Hiya guys ,

im new here ( first post and all )

i have seen a locost come up for sale but have NO idea if the car is worth what he is selling it for

the info i have is :

Locost Caterham Replica - wide body
3.1 Litre V6 Essex Engine with twin 40's!! (in a car that weighs about half a tonne!!)
Custom Manifold
Fully SVA'd (not a Q plate)
It was built before Caterham took Locost to court and prevented them from copying the chassis - so this has a mm by mm copy of the fantastic Caterham chassis
This car has been slightly longer than usual to accommodate the taller guy - those who know these things dont usually 'fit' anyone over 6 foot!! This does not have that problem. It is also slightly wider.

It starts and drives ok, it is in desperate need of a tune and some TLC (its been sat for ages) Seats are a little worn, tons of improvements could be made. The beauty is that any money spent you would at least get back if not make some at the price im letting it go for.

it up for just over £2K - is this cheap or what ?

i haev had a bit of a read around your forum and cant seem to find the info i need ( doesnt help that i have no idea what to look for )

Cheers

Stu
Current RX7 owner looking for a new toy
http://www.fc3s.co.uk

*** dug out some more info ***

Some other details: It has some pretty special chrome fittings - Headlights and fron indicators from a Honda Goldwing!! Also chrome wing mirrors and these wicked Brooklands mini windscreen jobbies. You can just see them in the picture.

I must admit reading back threough this thread this car sounds fantastic, but please be aware - it has sat for a long time and needs some TLC. A good T-Cut, it has shiny aluminim type panels down the side which could do with a good polish. New seats would be high on the shopping list as well.

One thing I have remembered, one of the front arches needs fixing back on, I tried putting some extra wide wheels on the front that needed the arches pulling out - I broke the bracket. Should be a simple welding job or just a new bracket.

Grinder: The car has a MOT, the donor car was a 3.0 capri so I assume that is what the running gear is? Its a 4 speed box, built in 2000. Since being built it has only done 500 miles - thats on a completely rebuilt and refurbed 3 litre V6 Essex engine that was bored out to 3.1. The guy said he used all new and refurbed parts when he built it. What needs doing - nothing 'needs' doing to drive it. What it could do with is what I mentioned above. The clutch is stiff. If I was to keep it I would get a 5 speed box, put a short shifter on it and fit a new clutch at the same time. A 2nd hand box should be peanuts, and clutch etc not much more. Its easy to work on so labour should be next to nothing as well.


[Edited on 13/1/06 by grinder]
Rescued attachment Photo-0219.jpg

i suppose 2k isnt that bad. would sooner build it myself then you know its been done correctly.

i'd want to check every mm of it before i drove it.

just had a second read after hellfires reply. . . stay clear or take a friend, as i said before, sooner build my own then i know its faults.

[Edited on 07/03/77 by graememk]

Tricky one! Locosts are worth as much as people are willing to pay, usually for a homebuilt car not a lot. You really have to be sure that the chassis is made and welded correctly, check the visible structure to either the book or Mc Sorely drawings that are on the net. All tubes should be fully and neatly welded.

See what receipts he has for work done to the engine and where manifolds etc. came from. Check the V5 says locost and not capri and body type as open sports not coupe also check engine and chassis numbers are correctly marked, see if he kept a copy of the SVA pass certificate (MAC) he shouldn't have the original as that goes to DVLA.

Have a look on Ebay for locost, caterham, westfield, robin hood etc.there are usually a few on there.

As for this one think carefuly if it is what you want. That is a big and unusual engine for a locost so check that the front chassis is not unduely modified to make it fit. I personally don't like the airdam created at the bonnet edge to clear the height of the engine! Ultimately if you like it and feel comfortable driving it and it checks out get it but it is much more fun building your own at the end of the day.

Caber

PS

The RX7 would make a great donor car if you do build your own!

Caber

Welcome to the madhouse.

Firstly, having read what is typed, it sounds very dodgy to me. Here's why.

Forget the word Caterham. It isn't one.
Neither does it weigh half a tonne with a 3.1 litre V6.
Custom manifold? All manifolds for these type of cars are custom.
Just because it doesn't have a Q plate, does not mean it's correctly registered.
Caterham never took Locost to court and it isn't a mm by mm copy either, cos it's quite clearly both longer and wider.
Theres nothing special about the chrome headlights, indicators or mirrors. Anyone can get hold of these.
I would take what he says about the engine just needing tuning with a pinch of salt.

In my opinion, he really seems to be going all out to sell it, which makes me smell a rat.
If you do decide to go ahead and buy it, at least take someone along to look at it who really knows about these cars before you part with your hard earned. Ask to see the log book and run a mile if it doesn't seem right.

If you have the time, do plenty of research on here and ask lots of questions.

