Locost

A Locost is a DIY copy of the Lotus Seven. The car has a space-frame chassis, which consists of rectangular tubes of 25 mm × 25 mm is usually welded together. The front wheels usually hang, with double wishbones and coil springs. The driven rear axle is traditionally rigid, but there are also versions in independent suspension or De Dion axle. The body is composed of a front and fenders made of GRP and side panels made of aluminum. Each of these cars is customized to the capabilities and needs of each builder.

Originally the Locost should be completely made ​​up only of semifinished products. He is now but become so popular that some manufacturers offer the chassis as a kit. There are fiberglass body parts, suspension parts and other specific for the Locost parts from different manufacturers.

Ron Champion Locost

The idea of ​​the Locost arises from a publication by the Haynes manuals, a book titled Build your own sports car for as little as £ 250, which was written by Ron Champion. This design is mainly based on the Lotus Seven. It was equipped with a driven rigid axle rear. The De Dion axle was used in factory race cars and some models of Caterham.

Both Colin Chapman and Ron Champion gained experience in the 750 Motor Club ( a British car racing club ) and the Locost is based on a Clubman 's Race Car from 1963, the Ron Champion had designed. The tail is, of course, " influenced by the Lotus Seven ."

Haynes Roadster

Ron Champions original book was followed by a book called Build Your Own Sports Car: On a budget by Chris Gibbs. The car described therein differs substantially from the original due to its independent rear suspension. In addition, the car was designed using a CAD program, which avoided the dimensional errors of the original. Other differences are the instructions for making a stabilizer and the use of fuel injection engines.

As a donor vehicle, a Ford Sierra is proposed. Also, there are suggestions for the use of other donor vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series E36 or the Mazda MX- fifth Also motorcycle engines can be used.

Modern Roadster are as donor vehicles for the Locost becoming more popular because they have extensive technical details and better suspensions. Until April 2010, about 10 cars were completed and approved for the road.

Other variations

The Locost should not be confused with the similar sounding Locust, which is also based on the Lotus Seven. In contrast to the spaceframe of the Locust has a lead frame and the body is made of aluminum cladded plywood.

McSorley Locost

The Champion Locost and the Haynes Roadster chassis have the same dimensions as the original Lotus Seven. The Locost maker Jim McSorley revised the design of Ron Champion, so that wider drive units, rear axles and seats can be used. Specifically, the construction of the McSorley 442 was introduced in Car and Driver Magazine, August 2006.

"Australian modifications "

In Australia, kit cars must pass a strength test, before they are allowed to road transport. This led to a number of improvements to the construction of Ron Champion, we. For example, gains of the front of the vehicle and the passengers, The changes also improve the flexural and torsional rigidity of the chassis and are now also used in Locosts in other countries.

There have been various attempts to verify the stiffness of the Locost a FEM analysis. They usually show that the original Locost the opportunities are not fully exploited.

Construction costs

The title of Ron Champions book claims that there is offered an opportunity to build a car for £ 250, but most Locost cost up to ten times as much or more.

The £ 250 do not include tooling costs, which can amount to as much or even more than the cost of the car. The book also assumes that you buy a Ford Escort, which no inspection sticker (in the UK, Ireland and Malta: MOT) gets more. Champion calculated that such cars for about £ 50 would buy. Ford Escort the 1st and 2nd series ( rear wheel drive ) are now hard to get, since they are already become classics and even to be used or collected in classic rallying.

The book gives some hints on how construction costs can be limited:

• Build the chassis from scrap metal instead of new parts.
• Laminiere the fiberglass nose and fiberglass fenders themselves, rather than buying them ready.
• Set a backseat of a donor or battle vehicle, instead of buying new sports seats.
• Fill in the instruments, steering wheel and the dashboard of the donor vehicle, instead of all these new parts to buy.
• Buy incorrectly mixed colors at a special price and varnish the car itself
• Get the aluminum sheets for the hood from the junkyard (eg on the structure of an old panel van ).

Some producers had other ideas for cost savings:

• Use the tin roof of the donor vehicle as a chassis ground instead of buying new sheets.
• Set a tank of a Saab 96 or Triumph Spitfire.
• Set the headlights and chrome rings of an older Volvo 240 and a stainless steel salad bowl from IKEA with a 200 mm diameter for the production of the headlights.

Even if the Locost ten times cost more than the £ 250 so this is much less than you would normally have to pay for a vehicle of this performance class.

Usual donor vehicles

The car, which is described in Champions book is made ​​up of parts of the Ford Escort the 1st and 2nd series and the front wheel suspension of the Ford Cortina. Due to the diminishing supply of these donor vehicles of Haynes Roadster was based on the Ford Sierra. Some also use minibuses, such as the Mitsubishi L300, the Mazda E1800 (same gear as the MX5 ) and the Holden Scurry (also Bedford Rascal, Suzuki Carry, Chevrolet Super Carry or Maruti Omni ).

In the U.S., the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda Miata are often used as a donor vehicle. Also, the Mazda RX -7 rotary engine is growing in popularity.

Many manufacturers provide parts for these cars here or expel them, for example, MK Sports Cars ( who developed the design and now offer their own MK Indy, based on the Ford Sierra ) or RaceTech with their ESTfield based on the Lada.

Race

The Locost has established one of the most successful motorsport events of the United Kingdom, the Formula Locost. The competition is organized by the 750 Motor Club and there are about 35 starters on courses at Brands Hatch, Donnington, Oulton Park and Silverstone, to name the most important. Due to the strict rules that limit the costs, the 750 Motor Club has created an inexpensive and interesting racing series for the amateur. While it is not possible to build a race car for £ 250, as it suggests the title of Ron Champions book, but these are probably the cheapest form of motorsport in the UK. The cost is approximately £ 5,000 per season, when all the necessary parts, such as racing suit, car trailers, etc. are present.

In the U.S., the race of Locost is not as popular, but they also join in various amateur racing. The $ 200X Challenge has even a special class for Locost and other kit cars.