I'm being potentially a bit cheeky with the interpretation of the age - it is on an age related plate for 1978...
History
I have decided to sell my locost of 3 years due to a new project. Poppy (named due to the noise) has given me an amazing experience of owning a seven, and I'll never forget it.
I bought this car in May 2014 from the original builder, who completed it in 2002, so it's one of the earlier locost builds. It was built based on a 1978 mkII escort, using the running gear throughout, to a very high standard.
When I bought it, the car was running and being used infrequently, hence was up for sale. The test drive won me over completely, with the acceleration and handling as a seven should be. It was a little scruffy in cosmetics, but functionally it drove well and had some room for improvements.
I took it home, drastically underestimating the amount of clothing required for a 100 mile journey. Within the next year I drove it to Le Mans and back, and across the country using it at every opportunity. The following year my partner got a new job requiring a car to get to work, so my tintop went to her and I cycled to work, leaving me with the locost as my only car – ideal scenario! Over the next couple of years I've been using it again for Le Mans trips, and local Sunday morning blasts or commuting to work, covering around 4500 miles. My very understanding partner has tolerated this with incredible patience, given the discomfort experienced in the passenger seat (I know this from sharing the driving to France!). I've since bought a closed wheel project which retains the kit car experience but is a smidge more civilised.
Powertrain
1700 Ford Kent (Crossflow) Engine built professionally in 2008.
Was dyno'd by previous owner at 160bhp when built I think.
Quote from original advert - “heavy duty bearings and bolts throughout (cosworth bolts at bottom end), fully statically and dynamically balanced in sequence, pistons, rods, crank, flywheel and clutch”
Kent 234 Camshaft
Race spec Oselli modified cylinder head
Steel rocker posts and double valve springs
Twin Weber DCOE 40s with K&N Filters on MISAB seals
Chopped sump and pickup with an uprated pump
High torque starter (never an issue turning over)
AC racing clutch (a little bitey with no slip)
Ford type 4 gearbox (good condition, stays in gear, no whining)
Stainless steel exhaust
Repackable stainless silencer.
Almost all coolant and oil hoses renewed due to perishing.
Radiator from a k10 micra – not in great condition but watertight and adequate cooling.
It does leak oil on the floor – cardboard on the garage and monitoring levels keeps on top of this. As a crossflow it breathes heavily, and generally expels oil from all orifices. Attempts to reduce this have merely pushed the problem around so I've embraced it. It doesn't constantly drip over time, only when running or parking up after a run.
Suspension/Drivetrain
Gaz coilovers
Professionally setup by previous owner – changes to tracking and camber only since then.
Cortina uprights with double wishbones – upper wishbone has a camber adjuster with aluminium changed for steel due to wider known issue with parts cracking in service, small cracks found when I took them off!
M16 calipers at the front. Sale will come with a seal rebuild kit – not required but it was on the jobs list so I got the parts in when an offer came up.
Sierra drums on rear – recently serviced and adjusted and work great.
Pedal box with balance bar, currently adjusted just right with front locking just first.
Escort standard steering rack. I have a 2.9 rack which could be included in the sale.
Ford English axle 3.54
Dave Mac balanced propshaft
Panhard rod
Escort alloys – refurbished with a few marks since
Falken tyres 185/60/13 front, 205/60/13 rear. Ok on tread depth, old rubber though so not very sticky.
Std distributor (with side exit leads for DCOEs) and points currently. Previously fitted an electronic ignition which progressively failed leading to a lot of troubleshooting as it was intermittent – the worst kind of failure! I've gone back to points for now, and planned to get a new electronic ignition unit to fit inside the dizzy again which can be had for £40.
Chassis/Body
Blue GRP nosecone, cycle wings, arches and scuttle. Useable but poor condition – starring, cracks and flaking paint. Stonechips on rear arches despite stoneguard material fitted – you can't protect it all! If you're fussy on cosmetics this will put you off.
Leather trim interior – loose in places and a couple of rough edges, but very useable still.
