DaveStruve Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 (edited) Hey guys saw a birken at Atlanta's Caffine and Octane with a USA7's sticker, and thought I would join and add my car to the mix. Just finished building this in June 2014. Build Log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15496 http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot1_zpsc310e414.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot5_zps7e5ee4aa.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot2_zps2c2eb797.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot3_zpsfb01cc14.jpg Edited August 8, 2014 by DaveStruve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot4_zps8817ffa3.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot8_zpsfa273187.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot9_zpsd14ea89f.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot6_zps17522e2e.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/xcritic/Lotus%207/carshot7_zps4daf0797.jpg Video from the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Purrty car! Does the State of Georgia issue plates without a windshield? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 Thats a good question, that I don't know the answer to . There is nothing in the state law that says you have to have one, only that you need a wiper if you do have one. My understanding is they defer to federal laws for manufacturers, but that doesn't count for a hand built car. Thats my take on it at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Dave, Welcome to the forum. Great looking car! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Very nice build - welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Dave, Where did you pick up the wind screen? Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Dave, Where did you pick up the wind screen? Shane Came from http://www.aerodynamix.co.uk They have a couple options to choice from and they are all pretty flexible. So you could fit it to just about anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Came from http://www.aerodynamix.co.uk They have a couple options to choice from and they are all pretty flexible. So you could fit it to just about anything. Thanks . . . . . :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotus 7 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Lovely looking build. Nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Nicest scratch built 7 I have seen to date. Which is saying something Love the diagonal door cut-outs, only Caterham and Birkin are faithful to that original detail. Engine is a Zetec? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 (edited) Nicest scratch built 7 I have seen to date . . . . Yessir! :iagree: When I first glanced it on the Bat phone, I thought it was a Cat. Excellent build. Edited August 9, 2014 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Nicest scratch built 7 I have seen to date. Which is saying something Love the diagonal door cut-outs, only Caterham and Birkin are faithful to that original detail. Engine is a Zetec? I would have done the arched doors, but the exige seats prevented that from being possible. Probably can't see it from the pictures, but I took some rounded aluminum trim and wrapped it in black suede, then riveted it to the top of the tubes so you get a nice soft armrest. Engine is a mazda 1.6 out of a miata with a supercharger added. Put down 150hp on the dyno, with a total weight with full tank at 1390lbs. I borrowed a number of visual elements from various caterhams (csr, r500 and 650r) which is why it could be mistaken for that. My goal was to have a hand built car that did not look hand built. I've had it at our caffeine and octane car show in atlanta the last 2 months, and listened in to a number of peoples conversations, and its either referred to a caterham or lotus 7. It's fun to correct them and then tell them that it cost less at $10k to build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Engine is a mazda 1.6 out of a miata with a supercharger added. Put down 150hp on the dyno, with a total weight with full tank at 1390lbs. My goal was to have a hand built car that did not look hand built. I've had it at our caffeine and octane car show in atlanta the last 2 months, and listened in to a number of peoples conversations, and its either referred to a caterham or lotus 7. It's fun to correct them and then tell them that it cost less at $10k to build. Please educate me. I thought the Birkin was a pretty complete kit. What parts of your car came from them and what parts did you make? Thanks, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 . . . . My goal was to have a hand built car that did not look hand built . . . . . cost less at $10k to build. Success all around! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStruve Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Please educate me. I thought the Birkin was a pretty complete kit. What parts of your car came from them and what parts did you make? Thanks, Dan Basically the complete running gear from the miata was used. You can just about remove the miata body and reuse everything thats left depending what your budget it. I made a number of upgrades. Motor Trans Driveshaft Diff and axles Uprights Brakes (i upgraded to wilwoods for some reason) Steering Column, Rack, tierods ( these all had to be modified to fit the new dimensions). As for what has to be made. Its a pretty long list, chassis, control arms, diff mounts, a ton of brackets, etc. This would be very comparable to a miata based westfield (Believe the chassis design is almost identical). Mine is made from the plans in the haynes "Build Your Own Sports Car" book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manshoon11 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Yessir! :iagree: When I first glanced it on the Bat phone, I thought it was a Cat. Excellent build. ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Yessir! When I first glanced it on the Bat phone, I thought it was a Cat. Excellent build. Same here, great looking Seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Beautiful car Dave. Congratulations. I like the Exige seats too. Do you happen to know if they have Probax padding? How do you like them? Are they comfortable? Do you think they'd be good for the track? All the best, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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