andrew7

While Colin Chapman built great cars, he must have been a subscriber to Mechanix Illustrated or he copied a BEC Locost to build his beloved 7. Please note the date, built from plans in Mechanix Illustrated, September 1956. They built six cars before publishing this DIY article. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/21/ariel-square-4-powered-custom-wooden-car/ Are you interested in building this car? Here are all 14 pages of the plans and build. I've already saved them for a future project. It has 4 pedals, retractable headlights and an electric reverse. How much roll center is built into the Mahogany as it bends? Dad put Cadillac taillights in his rodster. I wonder if he read the article too. NO Mazda, an LS1 won't fit. "You can build this beautiful sports car for less than $500 with ordinary tools."(1956) http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/08/16/build-your-own-mahogany-sports-car/

These guys have what you need, Mazda http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/group.asp?GroupID=LATCH I have toggle latches purchased from Ace and added safety clips to prevent accidental opening. My dad made his own Terry springs latches for his bi-fold hood, funny thing is, his name is Terry.

Martin, could you or other Californians here post a picture of your car with the hillside on fire or a mudslide in the background? Please wait for the earthquakes to stop before snapping a picture, we like sharp photos. I'll take snow over apocalyptic events any day.

Mazda, would it not have been easier to take all the body panels off your Corvette and drive it around? It will have to be renamed from Frankin7 to Hicost7 or Z07. My winter mods are push to spring, remodeling new house and moving are first. 1. SS fender guards 2. Polish aluminum 3. build aluminum hard frame soft top with doors 4. Polish aluminum 5. consider painting whole car 6. finish polishing aluminum

Dean, a lot of great memories came back with this clip. Chatting with you and your wife and having ice cream while waiting for everyone to come in. 2 regrets of the 777 meet; not enough time to talk and meet people and not getting copies of the photo shoot from Hemmings.

Remember this.....so long ago. http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/autos_and_vehicles/watch/v19013328WgyAMxJt

This clip is a couple years old, a few months after the 7 rally. Dad was inspired by the stalkers, notice the wooden "springs". link: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/autos_and_vehicles/watch/v190135094edMzskM Watch atom 7 in Autos & Vehicles | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Shhhh, Al's gone native, he's getting a turbo Busa, Once you go BEC you'll never go back.

Now to kick V-Robb over the edge. How about an engine that turns 14,000 rpm with sequential shifting. http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/autos_and_vehicles/watch/v16367438w8TYfGNj I agree with others here, just sitting in different models will help you decide. Don't get hung up on the horsepower numbers for a street machine, I'm only 175hp and its plenty fast enough. Happy searching.

Your little Buddy disappears.

While most Seven owners battle heat down in the pedal box, my problem is lots of vibration. The whole car resonates like an instrument at all rpms, short blats are not a problem but after 1.5 hours, I get out of the car and walk like a Brother from Soul Train. Six weeks ago I did 175 miles and my calf was numb for hours afterwards. During my build I bolted on a set of cast aluminum "racing pedals" to keep my feet from slipping off. After three years I replaced them with old rubber pads. The difference is amazing, I didn't stall the car once and I don't remember the last time that happened.(remember little motorcycle flywheel) I couldn't feel any vibes through my feet, it was all gone. I could feel the clutch take-up easier since they weren't buzzing. I never would have thought it could make that much difference in drivability and comfort. Something to think about if you want to make your car more touring friendly.

When I bought my engine, I also bought the in tank pump and cover flange. I cut the fuel lines in half so the ends would be the same as original then used large steel brake lines between the tank and the engine. Its about 6' between them. I've been running since 2006 and not a hiccup, You will be fine run it.

This was my first ever attempt at video compiling with music. The clip came from a Jackals-Forge video and I doubt he would be upset with me using it for a practice video. There are several mistakes but was fun making. http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/autos_and_vehicles/watch/v18819810tw2AxpkP

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?" "Eight," the boy replied. The man continued, "do you know what these are used for?" The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either."

Last night I stumbled upon a competition between an electric FSAE car and a gas racing kart. I personally could care less about "green" cars but what surprised me the most was the braking test, at 70kph, the electric stopped over 90 feet. The little kart with one disk on the axle did a little better. There was discussion about karts scrubbing speed using its tires by sliding all 4 through the corners. It proceeded to run the test again but fishtail the kart back and forth through the test, shortening its distance even more. Then on its last run past the braking cones, the little kart power slides to a stop in only 34 ft. The electric car team not sure what will happen stop their car in 35 feet doing the same stunt. Which begs the question, if in a panic stop situation would sliding your car sideways be worth the risk if your distances were 1/2 or 1/3 of a dead straight stop? I probably wouldn't have believe it had I not seen it. I don't know if the slicks on the track also made a difference vs. a normal car on an average road. Did anyone see this? I think a little extra space and accident avoidance is very important with our cars. I wonder if anyone actually tested a straight stop verses a slide? I'm curious of other Sevener's thoughts. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/mean-green-machines/mgm-smart-kart-smackdown.html

http://www.jbracingtires.net Yoko 48s: 185/60-13, 1 heat cycle, 1/32" of wear, $45

NZ, this may help. http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6064 The builders are over there.

I have been running these the last couple years on the street, I like them but play with the pressures. http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=529

I took a long weekend Dean, I've only been to Beaver Run. I don't like Pittsburgh and never been down there for a party or shows. There's no good seven roads down there.

I have no idea, its the reason I went with air shocks. I did not want to spend $800 then turn around and spend another couple hundred on an assortment of springs. I'm sure people chuckle at the thought of my seven riding on air and not SPAX. The car is so much above my skill level now, and you can't find the limits on the road only a track. Your guestimations sound OK but as Mazda said a lot of things can affect it. Here is a 3 page thread on spring rates. http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=891

Beaver Run is close to the Ohio border so I thought somebody might be interested. I thought I give everyone a heads-up about the Beaver Run raceway weekend, next month. Last year myself and Mike(KitCat) met and were the only sevens there. I met A.Moore and Bart Lami from the seven boards as well. Everything from a Formula V to GT40s and Cobras will be running with SCCA Solo 2 on a separate circuit. I brought my car last year and got in for free so its a cheap day. http://www.pvgp.org/6746931219135011/site/default.asp We'll be there Saturday with the 7 coupe, 10ish. Hope to see you.

I thought I give everyone a heads-up about the Beaver Run raceway weekend, next month. Last year myself and Mike(KitCat) met and were the only sevens there, normally a handfull running the circuit. I met A.Moore and Bart Lami from the seven boards as well. Everything from a Formula V to GT40s and Cobras will be running with SCCA Solo 2 on a separate circuit. I brought my car last year and got in for free so its a cheap day. http://www.pvgp.org/6746931219135011/site/default.asp We'll be there Saturday with the 7 coupe, 10ish. Hope to see you.

Hello 911 What is your emergency?....... ummm............ my roof won't open.....and I'm stuck in my car. Please restate your emergency. My motor quit...... and now my roof won't open!!! Sir this line is for emergency use only.........are you intoxicated sir! Take the pocket knife from your pants and cut a line then push the top open. Everyone here carries a knife or two, don't they?

Here is the build log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2376 This is a short clip of the top opening, I still think its cool every time I see it opening and closing. http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/autos_and_vehicles/watch/v18499267XFqHr9zH He completed everything on the car,Tuesday. btw, the front fenders are stainless from a continental spare tire kit off the back of my van.

To answer the question, when it has an automatic, hardtop and running boards. At least that is how dad's 7 looks to me. Its an all weather cruiser.