sporqster

I've not got my hands on the latest issue, but I hear it's worth the read. I'll be picking one up on the way home (apparently I managed to let my subscription expire?!?)

UPDATE! Today I FINALLY got the inspection. PASSED! :hurray: The homemade binder clip windshield wiper was apparently enough to pass. Now All I have to do is get the title in the mail and I'm set! Oh and yesterday I had some fun with the Locost- see the pics and blurry video: www.savannahoosiers.com

Works great - starts and runs great right from the turn of the key - unlike the CIS that was a bit cranky in cold weather (like we get much of that). But to my the Megasquirt (Tony Bitz kit) is more intuitive and easier to troubleshoot than the CIS - which was basically voodoo Carrie & me. -Chris

No shipping? Possible to deliver any of these to a nearby track some time? Can't drive to Texas to pick up tires, but sure wouldn't mind taking them off your hands at Roebling Rd.

Yet another vanity post, all about ME: I'm a 20-something mechanical engineer by training, working in product design for Great Dane Trailers. I have always been a bit of a gearhead, but didn't really start getting my hands dirty much until I decided I wanted to build a Formula SAE car as my senior project in school. That got me hooked up with the local SCCA and autocrossing. About the same time I met my now wife, who too became involved in the SCCA and loves autox. After a few years I got the opportunity to be 'tire warmer' for a friend who had built a CB1000-powered Locost - I was hooked, as this was as close to a Formula SAE car as I had driven since college. I thought about building my own Locost, but given the amount of time and garage space (We moved to Savannah forcing us to go from a 3 car garage + large workshop to a 2 car garage with no workshop) I didn't think I would ever get the chance to build one myself. I had also just parted out my Opel GT race car project to pay for repairs on my wife's '79 Porsche 911 (which caught fire - now has megasquirt EFI, yeah!). That did leave an empty garage space (the sedans got parked in the driveway) and my wife with a hot convertible, and me with none. (She doesn't really let me drive the Porsche either!) I saw an ad for a complete, tagged and titled Locost, and something clicked inside that said I MUST buy this car. It was a great deal, and for the last 5 days I've owned it, I have had more fun than with any car I have ever driven in my life! My better half seems to think that 4 cars for 2 people is a bit excessive, but I can't imagine getting rid of any of them at this point. They're like our children (we have no actual kids... yet.) Winnie: 1979 Porsche 911 Targa: Brown. Her baby. Not a show car, but decent looking, fun and fast, and keeps us in the Porsche Club - they're nice people and we love going to the meetings. She has a very personal attachment to her 'Winnie'. Jackson: 2001 VW Jetta: Blue. Long distance highway cruiser and her daily driver- comfortable and good on gas. Sue: 2002 Subaru WRX: Custom metalic gunmetal grey. Bought new and still plays a dual role as daily driver and weekend racer. My daily driver. No A/C. Odie: 2003 Locost - newest addition - thoroughly impractical, but I LOVE it! My baby.

If only I had CABLE! :banghead: Oh well just another excuse to go to the bar! :cheers:

I got on Lexis-Nexus- I looked up the GA code - 2 things I see they could get me on if they so chose - plexiglass is not a material approved by the safety commissioner for the construction of vehicle windshields. However, I see nothing in the georgia code explicitly requiring a windshield in the first place- do I spend the money I don't have on a new windshield, or just take it off. No windshield, no windshield wipers, thus solving my second problem. Obviously, just like on a motorcycle, I would assume you must have goggles or a face shield if you don't have a wind screen. No problem. I have matching prescription lense goggles.

