The dangerous Lotus 7 !
#1
Posted 01 October 2002 - 10:34
For your infomation.....
I was just looking at this posted by Arturo in another thread and it reminded me that a good friend of mine's Son decided to build a Lotus 7 replica from scratch and I dont mean a replica replica (Caterham etc), I mean a proper Lotus 7 built from plans.
He happens to be an engineer and works for Queensland Transport (our Goverment body that handles car registration and safety for roadcars) and they ran the chassis design thru their computer and it failed !
Apparently there was too much torsional twist and the design had to be altered by way of adding tubes to reduce this twist before approval would be given.
Isnt it funny how a car that has been around for quite some time, known to be of reasonable substance can get a failure from a Modern Engineer !
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#2
Posted 01 October 2002 - 10:53
Is there any more information you can give me about doing this, costs of getting plans etc approved, regs that apply etc. Anything really.
#3
Posted 01 October 2002 - 11:39
I can put you straight on to my Mates Son.
Actually I havent seen him for a year or so, this gives me an excuse to catch up with him.
#4
Posted 01 October 2002 - 11:56
The Caterham 7 IS the same as a Lotus 7 Series 3. The first Caterham models built were totally indistinguishable from their immediate Lotus predecessors. The only difference was the badge on the nose cone! Obviously over the years Caterham have developed the car significantly but that does not mean their current Sevens are replicas. They are the logical evolution of the original Chapman concept and design.
#5
Posted 01 October 2002 - 12:29
Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
Caterham 7 a replica?
The only difference was the badge on the nose cone!
similar:
Related in appearance or nature; alike though not identical.
same:
Being the very one; identical:
They are the logical evolution of the original Chapman concept and design
You didnt help Chris Rea build his Sharknose by chance ??
(just playing with ya mate)
#6
Posted 01 October 2002 - 13:01
In the late 1980s, Caterham applied some CAD to the Seven spaceframe and used the information obtained from this study to amend the structure to give it more rigidity. Having seen the outcome of some fairly serious Seven accidents, I can vouch for the inherent strength of the current spaceframe. Its amazing how many individuals have walked away from quite heavy impacts.
#7
Posted 01 October 2002 - 13:28
#8
Posted 01 October 2002 - 13:34
As for the Seven and '1960s GP car'... did you know that the last Sports Car to run in the Australian GP was a Seven? At Caversham in 1962... driven by Jeff Dunkerton, it was the last finisher, 14 laps down on the 60 of winner McLaren, but on the same lap as Lex Davison.
#9
Posted 01 October 2002 - 13:47
#10
Posted 01 October 2002 - 13:49
#11
Posted 01 October 2002 - 14:06
Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
A Lotus 7 ran in the 1962 South African GP.
That would have to be the last front engined entry in a WDC race then?
#12
Posted 01 October 2002 - 14:32
Brausch Niemann and his Lotus 7 did not enter the 1962 South African GP.
here is a photo of Brausch Niemann with John Love at Westmead. (photo Courtesy of Rob Young{ry6} )
#13
Posted 01 October 2002 - 14:34
#14
Posted 01 October 2002 - 14:40
As they are here... But Dunkerton's car had its guards still fitted, it was still a sports car.
#15
Posted 01 October 2002 - 14:45
Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
Yes - that was the race I was thinking of. I assume the Seven is being lapped in the photo.
My understanding is that the photo was from practice to the Natal GP.
#16
Posted 01 October 2002 - 15:28
#17
Posted 01 October 2002 - 17:16
Originally posted by quintin cloud
Most likely, The Lotus 7 was raced by Brausch Niemann in the Rand GP in which he finished 11th out of 14 finishers, he also entered the Natal GP but did not race in the final heat.
Brausch Niemann and his Lotus 7 did not enter the 1962 South African GP.
here is a photo of Brausch Niemann with John Love at Westmead. (photo Courtesy of Rob Young{ry6} )
Been looking for a pic of that car for ages - thanks!
Now, anyone got pics of Mallock U2s in F2 and F3 trim?
pete
#18
Posted 01 October 2002 - 17:48
#19
Posted 01 October 2002 - 20:29
They are, quite simply, the most simple, raw, pure vehicles I have ever driven. What sets them apart is that no two are the same.. I've driven cars ranging from a standard 1700cc Ford X-Flow engine, up to a 2-litre Vauxhall Engine that revved to 10,000rpm and produced 280 BHP at the wheels!
During that time, I also got the chance to rebuild an original Lotus 7 with the old 1500cc Cosworth lump in it.. Now that was an eye-opening experience!
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#20
Posted 01 October 2002 - 21:09
A friend of mine, Graeme Baird, had a nice Ford Falcon XT GT with an ex-drag racing 351 Windsor in it. It flew... in fact on three occasions it tore out its entire drivetrain by twisting the tail shaft in knots on upchanges from third to fourth gear at 100mph.
Bairdy also had a clubman racer. the Krefel, a Lotus 7 style of chassis with a good 1600cc Ford engine putting out about 150bhp.
Despite the raw power of the Falcon, he reckoned the Krefel was just so much more toey to drive. And living in the bush, he occasionally took it for a run up the road to make sure it was right before he loaded it up for race meetings.
That was a great buzz...
#21
Posted 02 October 2002 - 00:11
#22
Posted 02 October 2002 - 03:18
Originally posted by Gerr
Getting back to the question of Lotus 7 chassis strength. Mark,were the computer tests that the engineer at Queensland Transport conducted on just the tubular frame or the tubular frame with the alloy skins and floor and tunnel installed?
I dont know but Roger only had the frame completed at that stage, so I presume the frame only.
I'll track him down on the weekend if I have time and take some snaps of where he's up to.
#23
Posted 02 October 2002 - 03:19
Originally posted by Ian McKean
with a Saab Turbo 16 engine and gearbox mounted behind the driver - since I've got one sitting on the garage floor.
Ahh the starting point and reasoning for many a great special and/or race car
#24
Posted 02 October 2002 - 04:45
actually,the caterhams could be considered a "logical continuation" of the seven but let me assure you all out there that a "real" s2 super seven cosworth[say 1965 or so]is rather a different beast...mimimal everything except power...and may i also remind you that the cars were delivered [and driven on] 5.00-13 dunlop bias ply tires on 3-1/2" wide steel rims!!!
the quickest way to find an unmolested frame is to look at the spare tire hoop at the rear...the asformentioned wheel/tire combo should be a slight press fit....if it's loose,[or REALLY loose]the car has been run with [gasp] wider tires&rims and the spare hoop widened accordingly.
and then there's driving with the top up and the doors/side curtains in place...;)
#25
Posted 02 October 2002 - 06:35
But I saw him race at Zandvoort F2 in 1967 and /or 68!!
That was really a fun car!!
Great!!
Paul
#26
Posted 02 October 2002 - 18:34
#27
Posted 03 October 2002 - 00:14
Around Eastern Creek with him driving his Elise time was 0.2 second faster than the 7 which is nothing really I'd agree but the Exige times blew me away 2 Seconds faster!!!
Oh mama I want an Exige 0-100 in 4 seconds, only a McLaren F1 would get near you.
#28
Posted 03 October 2002 - 07:28