redbaron

Rob, the wipers work OK, single speed only. I think Dennis uses a VW motor. With not too much effort I'm sure you could come up with a 2-speed system. But I think you need to ask yourself. "why bother." The idea of driving a Rotus for extended periods in the rain is something one instinctively avoids at all costs. The angle of the wiper blade to the windshield is not very good and I am sure if one wanted to do so the wiper arms could be modified to improve this condition.

Oh, by the way, the answer to how often I use the windshield washer is, "almost never." Any one who has ever been forced to drive a Rotus in the rain even with the top installed will tell you it is more of a "swimming sport" than anything else.

Yup, your'e right, I misspelled Yugo, which just goes to prove it was not a very memorable car. I had to install a w/shield washer system to pass the DMV road worthy inspection for the state of Michigan. I also had to install a front bumper to meet their requirements. That came off abour 5 minutes after the inspector signed off and left. I'll send details of the washer system as a "New Topic" item in the near future.The "aux driving light" switch was originally the head lamp switch but after two of them failed I gave up and installed the Ford headlamp switch. No probems since then. Currently the "aux driving light" switch isn't hooked up to anything but some day I may install aux lights and if I do I will have a switch available. Based on my experience with it as a headlamp switch, however, I will use it to control a relay and not the lamps directly. Bob, I built this car some 12 years ago so I don't have any records of the part numbers of the glove box or the grab handle. The fact it has survived numerous terror stricken rides of friends and relatives leads me to conclude that the grab handle is indeed quite robust.

The cluster of 5 rocker switches is, from all things, a Jugo. The square red button on the extreme lower left hand side of the IP is a "push" switch for the w/shield washer that came from Radio Shack. The knob to the far right is not a knob but the plug in a cigarette lighter that I use as an aux. 12 v outlet to power a G-meter, spotlight, air compressor, etc. The chrome light switch is a standard Ford issue that controls the parking, IP and head lights. You are correct that rotating the switch regulates the IP lighting intensity. The rocker switch functions from left to right are:aux. driving light;w/shield wiper; engine cooling fan over ride:4 way flasher; heater blower. The red jewel apove the ignition switch and immediately to the left of the Bondurant badge is the parking brake warning light, another Radio Shack item. The two gages on the console below the radio/tape player are a turbo boost gage and a clock. The bin just below the grab handle on the lower right hand side of the IP is a glove box of sorts for papers, maps, sun glasses,etc. It was a J.C. Whitney item. Did I miss anything?

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OK, for those of you who have been asking for pictures of the Red Baron's instrument panel I have attached the following photos, begining with the over all layout.

I bought a set of 4 valve caps initially but shortly after I installed them some one had sticky fingers and walked off with 3 of them. I reordered another set so now I have one extra. That lever to the left of the steering wheel is a combination turn signal lever and hi/low beam switch. It is not self cancelling so you really have to "rough it" and cancel it manually.

I completed the car and got it licensed and titled in 1994. I have had speedo problems from time to time so I am guesing I have accumulated about 6000 miles or so. I use it strictly for plesure 'cause Im a bit too old to race it. However,I would like to try an autocross sometime.

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Once the vehicle is up and running it is time for a bit of "icing on the cake." The attached photos depict my efforts to give my Rotus an identity.

Rob, just out of curiosity, what is the status of your car? Do you have it in hand, is Dennis in the process of building it or is it just on order? Regards, Red Baron

Rob, for the the grille I made a full size template starting with a picture I came across of a Caterham. Had a local shop bend up some wire and tack it together. If you would like I can trace my grille on to a peice of paper and send it to you. It is one of several ruses I use to counfound the judges at the various shows . Note also the unique graphics on the stering wheel and road wheels. It drives them nuts!Yes, the CHMSL works fine. I think it is Dennis' standard issue. I did change the rear license plate light. I did away with the large "gabong" Dennis uses and have a liscense plate frame with an integral light. Much cleaner. I'll do a series of pctures on the instrument panel in a week or so. Right now I am recovering fom one helluva cold. Red Baron

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