Clamshells vs cycle wings
Discussion
Original Sevens (Series 1) had cycle mudguards.
The first clamshells appeared on Series II cars as part of their bid to be road legal in the USA.
Modern cycle mudguards appeared in the mid/late 1980s and gradually became the mudguard of choice. I don't think they provide clamshells as an option anymore.
The first clamshells appeared on Series II cars as part of their bid to be road legal in the USA.
Modern cycle mudguards appeared in the mid/late 1980s and gradually became the mudguard of choice. I don't think they provide clamshells as an option anymore.
It is a trend thing in some respects. Clamshells were popular from the mid eighties but by the late nineties were rarely ever chosen on a new car.
Many cars have actually been converted from Clamshells to cycle over the years. Four or five years ago it seemed very difficult to sell a car with Clamshells and the price like for like was always cheaper.
Now though there are so few for sale with them it seems to have leveled out. I actually like the classic look but there are few cars to choose from. In the right colour on the right car they look great and if you are planning on using the car a lot during the winter they stop the water splashing up the side much better.
some people have said that they are slower which is of course totally true!!!
Many cars have actually been converted from Clamshells to cycle over the years. Four or five years ago it seemed very difficult to sell a car with Clamshells and the price like for like was always cheaper.
Now though there are so few for sale with them it seems to have leveled out. I actually like the classic look but there are few cars to choose from. In the right colour on the right car they look great and if you are planning on using the car a lot during the winter they stop the water splashing up the side much better.
some people have said that they are slower which is of course totally true!!!
Had both and preferred the clamshells aesthetically although watching the cycles bob up and down has its appeal. Lots of rubbish about bad aero effects of clams - which is a bit like saying you are concerned at the wind noise in your Seven. Seen many races won by clammed Sevens so not entirely useless..
I've had clams on my 7 since the late 1960's. Love the look - especially along the bonnet and wings in the evening light. Also still got the A35 sidelights which I also love.
Aero? Well, with the original Lotus clams (which sat really close to the tyre and often rubbed on spirited cornering...) I never had a problem but when I updated the chassis in 1988 I found that - with the Caterham wings being fitted higher - that at 80 mph or so the front end became very light and the feel through the steering wheel felt much as it does when driving on ice. Not nice.
Anyway, I looked at the clams from the front of the car and then proceeded to cut holes in them which I then fitted with a fine wire mesh. Result, no more lift.
The car may still be slower than powerful cycle winged ones but I still managed to keep up last Sunday with a varied convoy of 7's quickly blatting for a Lyme Regis breakfast!!
I have no intention of ever changing to cycles.
Aero? Well, with the original Lotus clams (which sat really close to the tyre and often rubbed on spirited cornering...) I never had a problem but when I updated the chassis in 1988 I found that - with the Caterham wings being fitted higher - that at 80 mph or so the front end became very light and the feel through the steering wheel felt much as it does when driving on ice. Not nice.
Anyway, I looked at the clams from the front of the car and then proceeded to cut holes in them which I then fitted with a fine wire mesh. Result, no more lift.
The car may still be slower than powerful cycle winged ones but I still managed to keep up last Sunday with a varied convoy of 7's quickly blatting for a Lyme Regis breakfast!!
I have no intention of ever changing to cycles.
|http://thumbsnap.com/yTjlYZ6G[/url]Eric Mc said:
Modern cycle mudguards appeared in the mid/late 1980s and gradually became the mudguard of choice. I don't think they provide clamshells as an option anymore.
You can get them on special order - well at least you could about a year or so ago as I specifically asked Caterham...They´re not for widetrack cars though...
I do believe RIF (ex blatchat) was working on a set of wide track carbon clams before he passed but info is scarce - there are a few owners around the globe that are interested but no-one has sparked them off...
Love clams, in black and silver - the perfect combo if you ask me
The turning circle is larger with cycle wings, not smaller,
as it limits lock and the steering racks are often blocked at the extremes of lock to stop wings fouling the body. I have never experienced this lift that has been described, upto speeds of 120mph indicated, when my car starts to run out of puff and certainly not at 80mph!
IMHO the choice is really down to aesthetics and weather protection. I fell in love when sevens had clams and so that is what I prefer. There are plenty with other views - variety isn't a bad thing!
as it limits lock and the steering racks are often blocked at the extremes of lock to stop wings fouling the body. I have never experienced this lift that has been described, upto speeds of 120mph indicated, when my car starts to run out of puff and certainly not at 80mph!
IMHO the choice is really down to aesthetics and weather protection. I fell in love when sevens had clams and so that is what I prefer. There are plenty with other views - variety isn't a bad thing!
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