David Jenkins
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| posted on 7/6/18 at 03:57 PM |
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Sad times: my Lathyrus 7 is for sale
Sadly, the time has come to part with my beloved toy car - I don't drive it as often as I would like, I don't enjoy driving on the crowded
roads in my part of the country, and there are too many scary/dozy drivers around. I'm finding it hard to justify spending money on road tax
and insurance for something I rarely use. It's a shame, but I hate to see good things sitting idle.
Anyway, here are a few details:
SVA passed (at 1st attempt) - 6th October 2004
First registered as a 'Lathyrus 7' - 15th October 2004
MOT expiry - 3rd May 2019 (print-out of all prior MOTs available).
Mileage at time of writing - 15,752 miles.
 
Lathyrus-3
 
Lathryus-2
 
Lathyrus-4
 
Lathyrus-5
 
Lathyrus-6
 
Lathyrus-7
 
Lathyrus-8
 
Lathyrus-9
 
Lathyrus-10
Chassis - Book Locost, with McSorley improvements. Cortina Mk5 front uprights, Escort Mk2 rear axle (3.89:1). Lockable boot space. Total
weight of car (on weighbridge) with a full tank is 600Kg.
Wheels - 5.5" x 13" Superlight type, fitted with 185/70 x 13" Yokohama S306 tyres. All tyres in good condition with plenty of
tread.
Steering rack - 2.6 turn, semi-quick.
Engine - Ford Kent Crossflow overhauled and rebored to 1660cc by Scholar Engines, with Fiesta Mk1 XR2 cylinder Head (modified for unleaded
petrol), Kent BCF2 Sports cam, Shortened sump. Fitted with CBR600 bike carbs and Megajolt ignition, Around 100BHP.
Gearbox - Ford Type 9 5-speed.
It's not a stupid-fast car with 100BHP, but it's light and nimble and is capable of accelerating very smartly. It's a hoot to drive
around country roads as it's still quicker than most tin-tops and corners like it's on rails.
The car comes with a 'manual' - mostly well-detailed drawings & schematics of the wiring, set-up of the Megajolt and how to program
it, copy of the SVA certificate and proof of engine age, and so on. I will include a DVD with the Megajolt configuration program and all of the maps
I have used - it's just a case of plugging in a RS232 lead and you have full access to the maps, together with real-time data while the engine
is running. There is also a 'mini-manual' with wiring diagrams that I keep in the car.
I'll also throw in a few bits and pieces to help things along - a few car-specific tools, jack, security lock, passenger compartment rain cover,
and so on.
There is also a complete Weber 32/36 DGV carb (bought new, not refurbished) and manifold setup with TPS available if the CBR600 package doesn't
appeal - it's a simple swap-over - the engine has been fully tuned on a rolling road with this carb, so all the jetting should be correct. This
package is extra to the cost of the car though, at £150.
Please ask questions or get in touch if you want more details.
More pictures, together with detailed pictures of many of the car's bits and pieces, can be found on my
website.
The price is £3850. Please U2U if you're interested.
The car is located a mile off the A12, just south of Ipswich, near the Suffolk/Essex border.
Note that I cannot allow test drives, but I will be happy to take prospective buyers out to show what it can do and how it behaves.
[Edited on 7/6/18 by David Jenkins]
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nick205
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| posted on 7/6/18 at 04:14 PM |
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That's a shame - you've been on here a long time with that car!
I certainly understand it though when it comes time to move on.
Best of luck with the sale and I hope the money finds a good use.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 8/6/18 at 08:26 AM |
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Sorry to hear you are selling , someone is going to get a bargain having seen the car several times over the years I don't think the pictures do
it justice.
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JeffHs
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| posted on 8/6/18 at 10:04 AM |
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Sorry to see you selling but I'm getting to the same point. I think my back is getting too old for a 7 and I should replace with a hairdryer
MX5, then my wife would accompany me because she refuses to set foot in the Locost
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 8/6/18 at 10:59 AM |
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I am also tempted by the idea of a hairdresser's car! I have no problems hopping in and out of this car, and my wife is more than happy to go
in it, but the opportunities don't seem to arise very often. At least in an MX5 you can pull the hood up and carry on driving in just about any
weather.
I missed out on a nice early MX5 a couple of years ago - my sister-in-law had owned it for ages, it was in lovely condition and even had a Mazda
optional hard-top for the winter. Unfortunately my brother lives near Inverness and it had gone before I knew it was for sale. 
