Rotus / Chris Custer WP article

[IamScotticus]

An interesting, well written read of Rotus, and seven insanity in general.

 

"Most nights, when all the Corollas have been put to bed, Custer can be found in his Rotus shop, welding tubular frames for another slightly mad customer who will surely undergo some kind of rebirth the first time he crams himself behind the wheel, peers out over the long, low hood, cranks the engine, hears the impudent blat of the exhaust and finally tromps on the throttle. "

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1987/11/08/what-a-sports-car-is-supposed-to-be/3fc3bf14-cbe5-4f56-a120-188d1dd165eb/

 

Reading about Rotus in Ortenburger's book, LotusSeven & The Independents p137, The origin of the name "Rotus" doesn't come from the rotary engined sevens he built, but rather from the way Mr. Hasagawa, director, Toyota competition department, pronounced "Lotus" in his engrish.

 

[CarlB]

Brock Yates was a gifted writer. Nice article that expresses my view of the 7. I knew Criss and got to drive his first Rotus when he wanted a brake proportioning valve. I had an extra one and he came in the Rotus. I can verify he told me the name Rotus was because the Toyota people could not pronounce Lotus correctly. Originally the cars were supposed to be based on all Toyota components.