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Author: Subject: Can anyone confirm....
JoelP

posted on 22/7/24 at 02:40 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 22/7/24 at 02:47 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 22/7/24 at 03:32 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 22/7/24 at 04:33 PM Reply With Quote
Yep, I clearly remember them starting out with Locost chassis, too.
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JoelP

posted on 22/7/24 at 04:39 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 22/7/24 at 04:57 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 22/7/24 at 05:41 PM Reply With Quote
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

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nick205

posted on 23/7/24 at 07:28 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 23/7/24 at 07:41 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 23/7/24 at 09:00 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 23/7/24 at 09:07 AM Reply With Quote
Makes you feel a bit nostalgic doesn't it! Thanks for all the help.






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nick205

posted on 23/7/24 at 10:25 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 23/7/24 at 12:55 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 23/7/24 at 01:41 PM Reply With Quote
[Edited on 23/7/24 by jacko]





555

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nick205

posted on 24/7/24 at 08:05 AM Reply With Quote
[Edited on 24-7-24 by nick205]
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Fozzie

posted on 24/7/24 at 10:20 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 24/7/24 at 10:58 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 24/7/24 at 01:21 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks Fozzie!






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Fozzie

posted on 24/7/24 at 04:14 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 24/7/24 at 04:24 PM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 25/7/24 at 09:18 AM Reply With Quote
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

posted on 26/7/24 at 08:08 PM Reply With Quote
Martin Keenan (MK Engineering) did produce a Locost book chassis.

See a MK Engineering pricelist from August 2000: Description
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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