Hi!

I just found this discussion forum. It seems like a lot of people with their heads on their shoulders are here too.

After reading Ron Champions book I have been thinking of trying to build a Locost, or at least see how far I can get. Since Ford Escorts aren't very common in Sweden, I thought of using a Volvo (which are plentiful) as the main donor car instead. Does that seem like a good idea? I have searched for websites about building Locosts on Volvos, but so far I have found very little. Do you know of any sites or do you have any other suggestions for me?

Best regards,

Just go for it mate, i have seen 1.000's of engine / box combinations, the only limitation is your imagination, my only tip would be :- leave out the tranmission tunnel and any bars in the engine bay, then build them around your engine box once roughly in position, you will soon find there are no hard fast rules on this one.

Happy building.

Thank you for your very fast reply, Jon!

Building the transmission tunnel at a later stage was a good advice. Thanks for that and for your encouragement!

Does anyone else have something to say about this? I'm all ears!

Best regards,

Use a T5.

You know it makes sense...

Gorgeous sound, loads of power...

a friend used to rally a 340, 1.7 and it was quite useful. they have a lot in common with escorts
i'd go for it Nik

Volvo's have been used before, I remember a group of 7 (?) Swedes building Lotus 7 replicas (from plans fron the 60's-70's).
They were all Volvo employees but only 3 used Volvo donors, the rest used a mixture, at least one (the owner of the site I read it on) used an Alfa.
Sorry I can't remember where the site is or even if it still exists, it was ages ago.
Try a google search for volvo, alfo, lotus etc...

Tony Bond

Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra.
Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath.
At night the ice-weasels come...

Measure the total height of your engine, or even better post a sketch with protrusions and the helpful guys on this site can tell you from experience if you'll have problems with the engine being too tall or just right. Best to do before you actually build the chassis in case you need to increase the height. Also, is there something suitable you can use over there for the front uprights?

Thank you all for your replies!

A T5 engine is a bit more serious than I have aspirations to be. Perhaps if I manage to build one car I can build another one with more fancy gear. I'll have your suggestion in mind anyway.

Can you share your views on what the hardest part of building a Locost is?

Best regards,

funding it !!!!!!!!!!

hardest bit..... don't think there is one realy, don't take the book as gospel, use it for inspiration but do your own thing, engine height as some one posted earlier does play a part, also you may want to build your chassis wider than the book too

Definitely the chassis.

That's where you have to do the most thinking for yourself about the dimensions etc..

Heard it said that it's 50% of the project if you build your own and I wouldn't argue in the slightest.

The hardest bit is getting my brother to help. no only joking. The hardest part I found is the suspension brackets. I had to make special jigs out of chipboard to make sure I got them in the correct position.

I have contact with a guy here in Sweden who i using a Volvo B21 with turbo. it looks wery nice.

Let me know if you want his mail address

Mike

Thanks Mike! Maybe I'll consider that when I've started. I may come Back to you then if that's okay. Do you know if he's got pictures on any website? Pictures can be quite inspiring.

Best regards,