Seats were made from a jaguar I believe. Very comfortable for a normal sized driver from 5'6” to 6'. I've not used these due to my height – I'm 6'2” so have been driving on thin yoga mat style foam to keep legroom and my head below the rollbar.
Willans 4 point harnesses.
Rollbar with stays dropping onto the chassis floor. They do impinge on the bootspace making it less useable. Currently the boot is untrimmed – I strapped bags to the chassis on trips, or use the passenger footwell. The rollbar paint would be the first thing I would do to cosmetically uplift the car – there's chips all over. Painted yellow for visibility.
Fuel tank – starting to show signs of rust externally – I removed it whilst restoring the rear chassis paint and satisfied myself that it was in no immediate danger, so again it's on the long term jobs list.
Fuel lines rubber replaced from tank to carbs with R9 spec hose 2 years ago due to some perishing observed and not wanting to take chances.
When taking on the fuel hose job, I found some rust on the chassis, which due to “whilst I'm here” syndrome, resulted in stripping the bulkhead back of the car to the spaceframe, stripping and repainting.
The stainless manifold had fishmouthed a hole into a chassis tube when I bought it, which due to the heat and vibration had cracked in the WAZ. I stripped the left hand side of the engine bay, cut out the tube and welded in a new one. Because of this I also went around the whole chassis looking for further cracks and couldn't find any evidence, pointing towards the exhaust being the only cause.
I purchase some GRP half doors in an attempt to reduce air circulation into the cabin. These were never fitted, but will be included in the sale.
Windscreen has no MOT chips or cracks, but has a lot of small imperfections which aren't really seen.
There are pop fasteners fitted for the addition of a roof/tonneau/bootlid.
Electrics
Escort gauges – speedo and tacho work. Temperature and fuel level do not. Temperature is mediated by feeling it – due to the draft from the engine, the blower unit and the rad fan override, controlling the engine temp is not an issue. Fuel is monitored by trip distance – 90 miles is your limit with a bit of contingency.
Additional shift lights fitted.
Dash electrics – these are showing the age of the original escort parts – some of the copper tracks in the PCB have failed where they get worn by the connectors. I've wired in hard points to pick up from which has maintained functionality. Really in time the dash would benefit from new clocks and a rewire, but this never reached the top of the priority list.
Facet fuel pump AV mounted to body to quiet it down a little. Noise acts as a good low fuel indicator!
Fan override switch – this was quickly fitted when the forecast for a trip was super hot, so the wiring is a little temporary but it functions properly and has been reliable.
Ignition components renewed recently.
Oil pressure gauge, which is used to monitor warm up and for oil drop outs.
Due to a couple of bulbs failures at MOT time, there are now LEDs side repeaters and numberplate lights.
New battery in November 2016
Fire extinguisher in passenger footwell, just in case, but never needed.
Other
I've maintained a spreadsheet with service history etc since I've purchased it. Needless to say it's had regular oils changes, fluids have been kept on top of. There's a long list of jobs I've not got around to, but these are all nice to haves, the essentials have been taken care of.
Weight – circa 550kg
Age related numberplate.
Costs me £150 to insure as a 28 year old.
MOT booked for 27-04-17, and when passed (any failures will be rectified immediately) it will expire on 11-05-18.
Tax costs £21 a month – I tax it summer months only.
Around 25mpg averaged in my ownership
Comes with an outdoor car cover. The car's been stored inside, but I always take a car cover with me in case of parking up with showers.
Some miscellaneous spares in a box, some of use, some as history of what's been fitted.
Things to Consider
Oil consumption – it does consume and expel oil. If you have a pristine driveway or are obsessive over the cleanliness of the engine bay, this will be a problem. My MOT tester suggested this is an excellent rust prevention strategy, partly in jest. If like me changing oil and filter on average every 9 months, then you'll go through 2 cans of oil a year roughly. Not ridiculous but significantly above a modern less tuned car.
