JoelP
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 posted on 22/7/24 at 02:40 PM |
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Can anyone confirm....
That MK sold locost chassis, in the late 90s, before they developed the Indy? The guy I'm talking to at MK Sportscars suggests not, but that
could just be a younger employee not familiar with the brand's early days. I've not imagined it have I? That would probably predate the
separation of MK engineering and MK Sportscars I suppose.
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nick205
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 02:47 PM |
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As far as I'm aware MK used to sell Locost chassis, before the MK Indy (Classic). I never bought one, in fact I never even knew of MK in those
days to be honest.
I think Martin Keenan was at the helm in those times and the firm as later taken over by his brother. When I bought my Indy (Classic) Martin Keenan
was still there.
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MikeR
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 03:32 PM |
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MK made locost chassis in the early days
They then made a de-dion back axle for it using the sierra diff
They then redesigned it to use the square tube bender to speed up fabrication and added the independent suspension calling it the Indy
Cue lots of discussion about the tubes removed affecting the chassis strength (engine bay diagonal), curved tubes being pre-failed, it being too big,
the roll cage when that came out not being to blue book with two bends in the front chassis legs.
I've really been on here too long.
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Sam_68
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 04:33 PM |
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Yep, I clearly remember them starting out with Locost chassis, too.
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JoelP
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 04:39 PM |
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Thanks guys. Thought I wasn't losing the plot! Plus my car is registered as an MK Locost, so it'd be puzzling to say the least if it
didn't exist! 
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jacko
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 04:57 PM |
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The locost mk had aluminium body panels most Indy’s. Had fibre glass
I put a reply on one of the other posts for you that may help
Post photos of your car it may help us .
My mk Indy was built in 2004 and was one of the last made by Martin Keenan before ti was taken over by his relatives
[Edited on 22/7/24 by jacko]
555
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adithorp
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| posted on 22/7/24 at 05:41 PM |
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MK now is not the sme company as the one that built/supplied yours. None of the staff ever worked for the company during Dannys era never mind as far
back as when Martin Keenan was involved. Not surprising then they don't have knowledge of the beginnings.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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nick205
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 07:28 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
MK made locost chassis in the early days
They then made a de-dion back axle for it using the sierra diff
They then redesigned it to use the square tube bender to speed up fabrication and added the independent suspension calling it the Indy
Cue lots of discussion about the tubes removed affecting the chassis strength (engine bay diagonal), curved tubes being pre-failed, it being too big,
the roll cage when that came out not being to blue book with two bends in the front chassis legs.
I've really been on here too long.
Well summarised - now it's done like that I actually remember more than I thought!
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nick205
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 07:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jacko
The locost mk had aluminium body panels most Indy’s. Had fibre glass
I put a reply on one of the other posts for you that may help
Post photos of your car it may help us .
My mk Indy was built in 2004 and was one of the last made by Martin Keenan before ti was taken over by his relatives
[Edited on 22/7/24 by jacko]
My MK Indy was built (started) around the same time. Martin was still involved, in fact he helped me load the chassis when I went to collect it.
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jacko
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 09:00 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by jacko
The locost mk had aluminium body panels most Indy’s. Had fibre glass
I put a reply on one of the other posts for you that may help
Post photos of your car it may help us .
My mk Indy was built in 2004 and was one of the last made by Martin Keenan before ti was taken over by his relatives
[Edited on 22/7/24 by jacko]
My MK Indy was built (started) around the same time. Martin was still involved, in fact he helped me load the chassis when I went to collect it.
Snap ,
The first car I had a ride in was a locost type with tiger stripes all over it it had a de-dion rear axle
And it was martins Dad who was driving
G
555
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JoelP
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 09:07 AM |
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Makes you feel a bit nostalgic doesn't it! Thanks for all the help.
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nick205
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 10:25 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jacko
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by jacko
The locost mk had aluminium body panels most Indy’s. Had fibre glass
I put a reply on one of the other posts for you that may help
Post photos of your car it may help us .
My mk Indy was built in 2004 and was one of the last made by Martin Keenan before ti was taken over by his relatives
[Edited on 22/7/24 by jacko]
My MK Indy was built (started) around the same time. Martin was still involved, in fact he helped me load the chassis when I went to collect it.
