LOMAX 223 - slow max the right kinda trike
Discussion
Okay, I have decided to tell the rest of PH about my car. It’s a Lomax 223 classic kit car. I may be mistaken, but I don’t think there is another owner on here as they tend to be "knocking on a bit" (no offence intended to any of the wiser of us on here).
I bought it nearly exactly one year ago in June 2009. At the time it was not road legal and had been on SORN for over a year as the owner had another two 3 wheelers so this was sat on his drive feeling sorry for itself. Once I cleared out the garage (7 trips to the tip in my brothers Volvo), I organised for it to be delivered. A bit of TLC, a few weekends in the garage and a night or two sorting out the tuning we had her pass the MOT and on the road for the summer.
A little bit more information about the car:
Lomax Kit cars are based on the legendary Citroen 2CV chassis and drive train. Lomax mainly offered two models, the 223 (3 wheeler) and the 224 (4 wheeled version). Both use the same tub and bonnet with bits cut out for the rear suspension on the 224. For those not familiar with the 2CV it uses an air cooled 602cc flat twin engine with 4 speed gearbox and front wheel drive. The suspension layout is fully independent leading and trailing swing arms giving it the excellent ride quality and comfort it is known for. To allow for the single rear wheel at the back one of the rear swing arms was removed completely and the other turned around to "point" inwards. Although the standard 29BHP sounds like nothing you would be surprised at the amount of torque they appear to have. Mind you, at only 400KGs (ish) they are a lot lighter than the standard car and so feel very fast. Mine is based on a 1981 2CV with the better ami8 gearbox.
I’ve done a few little bits and bobs in the time of owning her, mostly just niggling little bits like door openings, exhaust mountings, fitted the Aero screens and added a bit of chrome detailing.
As with all types of kit cars and classics, there are no two the same. When we took her to Stoneleigh Kit car show I was surprised to see that she was one of the tidier examples on display. I cheekily managed to persuade my way on to the Citroen Specials Club (CSC) stand and became a member the same day. There was around 20 Citroen Specials on the stand.
On Thursday the 24th June I went to North Wales near Prestatyn to partake in one of the runs that the CSC had organised as part of their annual summer gathering. The event was week long but as I only lived 50 miles from Prestatyn and had work commitments we decided to go for just the one day. A short run of 50 miles took us through some of the most beautiful parts of Wales and the weather was an absolute dream. On the run was some truly stunning looking motors and in total counted around 40 at the stop off point at a reservoir (the name escapes me). Naturally there were a few poorly ones on the way around but I am glad to report the mine made it through and didn’t skip a beat all day.
In total we did 180miles over about 5 hours and have never had a more enjoyable day spent in a car! Neither of us has stiff legs or back ache (probably due to the comfort of the MGB seats) although a little sun burnt.
Now at this point I expect you are thinking I am an old anorak. Anorak, maybe, but it may come as a surprise that this is my first car. At age 19 I am one of the youngest members of the CSC but the wealth of knowledge amongst the collective group is truly biblical and they are all young at heart (and mostly crazy).
I bought it nearly exactly one year ago in June 2009. At the time it was not road legal and had been on SORN for over a year as the owner had another two 3 wheelers so this was sat on his drive feeling sorry for itself. Once I cleared out the garage (7 trips to the tip in my brothers Volvo), I organised for it to be delivered. A bit of TLC, a few weekends in the garage and a night or two sorting out the tuning we had her pass the MOT and on the road for the summer.
A little bit more information about the car:
Lomax Kit cars are based on the legendary Citroen 2CV chassis and drive train. Lomax mainly offered two models, the 223 (3 wheeler) and the 224 (4 wheeled version). Both use the same tub and bonnet with bits cut out for the rear suspension on the 224. For those not familiar with the 2CV it uses an air cooled 602cc flat twin engine with 4 speed gearbox and front wheel drive. The suspension layout is fully independent leading and trailing swing arms giving it the excellent ride quality and comfort it is known for. To allow for the single rear wheel at the back one of the rear swing arms was removed completely and the other turned around to "point" inwards. Although the standard 29BHP sounds like nothing you would be surprised at the amount of torque they appear to have. Mind you, at only 400KGs (ish) they are a lot lighter than the standard car and so feel very fast. Mine is based on a 1981 2CV with the better ami8 gearbox.
I’ve done a few little bits and bobs in the time of owning her, mostly just niggling little bits like door openings, exhaust mountings, fitted the Aero screens and added a bit of chrome detailing.
As with all types of kit cars and classics, there are no two the same. When we took her to Stoneleigh Kit car show I was surprised to see that she was one of the tidier examples on display. I cheekily managed to persuade my way on to the Citroen Specials Club (CSC) stand and became a member the same day. There was around 20 Citroen Specials on the stand.
On Thursday the 24th June I went to North Wales near Prestatyn to partake in one of the runs that the CSC had organised as part of their annual summer gathering. The event was week long but as I only lived 50 miles from Prestatyn and had work commitments we decided to go for just the one day. A short run of 50 miles took us through some of the most beautiful parts of Wales and the weather was an absolute dream. On the run was some truly stunning looking motors and in total counted around 40 at the stop off point at a reservoir (the name escapes me). Naturally there were a few poorly ones on the way around but I am glad to report the mine made it through and didn’t skip a beat all day.
In total we did 180miles over about 5 hours and have never had a more enjoyable day spent in a car! Neither of us has stiff legs or back ache (probably due to the comfort of the MGB seats) although a little sun burnt.
Now at this point I expect you are thinking I am an old anorak. Anorak, maybe, but it may come as a surprise that this is my first car. At age 19 I am one of the youngest members of the CSC but the wealth of knowledge amongst the collective group is truly biblical and they are all young at heart (and mostly crazy).
slomax said:
Thanks for all your kind comments. None of my friends understand it.
I am currently looking for the photos of the club meet that I took in Wales. When I find them they will be added to the write up.
I totally understand it, although sadly I really don't think swmbo would even vaguely understand.I am currently looking for the photos of the club meet that I took in Wales. When I find them they will be added to the write up.
Quirky, looks pretty cool, a very different approach to the road than most people.
Kudos!
Thanks, Well I always wanted to build my own kit and started looking towards the cheaper end of the market. At the time I started looking seriously, the cheapest kit available to put on the road was something like a Robin hood 7 or an MEV rocket, this was before the likes of MEV tR1ke and eco exo kits. . I realised that building one was actually going to cost more than I could get a second hand one. I started to look towards the unfinished or unbuilt complete kits where owners had just lost interest or were too old to finish etc. I always fancied having a three wheeler so I bid for a few shabby, unfinished Lomax's on ebay, but they all went for more than I could justify paying. Just when I was losing hope I came across this little gem and the owner just wanted rid but it was by no means a bad example, but not 100% either. Either way, I am very happy with my purchase.
A few photos that were taken on the Citroen Specials Club summer gathering in North Wales, June.
In total I think I counted about 45 citroen specials at the reservoir where we stopped. The whole event in north wales was apparently very enjoyable and was a 4 day event. I could only make the one day this year but it was not so bad as i only live about one and a half hours from north wales, where the event took place this year. Next year i will try and make the whole 4 days as it is down near Devon somewhere.
In total I think I counted about 45 citroen specials at the reservoir where we stopped. The whole event in north wales was apparently very enjoyable and was a 4 day event. I could only make the one day this year but it was not so bad as i only live about one and a half hours from north wales, where the event took place this year. Next year i will try and make the whole 4 days as it is down near Devon somewhere.
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