Miss-fire at high RPM. I started to get points bounce when the spring wore. I replaced this with new points and it went away for a few months, then came back. New points again fixed this, but it's currently returned. This doesn't affect normal drive-ability, just when driving really hard at high RPM. This would be eradicated with electronic ignition, back to how it was.
Engine condition – it requires a bit of love to keep on top of. Starting requires pumping of the throttle the right number of times. It smokes on start up but never when warm - most likely the valve seals not working particularly well under the duplex springs. Tappets should be monitored and adjusted if required (just done). Carbs cleaned regularly. The engine has had a reasonable number of miles on it since built and it is highly tuned so may have a shorter life expectancy.
Electrical issues – as said the wiring is old. It lights up and runs as it should today, but consider that at some point you'll likely want to get involved with the electrics.
Penis dent – the previous owner had a mild shunt with a hedge. All part of the experience! This has cracked the RL arch which has been repaired but is still showing evidence. There is a cock and balls shaped dent in the aluminium from the same incident, which amuses me, but it may not you. The chassis is square and true.
General experience – it is windy and noisy. Due to the exposure and noise it is quite sensational an experience. For the driver this is rewarding and fun, enabling you to drive for miles with a grin, despite the negatives. It is progressive and reasonably friendly at the limit, never catching me out, and therefore enabling more fun. For a passenger, it is less so. The passenger experiences all of the negatives, sitting next to the noisy exhaust with a hot foot well, with a large amount of cold air entering the cabin, and nothing to hold on to. I have been very lucky with an understanding partner, but this has limited the number of day trips.
Summary
This is a great example of a locost built to a high standard, but with the locost ethos. The previous owner took this car to another level with the engine and chassis tuning making it a blast to drive. I really can't praise him enough. It is cosmetically challenged in places, and has the same practicality issues that present all lotus seven styled cars. It's ready to be used immediately, and could be improved with a little effort. I suspect I will regret selling this car as all of the quirks make it a fantastic personality that I've bonded with in the time of my ownership. I'd ideally like it to stay local and with an enthusiast, but ultimately I've got space constraints and I've got a house deposit to save for. If you have any questions or would like additional photo's of details then get in touch.
History
I have decided to sell my locost of 3 years due to a new project. Poppy (named due to the noise) has given me an amazing experience of owning a seven, and I'll never forget it.
I bought this car in May 2014 from the original builder, who completed it in 2002, so it's one of the earlier locost builds. It was built based on a 1978 mkII escort, using the running gear throughout, to a very high standard.
When I bought it, the car was running and being used infrequently, hence was up for sale. The test drive won me over completely, with the acceleration and handling as a seven should be. It was a little scruffy in cosmetics, but functionally it drove well and had some room for improvements.
I took it home, drastically underestimating the amount of clothing required for a 100 mile journey. Within the next year I drove it to Le Mans and back, and across the country using it at every opportunity. The following year my partner got a new job requiring a car to get to work, so my tintop went to her and I cycled to work, leaving me with the locost as my only car – ideal scenario! Over the next couple of years I've been using it again for Le Mans trips, and local Sunday morning blasts or commuting to work, covering around 4500 miles. My very understanding partner has tolerated this with incredible patience, given the discomfort experienced in the passenger seat (I know this from sharing the driving to France!). I've since bought a closed wheel project which retains the kit car experience but is a smidge more civilised.
Powertrain
1700 Ford Kent (Crossflow) Engine built professionally in 2008.
Was dyno'd by previous owner at 160bhp when built I think.
Quote from original advert - “heavy duty bearings and bolts throughout (cosworth bolts at bottom end), fully statically and dynamically balanced in sequence, pistons, rods, crank, flywheel and clutch”
Kent 234 Camshaft
Race spec Oselli modified cylinder head
Steel rocker posts and double valve springs
Twin Weber DCOE 40s with K&N Filters on MISAB seals
Chopped sump and pickup with an uprated pump
High torque starter (never an issue turning over)
AC racing clutch (a little bitey with no slip)
Ford type 4 gearbox (good condition, stays in gear, no whining)
Stainless steel exhaust
Repackable stainless silencer.
