Hi iam new here looking for info on lotus 7 chassis and blueprints

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[S1Steve]

Kyo,

Pat Prince has been at it for a long time, and has designed and built many National Champion race cars. So I would think the prints that you have will be a fine start for your 7 frame. Good luck and enjoy your build.

 

:yesnod: Steve

[11Budlite]

 

Kyo - If you check out the Simple Sevens site you'll find a little info on the connection between Pat Prince, Tom Robertson (1977 SCCA National Champ), and Dave Kaplan (of DSK cars).

 

Here's the link: http://www.simplesevens.org/DSK/history/dsk11.htm

 

Or it looks like you could still contact him at Prince Race Car Engineering (815) 625-8116

 

 

Bruce :7drive:

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[11Budlite]

Good to hear Kyo! Weren't the Series 2 frames the lightest (and weakest) of all the original Lotus 7 frames? Just a thought in case you were going to make an exact duplicate.

 

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find the plans?

 

Bruce :7drive:

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[11Budlite]

Kyo - Some interesting reading on DSK's investigation into chassis rigidity: http://www.simplesevens.org/DSK/history/dsk10.htm

 

Some info on general failures of the Lotus 7 with a small section on chassis failures: http://www.simplesevens.org/failures.htm

 

And finally a story of a Series 2 restoration which includes the strengthening mods the owner incorporated into the chassis: http://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/7-hamai-restore/projseve.htm

 

And I know that Dennis Ortenburger's book "Legend of the Lotus Seven" has some info on chassis weaknesses and mods as well.

 

I'm sure there's more out there but these are the ones I can think of for now...

 

Bruce :7drive:

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[11Budlite]

 

I hope you don't mind Kyo, but I borrowed the photo of the chassis from your blog. I had looked at photos/illustrations of the original Lotus 7 chassis before, and I know the Series 2 are the weakest of all the chassis, but I'm just amazed at the lack of support in the trans tunnel and seat area. I mean, there's nothing there other than the sheet of aluminum!

 

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/1286640779_untitled.bmp

 

I was also going to recommend that you visit the LocostUSA site but I see you've already got a good thread going there. Lot's of practical hands-on knowledge on there.

 

Bruce :7drive:

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[11Budlite]

Hi Kyo,

 

Thanks for the update. The picture that I borrowed from your blog and posted above seems to be from a Series 3 car SB2540 that I ran across on the Simple Sevens site yesterday. That car was also the featured Series 3 in the 10/07 issue of Classic & Sports Car where the cover story was on the Lotus 7 - "Best Ever Sports Car?". I know you were looking for information/confirmation on the picture of that chassis. Here's the link: http://www.simplesevens.org/rawlinson.htm

 

Hope that helps, Bruce :7drive:

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO

[DeanG]

Once you get an autoCAD file I sure there will be a bunch of people interested in getting copies.

[KYO]

......

Edited March 21, 2011 by KYO