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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Lotus 7 replica


grahamc

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I used to build & race Caterham 7's,

1600 K series or 1800 vauxhall lumps with a few tweaks.....can go rather well:)

 

straightforward to build for a compenent spanner jockey, very good backup from Caterham themselves.

 

John

 

So exactly how many beers would it cosst to get you building them again?? Group buy from a couple of the members here....

 

I dont know about the rest, but there is a very good/valid reason for me being in IT!!!

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I'm an IT guy and I built the entire engine up and car myself with naff all previous knowledge in a year and a half.

 

A year and a half... dont think I have that much patience...

 

I dont have the patience for that... I run around kicking servers after 10 minutes of problems...

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Oh I do that too ;)

 

Ok, well, then, maybe its only me that is sh!t with cars...

 

I must admit, that if I did manage to put a lotus 7 together, I doubt that it would ever make it 1 mile down the road without something falling off...

 

Just wouldnt trust the car... if I built it!!!

 

What field in IT? I am a DBA (SQL)...

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as long as you pay attention & RTFM:), Caterhams are very straightforward,

I think the recommended build time is around 100-150 hours.

check out caterham.co.uk

They are NOT cheap, but probably the best around.

 

Graham.....It would take pallet loads:D

John

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I must admit, that if I did manage to put a lotus 7 together, I doubt that it would ever make it 1 mile down the road without something falling off...

That stops after a while...when there's no more bits to fall off! :rlol:

 

Obviously there are teething problems, but that's all part of the 'fun'.

 

SVA was undoubtledly the worst part of the build, sticking to their outragous specifications was tricky.

 

Caterham are indeed the mutts nutts, but way too £££ for what they are.

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I know you're only joking Trev, but have you seen the price of hemi engines these days. They never were the budget option, but these days they're really silly money :(

 

I know apparently there aren't many around and the ones that work are all alcohol fuelled drag racers now!! Would still be cool though!!

 

I'd settle for a 454. :D

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That stops after a while...when there's no more bits to fall off! :rlol:

 

Obviously there are teething problems, but that's all part of the 'fun'.

 

SVA was undoubtledly the worst part of the build, sticking to their outragous specifications was tricky.

 

Caterham are indeed the mutts nutts, but way too £££ for what they are.

 

I am just worried about what bits fall off... :p Steering wheel, brake pedal...

 

Makes sense, that is half the fun...

 

Will have a look!!

 

First I need to finish the supra, then get a garage, then this toy!

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  • 2 years later...

ok, I know I'm dragging up an old thread here, but I thought it might be worthwhile as most of the knowledgeable people have already posted, so easy to get their attention ;)

 

I'm seriously toying with the idea of a kit car at some point, possibly soon, and building it as a 2nd car while I keep my pug as my daily driver. My dad has built 2 Robin Hoods (yeh, we know how poo they are) and a Dutton, so I've got help/experience there if needed.

 

However, I REALLY love the AC Cobra replicas - I know they are more expensive - but does anyone have any experience of these? Are they harder to build etc? Again, I'm an IT bloke with little mechanical/vehicle experience (although a baseline knowledge I suppose) and I think I could probably get my hands on any tools that I require.

 

So I'm sort-of in 2 minds - either but a cheap as chips Lotus7 replica just for experience and a bit of fun, or go all out and buy, in stages, a decent cobra kit.

 

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions? Cheers folks

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I have a Westfield Seight that has only got 850 miles on it (was built with new engine).

 

Needs a bit of TLC to get it to perfect condition. I was going to start the rebuild in the spring and have it ready for sale for the summer. Needs the new instruments fitting, also the new clutch master & slave cylinders, plus new TVR exhaust cans. Sounds great as it is.... with the TVR cans it will be pure V8 music ;)

 

Its the Seight rolling chassis with the 3.5 Injected Vitesse engine.

 

Contrary popular opinion it handles like no other car (imagine entering roundabouts at 70, and exiting again after doing a 180 at the same speed as you entered!!).

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However, I REALLY love the AC Cobra replicas - I know they are more expensive - but does anyone have any experience of these? Are they harder to build etc? Again, I'm an IT bloke with little mechanical/vehicle experience (although a baseline knowledge I suppose) and I think I could probably get my hands on any tools that I require.

Get yourself a copy of A Car is Born

This particular model is a Pilgrim Sumo - the budget end of the Cobra replicas I believe. The DVD will give you some idea of what's involved though.

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thanks Pete.

I've already seen that - but it would def. be worth getting it to watch again.

I thought Pilgrim were struggling recently - I think the owner sold up but the original owner of the company has bought it back (I think???)

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thanks Pete.

I've already seen that - but it would def. be worth getting it to watch again.

I thought Pilgrim were struggling recently - I think the owner sold up but the original owner of the company has bought it back (I think???)

 

Probably. I've been out of the scene for a while.

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thanks Pete.

I've already seen that - but it would def. be worth getting it to watch again.

I thought Pilgrim were struggling recently - I think the owner sold up but the original owner of the company has bought it back (I think???)

 

Pilgrim is literally up the road from me. If you need any info or want me to check them out I can drop in anytime.

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wow - thanks mate - that's brilliant!

 

TBH Pilgrim was what I was looking at if any, I know it's cheaper end of the market which is the main appeal, but they seem like good kits too.

I think my main requirement would be to buy the kit in phases - spreading the cost. I'm going to discuss this more with my dad who will probably be helping me do it anyway. (If I were to go ahead with it)

 

I'm going to try and find a copy of "A car is born" I think.. re-watch that first to remind myself of what I might be letting myself in for. lol

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