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Ring a Ding Ding!
russbost - 31/5/18 at 07:54 AM

Yet another ringer on Ebay "It started life as a dutton then previous owner changed it to look like a lotus 7" - he sure did - very neat job, looks EXACTLY like a 7 clone to me, however doesn't look like it's ever had any relationship with Dutton other than the chassis plate & the V5!

Ebay link

adithorp - 31/5/18 at 08:24 AM

Picture quality on my phone isn't great when zoomed in but looks like it might be a front subframe/suspension from an old tintop so not your average 7 chassis.

watsonpj - 31/5/18 at 08:28 AM

Russ
look at the front suspension, I think it may actually be a Dutton under the skin.


Pete

russbost - 31/5/18 at 08:53 AM

Ok, someone who knows much more about Duttons & 7 clones than me, please give me some info as I'm having a good old barney over on the FB KItcars page with some peeps who actually seem to think this could be a Dutton chassis.

Under the front of that is clearly either a Viva or Cortina subframe, did Dutton ever make anything with a production front subframe at the front?

softfeet - 31/5/18 at 09:04 AM

That is not Dutton front suspension.

I had the misfortune to build a Dutton in the early 80s.

Dutton 'sports cars' used either small Triumph front suspension (vertical links, top and bottom wishbones, springs, dampers) or their own concoction using cut down Escort struts, Escort lower links, top wishbones made from a bit of steam pipe and Imp springs and dampers.

This car has neither - it seems to be a full Cortina or Viva front suspension.

I hope this helps.

watsonpj - 31/5/18 at 09:18 AM

Actually now I look your right its not Dutton suspension.

What is showing looks like its mk3 Cortina setup which I know was on early robin hoods and probably a few others besides.

Pete

russbost - 31/5/18 at 09:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by watsonpj
Actually now I look your right its not Dutton suspension.

What is showing looks like its mk3 Cortina setup which I know was on early robin hoods and probably a few others besides.

Pete


Makes sense - Someone suggested it could be a Robin Hood

myke pocock - 31/5/18 at 09:31 AM

Looks very much like a LocUst to me. The rear corners of the body with those diagonal gussets are very typical and the way the bodywork drops away over the rear wings.

russbost - 31/5/18 at 09:41 AM

After a bit more investigation, almost certainly Locust - that's Viva front end, not Cortina & the Locust used the Viva front subframe, the engine bay also looks right for Locust, no triangulation

ken555 - 31/5/18 at 05:02 PM

MOT with no speedo seems to suggest that the MOT garage might be a bit suspect as well.