Nose/Bonnet/Scuttle differences?

[SkinnyG]

I'm intending to start Lethal Locost #2, and follow a more "Lotus Series 2" than "Locost" design.

 

My current 7 has a Curtis Unlimited Series 2 nose that is 1.5" taller than original.

 

If I were to purchase Caterham bonnet and scuttle, is there anything I need to know? I intend to run a Duratec 2.0L in it. Things like:

 

Is the Caterham nose taller than the S2?

 

Is the Caterham bonnet different in size than the Lotus?

 

Are the scuttles different?

 

Are the frame sides any different in height between Lotus and Caterham?

 

I have no interest in "SV" sizing - keep it closer to original....

 

Thanks so much.

[Al N.]

Skinny...IIRC, there are differences in the nose and bonnet (unsure about scuttle) between the Lotus S2 and Caterham products.

 

I can't say for certain, but I think the Lotus nose is shorter and therefore the bonnet is longer. It could also be the other way around.

 

That said, I am 95% certain that they are not the same dimensions.

[SkinnyG]

I was on the phone to CaterhamUSA yesterday ordering a scuttle. Should be here in about a week. Waiting on DOM for the roll bar (DSK style) too....

 

Apparently Lotus used three manufacturers for body parts back in the day, Arch being the only one still going. Depending on who the manufacturer was, replacement Arch parts may or may not fit exactly.

 

The Caterham nose is slightly shorter and the bonnet longer to compensate. The scuttles are essentially the same (Caterham lost the tab on the rear bottom in '86). Caterham noses seem to be about 1" taller than a Series II.

 

I'm going to try and make another bonnet (I now have a bead roller so I should be able to roll the leading/trailing edges) to fit both the Caterham scuttle, and my existing 1.5" taller Curtis Unlimited nosecone. I can mess up about eight 4x8' sheets of aluminum for the cost of buying a Caterham nose and bonnet. And then I'll buy the nose and bonnet....