of various makes and it was one of the best holidays I have ever had.

Here is David's site about the trip for those that are curious about 3600 mile trip in a seven:
http://www.dd1961.com/ustrip/

and John has a good site as well http://blatable.com/default.aspx

A trip from San Francisco to Vancouver and back is planned for this fall

Ed

[TimothyFarrar]

What do Sevens (non Caterhams) typically resell for used?

[kach22i]

A couple guys in another car forum I post at have built or are building versions of the Lotus 7. I posted a request for more information below is the response - see link.

Link:
http://www.carnuts.us/viewtopic.php?t=1290

Names mentioned; a "Locost", Luego from the UK, and Birkin.....................


http://carnuts.us/viewtopic.php?t=1290

Originally Posted by CV Joint

I would estimate that there are easily more than 25 brands of 7 clones.
.

Link to project pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/72157594420123373/

More project pictures:
http://carnuts.us/viewtopic.php?t=1201

[FastCarFan]

Ed,

I think my friend (with the Birkin) may have been on the 3,600-mile trip with you. I have not seen or talked to him in awhile, but I remember that he mentioned an upcoming trip throughout the western U.S. with a bunch of Brits who were bringing their 7s over to the states.

If I recall correctly, he was going to ship his Birkin from Columbus to some point out west to join up with the trip.

His name is Al Bornstein & a picture of his car is in my posting above. In fact, I hope to run into him tomorrow at the Mid-Ohio Vintage GP.

Do you know Al? He is a great guy.

Doug

[Shuie]

Anybody else built up one of these kits? At the end of the day, what do they cost? I haven't looked much, but I've seen more than one kit that uses a Miata donor for a lot of the major drivetrain and suspension components. How do those cars turn out?

[URY914]

http://www.bruntonauto.com/

If you are looking for cheap, fast and easy to work on have a look at these. They are built close to me and the Owner and several of the shop guys autox them locally.

[kach22i]

I was given this link to share, check it out.

http://locostusa.com/

regs are very state/prov dependent

[ERH]

If I recall correctly, he was going to ship his Birkin from Columbus to some point out west to join up with the trip.

His name is Al Bornstein & a picture of his car is in my posting above. In fact, I hope to run into him tomorrow at the Mid-Ohio Vintage GP.

Do you know Al? He is a great guy.

Doug

__________________
Doug Miller

1988 Guards Red Carrera



Doug,

Well that has to be THE trip... I only remember four or five Birkins three from Texas and one from North Carolina and one from California.... but the group was so large that I may have missed him. Sure sounds like I should know him...


What do Sevens (non Caterhams) typically resell for used?
_________________
_
|imothy Farrar

I'm out of touch on new kit prices but the GBP has been beating up the dollar and while Caterham was absorbing the increase for awhile ....

The kits really were all over the map in both completeness and cost. If you don't mind missing the fun of building your own a bit of shopping around can turn up some real deals. Think reproduction 72' RSR in the Pelican ads compared to building your own. Prices range low $20k to mid $50k second hand. I know a guy with $45K in just the engine. Sevens are very much a blank slate and engine, transmission, interior or lack there of, carbon fiber, fuel cell, etc. is all your call.

Mine is about 1200 lbs and 280 hp "pub number", (actual 260ish with lower rev limit) and truly does make other cars seem slow.

Links:

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/ A very good place to start if you are US based... with a good for sale section.

http://www.blatchat.com/ GB Lotus Sevens Club

and http://www.gt-classics.com/ Chip rescued my seven build. I can't say enough good things.

Ed

[ERH]

For Birkin:

http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/racoca1.html

Dick Brink would be good to deal with.... he was along on the USA Tour...

If you feel you need 400hp and a V8 then the Hartley V8 would be the answer

http://www.h1v8.com/page/page/1821906.htm

Ed

[BertBeagle]

Here is info on a Lotus 7 meet coming up next weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the car. Its in the mountains of North Carolina.

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/eventregistration/index.aspx

[obrut]

the birkin kits are sold in australia by prb, and have a good rep down here. prb's site is:

http://www.prbaustralia.com.au/

and they have a good article about building one from a kit: "building a s3 clubman"