Find Me on:
Find Me On FacebookFind Me On Twitter

Ron Champion started the latest kit car revival with the Locost Seven or Haynes Roadster.

Haynes Roadster Locost 7 rebody
I intend to generate blueprints, from which any enthusiast build a car from scratch.

Image: Complete Kit Car Magazine - Dec 2010
I'm on page 23!
Complete Kit Car
December 2010

Every component used on this build will be measured and modelled in 3D CAD.
Locost Haynes Roadster 3D CAD drawings and dimensions
Please don't ask for CAD models.
If I haven't published them, they are not available.

Blog

Locost Haynes Roadster Anti-Roll Bar
print locost article Print   

 

Camber Change
What can be done about body roll and camber gain?
Do I need a anti-roll bar at just the front or the rear as well?
Will it cure under-steer?

Read More...


Haynes Roadster Cornering G Force
print locost article Print   

How much advantage is there is having a light car when it comes to cornering? Sure a light car will accelerate better, but does the lack of weight mean a lack of traction?

Read More...


Do wide tyres grip better?
print locost article Print   

I'm going to use Audi 17" rims and 205/40/17 tyres.
Does having bigger tyres mean I will have more or less grip?
Having driven a chipped 300ZX for a couple of years, I think there will be 2 answers:

  • Yes in the dry
  • Definately NO in the wet

But why?????
Do wide tyres grip better?

Read More...
  [1] 2 3 ... 29   Next

 

Locost 7

The aim of this project, once I have built my car, is to offer a Haynes Roadster or Locost 7 style build. Eventually, you'll be able to download full 2D/3D CAD engineering drawings in a number of formats. To accompany these I'll attach full parts lists, photos and build procedures.

Originally, the design was to employ 4x4 Sierra Cosworth and Jaguar Duratec v6 components. Since then the design has evolved, it now has components from a much wider spectrum - Nissan Skylines, Supercharged 4.0 Jaguar AJ-V8's, Audi A8's, RS6's, Porsche Cayenne etc.

Over the last 25 years I have built up contacts with many local Hot Rodders, builders of Super 7's, Locost 7's and Kit Car manufacturers. The idea being to use them as guinea pigs. I want to be able to leave them with a set of drawings and return several days later to collect the parts. That way if anyone does struggle to make a particular part I'll be able to point them in the direction of someone that can.

As you can see from the pictures I haven't stuck to the traditional Low Cost 7 or Haynes Roadster style bodywork. After much analysis, trial fitments and simply trying to obtain parts such as the Sierra Rear Diff, the design evolved.
Full bodied Locost

The first Lotus Seven was built in 1957, the brainchild of Colin Chapman. Convinced of the advantages of small lightweight racing cars, with huge power to weight benefits, he actually referred to the Seven as something he had dreamt of designing since he was a schoolboy − a ´four wheeled motorbike´.

The Inspirational 1959 Lotus Super Seven
The design is now over 50 years old and has had many imitators and incarnations:

  • Caterham 7
  • Westfield
  • Dax
  • Robin Hood
  • Haynes Roadster
  • Locost 7

Seventh Heaven is a modern virtual 3D CAD Tribute - who knows one day I might even drive it!

Locost 7 and Haynes Roadster Rebody

Chris Gibb and Ron Champion have certainly started a revolution with kit car enthusiasts.

Every chassis component used on this build will be drawn up in 2D/3D CAD. To do this, a great deal of research into items and part numbers has been done. For instance, the Ford Sierra Rear differential, the MT75 gearbox and Duratec V6 have all been thoroughly researched. Information from forum sites (particularly the ford diff) was not to be relied upon, so the detail on this site comes directly from the parts' manufacturer or from personal measurements taken with micrometres. This site has some of the most accurate Sierra Diff information on the web!

Different components were analysed against alternatives, such as Cortina Uprights vs Sierra Uprights. They were also compared with the ideal.
Locost Suspension design and analysis.

Locost 7 and Haynes Roadster CAD model
Locost Chassis