Rogue Se7ens

That thing looks crazy, CRAZY FUN!

Wonder how it is in autocross, or 0-60?

I have added this drawing to my web site as an one idea I am looking into for a modern 7. I think gwar1000 is also working on a couple sketches. Let me know what you think. I have an e-drawing on my site, works best with internet explorer. www.roguese7ens.com/rogueroadster http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1303784424_modern7.jpg

I like it. Let me do a little this weekend and I'll send you some pics.

Here is a little more, tried to smooth it out a little, though stick with the 7 lines. A couple questions: I thought the grill opening would look good slanted back, but would that take away from the 7 look. I was also thinking a little shape to the rear end would liven it up a little, I like the rear of the Elfin Streamliner Coupe. I also would like to find some headlight similar to the Elise to incorporate into the nose bonnet area. Would a single roll hoop fit better, and what about glass, if you are going to make it, it would be best to find something existing that will work, so flat or curved? What do others think?http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1373289314_lotus frame assembly2.jpg

Gabe I would be interested in seeing more of your sketches, email would be great. I started laying out a few basics to get an idea of proportion. I show a tire close to a 225 50 15, and as you can see this doesn't give much of a conical shape to the fender when put up against the stock frame. Also an idea concerning the mirrors, could they be integrated into the body work, maybe at the trailing edge of a side vent, this would help direct the air flow more away from the driver.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1922703455_lotus frame assembly2.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1479584811_lotus frame assembly.jpg

gwar1000 wrote: "When I look at the 7 the only thing that bothers me is that it’s not very appealing to me "MY opinion". The thing that draws me close to it is the philosophy." These are my feelings as well. I build cars because I like the idea of being able design and fabricate something simple and fun. If I could I would be building Elise based cars, maybe something based on the Esprit, I also like Elfin cars, but that would be way out of my range so I stick to the Mini and 7. I do carbon parts for the New Mini, but though I like the car (don't have one) I have never been involved with the New Mini community, rather I sell through one online retailer. As far as actually building body panels (I personally have never build a full body from scratch) I like to design with Solidworks and make a model of the part. If I had the funds, or investors, I have dealt with a shop that has a 5 axis CNC that can cut the entire body, but I don't have the funds so I make a plug out of wood, foam, bondo, nothing high tech, sectioning the solid model like a loaf of bread. As far as the actual design, the shoulder area and boot space could be worked out, I think the sketch is mainly to give the overall look. I would though strongly recommend using existing and available parts for areas like lights, turn signals, etc.

Back to the original subject, if we would drive a modern 7, what is it that we like about the renderings. I personally like the conical shape of the rear fenders and the contrasting color, that's pretty easy to provide, though the shape of the cone looks a little extreme for a standard size frame and say 16" wheels. I also like the forward slant of the roll bar and the way is blends nicely with the body, especially the double hoop, again this can be done. I think the side pods are cool, weather for exhaust of just looks. I have done a lot of aerodynamic parts for other cars and I think these could provide aero benefits too. The vents look nice and seem to add some practical value. I think one rendering had integrated mirrors, nice touch. I think the nose could be a little refined, and a few aero devices added (splitter, winglets...). Overall it could be done on most any existing frame. I may start playing with a Solidworks model based on one of my frames, but I would like to know what features are must haves, and what needs to go. www.roguese7ens.com

Lets say people are interested and that people will buy the parts, kit, or car, where do we start in the design? I make a basic replica lotus frame and reproduction fiberglass parts and have worked at some updated parts that will gradually be appearing on my site. So do we start with a "stock chassis" re-engineered similar to Caterham, or go wider, longer, taller, then suspension, drive train, etc. It appears to me that if I were to invest in producing a modern lotus, though I love the renderings, the looks are only one aspect of the design. Or would I just make parts that will fit my frame, look modern, and sell them to others to modify as they like? Is there such a community surrounding all "kit cars"? I share a shop and supply composite parts for a company that builds Cobras. They build a frame, fiberglass body, and suspension very close to the original. For some that is the only way to have a Cobra, but the fact is that Factory Five sells many more a year and their car is nothing like the original. Is it only price, marketing, or demand?

I'm new to this group and have found some of the banter interesting, but taking a couple steps back, as a builder and composites guy, I have been thinking of modeling a modern 7 and offering the car and the composite parts for locost builders, but will people buy it? Most seem to support the traditional look, though some companies have strayed some in their finished models offered, will home builders buy the 'body' parts for such a car? www.roguese7ens.com