MV8 Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 I'd use DOM (actually work hardened by the mandrel ERW). RHS (rectangular hollow section) is only in ERW. Metal recyclers often have "new" steel sales. I keep a variety of sizes and wall thicknesses on hand to best fit whatever I'm doing without extra fab work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 11, 2023 Author Share Posted October 11, 2023 9 hours ago, toldfield said: I use Industrial Metal Supply in Sun Valley, near Burbank. They are pretty helpful and know metal. If that doesn't work let me know and I can track down a friend who knows where to find any metal. https://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/ tom We have an IMS locally in Irvine. I’ll call them today. thank you, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anduril3019 Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 I've had some luck with these guys: metalsupermarkets.com 1-855-271-1555 They have a small warehouse in Anaheim I usually pick up from to save a bit on delivery when buying small amounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 14, 2023 Author Share Posted October 14, 2023 Having just purchased some original doors from Chris at Sevens and Elans, I will of course need hinges to mount them to the screen. Does anyone have a set that they would be willing to sell? Thank you! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 31, 2023 Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 I finally received the bog-stock 120E engine that came with 7 today. It has this sticker on the rocker cover. It seems this was Don Roberts RacEngineering. Don is/was a highly successful Cobra racer. The 105E engine appears to be tuned, I wonder if Don may have done the work or perhaps the rocker covers were swapped at some time. Still having the hardest time finding the steel tube for the frame repairs! Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 The rule of thumb is that stickers on stock parts add 5hp. Some port work would be nice though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted October 31, 2023 Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 I have a strong suspicion that this company may have done the tuning that is evident on the 105E engine that was in the 7. The 120E was a planned upgrade apparently. I have a nice Cosworth cover that I plan to use when the 105E engine goes back in the car so this one might become a wall ornament. It is cool to piece the history together though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Things are moving ahead slowly, mostly due to very long work hours, but there is minor progress. I'll post some pictures of the finished Screen assembly soon. One decision I have to make it whether I should fit a heater or not. The car did not come with one, probably due to its, low level, competition past. A few things, handbrake, wipers, heater (it was in Arizona!), hood frame etc., were clearly jettisoned for weight savings. I'm in Southern California and I do not think lack of heat will be my issue, probably the opposite, but should the heater be fitted for authenticity? Was it possible to option these cars when ordered, without a heater? My 1956 MGA, long gone, was a California car and came from the factory without a heater, just a nice cover plate, so it was not unheard of in 'the day'. I appreciate any thoughts and opinions. Of course, if the answer is "yes, it should have one", you know the next question . . . where can one be had? Thanks! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdb Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Simplify. Add lightness. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 2 hours ago, wdb said: Simplify. Add lightness. You just reminded me of the essence of the 7! Its also the cheap way, much like ACBC! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 To my knowledge, the heater was an option to be added. My 65 did not (and does not) have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 (edited) Definitely NO! Heaters are a required road safety item in many jurisdictions in Europe and elsewhere. Is it required in yours? It's probably simpler for Lotus & Cat to just build them in the cars, unless sold strictly as race kits. Even in the cold, there isn't any warmth from the waist up. With a hood in place, the engine heat is often sufficient. Keep the room on the bulkhead! Edited January 22 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pethier Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 On 10/11/2023 at 10:17 AM, anduril3019 said: I've had some luck with these guys: metalsupermarkets.com 1-855-271-1555 They have a small warehouse in Anaheim I usually pick up from to save a bit on delivery when buying small amounts. I have been happy with the one in Burnsville Minnesota, but they closed it in September, No worries, the one in Roseville Minnesota is still open and they are moving the Burnsville stock there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pethier Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 On 1/21/2024 at 7:23 PM, ianashdown said: One decision I have to make it whether I should fit a heater or not. The car did not come with one, probably due to its, low level, competition past. A few things, handbrake, wipers, heater (it was in Arizona!), hood frame etc., were clearly jettisoned for weight savings. I'm in Southern California and I do not think lack of heat will be my issue, probably the opposite, but should the heater be fitted for authenticity? Was it possible to option these cars when ordered, without a heater? My 1956 MGA, long gone, was a California car and came from the factory without a heater, just a nice cover plate, so it was not unheard of in 'the day'. Ian My 1979 Caterham had no heater. My 1991 Caterham has a heater, and also electric heating in the windscreen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 (edited) Looking way too far ahead I’m thinking about the final color, finishes and parts for my ‘61 Lotus 7! The car was originally white with red trim and will be that again. I’m still uncertain how many of the aluminum panels will need to be replaced so the white paint could be all panels, if I can re-use most of the panels, or if I have to replace them, only the fiberglass will be painted white, the panels will be polished. The question of wheels is still up for discussion. Silver Minilite style alloy wheels is one option, and the other is silver painted wire wheels, which I think look very ‘period’, which is the style I’m aiming at for the car. My car has the Standard 10 axle with drum brakes so I’m wondering how the splined stub-axle is attached. I assume the wheels used are Triumph Spitfire which should be an easy conversion for the front, I’m just not sure how it is best done at the rear so it looks authentic. Any insights appreciated! Ian Here’s a good looking example. Edited March 3 by ianashdown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theDreamer Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 You can use the stock rear shafts and front spindles with a wire wheel conversion kit. The wife had 1964 AH Sprite with real knock off wire wheels. However, the short splined shafts actually mounted to the standard wheel studs. You get the best of both worlds. You could have wire wheels for that period feel and then swap them for steel wheels and hubcaps or Minilites for spirited drives. There are several on the market. Here is one: https://mossmotors.com/455-496-cp-wire-wheel-conversion-kit-for-spitfire-1962-80 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianashdown Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 My impression of the conversion kits I’ve seen is that the look a bit ‘cheesy’. I hoping there is a front upright/spindle/wire wheel swap that I can do. Other cars had live axles and wire wheels at the rear so I feel like there should be something period authentic that could work. The car will be staying at 1000cc so while weight is super important so is appearance. I’m just considering options while I’m too lazy to actually get in the garage and do something! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azfast1 Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 I have a set of wheels and cracked Dunlops I removed from my car to bring it back to stock if your interested. Then you would get to visit Phoenix again! Or Im coming to DelMar for a horse show next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 There is a service manual for the Standard 10 axle in the downloads - should have all the details you need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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