Rob Mitchell's Toyota powered Rotus Super 7

[solder_guy]

New pics of my car and dash:

 

The 7 grill was under the Christmas tree '06 .. now installed!

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070404_035934_rotus7.jpg

 

Grant Steering Wheel Security System in place ... The wire hanging down is the horn pin wire now connected to the horn relay to activate the horn!:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070404_040152_dash.jpg

 

Here's pics of my Rotus 7 as delivered to me in October '06.

 

Note the signal mirrors: They are made by Muth which make most of the mirrors with the red chevron signals. The mirrors are now wired up via the multifunction module and work as brake lights as well as flash for various conditions: horn, security tic, reverse.

 

As you can see it's a beater car. Still to be painted this fall.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061221_150652_Seven1.jpg

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061221_150706_seven2.jpg

 

 

And from a 1984 magazine ... My Rotus is a centerfold!

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070227_210850_84rotus_art.jpg

 

[solder_guy]

Updated Saturday 4/11/09:

 

These are the projects that I plan to do with my Rotus:

 

DONE:

 

1. Amber torpedo LED lights on the front fenders with custom daytime running light circuit (Feb 09).

 

2. Muth motorcycle side mirrors with red directional LED chevrons and forward facing yellow LED markers. Here's more info: forward yellow LEDs. RH mirror was purchased for $25 off ebay. The other LH mirror was bought off an internet ad. Installed by Dennis Hedges.

 

2a. The red directional chevron and yellow LEDs light when the brakes are applied via the Muth Multifunction Module. (Done)

 

2b. Quick flash when backing up via the Muth Multifunction Module (Done)

 

2c. Tick flash to simulate alarm mode when left unattended via the Muth Multifunction Module .. or just cruising down the road (Watch out for me!). (Done)

 

2d. The "third door" chevron strobe function of the Muth MultiFunction Module activates when the horn is sounded. (Done)

 

2e. I purchased the Muth MultiFunction Module which integrates all of the above functions. This circuit retails for $119. I got it for $1 plus shipping on eBay! March 15, 06. What a deal!

 

3. LED ET light or CHMSL on rollbar. Bought a bar of low profile LEDs off eBay. Nov 10, 2006. Reinstalled with the wires running through the rollbar (July 08).

 

4. Windshield Wiper Delay circuit (Done)

 

6. Small 12v power jack for accessories (not the big cigarette socket). (Done)

 

8. Pushbutton for brakelights to deter tailgaters. (Done)

 

12. Quick release steering wheel. Grant Security System installed. (Done)

 

13. Windshield mounted rearview mirror (Done)

 

16. Manual choke. Dennis installed. (Done)

 

18. Electric cooling fan / radiator fan switch (Done)

 

21. Battery Quick Disconnect. (installed) (Done)

 

23. Voltmeter (installed) (Done)

 

28. Floorboard fire extinguisher (NAPA) (have) (Done)

 

29. Brake fluid level sensors (installed) (Done)

 

30. Odyssey Dry Cell Battery 680MJT (installed) (Done) Replacement Battery installed .. March 20th 2009.

 

30b. Recharger accessory (Ordered 18-Oct-06). (have and installed) (Done)

 

31. New Tail lights (installed March 2009).

 

32. Old Fenders patched like new ...

 

33. Timing marks painted white. (Done)

 

34. Hella Supertones horns (installed) (Done) Repainted with same color as nosecone.

 

41. Programmable Speedometer (installed) (Done)

 

42. New Fuel Gauge and Sender (installed) (Done)

 

43. New Tachometer (installed) (Done)

 

44. CMHBL flashes via BACKOFF module! (Done)

 

46. Upgraded Lucas windshield motor to two speeds. (Done)

 

47. Laser cut 7 front grill. (Done)

 

48. Three leather belts hold the spare wheel in place. (Done)

 

49. New Aluminum Fuel Tank!

 

50. Caterham Leather Seats x2!

 

 

 

STILL TO BE DONE:

 

7. Transistor based engine timing circuit.

 

11. Keyed Switch to off/on a future electric fuel pump.

 

17. Cruise control. (Stock Toyota setup) (have)

 

22. Starter Quick Disconnect

 

24. Oil Quart Low light? ('76-'77 Celica feature. Doubt this can be done. Gotta compare the oil pan to the Celica one.)

 

26. Insulate driver foot well (either Reflectix, or Frost King.)

 

37. Heater elements inside the seat upolstery. (do I really want to mess with the Caterham seats? )

 

38. Maybe Electronic spark advance?

 

45. Maybe throttle bodies with fuel injection and dump the carbs.

 

 

 

 

FORGET IT:

 

5. Forget Audio amplifier with speakers. These cars are just too loud.

 

9. Heater (Thanks Mazda! 31-Jan-06) Useless .. I threw it away.

 

20. Analog Clock (Have) Forget it.

 

25. Gas Tank Low light?

 

27. Butler Built NACA ducts (one or two?)

 

35. Alternator adjustment modification bracket. Forget it.

 

39. Turn signal lever (installed) (Done) Ditched in favor of timed turn signal circuit.

 

40. "Rear window" aka Snoopy and the Red Baron!

 

10. LED brakelights and parking running lights.

 

14. Headlight buzzer

 

19. Both oil light (idiot) and oil gauge sensors. "Y" in the block. Bought the oil light off eBay. Nov 5, 06.

 

15. Safety headrests above seats .. solved with Caterham seats x2.

Edited May 6, 2010 by solder_guy

[Ruadhd2]

I think I bought Rotus Production Model #3 which is to be delivered between Monday and Wednesday. It has the Toyota Twin cam engine. I need to learn about Rotues fast. There aren't that many. Have wanted a Lotus 7 replica for around 50 years. Looks like I might get my wish.

[Eraser-X]

Was that Dan Owens car you bought?

[slngsht]

no, different car... I have chassis #1, Rob has #2, Dan has #3

[solder_guy]

I think I bought Rotus Production Model #3 which is to be delivered between Monday and Wednesday. It has the Toyota Twin cam engine. I need to learn about Rotues fast. There aren't that many. Have wanted a Lotus 7 replica for around 50 years. Looks like I might get my wish.

 

I'll be happy to talk with you and make copies of everything I have for you. When you get your car .. take lots of pics and post here for us to see what engine you have .. etc.

 

Rob

Edited April 25, 2010 by solder_guy

[slngsht]

Was that Dan Owens car you bought?

EraserX, I completely missed the post above yours.

 

Ruadhd2, Congrats. Any questions you have, ask away in the general and tech sections. Also, you're right around the corner from me! Interestingly enough, there was another Rotus in Silver Spring, which was sold a couple of years ago. There is a pretty good contingent of sevens in the area. we should get together.

Edited April 25, 2010 by slngsht

[gerald kenneth bowden]

in all you changes did you change to electronic ing or you still using points , gerald bowden

[Chet0213]

Glad to see a few Rotus owners on here. I am taking delivery of the first production v8 next Tuesday. Also this holds a huge place in my heart as my father worked at Rotus and I lived right across the street during my childhood! I will be position pics as soon as I get this. I will only be the second owner!

[slngsht]

Glad to see a few Rotus owners on here. I am taking delivery of the first production v8 next Tuesday. Also this holds a huge place in my heart as my father worked at Rotus and I lived right across the street during my childhood! I will be position pics as soon as I get this. I will only be the second owner!

 

What's your dad's name?

[solder_guy]

WoW! Replies to my Wishlist post back in 2006.

[Croc]

Welcome back Rob! Its good to see you are still around after all these years. Still have your Rotus?