kb58
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| posted on 9/9/05 at 06:52 PM |
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There you go. What you have looks really nice, but the rear isn't as easy to replicate as a Locost rear. If a fiberglass rear cover was
available, great, but I don't think a typical builder will be able to replicate those curves with single bends in aluminum.
What I had in mind is the same old functional Locost rear end. The only difference would be making it just tall enough to clear the drivetrain of
choice.
Don't get me wrong, I think your rendering is far better looking then a Locost, just not easy to accomplish for a typical builder with few
tools.
[Edited on 9/9/05 by kb58]
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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jcduroc
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| posted on 10/9/05 at 01:42 AM |
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kb
Is it better now?
 
I think I'll build this!...
Messieurs, at your pencils.
JCM
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kb58
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| posted on 10/9/05 at 02:40 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jcduroc
kb
Is it better now?
Like I'm any kind of expert... with my Bull Dog of a Mini, I guess it takes all kinds!
It's too hard for me to tell from your picture. If we really want to stick to a Locost theme, it mean using Locost fiberglass. That means no
fiberglass for the back of the car, so I'm still not sure what you have in mind. If you (or anyone else) can duplicate that rear end using
single-plane bends, then I think you have a great idea.
We really need to see a 3D picture...
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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iank
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| posted on 11/9/05 at 07:54 AM |
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Looks nice from the side view.
One nit, I think the roll bar needs to be higher, or there isn't much point having one. 
From memory it's supposed to be at least 3inches higher than the top of the helmet for motorsport, but someone with a blue book in front of them
will be able to say for sure.
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jcduroc
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| posted on 11/9/05 at 10:03 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by iank
Looks nice from the side view.
One nit, I think the roll bar needs to be higher, or there isn't much point having one.
From memory it's supposed to be at least 3inches higher than the top of the helmet for motorsport, but someone with a blue book in front of them
will be able to say for sure.
This is just a sketch of what a Locost-inspired-Middy could be.
I had no worries about the details that (as for the Locost 7) anyone can change.
JCM
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Donno
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| posted on 15/9/05 at 07:41 PM |
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Industrial designer interested in the official middie
I have been toying with doing a lowcost middie for a while...and like the idea of a "official design" for the reasons mentioned above. I am
an industrial designer and have worked on various aumotive projects...I also sell plans- currently for a yard kart, off road kart and a quad bike. My
plans as well a portfolio of my other work can be seen on my website http://www.diyden.net/
the attached image was for a middie with a stitch and glue plywood body(ala- mirror dingy)
[Edited on 15/9/05 by Donno]
 
Rescued attachment Middie_2.jpg
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Donno
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| posted on 15/9/05 at 07:45 PM |
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another view
 
Rescued attachment Middie_3.jpg
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MikeR
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| posted on 15/9/05 at 10:16 PM |
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that looks pretty good. Not sure how feasible the rear curve is mind you.
p.s. drivers sat on the wrong side 
[Edited on 15/9/05 by MikeR]
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grantmac
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| posted on 29/9/05 at 08:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JC
And here's the progress as at a week or two ago! I'm using a Rover 416GTI front end (Honda B16 Engine) and it will bolt in from below
using the original 2 crossmembers - the back could easily be adapted for and FWD donor of similar size. Matching front and rear PCDs could be
interesting, but I saw in Halfords a set of Multi fit alloys that appeared to cover most bases!
I really like this! The simplicity is definately what I'm after. Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the pond so I can't really
nip by for a beer!
Me personally I'd like to go much smaller on engine but still from a car. I'm looking at the 3-cylinder turbo engine from a Suzuki swift.
They weigh about 200lbs with the tranny and have been made to make over 200HP to the wheels. That and having a sports car getting 50MPG means I can
drive it alot more often.
Grant
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JC
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| posted on 30/9/05 at 07:10 PM |
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Things have changed since my last entry - check my website/blog for the gory details. Suffice it to say a Fiesta Zetec now occupies the back of the
chassis - 1.25litres, 81kg!!! When I have drawings/plans, I'll let you know - I now plan to use 'Locost' front suspension - so
whatever your equivalent will fit!!!
Back to stripping another donor car.......
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grantmac
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| posted on 30/9/05 at 07:52 PM |
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I really like what your doing. Keeping the back high means the roll-bar doesn't have to go so much migher than the height of the car and keeping
the sides high makes for a bit more crash safety. I like the larger tubing with less pieces as well.
For my donor I'm going to use Suzuki Swift/Sprint/Firefly bits. They are dirt cheap, light and can produce a surprising amount of power when
turbo'd. I'd be keeping the struts in the rear and the front would be vanilla Locost with maybe some bike coil-overs to keep the costs
down.
I checked your blog and it didn't seem to have any picks of the engine in place.
Grant
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FUORISERIE
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| posted on 13/10/05 at 01:42 PM |
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I've been playing around with the same idea of a modern econimical middy, these are some of my very rough sketches, what do you think.
 
