Hi guys,

Nice site, been engrossed in it for a while now, and even though my car is a F27 rather than a Locost I need some advice and thought somebody on here might be able to help...

I was unfortunate enough to have a little bump recently in my Honda Blackbird powered Formula 27 and am having trouble sourcing the bits to fix it.

I have only owned the car for a couple of months, and so am desperate to get it back on the road. This was my first venutre into Kit Cars, so I don't know very much about them, but have a local (Lotus approved) garage / bodyshop that can carry out all the work.

The accident occured when someone with better brakes than me slammed on in front of me, causing me to lock up and make light contact with his rear quarter. It was low speed impact, but due to the fragile nature of the car I am now trying to source the following parts:

- O/s/f top suspension arm inc ball joint.
- O/s/f lower suspension arm inc ball joint.
- Steering shaft, to u/j on steering rack, from steering wheel.
- Rhf flexy brake hose, braded

We have tried many times, to get the answers from Formula 27 cars directly, but they have been bought out by Image Sports Cars. They have a mobile number and email on their website, but it's like trying to get blood from a stone to get them to reply.

Can anyone give me an idea about where to source the parts, what car they came from, or what companies can supply them. I was told the car was factory built, so any ideas about how there were put together?

Here are a few photos of the car:







and how it's looking at the moment :-(



Any help would be much apreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Edited on 22/8/11 by f27]

Hi both lower and upper links are made to fit an f 27 not taken off something else top ball joint is mk 3.4.5 cortina and bottom joint is transit steering rack is escort mark could repair or make you new parts.
WE have built a number of cars including an f 27 give me a ring if you want 07933787810.
Cheers ali

Are the components interchangeable side to side like Locost style parts? Take the other side suspension parts off and get them copied by someone with a welder if they are. The drop link from the column to the rack will need to be remade with a straight piece of tube and your welder could sort you that as well. You can get a braided brake pipe made up by someone on here by measuring and specifying fittings. It shouldn't take too much doing if you get the right people on the job.

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate the help.

Ali- I don't live too far from you- the car is at a garage in Hexham while we try to source the parts; I see you're located around Hartside- the best road around here! Also, thanks for the contact number, is it ok if my mechanic at the body shop gives you a bell tomorrow to ask you a couple of things?

As for the bits that come from F27, I'm not holding out much hope so might need to look at where to get them made.

Really itching to get it back on the road and to a track day or two before the summer's out...

Hi Mate no problem tell him to ring me you can have a ride over if you like and a brew look at race car
Well have it back on the road in no time

Hi again Ali,

Great thanks for that, the guy from the garage is going to phone you tomorrow to pick your brain about a few of the parts.
As soon as we get it back on the road I'll have a drive up and a poke around your race car, thanks for the kind offer. In the mean time, I'm really missing it, especially when we have a sunny weekend!
Thanks again, really appreciate the help and advice

No probs dont get taken for ride by garage top ball joint £10/15 of e bay bottom joint £10 and mark thinks he can make top and bottom arms for about £200.
Cheers ali

Hi again Ali,

I trust the garage, but it's an insurance claim so all I want is to get the bits back on and get it back on the road ASAP! It's the suspension arms that are causing the most trouble as we just can't get any replies from Image Sports cars. Can't believe they run their business this way... If you know someone who could make them for us that would be fantastic!

The garage guy was out most of yesterday but said he'd give you a bell today. Thanks again for the help

I want it back on the road!!

Wow how does your exhaust work? your under bonnet temps must be through the roof, and you need some kind on vent on that bonnet to allow are into the filter, its flattened down by the bonnet!!

Anyways sorry to be negetive, but good luck with the requild, doesnt look too nasty, so bodywork damage.. providing no chassis damage you got off lightly

Yeah I agree that it needs some kind of vent in the bonnet for the air filter- you're correct in noticing that it gets flattened when the bonnet it closed, not ideal!!

Where can I get an air scoop from? I'm having the front resprayed so should get the vent one before hand.

Re the exhaust, it comes under the engine and out of the drivers side for some reason; I've seen a few bec f27's with the same arrangement. Don't know why!?

quote:

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Originally posted by f27
Yeah I agree that it needs some kind of vent in the bonnet for the air filter- you're correct in noticing that it gets flattened when the bonnet it closed, not ideal!!

Where can I get an air scoop from? I'm having the front resprayed so should get the vent one before hand.

Re the exhaust, it comes under the engine and out of the drivers side for some reason; I've seen a few bec f27's with the same arrangement. Don't know why!?

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Sorry guys I realise this is a very old post but was hoping some of you are still registered, I need front bottom ball joints, which I've read are Transit drag links, but the information says 18x1.25mm thread, but all I can find is 18x1.5mm thread, there are also LH & RH threads, do need one of each or am I right in thinking they will both be RH thread?

quote:

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Originally posted by FEZ1025
Sorry guys I realise this is a very old post but was hoping some of you are still registered, I need front bottom ball joints, which I've read are Transit drag links, but the information says 18x1.25mm thread, but all I can find is 18x1.5mm thread, there are also LH & RH threads, do need one of each or am I right in thinking they will both be RH thread?

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