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Help understanding the kit cars built here
CollegeBoy - 26/7/13 at 10:25 PM

I was just wondering and I know it may be viewed as extremely ignorant but what is he difference between the "locusts" built on this site, they all seem to be the same make-up.

I am just wondering what differences the Panther has over say a Tiger apart from the subtle body changes.

I have given up on building a single seater now because I cannot find detailed plans so I am very very interested in building a Panther so how do I go about this.

nick205 - 26/7/13 at 10:54 PM

They're all derived from the Lotus 7 space frame idea, each having their own quirks and design features. Key differences include suspension, with older cars typically using a live rear axle and newer cars featuring independent rear suspension. A few use other setups such as de Dion, which is kind of a mix of the other 2 types.

The term Locost refers to cars built following the Ron Champion book, How To Build A sports Car. Many are scratch built, but there are also companies making chassis and components for people to assemble their own cars. Latterly, the Haynes Roadster updated the Locost plans with a new IRS chassis design.

Kit cars are just that, kits made by a variety of companies to their own design, but still following the same basic idea. Each has its own look and characteristics, some better than others. a lot comes down to personal preference and budget.

Ref. the Panther, if its still sold by GTS, you may want to read up on this forum to get a feel for it before committing. I have no direct experience, but there does appear to be issues with customer service!

CollegeBoy - 26/7/13 at 10:59 PM

thanks for the comprehensive reply nick.

Ive heard about ron chapmans book but is that book seriously good enough to produce the same quality of cars that I have viewed on here?

I know it comes down to workmanship and each own persons design

HappyFather - 26/7/13 at 11:05 PM

By the way, there is a difference between "Locost" and "Locust".

What nick205 told you about is the "Locost", the Ron Champion's chassis inspired on the Lotus 7.

"Locust" is the name/reference for Lotus 7 style cars that are built on a marine plywood ladder chassis and aluminium body. I think most used running gear from Triumph cars. I don't know much about Locusts but the "made of wood" is the distinctive factor.

Cheers,
HappyFather

snapper - 27/7/13 at 05:40 AM

There are huge differences depending on the donor vehicle
With the Sierra getting harder to find some kits have Mazda MX5 or BMW running gear

The GTS is unlikelly to be delivered as Darren is currently producing a GT40 replica and changing workshops on a too regular basis

Your best bet is to go to some club meets and go to kit car shows

Ben_Copeland - 27/7/13 at 05:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by snapper
There are huge differences depending on the donor vehicle
With the Sierra getting harder to find some kits have Mazda MX5 or BMW running gear

The GTS is unlikelly to be delivered as Darren is currently producing a GT40 replica and changing workshops on a too regular basis

Your best bet is to go to some club meets and go to kit car shows



There is no GTS anymore. It went bankcrupt and he's not making them anymore.

Best bet is to decided on the Locost size or Haynes roadster size which is very slightly wider.

These use sierra/ mx5 / BMW running gear and give you a little wiggle room for yourself and the engine.

See my photo album for pictures of the Haynes roadster

panichat - 27/7/13 at 06:52 AM

...from the car you are building.
For some people the fun is in cobbling together a roadworthy vehicle for the cheapest price possible, making a lot of bits themselves and using scrap parts for some noisy fun. Others want the challenge of building a super-fast racer for the road. Both are fine in their way and can stretch ingenuity and creativity to the limit. One of the nice things about being part of the seven scene is seeing how different people make such different machines using the same basic layout.

Cheers
Dave

fesycresy - 27/7/13 at 07:10 AM

Locost quality?

Show me a better built car than Fozzies locost!

iank - 27/7/13 at 07:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fesycresy
Locost quality?

Show me a better built car than Fozzies locost!


Or TrevD's hand made aluminium panels.

If you really want a single seater style car what about talking to russbost http://www.furorecars.co.uk/index.php, his cars might be what you are looking for (I'd guess less than 10% of people on here make their own chassis and almost no-one makes their own body panels)

Daddylonglegs - 27/7/13 at 07:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fesycresy
Locost quality?

Show me a better built car than Fozzies locost!


Here, here!

steve m - 27/7/13 at 08:39 AM

Like all self built cars, there will be good ones and bad ones

As said Fozzies is nice, as is Surrey Daves, my personal favorite Locost, is mine!

Steve

CollegeBoy - 27/7/13 at 09:31 AM

thanks for replys, just wanted to add in that i never doubted the quality of cars here, what i meant is would it be possible to build a quality vehicle from ron chapmans book

Slimy38 - 27/7/13 at 10:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CollegeBoy
thanks for replys, just wanted to add in that i never doubted the quality of cars here, what i meant is would it be possible to build a quality vehicle from ron chapmans book


Straight from the book, following every example exactly? Not a chance. As with every book there are errors, and the chances of someone finding the same parts that were used in the book are ever decreasing.

But in my opinion that's not the point of the book. It's not a step by step manual that you can follow to the letter, like a Haynes manual. The book is designed to give you a good base to build a car to your design. So you take the ideas and principles, and build your own version of the car.

big-vee-twin - 27/7/13 at 10:33 AM

The Panther is baically the same as what is described as locost the body work is slightly taller than book to allow for modern twin cam engines, the rear bulkhead behing the seats is also slightly taller.

If you look in my photos you will see the chassis and then have a look at others like the MK you will see only slight differences really.

Panther uses sierra running gear and di dion axle at the rear, MK is IRS.

Unfortunately the Panther is no longer being produced, I was one of the lucky ones who's kit arrived complete and Darren always gave me good service, but most have suffered his poor customer service.

Think mine will probabily be the last to be put on the road

iank - 27/7/13 at 11:23 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CollegeBoy
thanks for replys, just wanted to add in that i never doubted the quality of cars here, what i meant is would it be possible to build a quality vehicle from ron chapmans book


As said you will need to find the corrections to the book (check out the McSorley versions that has corrected dimensions).

As far as I know fozzie's car is, all be it a very well finished, straight from the Champion book.

big_wasa - 27/7/13 at 01:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CollegeBoy
thanks for replys, just wanted to add in that i never doubted the quality of cars here, what i meant is would it be possible to build a quality vehicle from ron chapmans book



" The Book " is well known to be a rip-of off a Westfield . That in turn was sad to be a rip-of.

Lots of well known kits where based on the book with adjustments for the sierra running gear. This included the Gts Panther. I know this as I built my own car based on the Book and the Panther. I made it from scratch apart from the fiberglass and am proud of what I managed.

Due to mk2 escorts being a bit thin on the ground I would at the latest Hynes book. But even sierra gear is getting harder to get.

There is a guy doing another book. His own interpretation with the engine in the back. Its called the Midlana but as he has only just test driven his own car I am guessing the book is a couple more years down the line.

http://www.midlana.com

There is another firm thinking of doing chassis plans to complement there LMP style bodywork.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=172944

I am no designer so need plans as a base to start with. I need a new project and one of the two above would really appeal.

Description
Description

[Edited on 27/7/13 by big_wasa]

Dick Axtell - 27/7/13 at 02:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by panichat
For some people the fun is in cobbling together a roadworthy vehicle for the cheapest price possible, making a lot of bits themselves and using scrap parts for some noisy fun.


Deffo. Depending on next Monday's re-test.