DLW

The name's Darrell Wilhelm (you all may call me DW), I'm a lifelong auto enthusiast who works for a large wrecking yard (lots of access to parts!), is a part-time art photographer, and was bitten by the Se7en bug after reading "How To Build a Cheap Sports Car" by Keith Tanner and "Build Your Own Sports Car" by Chris Gibbs. I have not yet read Ron Champion's book, nor have I been able to find it, but the secondhand stores in my area carry a lot of British items including books, so one will likely turn up sooner or later. Lotus 11 replicas also carry a lot of interest, and that may be a better option since I am a great deal larger than Colin Chapman was. I initially thought of building a Se7en with a rear-mounted transaxle, but the weight and packaging issues, as well as the cost of the Hewland transaxle used by Westfield and recommended to me, are starting to dissuade me from it. A normal Locost-type car, an 11 replica, a replica of a 6, or the Mk I, II or III Loti, all with traditional esthetics, are starting to seem more appealing. Glad to be a member of this forum, and I'm still finding my way around.

Good advice... the Porsche and Audi transaxles are definitely worth looking at, and a Pontiac Tempest-derived drivetrain would be interesting, especially with the slant-four. Does anyone know anything about Renault and Saab 900 transaxles? Those are pretty common around junkyards, but I would be concerned about parts availability and durability. The ideas behind the rear transaxle were mainly about increasing traction to the rear and the fact that few people have a Se7en with a rear transaxle.

I could use my golf spikes or my old rugby cleats to open a wine bottle, but regardless of language, this is more amusing than Yours Truly hacking away at a cork with cleated shoes.

About 200 horsepower, naturally aspirated. The Corvair transaxles would be ideal, since parts are easier to come by than for Alfa transaxles and are fairly inexpensive, and there are junkyards with lots of Corvairs near where I live. They are also fairly compact IIRC, and with my dimensions (6' and 250 pounds), I need all the hip space I can get. If this makes any difference in the construction and dimensions, in the event that I build such a car, I plan to pattern the spaceframe after McSorley's 4-4-2 for size reasons.

Yes, sir... you're right.

Looking for advice on building a Sevenesque sports car with a rear transaxle and front engine but traditional esthetics... potential donor cars are Porsche 924/944, and Alfa Romeo Alfetta, Milano and GTV-6.