I bought a lovely Locost build from Flordia last weekend. I have a title - a 2003 ASPT (Assembled from Parts) - clean and signed over. I have insurance. I have a bill of sale. I go to the DMV to get a Georgia title and tag. Piece of cake, right? NOoOoO. A day in Georgia DMV Hell: A short drama (Based entirely too closely on a tragically true story) by: Sporqster [scene 1] the DMV Me: Hello. I purchased a car in FL and need to get a tag and Georgia title. I have my license, the proof of insurance, title, and bill of sale all right here. DMV Clerk: [looking at title] ASPT? What's that? Me: That's assembled from parts. DMV Clerk: So it's a parts car? Me: No, it was assembled from parts- as in built by hand. DMV Clerk: Ummm hmmm I'll be right back. [at least 5 minutes later] DMV Clerk: Is this a kit car? Me: Yes, sort of. It's a replica. It was built in a garage in Flordia if that's what you're asking. DMV Clerk: OK you need to apply for a rebuilt title. Me: Really? It's not rebuilt it's an original build. DMV Clerk: SIR, you will need to have these forms [handing me a half dozen or more forms] completed, and a state inspection completed before I can help you. Here is a number for the Atlanta DMV to arrange an inspection of your vehicle, or you can have Bennett Motors on highway 17 arrange it for you. NEXT! [scene 2] sitting at my desk Me: thinking to self this is odd - oh well I will fill out the paper work and get an inspection like the lady said. Let's see - I'll call this number she gave me and see what I can do about getting an inspection. [after being on hold for 90 (NINETY) minutes] Atlanta DMV Clerk: Hello, how may I help you? Me: Hello, I am trying to register a Lotus 7 kit car which is licensed and titled in Flordia, and I don't think I was given the proper forms - I was told to fill out a 'rebuild title' form. Atlanta DMV Clerk: A kit car, you say. Me: Basically, yes- it is a hand-build Lotus 7 replica. Atlanta DMV Clerk: Please hold. [5 minutes later] Yes sir, you will need to fill out form ... yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. Me: Yes Ma'm I have all those forms, what I my next step towards aquiring a title? Atlanta DMV Clerk: You are going to have to request an inspection. An inspection will cost 118.99 and is non-refundable. Inspections are done once a quarter, between 2 and 4 o'clock excluding holidays when the inspector is in a good mood. If your vehicle does not pass inspection you must pay another inspection fee and wait an additional 12 weeks. Me: Wow. Is there a checklist somewhere that I should look at to make sure I pass the inspection the first time? Atlanta DMV Clerk: You say your car is titled and tagged in Flordia? Me: yes Atlanta DMV Clerk: So it has passed a Flordia inspection? Me: yes Atlanta DMV Clerk: Well, then it should pass the Georgia inspection. Me: OK great good to know, but isn't there a checklist or something I should check against just to make sure? I mean what is the point of an inspection if you already know it will pass based on the fact it passed the Georgia inspection? Atlanta DMV Clerk: Sir, I don't make the rules. Thank you for calling the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles, have a nice day *click* Me: thinking to selfum.... ok what now? guess I call this other number... Ring... Ring.... Mechanic: Hey - body shop. Me: Hi - I was told by the DMV that you guys could inspect cars for the purpose of getting a title? Mechanic: Oh yeah, you need to call back here after 2 and talk to the owner about that. Me: Ok, I'll do that. [4 hours later] - speaking with the owner Me: I purchased a kit car in Flordia. I understand that you can arrange an inspection to fulfill the DMV requirements? Owner: Um yeah, but I'm about to head out. I have some place I need to be. When would you like to meet, and I'll take a look at what you've got. Me: I'm only 5 minutes away, I could run out there now, or later. Just tell me when. Owner: If it's only 5 minutes, come on out here, I'll wait for you. [scene 3] A

Yeah, not the cars best feature, but the full size spare is kinda cool ;-) 4X108 bolt pattern from the Alfa is a bit odd... scary that I went to tire rack to check out the options for rims put in 1978 Alfa spider and the 'rims' button went light grey (unclickable). Panasports come in a 4X108 bolt pattern? I wonder if that's worth drilling out some 4X100 bolt holes on the hubs and hammering in studs in a more normalish pattern? Maybe that's why the alfa rims are still on it.

Seller says mechanically the 500 mile trip is no problem, it's just that I will be driving through thunderstorm alley, and the suspension is, well, abusive. And the car has never been more than about 200 miles from home before - this would be it's longest trip to date. On a side note... I once rode a 250 Ninja from Birmingham, AL to Evansville, Indiana - it shouldn't be a more physically abusive trip than that, should it? of course, I was younger then and thought it perfectly normal to ride that far on a glorified motor scooter.

I would have around 24hrs to make it 500 miles before I'm missed back home- what should I pack, and who should I know? - I don't exactly have any old college buddies on the route to bail me out of trouble between Savannah and Punta Gorda. For packing, I'm thinking I'll take: Deoderant change of socks & underwear some Hefty bags some basic tools - vice grips, screw jack, metric sockets, screw drivers, zip ties and duct tape aforementioned motorcycle helmet for light rain Anything else? Plan B: I have a class 1 hitch on my WRX for a tire trailer. Should I get a wheel dolly and tow it? I know towing with a turbo is not advisable, but just this once, and it's only towing a 7. How heavy can it be?