I for one wouldn't even consider buying it.

thanks for the heads up guys

the rx7 - thats staynig in one piece to be honest

hummmmmm so its not just a case of looking and buying like a normal car then

i take it you really have to do your homework on buying these

at £2.2K i thought it would be a cool toy to have - but now im not so sure

Hellfire - i can appreciate exactly what you are saying to be honest - thats why i wantes a general heads up from here

looks like i will put my cash away and buy something different

it only appealed to me as

(a) ive always wanted one
(b) i dont think i could build my own ( not the space )
(c) i watched the next door partially build a tiger - and that looked cool - only downside is that he has moved

thanks for the advice guys - i might wait to see if someone ever sells one on here

Stu

Stu, there are bargains to be had out there, its just that this doesn't sound like one to me.

If you're really interested in one, wait for something to come up in the 'for sale' section on here or on e-bay. Just make sure you take someone along with you who has experience with these types of cars, or ask lots of questions on here.

Agree with above

It doesn't sound like a bargain to me.

Caterham never took Locost to court as far as I know. Who are locost anyway? it's a type of car but no one really owns the name do they?

I would love to see twin 40's on a ford V6 however they are usually side draft carbs which doesn't work with a v6. If twin down draft carbs were fitted they would stick up through the bonnet by about 6 inches.

As Hellfire says it will weigh a lot more than 1/2 tonne more like 3/4 I would think with that motor in it.

steer clear of that one.

Cheers

Mark

Was there a conflict between robin hood & caterham at one time ?

Conflict with Caterham??............... aren't you getting them mixed up with the Sherriff of Nottingham.

[Edited on 13-1-06 by Hellfire]

If it is SVA'd and registered properly I can't see your problem, it's a runner and you're going to change stuff anyway, £2000ish is a good start. You could pay nearly that for an unfinished project. Check the registration details are correct and then you can use it as it is or rebuild to your spec then put what you want on it without going back to SVA. You won't be the first.

caterham took westfield to court in 1994 regarding the similaritys of the chassis, this seller appears to be a little confused!

The main thing with any kit to watch out for is that it is correctly registered. The log book must describe the vehicle accurately, if it says ford cortina on the log book, its not correct! The person who registers it can pick any name, so theres nothing in particular to look for, just make sure its not got the donor v5 etc.

Next up is the welding really, as thats the main thing that will shaft you.

Beyond that id imagine its just down to how well its finished.

I bought a nice locost for 2k, which is a fair price IMHO if the car works well and is registered correct. That had a 1640 crossflow engine with twin 40s, registered in 2002. (if this car you've seen is indeed pre-lit, its over 12 years old, but as its not a wesfield anyway its nonsense...)

It is registered as the following:-
SPORTS, 1st reg. 31st Dec 1980, Last change of owner, 1st Dec 1999. Sounds like a genuine motor, and at two grand, (if you can't knock him down), it's got to be cheaper than going the build your own route. Plus as it has been around for a while, if anything was going to fall of, I think it would have done by now. Go for it.

http://www.robinhoodengineering.co.uk/robinold/old%202BsubK/aboutus.htm

The path hasn't always been a clear one for Robin Hood Engineering, High Court action from Caterham Cars almost stopped production, however good legal advise and a strong believe in what they were doing soon settled that problem. Even today Robin Hood are careful not to deviate from the strict guidelines set down as a result of the action.

quote:

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Originally posted by mookaloid
I would love to see twin 40's on a ford V6 however they are usually side draft carbs which doesn't work with a v6. If twin down draft carbs were fitted they would stick up through the bonnet by about 6 inches.

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id be concerned that its bulit in 2000 but registered in 1980. Its not definately wrong i suppose, as the DVLA do make cockups, but id definately investigate.

hummmm i suppose it has it good and bad points then !

still not sure - i will see if he cracks under the pressure and drops the price in a few weeks

there isnt a massive demand for it so far - so i can bide my time

i shall see what happens - thanks for the advice though - it makes for interesting reading

Stu

Now this is a bargain I think, sold by a guy I know, not a locost though, same as my car. Just needs paint, he's now bought a set of minilite wheels for it:

Stylus for sale

I've seen it, seems to be very well put together.

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Originally posted by JoelP
id be concerned that its bulit in 2000 but registered in 1980. Its not definately wrong i suppose, as the DVLA do make cockups, but id definately investigate.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mark Allanson

quote:

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Originally posted by JoelP
id be concerned that its bulit in 2000 but registered in 1980. Its not definately wrong i suppose, as the DVLA do make cockups, but id definately investigate.

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Mine was built in 2005 (and 2003 and 2004!!), and first registered in 1989. Its what happens when you get an age related plate

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that story doesn't tick like an healthyfull watch.....

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Since being built it has only done 500 miles

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