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nick205
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| posted on 8/6/18 at 11:20 AM |
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^^^
There's plenty of MX5's around so keep your eyes peeled and one will pop up more local to you.
I sold my Indy after children 2 & 3 (twins) arrived. 2 seats, no roof and a family of 5 just didn't work. Some while later I bought a 205
GTI (roof and 5 seats etc.). SWMBO wasn't pleased at first, but soon came round to my logic. Still have it now just can't drive it on
the roads.
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Dick Axtell
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| posted on 8/6/18 at 01:59 PM |
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Oh Mr. Jenkins - another one going! Judging from your photos, I reckon that it'll be a bargain at that price. Looks very well turned out. Keep
us posted with progress.
Work-in-Progress: Changed to Zetec + T9. Still trying!!
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 17/6/18 at 12:19 PM |
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BTTT - of course, I will listen to sensible offers... 
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MikeR
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| posted on 17/6/18 at 09:25 PM |
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If you keep the car till I finish mine I'll buy you a pint. How sensible is that?
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907
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| posted on 18/6/18 at 03:58 AM |
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Sad day indeed,
but you can't sell until after 7th July.
We must have one more meet of "The Three Locosteteers" (morning Mel)
I know how you feel though. Nowhere to go in them anymore, no shows, events, not even a pub meet.
I have the Suttol up for sale for this very reason.
I'm with you on the MX5. An absolute hoot to drive, usable in all weathers, and they keep your welding skills honed to perfection.
What more could you ask for ?
Paul G
[Edited on 18/6/18 by 907]
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Stephan
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| posted on 27/6/18 at 09:51 AM |
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Hi David, is the car still for sale? Thanks Stephan
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 27/6/18 at 03:04 PM |
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I've changed my mind!
Hi Stephan,
I've sent you a U2U.
Basically - I've changed my mind and it's no longer for sale - over the past few days I've swapped the bike carbs for the Weber
32/36 DGV I mentioned in my original post. This had been professionally tuned in the past and the car goes really well with it; this carb really
suits the engine, the whole package pulls like a train, and I don't have to suffer the intake roar! Although now I can hear the exhaust noise -
maybe that needs repacking... 
It does need another rolling road session though - the original tuner did his best to get maximum power as though it was a race car, but it's
ended up being a bit rough at low revs. Initial pickup can result in a hiccup and hesitation so I might take it down to Atspeed Racing in Rayleigh as
they claim to be able to tune a car to be useable at all engine speeds; I'm confident that they can as I've heard so many good things
about them. Perhaps they can get my mpg a bit better too!
Apart from the tuning, I plan to tidy up the interior trim and get better seats - mine are good and do the job, but they squeeze my shoulders a bit.
It would also be nice if the driver's side was adjustable. I might go for a pair of those fibreglass ones with stick-on pads, as they're
a lot more comfortable than they look.
So - thanks to everyone for their kind words, but you haven't got rid of me yet!
David
PS: before anyone asks, the bike carb set-up is not for sale!
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MikeR
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| posted on 27/6/18 at 03:19 PM |
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Is the bike carb.......😁
Really glad to hear this - hope you get many more miles and lots more tinkering time with the old girl / boy / thing (delete as appropriate)
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 27/6/18 at 03:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Is the bike carb.......😁
Really glad to hear this - hope you get many more miles and lots more tinkering time with the old girl / boy / thing (delete as appropriate)
There's always one! 
BTW: My wife christened it "The Frog" as soon as she saw it with its headlights on - so now it has this image on the steering wheel boss
(bit smaller, of course).
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geoffxt
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| posted on 28/6/18 at 07:34 PM |
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The 'Unsale' of Lathyrus
It seems you are now more wise and better than you were!
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