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Costin-Nathan sports racer (Spyder)


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#101 RodStone

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Posted 13 October 2015 - 13:33

Hi,

Chin - pleased you are getting on with it. I'd be highly delighted to come and take a look! I don't think I can be of any help with the body moulds, but when it comes time to form the seat, I have a one piece GRP one which fits my Sports Roadster; it's Frank's usual shape and if the width is correct, it is likely to fit yours. If it does, I may be able to track down it's original mould... I'd be very interested in getting across to see Auto IV. I've visited the Le Mans Amigo in Essex about 5 years ago, and ran into the Protos F2 at Goodwood in 2011 I think; Ron Costin was in attendance too. I'd like to see a few more of them! The Costin Listers usually make a good showing at Revival too.

Friend - I've got the last original Sports Roadster body, plus an original chassis and a set of wishbones, all from Joe which I'm hoping to crank to life before the end of the year. It was designed to take the Rover K in 1.4 form, and I recently finished building the engine up with a Dave Andrews big valve head and lumpy camshafts; aiming for about 130-140bhp on throttle bodies, and targeting Individual Vehicle Approval and road legality.

I worked with Joe extensively trying to reproduce these cars- sadly, mine is now the most advanced example, owing to Joe's untimely and very sad demise. His collection is in the charge of Liz, his wife, and I believe she intends to keep it until their two sons are of an age to deal with it or continue. He reproduced two new bodies from the original mould, one of which we built into a rolling chassis to take to Detling Kit Car show in 2009, the other was to be his own. He also acquired the Sports Roadster 'Dustbin' prototype. In addition to the Costins, he owned a Race Car Replicas all alloy Lola T70 monocoque, and a set of original Lola T70 Coupe body parts; he once referred to this as his dream car, and I can well understand why!

To any UK based Costin owners - happy to travel to talk about, visit and snap a few photos of any of the cars Frank Costin built or developed. I have no IT skills to speak of, but I know a few who do, and would like, one day, and once my car is on the road, to reopen some sort of a forum for us all again.

Over and out!

Rod

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#102 chin

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Posted 13 October 2015 - 16:52

Now I have a little money (not a lot but more than I've had before!) I thought I'd better talk to a financial adviser as the banks aren't very good at growing cash(!). During our initial discussion she asked what my bucket list had in it. When she explained what a bucket list is the only thing I have to spend it on is Auto 14b so here we go. The trouble is that I can't get people with skills to work quickly enough! The offer of the seat mould is very useful, Rod, so if you fancy a look at the thing let me know - it's in Vigo, Kent (south of Gravesend).

 

Chin



#103 1463524

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Posted 15 October 2015 - 12:51

Chin,I had a chat with one of the CN owners,he was friendly and said he'd be happy to help in any way he can ,to help another Costin enthusiast.

 

Wonder if we can encourage any of the Costin car owners to join in with their experiences?



#104 chin

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Posted 15 October 2015 - 23:24

Sounds like a very good idea, to me. I guess that I'm a rank amateur in most aspects of this but at least I had the privilege to get to know Frank and Nan and became infected with the sheer enthusiasm of the man. My main problem is the lack of engineering skills so I have to rely on others which adds huge delays to the project.

Another thing that occupies my time is sorting out our sprint at Crystal Palace, I was there today starting to revamp the event for 2016. I know that CNs competed there successfully and it would be good to see at least one of the current runners compete there next year.

I don't often get to race meetings but I might try to find out if any CNs are about next year and go and talk to them - I do some engraving for BRSCC so I may find out through their contacts.

I'm looking forward to a visit from Rod on Sunday so I'm sure more stuff will come from that.



#105 1463524

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Posted 16 October 2015 - 07:01

I believe Nick Costin did a lot of work at 1 point on CN development.............but nothing came of it.....I think.

 

He may be a little bit interested?



#106 chin

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Posted 17 December 2017 - 22:26

My first C-N has surfaced. Roger Nathan has it and it is being restored at the same place as the prototype which sold for a large sum last year.

Auto14b is making progress and I'll try to download some pictures.



#107 bradbury west

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 00:01

Good news. Photos welcome.
Roger Lund

#108 mollykeizer

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Posted 03 November 2021 - 22:53

Having seen a Costin-Nathan GT for sale on RaceCarsDirect recently it has brought on my enthusiast feelings back from a couple of years ago.

The prototype car come Rogers`s imp powered GT was recovered from a shed and restored by a couple of guys,one of them who was regular on Joe Tavinis forum .Cannot remember his name but he lives in Wales..
Anyhow the car was restored and was sometime ago exhibited at Beauliue with Roger in attendance..

You can see pictures of it on my facebook site David Llewellyn of Uttoxeter  .

There is also Roger`s RNC2 Astra up for sale on RaceCarsDirect at a heady £120000 which i think is a good buy as it is restored and race ready.
It attended the Oulton Park Gold Cup this year,but the Astra is based in Sweden i understand.