redbaron

To get some idea of the price range that can be expected from Aluma I stopped in and chatted with one of their dealers in Hobe Sound, Florida.I was quoted a price of $3200 for the single axle Model 7814S and $4800 for the tandem axle Model 7814.Also, to get some idea of weight difference this dealer told me that a tandem axle 14ft, wood deck, steel frame unit would weigh in at 1600 lbs as compared to an Aluma equivalent at 1100 lbs.

I agree with your comments on an aluminum intensive trailer. For a unit the size we are discussing the weight differential between steel and aluminum is probablly less than 200 pounds. It may be worth the time to check pricing with some of the trailer manufacturers in the Southeast. The dirty litle secret is that many of them employ convict labor which greatly reduces the labor cost element in chassis fabrication. However,one does need to be alert to weld quality from such suppliers.

I have given some thought to a light weight car hauler suitable for my Rotus. Although I have a Car Caddy tow dolly I am reluctant to tow it great distances with that equipment becaue the jury is out as to possible lubrication problems with even a manual transmission unless the drive shaft is removed. In addition there is no weather protection so if one encounters rain then there is sure to be several days of "dry out" time required because we all know that these cars, even with the top up or a tonneu cover are far from weather tight. I have towed large travel trailers for some 15 years so I have definite ideas of what I would want in my car hauler. The basic chassis should be tandem axle with electric brakes with a manual over ride on at least one of the axles. Tandem axles are much easier to back up and would require lower capacity wheels and tires. Torsion rubber suspension would allow lowest load floor. Ramps would be self stowing.The unit would be enclosed but need not necessarily be be hard sided. I envision a hard nose section with the remainder of the enclosure consisting of heavy duty canvas like that used on commercial trucks fitted over a series of fixed metal hoops. The canvas cover would be attached with metal snaps similar to those used on boat covers. Admitedly not as convenient as a fully enclosed hard sided unit but it would keep over all weight to a minimum while providing an acceptacle amount of weather protection. I saw a unit similar to this at Carlisle and it was being used to transport a Westfield 7.

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No, I have never noticed a fuel leakage problem but then again I almost never run with a full tank of fuel. For those of you who may be wondering of the significance of Snoopy and the Red Baron logo on the side of the car, I have attached a photo of the sign I use when I have the car in a show. The little kids go crazy and it has won me several awards at family oriented events like the Mad Dogs and Englishmen annual show in Kalamazoo, Michigan and The Battle of the Brits show in Sterling Heights.

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Two more pictures to complete the story.http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/redbaron/2006-05-08_030035_Rotus_Cold_Weather_Gear_006.jpg

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Although roadsters, like the Rotus, are great fun to drive because of the pleasure of that "wind in the face" experience we all know that is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing when that very narrow band of temperature and dry clear weather is available but a curse when the temperatures fall and we must bundle up in our artic wear if we want to take our toys out for a spin. Snoopy and I have developed a modification that allows us to take advantage of driving on those cool dry days and retain some semblance of comfort. The attached pictures are somewhat self explainatory with the key element being the Lexan plastic backlite which is attached to the roll bar. The backlite mitigates blow back to the point where when used in conjunction with the side curtains a relatively comfortable cockpit pod area is created. Much more user friendly than putting up the convertible top. And yes, the fuel filler cap is easily accessed.

Rob, thanks for the info on the exploded view of the tail lamp which contains all the part numbers of the individual components of the lamp assembly. The one item I needed to get my lamps 100% restored was the lens gasket. I contacted the folks at Man-a-Fre again, on the wild chance they would stock that part. Wonders of wonders they actually had it! This outfit has really impressed me. They had already set up an account for me based on my order yesterday of the lens so they had my name, address and credit card account on file. Consequently today's order was quickly handled because it involved little more than providing the part numbers.

I called these folks and talked to a technical specialist on 805-578-8712 and found him to be very helpful and knowledgeable. He told me this was a '74 - '76 vintage part. I forgot to ask for the specific model application. In any event, they carry the complete lamp assembly or just the lens. Since I really need only the lens I ordered one at $14.95 plus shipping. Note that the original equipment part was "handed" but the replacement part will work on either the left hand or right hand side.This is true for the lamp assembly # 51550-60190 or just the lens.

Excellent suggestion.

Gadzooks man, I think you have found it. I must have gone through a couple hundred pictures on Google Images and I couldn't find a match. Thanks for the info, I will give them a call.

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You will notice in one of the photographs that the tail lamp lens is cracked. I have tried to find a replacement lens on the internet but to no avail. I think the lamp is some 60's vintage Toyota part and I suspect any of these lens parts or the entire lamp assemblies for that matter have long ago gone to that happy hunting ground in the sky. If anyone out there knows of a source please let me know. I have already tried Dennis and he has none. I managed to patch up mine with some plastic glue but I would really like to replace it if at all possible.

The spacers were soft plastic. No, I didnt do any burnouts. I am a senior citizen and no longer engage in those sort of antics, unless provoked of course. I am no chemist but I am guessing that what happened was that in the mix of ingredients involved in the original spacers an excessive amount of plasticizer was used. That's the stuff that makes the mix flow freely and fill all the spaces in the mould. The real kicker in this whole episode was that the original spacers were fine for some 10 years or so in the Michigan climate where I had the car exclusively until last year when I decided to bring it down to our winter home in Florida so I could get more "play time" with it. In anticipation of our intent to make Florida our only residence I left the Rotus here over the summer. I suspect that in the enclosed garage that temperatures often exceeded 100 degrees which caused the excess plasticizer to "do it's thing" and return the spacers to an almost liquid state with the results as depicted in the photographs. If anyone else has a theory I would like to hear it. My sincere hope is that the replacement spacers do better this summer.

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Photos of Rotus tail lamp spacers - 1http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/redbaron/2006-05-03_220834_Rotus_Tail_Lamp_001.jpg-1

Has anyone else out there had a problem with their Rotus tail lamp spacers melting? I did and what a mess. I was able to get some replacement spacers from Dennis but the clean up of the old melted spacers was a real challenge. The problem was that any solvent that would disolve the gooey residue would also strip off the body paint and melt the plastic lens material as well. The final solution was good old WD-40. Believe it or not, it softend up the goo to the point where, with a generous supply of paper towels, I was able to clean everything up and not damage the paint of the plastic lens. I will post some pictures to show what a mess this situation creates.

Here are a seies of in car videos taken in a Westfield that adds a real dimension to the "wind in your face" experience of driving one of these Lotus clones on a race course. Turn up the sound! Red Baron >http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/video.htm