I spent a couple of hours reading Ron Champion's book in Waterstones yesterday which set me thinking. Building a Locost from scratch looks a damn sight easier than restoring my MGB was...

The thing is, I own a 1984 BMW 323i which is mechanically excellent but structurally appalling. The questions I have are:

a) has anybody ever built a Locost with a straight-6? It's a lightweight engine so shouldn't affect the balance too badly but I would expect the chassis would need lengthening

b) the BMW has independent rear suspension which is very similar to a Sierra. Has anybody built a Sierra-based Locost, or one with independent rear suspension

c) How true to life is Ron Champion's book? I suspect that the figure of £250 is hopelessly optimistic, but is the procedure for construction easily followed or does the reader have to use his/her imagination in the great Haynes tradition.

Cheers,
Jim

a)dunno, probably, chassis would need lengthening which would reduce its torsional stiffness
b)sierra components used in many irs locosts e.g.MK Indy
http://www.m-keenan.freeserve.co.uk
or whole rear subframe used in some Robin Hood cars
c)true cost of building somewhat in excess of £250, and plenty of 'interpretation' needed in adapting book info. Not easy but very possible

John

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I spent a couple of hours reading Ron Champion's book in Waterstones yesterday Cheers,
Jim

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appalling. The questions I have are:

a) has anybody ever built a Locost with a straight-6? It's a lightweight engine so shouldn't affect the balance too badly but I would expect the chassis would need lengthening

Metal Hippy is about to do a car based on the 535 - but then he's nuts



b) the BMW has independent rear suspension which is very similar to a Sierra. Has anybody built a Sierra-based Locost, or one with independent rear suspension

Yes, lots of people have but you have to make your own suspension design - im not aware that a design exists for a indy rear.


c) How true to life is Ron Champion's book? I suspect that the figure of £250 is



Absolutely completely massively total BOLLOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


If you scrimp, expect about 1500 quid. The reality according to most builders in my 2 1/2 year experience is 2.5 - 3.5k is more like it. Sadly im at the top end!

If you recall from the book, the alu he used was from the sides of a transit van. Mine cost 180 quid. Nearly blown the budget just there.


atb

steve

Oi, I prefer mentally challenged if you don't mind.

no mad was right first time

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Absolutely completely massively total BOLLOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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hey - I held back there!

I recon your 'graeme' (as cilla would say - if you remeber that being an ex pat) on TOL may have added a little bit more......a 1600 grade sandpaper kinda guy methinks!


Seriously, I think the 250 quid bit in the book title kinda turns the think into a joke rather than a serious publication. I chuckled at it for months in the bookstores before I actually bought it.

atb

steve

Isn't the 250 quid bit only there to smooth things over with the other half, without it how many of us wouldn't even own the book. Come on hands up?

Yep the £250 has helped me talk Mrs bob into believing it.
Although after spending £3000 building the garage not to mention the fees for moving to a house where i can have a garage .
Bloody hell this build has cost me over 12 grand so far,and the hike in mortgage

On a serious note i think bass built his 1st car for around £900 and i've read of £750 being possible.

Although i doesnt matter how much you get it on the road for,you will allways be building it and spending more money and time on.

having spent 6500 two years previously on an xjs i only did about 3k miles in, building a car from scratch was no longer a shock to her.......

atb

steve

come on lets be honest who can get a book out that says "build a car for £250" in front of your mates?

we all know the price tag is nutsack but coz of it we cant admit to most of our non undersanding mates (most of em think im nuts)

they all think its a joke but if the book was titled "locost design" im sure they wouldnt take them wee as much (altho they still would find a way)

Chaps,

Before his site went down, I recall RC stating someone had built one for £47

There you go!!

ATB

Simon

My work colleagues (who don't seem to trust my mechanical skills ) long ago renamed it:
"Build your own Death Coffin for £250- and die in it"



On the subject of the budget- it's possible to vary the cost with a bit of creative accounting. I mean, do you count the cost of tools you buy if you're gonna use them at a later date? Do you count the cost of materials if you already own them (ie. if I happen to have a stack of 1" RHS or sheets of ali) you can vary the cost massively like this.

If someone really did do it for £47 then their Dad must own a steel supplier, their Mum a scrapyard and wife work for Gaz in the free samples department!

Cheers,

James

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If someone really did do it for £47 then their Dad must own a steel supplier, their Mum a scrapyard and wife work for Gaz in the free samples department!

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Take at look at my reply to "strength - will it be enough" which is just a few postings away from yours. My reply is the result of a computer analysis of the chassis. You will have to check that your mechanicals clear the mods.

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a) has anybody ever built a Locost with a straight-6?

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Has anybody built a Sierra-based Locost, or one with independent rear suspension

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How true to life is Ron Champion's book?

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