sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SR27.Seth Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Seeing as how you can't buy a kit sans motor and drivetrain for $9500 and I LOVE the 4AGE 20valve motor- I say go for it, you just have to find a source for alfa suspension bits. Does it use the solid rear Toyota axle? BTW- I also love your city- it is by far my favorite destination in the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 It's really hard to say with a locost. You don't know if the engine was out of a $200 clunker, or fresh blueprinted engine, or somewhere in between. In either case, engines are easily upgraded. things like weld quality are not. There are some kick-ass locosts running around (for example R1 Seven). You should take a look at locostusa.com as well. Lots of info on locosts there. There may even be specific posts about the car you are trying to buy. Good luck. Where is it? maybe one of the forum members can look at it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 It's really hard to say with a locost. You don't know if the engine was out of a $200 clunker, or fresh blueprinted engine, or somewhere in between. In either case, engines are easily upgraded. things like weld quality are not. There are some kick-ass locosts running around (for example R1 Seven). You should take a look at locostusa.com as well. Lots of info on locosts there. There may even be specific posts about the car you are trying to buy. Good luck. Where is it? maybe one of the forum members can look at it for you. 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 .... Does it use the solid rear Toyota axle? BTW- I also love your city- it is by far my favorite destination in the U.S. Pretty sure it's the Alfa axle. Thanks - we like it here ;-) come visit us some time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1 Seven Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Are you able to post a pic or two up here? It would be good to take a look at it. The 20V 4AGE is likely a low mileage import that is pretty popular with the Toyota kids. Most of them have individual throttle bodies and they are good solid motors. I would just look the car over well and check for good assembly and no major issues (like bolts rubbing tires, or binding suspension). Of course, drive it and make sure it feels right. I would ask the owner about the build process and get them to go thorugh thier particular build so you can understand what they were doing along the way. Another place of importance will be the suspension pick up points. If it is a "book" built car just look at those close for bending or weld cracks. If I think of anything else I will let you know. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 I would try ot link up with someone from the Forum who could help you...doesn't Heikki live in GA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 OK, just based on the info there, and the pictures, it looks like a good deal to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1 Seven Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 From those pictures, that looks like a nice little locost build there. And as far as I can tell it looks completely "book" in it's dimensions and construction. That one-way ticket was probably a good purchase. :thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 One thing that bothers me about the car (and I know less than zero about Locosts) is that it seems to have a Lotus VIN plaque. Although the guy is not trying to "pass it off" as a bonafide Lotus in his description, that seems odd to me...but (as Jeff U) points out below, there may be a good reason. As for driving it home, unless it's vetted by an experienced builder/owner (and even then!)...always a dicey proposition. If you can spare the time for stuff to go wrong, by all means do the road trip, but have a network of safety nets built in to your route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1 Seven Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 One thing that bothers me about the car (and I know less than zero about Locosts) is that it seems to have a Lotus VIN plaque. Although the guy is not trying to "pass it off" as a bonafide Lotus in his description, that seems odd to me... That may be specifically to make the registration process easier since it is a homebuilt. Many of the other Hot Rod/Replica guys do similar things to get the cars on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 u'd want a full trailer or even wheel dollies. ask if thye seller thinks its ready to handle a 500 mile trip. thats ur answer right there. if it can't handle woutine driving, it won't really last at autoX let alone a track day. sucks that its titles as a 2003. i was hoping that with the Lotus plate he was going for historal or at least a 30+ year old build date. pack 3 days woth of clothes and amenities just in case. thats a small bag. u'll need the jack, metic and possibly sized tools. ask the builder what he used. water (bottles). if its close to what its described as, grab it and run. take a drive, get dropped off some place, think it over for an hour, and then let the owner know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 take ear plugs, or a headset. bike helmet is a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SR27.Seth Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 It looks pretty solid- I have driven a hell of a lot worse on 500 mile trips. The one thing that I personally don't like to see is that aftermarket MSD ignition set-up, I know some honda guys that race with those reliably, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the original Toyota ignition system- it was very simple and reliable. The more times you have somebody cut and in some cases 'hack' into a harness the more possibility you have for wiring issues down the road. Is the ECU completely stock? I guess the one thing I would be worried about on a long trip (other than wheel bearings and alligators) is that the ECU was chipped or poorly tuned for the street and that at low rpm highway speed it will run cool and rich and foul the plugs- If it is running a stock computer and still has the O2 sensor- your golden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Spit and polish looks good! Stock Toyota is reliable and parts are going to be easliy available ... Toyota is why I chose my Rotus. I'd say .. Drive IT! Take a spare gas can too. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 The Simple Digital System EM-4E ECU is about $1100 alone and nice! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Nice looking Locost. I think you found a gem of a car. Make sure you have some ear plugs and some type of sunglasses if you don't ware a helmet and sun screen. Check oil, water tire presures and have a great trip. Maybe a chunk of foam to use as padding as the Kirkly seats can get hard after a couple hours of driving. From what I have seen in the photos if it looks as nice as the photos you should not have any problems. NICE CAR you found for a great price. Martin Keller Ventura, Ca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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