Alternative to an axle brace on a solid axle Lotus Seven Series 2,3 or Caterham?

[EdWills]

I have been going through a few older car magazines, saving anything  Lotus Seven, and found an article in a U.K. mag, regarding the various Caterham 7s (apologies, did not save the pages as it does not really apply to my car!).  The article showed the 1977 Twin Cam Caterham 7 of James Whiting in the U.K., who is a renowned tuner of 7s (ex Rolls Royce mechanic apparently), and also was a successful drag racer and sprinter in his car and 750 MC club racing (car also featured in Graham Arnold's book "Lotus Seven Super Profile". This white car was decorated in Martini racing colours).

 

I noticed in one of the photos that James Whiting did not have a brace fitted to the rear of the axle, and wondered how he managed to keep it in one piece with its history of sprinting and drag racing.  I contacted James and he kindly sent me a photo of his conversion.  I do not suggest that this is the easiest or best way of preserving the Ford or even the Standard Triumph rear axle case, but if an owner doesn't want to go to all of the trouble of having a large heavy plate welded on to the rear of the axle, mostly across the entire length, James Whiting's modification may be of consideration?  It keeps the 'A' frame as originally designed, but may not be legal for racing purposes in North America?

 

He notes: " I fitted lower towers like Ford's AVO 4 link set-up to keep the loads outboard of the original leaf spring platform to reduce the twisting moment inline with Ford's design.  The 'A' frame was retained but with a sliding spherical joint design which gave lateral restraint but not transmit drive train loads".  

 

The welding of the 2 'towers' should not cause distortion to the case (even to the bearings location?), and is not overly complicated.  Twin trailing arms would also be necessary for this to work with the 'A' bracket.

 

Many years ago, in conversation with Jez Coates of Caterham, he gave me a copy of the sliding 'A' bracket joint that both James Whiting used  as well as David Bettinson on his 7 Clubman Car (which became the subject of an RAC race ban in the U.K.  David Bettinson's car had also been previously fitted with a Panhard Rod and twin radius arms).  I can try to load  this drawing should anyone need to see it.

 

This mod. may not be for everyone, but may be cheaper, lighter and simpler than the large heavy flat plate? 

Edited 23 hours ago by EdWills