Winston Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi all, I'm looking at building a Seven clone (can't afford the Caterham), either from scratch or from a kit. Well, I was browsing the 'net and stumbled upon this: http://www.pd-go.com/index.php?action=website-view&WebPageID=20374&WebSiteID=409 Looks like a decent source of parts if nothing else, or perhaps even a good start at a whole Seven depending on the condition of the chassis aft of the firewall. However, it's in FL and I'm in Houston, TX. Is there anyone local to the car that would mind going to check it over? Basically, just to take a look at the condition of the parts I would salvage. I'm not expecting a spot-on analysis of the condition of the chassis, because the only way to tell that is to partially disassemble it and break out the straightedge (which I would do after purchase). Please let me know, thanks! -Winston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 What does a new frame cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 frame looks pretty badly damaged. I am not sure what you are planning on using. It looks like the only usable pieces is rear diff, gauges, pedal assy. It would have to go for pretty cheap to be worth buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaLoco Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 frame looks pretty badly damaged. I am not sure what you are planning on using. It looks like the only usable pieces is rear diff, gauges, pedal assy. It would have to go for pretty cheap to be worth buying. I agree. There are a lot of kit manufactures out there that can offer up a space frame, panels, wings, etc. I think you would be better off to find a "good" donor (ie smashed Miata, etc.) then do a build using a New Kit space frame, panels, wings along with other goodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 What does a new frame cost? It would cost about $400 in steel to make a completely new frame. frame looks pretty badly damaged. I am not sure what you are planning on using. It looks like the only usable pieces is rear diff, gauges, pedal assy. It would have to go for pretty cheap to be worth buying. In the event that the entire chassis is unusable (which is quite possible), this is the list of usable parts off of the top of my head: pedal set master cylinders x 3 carbon dash gauges scuttle center tunnel trim rear fenders rear axle w/brakes rear shocks rims x 2 tires x 2 There are a lot of kit manufactures out there that can offer up a space frame, panels, wings, etc. I think you would be better off to find a "good" donor (ie smashed Miata, etc.) then do a build using a New Kit space frame, panels, wings along with other goodies. Finding a good, RELIABLE, inexpensive kit manufacturer is more difficult than you may think. Basically, this is potentially half of a kit, already completed for me. That's the main attraction, because my time is at a premium. If the back half of the car is usable, I could have it on the road in a matter of months rather than a year+ for a full-on build. At worst, it's a bunch of parts that I would need to purchase anyway for most kits or for any scratch build. So there's nobody local to this car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Hi Winston, Sorry I'm not local to this car so I can't check it out for you, but have you tried giving Hayes Harris at Wire Wheel a call? He might be able to confirm, or have a 3rd party confirm, the condition of the frame after the firewall. I bought my Birkin from him a while back and he seemed like a decent guy. If it were a Caterham I know you can get a replacement front frame section from Arch, but I'm not sure if Birkin offers the same replacement section. It does seem like there'd be some useful parts there, depending on cost of course. Sorry I can't be more help... When I first saw the car, I thought it might be Woody Harris' wreck from a few years back but it seems to be damaged in some different areas: http://www.teambirkinsport.com/gallery/album13 Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 Hi Bruce, Yes, I spoke directly with Hayes yesterday. The car is at his shop. I specifically did not ask him about the frame condition because, frankly, I did not want to make a liar out of him. There is no real way to tell the condition of the frame without stripping the car down a bit and getting it on a flat surface, doing measurements, inspecting welds, etc. Therefore I would purchase this car assuming that the chassis is scrap (but hoping that it's not) and expecting that only the non-structural components are usable. Nobody is going to really be able to tell the condition of the chassis without doing all of that work, and I don't expect anyone to do that for me. I really just want a report on the condition of the components still attached to the chassis, to verify that they're still in nice condition. Things tend to look a lot nicer in pictures, so I'd like to get some eyeballs on the car. Thanks for the feedback! And if anyone is in or near Vero Beach, FL, and would be so kind as to take a look at the car for me, please let me know. -Winston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Winston, This Birkin was crashed at Infineon (Sears Point) raceway in the fall of 2005. Woody Harris of MSI Motorsports in Vacaville, CA was very familar with the car before the accident, and he inspected it after the accident, so he would be able to give you a good (and unbiased) idea of its condition. I don't have his number handy, but Google should. (BTW, this isn't the same Birkin that he owned that crashed at Willow Springs a few years before.