Almost all coolant and oil hoses renewed due to perishing.
Radiator from a k10 micra – not in great condition but watertight and adequate cooling.
It does leak oil on the floor – cardboard on the garage and monitoring levels keeps on top of this. As a crossflow it breathes heavily, and generally expels oil from all orifices. Attempts to reduce this have merely pushed the problem around so I've embraced it. It doesn't constantly drip over time, only when running or parking up after a run.
Suspension/Drivetrain
Gaz coilovers
Professionally setup by previous owner – changes to tracking and camber only since then.
Cortina uprights with double wishbones – upper wishbone has a camber adjuster with aluminium changed for steel due to wider known issue with parts cracking in service, small cracks found when I took them off!
M16 calipers at the front. Sale will come with a seal rebuild kit – not required but it was on the jobs list so I got the parts in when an offer came up.
Sierra drums on rear – recently serviced and adjusted and work great.
Pedal box with balance bar, currently adjusted just right with front locking just first.
Escort standard steering rack. I have a 2.9 rack which could be included in the sale.
Ford English axle 3.54
Dave Mac balanced propshaft
Panhard rod
Escort alloys – refurbished with a few marks since
Falken tyres 185/60/13 front, 205/60/13 rear. Ok on tread depth, old rubber though so not very sticky.
Std distributor (with side exit leads for DCOEs) and points currently. Previously fitted an electronic ignition which progressively failed leading to a lot of troubleshooting as it was intermittent – the worst kind of failure! I've gone back to points for now, and planned to get a new electronic ignition unit to fit inside the dizzy again which can be had for £40.
Chassis/Body
Blue GRP nosecone, cycle wings, arches and scuttle. Useable but poor condition – starring, cracks and flaking paint. Stonechips on rear arches despite stoneguard material fitted – you can't protect it all! If you're fussy on cosmetics this will put you off.
Leather trim interior – loose in places and a couple of rough edges, but very useable still.
Seats were made from a jaguar I believe. Very comfortable for a normal sized driver from 5'6” to 6'. I've not used these due to my height – I'm 6'2” so have been driving on thin yoga mat style foam to keep legroom and my head below the rollbar.
Willans 4 point harnesses.
Rollbar with stays dropping onto the chassis floor. They do impinge on the bootspace making it less useable. Currently the boot is untrimmed – I strapped bags to the chassis on trips, or use the passenger footwell. The rollbar paint would be the first thing I would do to cosmetically uplift the car – there's chips all over. Painted yellow for visibility.
Fuel tank – starting to show signs of rust externally – I removed it whilst restoring the rear chassis paint and satisfied myself that it was in no immediate danger, so again it's on the long term jobs list.
Fuel lines rubber replaced from tank to carbs with R9 spec hose 2 years ago due to some perishing observed and not wanting to take chances.
When taking on the fuel hose job, I found some rust on the chassis, which due to “whilst I'm here” syndrome, resulted in stripping the bulkhead back of the car to the spaceframe, stripping and repainting.
The stainless manifold had fishmouthed a hole into a chassis tube when I bought it, which due to the heat and vibration had cracked in the WAZ. I stripped the left hand side of the engine bay, cut out the tube and welded in a new one. Because of this I also went around the whole chassis looking for further cracks and couldn't find any evidence, pointing towards the exhaust being the only cause.
I purchase some GRP half doors in an attempt to reduce air circulation into the cabin. These were never fitted, but will be included in the sale.
Windscreen has no MOT chips or cracks, but has a lot of small imperfections which aren't really seen.
There are pop fasteners fitted for the addition of a roof/tonneau/bootlid.
Electrics
Escort gauges – speedo and tacho work. Temperature and fuel level do not. Temperature is mediated by feeling it – due to the draft from the engine, the blower unit and the rad fan override, controlling the engine temp is not an issue. Fuel is monitored by trip distance – 90 miles is your limit with a bit of contingency.
Additional shift lights fitted.
