Mikelud
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 09:56 AM |
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Locost, Locust, MK, Tiger, Westfield....
Without opening a huge can of worms. Is there a definitive list of UK manufactured Lotus 7 replica / copy kits? and ideally a rating system for which
are the best handling / best engineered products. I assume those trading successfully as companies today such as Tiger, Westfield and GBS are the
market leaders.
I know a lot of development has been done on the design since the Lotus era by different companies, and they all have their specialisms. I also know
some kits are far superior to others; there was probably a load of cheap rubbish produced before the SVA came into force.
The list I have so far is;
MK Indy
Tiger
Westfield
Caterham
Dax Rush
Sylva Stryker
Robin Hood
GBS Zero
I have not included Locust or Locost as I do not understand what they actually are. I have seen lots of locost chassis's advertised, some new,
some secondhand but I do not understand if these were ever actually produced by an individual manufacturer, or the term locost refers to anything
homemade following the Ron Champion book design.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Mike
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Stevie_P
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 10:27 AM |
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Procomp LA?
Though, not sure if this is just race though I believe some have made it on to the road..
Steve
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Nathsx
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 10:58 AM |
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The list I have so far is;
MNR
Raptor sports cars
Mac #1
MK Indy
Tiger
Westfield
Caterham
Dax Rush
Sylva Stryker
Robin Hood
GBS Zero
[Edited on 22/8/17 by Nathsx]
[Edited on 22/8/17 by Nathsx]
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Charlie_Zetec
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 12:25 PM |
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According to your list, you've put models in with the manufacturers;
MK are the company, Indy is the model
GBS is the company, Zero is the model
Some manufacturers have a selection of different models, as wells as different variants of the same model eg. MK Indy RR etc..
Best thing to do is buy a copy of TKC magazine or similar (in the interest of fairness, other kit car magazines are available to buy!) and look
through the adverts and/or classified section at the rear - this should show a number of the current manufacturers.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!
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ReMan
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 12:42 PM |
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Corect its a huge can of worms based on persoanl pereferences and opinions.
Are you trying to decide what to buy or what?
Any list will probably end up ordering buy cost/value anyway
www.plusnine.co.uk
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JC
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 03:32 PM |
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Or go to totalkitcar.com and check the UK cross reference - lists all current LSIS manufacturers.
No one will list which is best handling, best kit etc... - the journalists know not to upset the manufacturers!!!
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Bluemoon
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 03:47 PM |
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Remember the lotus 7 is very much about: "Simplify, then add lightness"
Some manufactures don't seem to understand this... So it's not a simple choice, "advanced engineering" might not line up with
this approach..
Dan
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HappyFather
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 06:20 PM |
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You're missing Aries with their Locoblade model (previously Stuart Taylor Locoblade).
Caterham is THE original and should not be on a list of "replicas and copies". They set the benchmark.
Robin Hood no longer exists and was converted into GBS.
Other brands that may or may not still be in business are: Formula 27; Road Runner Racing with their SR2; Quantum Sports Cars with their monocoque
Extreme; Toniq with their 7 inspired car; Luego with their Viento...
Maybe it should not be forgotten also the Dutch Donkervoort 7 inspired, although not UK produced. There was also a South African brand for a Seven kit
and another one from New Zealand but can't remember either's name.
EDIT: Let me add that "Locost" usually refers to a home-built chassis folloing the Ron Book design, the followup design (can't
remember author) or web variations (namely to take MX5 running gear). "Locust" refers to a 7-style car built with a wood ladder chassis
and a wood and aluminium-skinned body. These are in decline but I recall reading here about one that passed an IVA test in the last 5 to 7 years. So,
it is not impossible.
[Edited on 22/8/17 by HappyFather]
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Stevie_P
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 06:29 PM |
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South African 7 was the Birkin I believe.
Pretty much identical to the Caterham if memory serves..
Steve
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 07:39 PM |
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I agree with earlier comments - go to the totalkitcar web site and they list all of them. Which is best is down to your own perceptions - I would put
my own Haynes Roadster as best but would swap it for a brand new factory built Westfield or GBS widebody Zero. But mine is best :-)
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Ron Lang
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| posted on 22/8/17 at 07:48 PM |
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I'd also add a note of caution. I've been asking similar questions lately and it seems to cause offence to someone or another. I guess my
advice would be go check them out and decide on whoever offers the best service. GBS and MK both offer great customer care - I have no experience of
the others.
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WanchaiWarrior
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| posted on 24/8/17 at 08:33 PM |
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Fraser Cars in New Zealand are still in production, up near Auckland
Macgregor Motorsport and Leitch are no longer produced.
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Tazzzzman1
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| posted on 25/8/17 at 07:24 AM |
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Roadrunner Sr2 as well. One of the best handling 7's IMHO and great customer car
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Mikelud
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| posted on 25/8/17 at 11:01 AM |
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Thanks all, just to clarify I am not looking to buy one or rate the companies on their customer service / business approach. I already own a
Westfield. It was more of an academic exercise to properly list all the 7 based options from the UK, including those that are no longer in production.
I remember when I first started looking at a 7 type car being completely bewildered by the choice and range of kits, especially on the secondhand
market where unfinished ones show up. For this reason I listed GBS separately to Robin Hood as the Zero is widely regarded as a leap forward in
manufacturing quality (and yes I appreciate there are well sorted Robin Hoods out there, and the end result of any kit within reason reflects the
builder).
Thanks for the international offerings too, the Birkin was the South African Lotus replica which was properly licensed like a Caterham, based on the
series 3 lotus 7 I believe.
I think trying to rank the kits is pointless in hindsight as they are all so different mechanically, offering a very broad spectrum of 7 esq options,
and everyone has different tastes. I stand by my point that some are better engineered than others, particularly in relation to the locust with its
ladder chassis, but I understand that engineering doesn't always 'add lightness', akin to the original design concept of Colin
Chapman.
The list now reads;
MNR
Raptor sports cars
Mac #1
MK - Indy
Tiger
Westfield
Caterham
Dax - Rush
Sylva - Stryker
Robin Hood
GBS - Zero
Aries / Stewart Taylor - Locoblade
Formula 27
Road Runner Racing - SR2
Quantum Sports Cars - Road Runner Extreme
Toniq
Luego - Viento
Donkervoort - D8 (Netherlands)
Birkin (South African)
Locust - Ladder chassis with wood
Locost (home built or very small production fabrication companies) - Ron Champion Design
Haynes Roadster (home built) - Chris Gibbs
Fraser Cars (New Zealand)
Macgregor Motorsport (New Zealand)
Leitch (New Zealand)
This list will definitely help first time buyers I think.
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softfeet
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| posted on 25/8/17 at 12:02 PM |
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This book lists Lotus Seven inspired sports cars by country of manufacture. It was published in 2004, so is a bit out of date.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lotus-Seven-Independents-Dennis-Ortenburger/dp/1902351126
Some UK and Irish ones you are missing are:
Albo
BWE
Dutton
Eldon
Jeffrey
Ginetta G2
Speedex 750
Spyder Silverstone
TMC Costin
Panoz Roadster
Altair
Super Sportsman / Two
Tripos
Hope that helps.
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