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Thanks, Stan. I'll try to get in touch with Woody. I did find his contact information rather easily via Google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haiku88 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Even if the frame is still good aft of the firewall, I don't know if it would be worthwhile buying unless you already have all the tools to build the front half. I built a Locost frame from scratch and the back half is relatively easy, the front and especially the A arms are trickier. The welder and alll the smaller items are a big investment, I bought lots of clamps, welding magnets, layout tools, files, hole saws, etc. along the way.... That being said, I recently bought a Birkin so if you go for it I'd be willing to help with dimensions, photos, and passing on my (very) limited fabrication knowledge.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 "Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology." Obviously cost wasn't a concern when rebuilding the 6 Million Dollar Man, but it is with this car. After receiving several shipping quotes, I determined that the cost to ship to TX would outweigh any discounts received by buying the "parts package." I may build a frame from scratch (already have everything required except the welding magnets, as I have been planning a build for about 5 years (!)), but I may just as well purchase a prebuilt frame and/or partial kit. I'm keeping my options open. I finally have the luxury of "buying progress" in my build, which I will do if it makes sense and I find a good deal. Please keep your eyes peeled for me! Thanks for everyone's comments. -Winston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaLoco Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 No matter how you slice this pie, I still think you will be best advised to find a new space frame. Re: Woody Birkin North America LTD 742 East Main Vacaville, CA 95688 707 448-3322 (Woody Harris) ...also 630 584-1486 (George Hiilard) Here's your Birkin Build Doctor too! http://www.birkindirect.com/BuildDoctor.aspx If you are going to build your own space frame, read this: http://www.cheapsportscar.net/ and buy this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0760322872?tag=buildiacheaps-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0760322872&adid=0368K4WPJBCFYCTFFAER& Because I am neither brave enough to do a "scratch" build or rich enough to buy a Caterham, I built mine from a kit: http://www.deman-motorsport.com/index.htm There are lots of other seven kit manufacturers out there too! Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pksurveyor Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Winston - where in Houston are you located? You are welcome to stop by and take a look at my Caterham as a go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locostv8 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 If you get it you might contact this guy for either a front half or complete frame, no affiliation. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Locost-Lotus-7-Front-Frame-weldment-Full-Chassis-Info_W0QQitemZ280213060602QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6763QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 Winston - where in Houston are you located? You are welcome to stop by and take a look at my Caterham as a go by. Hi Paul, thanks for the invite! I'd love to see the Cat sometime. We have actually met before, a little over a year ago when my son and I came to a LOST meeting at the now-defunct Lotus of Clear Lake. I live in Clear Lake. I emailed Hayes Harris yesterday morning to let him know that I wasn't going to be purchasing the car. Call it serendipity, but shortly thereafter I got an email message informing me of a deal that I couldn't pass up. Stay tuned... Thanks for the information, everybody. Those are indeed some good links. I have Tanner's book and Champion's book. Looks like Tanner's book is about to come in very handy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pksurveyor Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Winston: I remember now - you were also looking for an Elan+2. I lived in west Houston near Bear Creek Park. Call me at 713-861-7068. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 Winston: I remember now - you were also looking for an Elan+2. I lived in west Houston near Bear Creek Park. Call me at 713-861-7068. Yes, at the time I was trying to find a "family Lotus" that we could all enjoy... though I recall mentioning that the Seven is the one I'd really love to have. I decided to go ahead with the Seven (inspired) instead, after my wife got her MINI I'll give you a call soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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