Dash electrics – these are showing the age of the original escort parts – some of the copper tracks in the PCB have failed where they get worn by the connectors. I've wired in hard points to pick up from which has maintained functionality. Really in time the dash would benefit from new clocks and a rewire, but this never reached the top of the priority list.
Facet fuel pump AV mounted to body to quiet it down a little. Noise acts as a good low fuel indicator!
Fan override switch – this was quickly fitted when the forecast for a trip was super hot, so the wiring is a little temporary but it functions properly and has been reliable.
Ignition components renewed recently.
Oil pressure gauge, which is used to monitor warm up and for oil drop outs.
Due to a couple of bulbs failures at MOT time, there are now LEDs side repeaters and numberplate lights.
New battery in November 2016
Fire extinguisher in passenger footwell, just in case, but never needed.
Other
I've maintained a spreadsheet with service history etc since I've purchased it. Needless to say it's had regular oils changes, fluids have been kept on top of. There's a long list of jobs I've not got around to, but these are all nice to haves, the essentials have been taken care of.
Weight – circa 550kg
Age related numberplate.
Costs me £150 to insure as a 28 year old.
MOT booked for 27-04-17, and when passed (any failures will be rectified immediately) it will expire on 11-05-18.
Tax costs £21 a month – I tax it summer months only.
Around 25mpg averaged in my ownership
Comes with an outdoor car cover. The car's been stored inside, but I always take a car cover with me in case of parking up with showers.
Some miscellaneous spares in a box, some of use, some as history of what's been fitted.
Things to Consider
Oil consumption – it does consume and expel oil. If you have a pristine driveway or are obsessive over the cleanliness of the engine bay, this will be a problem. My MOT tester suggested this is an excellent rust prevention strategy, partly in jest. If like me changing oil and filter on average every 9 months, then you'll go through 2 cans of oil a year roughly. Not ridiculous but significantly above a modern less tuned car.
Miss-fire at high RPM. I started to get points bounce when the spring wore. I replaced this with new points and it went away for a few months, then came back. New points again fixed this, but it's currently returned. This doesn't affect normal drive-ability, just when driving really hard at high RPM. This would be eradicated with electronic ignition, back to how it was.
Engine condition – it requires a bit of love to keep on top of. Starting requires pumping of the throttle the right number of times. It smokes on start up but never when warm - most likely the valve seals not working particularly well under the duplex springs. Tappets should be monitored and adjusted if required (just done). Carbs cleaned regularly. The engine has had a reasonable number of miles on it since built and it is highly tuned so may have a shorter life expectancy.
Electrical issues – as said the wiring is old. It lights up and runs as it should today, but consider that at some point you'll likely want to get involved with the electrics.
Penis dent – the previous owner had a mild shunt with a hedge. All part of the experience! This has cracked the RL arch which has been repaired but is still showing evidence. There is a cock and balls shaped dent in the aluminium from the same incident, which amuses me, but it may not you. The chassis is square and true.
General experience – it is windy and noisy. Due to the exposure and noise it is quite sensational an experience. For the driver this is rewarding and fun, enabling you to drive for miles with a grin, despite the negatives. It is progressive and reasonably friendly at the limit, never catching me out, and therefore enabling more fun. For a passenger, it is less so. The passenger experiences all of the negatives, sitting next to the noisy exhaust with a hot foot well, with a large amount of cold air entering the cabin, and nothing to hold on to. I have been very lucky with an understanding partner, but this has limited the number of day trips.
Summary
This is a great example of a locost built to a high standard, but with the locost ethos. The previous owner took this car to another level with the engine and chassis tuning making it a blast to drive. I really can't praise him enough. It is cosmetically challenged in places, and has the same practicality issues that present all lotus seven styled cars. It's ready to be used immediately, and could be improved with a little effort. I suspect I will regret selling this car as all of the quirks make it a fantastic personality that I've bonded with in the time of my ownership. I'd ideally like it to stay local and with an enthusiast, but ultimately I've got space constraints and I've got a house deposit to save for. If you have any questions or would like additional photo's of details then get in touch.
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