Rescued attachment img057.jpg
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FUORISERIE
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| posted on 13/10/05 at 01:44 PM |
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other
 
Rescued attachment img058.jpg
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kb58
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| posted on 13/10/05 at 01:58 PM |
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A nice-looking concept, but not very "Locost". Are you planning to make the bucks, molds, and sell composite panel sets for, oh, $1500?
Otherwise the car will remain only a paper exercise.
[Edited on 10/13/05 by kb58]
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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derf
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| posted on 13/10/05 at 02:37 PM |
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It actually looks like a cross between a toyota celica and steve's la bala
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FUORISERIE
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| posted on 14/10/05 at 09:33 AM |
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Actually these are some of the preliminary sketches for a finished rendering I've been working in the last few weeks.
There is a more basic and locost version of this sketch that I will try to post, for you guys to comment on.
It will have less bodywork on the sides and it will be a step-in kit. I'll show it soon
Cheers
Italo
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Tim Keith
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| posted on 15/10/05 at 08:41 AM |
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I am considering the Swift/Metro as the
donor for a mid-engine Locost. The Metro
is one of the few vehicles in the USA with
components suitable for creating a very
light light car without resorting to exotic
materials. Where the 1.0 three fits,
the 1.3 and 1.6 four ought to also work.
I'd choose the 1.0 three, possible the 70
hp turbo. The 1.0 motor weighs as little
as 118 pounds in aircraft applications
and can be modified to made decent
power.
Has anyone attempted to use the Suzuki
three?
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Tim Keith
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| posted on 25/10/05 at 06:03 AM |
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Has anyone considered using the Honda Civic
double wishbone front suspension in a mid-engine Locost? These are compact and light, very little space is used. It has an upper and lower control
arm, a strut rod angles toward the front. There may be variations of this design, the Accords were similar.
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Spyderman
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| posted on 25/10/05 at 05:49 PM |
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FOURISERIE, any chance you can post smaller images?
I can't see all of it at once on my monitor. 
Terry
[Edited on 25/10/05 by Spyderman]
Spyderman
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grantmac
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 05:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Tim Keith
I am considering the Swift/Metro as the
donor for a mid-engine Locost. The Metro
is one of the few vehicles in the USA with
components suitable for creating a very
light light car without resorting to exotic
materials. Where the 1.0 three fits,
the 1.3 and 1.6 four ought to also work.
I'd choose the 1.0 three, possible the 70
hp turbo. The 1.0 motor weighs as little
as 118 pounds in aircraft applications
and can be modified to made decent
power.
Has anyone attempted to use the Suzuki
three?
I am all about the Suzuki motors! They are a very solid and strong combination that few people exploit.
Also their low-cost makes them one of the best choices for a donor package.
They can be found in North American, Europe, pretty much anywhere. I say go for it!
Grant
[Edited on 17/11/05 by grantmac]
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byronjet
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| posted on 24/11/05 at 09:40 AM |
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Hey all, this would my first post on this forum. I've been wanting to do a Mid-engine AWD locost. Anyways as for as a mid engine RWD chassis
I've come across a few scratch built Lancia stratos chassis online, made from dimentional tubing, usualy a mid mounted V6 with a rear strut
design, could it make a possable locost platform?
01' A4 Avant
88' 90 Quattro
96' Miata
71' Karmann Ghia
01' Kawasaki KLR650
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iank
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| posted on 24/11/05 at 07:28 PM |
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is that 50x50mm for the chassis. It looks like a ladderframe which will need some thinking about to make as strong as a spaceframe (for example I
think the cruciform section in the floor should be an X rather than a + to prevent twist if you see what I mean).
Look at the stuff JC has been doing, quite similar layout. Search on here, or go to his blog http://www.mistrale.blogspot.com/
[Edited on 25/11/05 by iank]
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cymtriks
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| posted on 24/11/05 at 09:15 PM |
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Byronjet,
Did you by any chance copy a Stratos replica chassis?
The centre section needs stiffening up. I would suggest using sheet steel sills, say 2 inch x 8 inch in 16g. Check out my photos section for a scaned
in idea called something like middychassis.
The chassis I posted earlier in this thread has been run through FEA to get a feel for stiffness, it's roughly twice the "book"
chassis stiffness. You could just copy it!
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JC
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| posted on 25/11/05 at 09:48 PM |
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LC is my wife she does not post..LOL
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iank
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| posted on 25/11/05 at 09:54 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JC
LC is my wife she does not post..LOL
 Bah, memo to self, don't post with extreme jet lag again Now fixed
[Edited on 25/11/05 by iank]
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