Snap ,
The first car I had a ride in was a locost type with tiger stripes all over it it had a de-dion rear axle
And it was martins Dad who was driving
G
Before buying the MK Indy kit I went to meet them and had a test drive in a Tiger striped Fireblade engined car. I "think" it was an Indy,
but wouldn't swear to it. I do recall it scared the life out of my newly married wife. Still proceeded with the kit though (Sierra/Pinto in my
case).
[Edited on 23-7-24 by nick205]
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jacko
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 12:55 PM |
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That’s the same car I was in more them sure it was based on the locost chassis
O what great days
We use to visit mk regularly on Saturday mornings and ride out in different peoples cars
G
555
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jacko
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| posted on 23/7/24 at 01:41 PM |
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[Edited on 23/7/24 by jacko]
555
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nick205
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 08:05 AM |
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[Edited on 24-7-24 by nick205]
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Fozzie
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 10:20 AM |
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The Fozzmobile is an MK locost chassis (although altered, once supplied) Martin was the guy I liaised with under MK Engineering. (circa 2002)
They did also fit a full race cage for me. I SVA'd and passed first time with it in June 2004.
I still have it 
Edit to add...I also purchased a fibre glass scuttle, nose cone and cycle wings. I used the scuttle and modified the nose cone but replaced the cycle
wings for MNR ones. They didn't offer at that time, any ali body work, only a few
fibre glass ones. I made my own sides, bonnet, dash and rear panel (ali).... HTH 
[Edited on 24-7-24 by Fozzie]
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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MikeR
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 10:58 AM |
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Fozzies back!
No idea why but I've got a big soft spot for fozzie. Perhaps it's the "mothering" you did for us all back in the heyday of this
site, or my association of the name withwith fozzie bear, or excellent choice of avatar, or all three. Hope you're keeping well and still get to
drive the car occasionally.
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JoelP
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 01:21 PM |
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Thanks Fozzie!
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Fozzie
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 04:14 PM |
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You are welcome Joel.
Memory banks whirring and cobwebs flying around!
Mine was built for the 750 Locost race series, so was built as per racing club regs,
hence it was a Locost chassis as per Rons book and Eski mk2 gubbings. I also wanted to road it, so hence
did a quite difficult build which encompassed the Series regs as well as building it per SVA regs.
I had used enough of the Mk2 Escort to get an age related plate.
I think there are still a couple of early 'in progress' build pics in my archive under 'attachments'
But you are most definitely correct, the original MK Engineering under Martin, did produce the Locost chassis.
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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Fozzie
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| posted on 24/7/24 at 04:24 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Fozzies back!
No idea why but I've got a big soft spot for fozzie. Perhaps it's the "mothering" you did for us all back in the heyday of this
site, or my association of the name withwith fozzie bear, or excellent choice of avatar, or all three. Hope you're keeping well and still get to
drive the car occasionally.
Hi Mike thank you for your kind words.
Yes I'm back, it's been a few roller coaster years, with quite a lot going on in my life!
I broke my back (2 vertebra) back in 2017, had it mended....
Broke it again, a different vertebra, Christmas 2022, different hospital, couldn't give a damn, so it healed in its own way.
My main aim has to be able to get in and out of the 7 comfortably, and without causing too much pain afterwards! 
I think I am mainly there There has been plenty more going on, but 7-wise that has been a problem...
I'm back to see my original spinal surgeon tomorrow
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
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MikeR
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| posted on 25/7/24 at 09:18 AM |
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good luck today with the consultant & hopefully pain free driving soon.
Had some challenges myself which eventually resulted in me buying a 'cheap' Caterham. One of the best decisions i've made (cue the
engine going pop & gearbox failing next week). Still go the unfinished locost
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 26/7/24 at 08:08 PM |
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Martin Keenan (MK Engineering) did produce a Locost book chassis.
See a MK Engineering pricelist from August 2000:
 
Description
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2864171299486587405/6361267496474979456 I can
post a better quality scan another time.
I also have a leaflet from Stuart Taylor Motorsport in 2000 for a book Locost chassis and from Toni Dewornik (Dwornik Engineering) in 1999. Aries
Motorsport did used to sell a book chassis too.
[Edited on 26/7/24 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 27/7/24 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 27/7/24 by Mike Wood]
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