I'm interested in building a locost, much like the old Mk2 Lotus 7, using the morris minor 948 or 1098 engine/gearbox.
Has anyone on the forum done it? I think Ron Champion made a car using the 948 'A' series but can't find much information about it. (Is he still around?) Can i use the rear axle etc, or do i need parts from another donor as well.
Thanks for any help.

[Edited on 28/12/13 by bluegrass]

There is virtually nothing you can use. from a Minor 1000, the gearbox was fragile, not even strong enough to cope with being drive by the proverbial little old lady, the brakes were hopeless and prone to failure and the front suspension is not suitable.
If you want to BMC A series as base start with an MG Midget that was what Westfield started with using as a single donor, the gearboxes were stronger the front suspension and rear axle are more suitable.

Ok, thanks.

If I picked up a rotten 1275 midget, would I be able to use that for pretty much everything?

The original Westfield Eleven and Westfield Seven were MG Midget based.
The original Locost book chassis was very very close to the pre-lit Westy.
MGB based Locost have also been built.

Yes, I suspect that the main problem with the midget is finding a donor cheap enough these days. I had thought of an mx5, I have a 1.6 mk1 as a daily driver, but its quite heavy on fuel...low 30's. I also read that the mx5 would produce a bigger locost than the Original lotus and pre lit Westfield. I like the original dimensions from the Chapman book. Incidently, my Morris minor does around 40mpg and is ultra reliable. Thats why I thought of the 'a' series.

Moggies!

Memory of an old post office 1100 cc red van with a bar across the back door, Yale locks on the doors and a thick wooden floor in the back. Used to get 37 mpg no matter how I seemed to drive it.

What have you to loose if yo use the engine gearbox and back axle. Can never remember any issues with the box,, but it was a long time ago now.

Adrian

Low 30's heavy on fuel?

They seem to be rather fashionable at the moment, if you've got decent running gear it's probably worth more in a minor.

I think my problem seems to be that I like the smaller size and simplicity of the Ron Champion design together with older running gear, whether that be A series or ford, but it seems the donor requirements are now very expensive. I looked at Ford Escort MK2's today, they are all so much money, even the basket cases. The same goes for mg midgets . I'm beginning to think that it may be better for me to just find an older battered locost if I can find one and go for a re-build.

[Edited on 29/12/13 by bluegrass]

Depends what you want to spend but what about newish components of smaller engines like Caterham have done with the new 600cc car?

Yes the 600cc Caterham does look like a great engine, and the mpg is excellent. The problem would be the cost again...It would become a High cost project which is out of my budget.

[Edited on 30/12/13 by bluegrass]