http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/2069703784_Locost 194.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/2028701390_Image245.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/1104774393_Image246.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/942335998_Image270.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/691008771_Locost 182.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/285411723_Locost 183.jpg Here's the info I've got: copy and pasted from correspondence with the owner: " Lotus 7 Replica, VIN FLA55595 This Locost is as nearly as possible a “book” car according to the Ron Champion book, Build Your Own Sports Car, but with quality new components where possible. It was constructed with great care over a 4-year period by a lifelong sports car enthusiast with many car projects under his belt. There are now about 3,000 miles on the car, and it is a wonderful light-weight runabout. Running gear components are “pre-owned”. The transmission has new seals, as do the axle shafts, and the clutch is new. An occasional drop falls from the pinion shaft. The engine crankshaft was polished, and new Toyota rod and main bearings and seals were installed in the engine, just because it is good practice to ensure the integrity of a used engine. All cylinders tested at 190-195 psi compression. The critical suspension A-arms were fabricated of high-strength 4130 steel and welded by a professional TIG welder. No cheap components were installed in this car. The Kirkey seats are non-adjustable, and the driver’s seat is placed for a 5’9” individual. There is room to move the seat back another 4.5” for a taller driver. The Kirkey passenger seat is temporarily uninstalled and replaced with a flat seat more suitable for wider posteriors. All seats go with the car. The car is inspected, titled, insured, and licensed in Florida. There has been some paint chipping where the hood …er, bonnet…meets the cowling and nosecone. If you decide to buy the car, I will have those areas professionally repainted. And to be perfect, the hood itself might be polished out or painted. The aluminum side panels inside and out are in their natural manufactured finish. The Simple Digital Systems ECU is programmed on the road without the use of a laptop, and can be adjusted to suit your own driving preferences. Although the engine pulls strongly to the 8,000 rpm redline, I feel that the ECU programming might be tweaked to produce more power. Nevertheless, this car is VERY quick. It is stiffly sprung and stays flat under all conditions. An extra set of softer front springs go with the car if you choose to soften the ride. A friend and I recently took the car to Sebring International Raceway, a trip of about 150 miles. This was a very pleasant outing in a car which draws smiles, waves, and questions from people of all sorts. If you are young, it’s a babe magnet….well, even if you’re not. Why am I selling? When I began this build, I intended to autocross this car, but now I’m 77 years old, and with two bum shoulders I can tell I don’t have the strength to make the turns quickly enough. The following are specifications for the car: Engine 1600cc 20-valve Toyota 4AGE Silvertop, rated 160 SAE Horsepower Air Filters Four K&N, one for each throttle body Transmission Toyota Corolla T50 5-speed manual Differential 1978 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider, 4.10:1 ratio, limited-slip, aluminum center section Drive shaft Professionally custom made and balanced Wheelbase 92 ¼” Weight 1373#, w/half tank of fuel Frame Triangulated space frame of 1” square, 16 ga. steel Body Panels Aluminum, a very hard alloy, will not dent easily Fenders Champion Motor Car (CMC) fiberglass with yellow jell coat Nose Cone CMC fiberglass, painted Ignition Simple Digital System EM-4E MSD Shocks Aldan Eag

Pretty sure it's the Alfa axle. Thanks - we like it here ;-) come visit us some time!

Owner says it was a JDM motor, which he replaced all the seals on and compression checked. The car's in Punta Gorda, FL. I'd sure appreciate any member help checking it out!

I found a Locost 7 based pretty closely on the Ron Champion book for sale one daytrip away from here that appears to me to be a good looking, solid, if not fancy build with a 20-valve Toyota motor, and a lot of Alfa Romeo parts. I have not seen it in person yet, but the pics and description have me buying a one-way ticket to check it out. Unless there are any suprises I planning on driving it home. Any advice on what to look for buying a Locost? This is an amature build, but it has been on the road now for 3k miles, and has insurance, a tag, a VIN, all that good stuff, and is apparently road worthy for a 7+ hour drive back home, according to the guy selling it. The owner autocrosses it, which I see as a good thing, since any shotty welds would probably have broken on the autocross course already by now, and been repaired. Obviously I'll want to look for any unsafe welds. Realizing that it is an amature build I am ok with welds that aren't particularly 'pretty' as long as the penetration looks good. Owner has motor compression numbers - all look good. New seals, engine has unknown miles. No top, so I'll get wet if (when) it rains on the way back. I was thinking I'd bring my closed face motorcycle helmet with me and drive through light rain if necessary. Price $9500 - which for a solid, street legal build with 3k miles since assembly, sounds like a good price to me. Is it?