rotus8guy Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Taking this discussion off of the new member intro thread where it had developed a life of it's own. Several of us have in touch recently with Dennis Hedges, the former shop foreman for Chris Custer at Rotus. Some curiosity about production history, why is Mazda's car, the first built #2, Rob's car second out of the shop labeled #7? And chassis #s go up above 100 with a total run of only 40 something? Other news of interest, the original production jigs and fiberglass molds are at Dennis's shop. He says he has no plan's to use so they can be had. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Thanks John at the very least the nose molds should be rescued. as for frames and suspension, it depends on your objectives in terms of reviving Rotus. I'm sure several other people will validate this - this business is at best a hobby unless you are going to do it at the highest levels (like Ariel, and the top 2 or 3 kit manufacturers in the US). I don't think an investor is desirable, nor needed. Investor = return with interest. If I had the choice for a clean sheet design or starting with the Rotus design - knowing what I know today, I'd probably start fresh. This is NOT a knock on Rotus. I think Chris got a lot of the basics right: Tank in front of the rear axle is a great safety feature, but at least in my car, it really limited leg room Inboard suspension - pretty nifty setup. I'm not a big fan of the cantilever design - I'd opt for pushrods. The rest of the frame design is pretty straightforward and non-controversial, so most new sevens won't be significantly different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 of course, with me you know a V8 will have to fit there. LOL. Arya is already itching to build one down the road, so I'm sure he could contribute to this effort... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Arya is already itching to build one down the road, so I'm sure he could contribute to this effort... You been in my head today? I was re-pondering this at lunch! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 LOL Arya. We must be related or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotus8guy Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Yeah, agree while it would be interesting to have these jigs and molds (and the space to set them up) the idea of making a business of it is not practical. As a hobby business, or an add on for someone already with a race shop, it could work. I also agree that if I where to build my own seven I would a lot of things different. Full DOM cage as part of the frame, lighter in general, something different for the suspension (front and rear). Oh, and design from the get-go to drop in a breathed on LS-7 One can always dream. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 John, the Rotus engine bay is just about perfect for a LS engine. The tranny tunnel is a little too narrow for a T56. I bet bolting on a TKO unit would fit right in. If anything, I would lower the top frame members just a couple of inches to allow the headers to come straight out of the engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotus8guy Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 G Force T-5, rated to 600 HP, smaller and lighter than TKO or T-56 and available with dog ring shifting. You could sound like a crazy Brit, with 500HP V8 ARRRRRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi John! Great to hear from you! I still have some parts for you. I probably have the most complete notebook of Rotus publicity docs than anybody. I also have a copy of the Rotus Registry dated about 1990. About two years ago I sent out letters to every owner and almost all came back undeliverable, forward address unknown. One sent a note that he had sold the car. Another sent a pic of his Rotus when he owned it before he sold it. My car is Rotus number 14 which is the second Rotus built and the showcar / demo car for the Rotus Co. It is featured in much of the early Rotus pub literature. According to Dennis Hedges it was on display inside a shopping mall where he Rob Mitchell, Atlanta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 And for reference here is the ROTUS PARTS LIST thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 G Force T-5, rated to 600 HP, smaller and lighter than TKO or T-56 and available with dog ring shifting. You could sound like a crazy Brit, with 500HP V8 ARRRRRR yeah,that's $$$ though, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 If anything, I would lower the top frame members just a couple of inches to allow the headers to come straight out of the engine Or raise the top rails and design your bracing to go through the headers. Then split the headers at the flange b/w the front 2 tubes and the rear 2 tubes. I say this because I don't think I'd want to give up any rigidity in the chassis by making the section height shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotus8guy Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 yeah,that's $$$ though, isn't it? Certainly not cheap but cheaper, smaller, lighter than 5 speed apps from Jerico or Richmond, and the Quaife T-9 while a tidy fit leaves the factory for 3600 quid or so and isn't made for V8 torque. Always compromises John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benya Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 So i just bought a Rotus out of Virginia, Number 57, with the 13B Mazda Engine and drivetrain. Im leaning allot about this car but i have not been able to figure out a few things. Does anyone know where i can get Front Fenders for the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruadhd2 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Dennis Hedges, the former shop foreman of Rotus probably has the jigs or the fenders. I know the car you have. I also have a Rotus with a rotary, but mine isn't a turbo like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 So i just bought a Rotus out of Virginia, Number 57, with the 13B Mazda Engine and drivetrain. Im leaning allot about this car but i have not been able to figure out a few things. Does anyone know where i can get Front Fenders for the car? did you buy it from Williamsburg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benya Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I bought the car out of Harrisonburg VA. and i was able to get in touch with Dennis and i leaned some great information from him. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I bought the car out of Harrisonburg VA. and i was able to get in touch with Dennis and i leaned some great information from him.Thanks Search the tech section for "rotus parts list" for more info. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald kenneth bowden Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 i talked to dennis last week and he would like to hear from you about some of the parts or the molds he has left , al so you never got back yo me on my year or what numbere you thaut my car was as it does not have arotus vin number . gerry bowden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald kenneth bowden Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 slngsht what type of fender are you looking for. the clam shel or the fullenth fiberglast type i have the fiber glase. green in colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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