Elise Front Lower Swivel
Discussion
WhooHooo, sorry but that is exactly what I wanted to hear, I had a theory
they were the same.
How ironic that the car I build was due to be launched at the same time as the Elise shared the same engine same layout and front lower swivels.
Although my wisbones are a bit different http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/php/sh... hopefully the tool will still work.
Many thanks
they were the same.
How ironic that the car I build was due to be launched at the same time as the Elise shared the same engine same layout and front lower swivels.
Although my wisbones are a bit different http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/php/sh... hopefully the tool will still work.
Many thanks
That's a very curious lower wishbone design, Joe - is it to Costin's original drawings?
If so, any idea why he added the triangulated bracing... it's not like Costin to add redundant weight; since the lower wishbones are in tension from the weight of the car being reacted by the springs, adding bracing that seems to be designed for beam strength in bending seems an odd thing to do? I know that the shock mounts are offset, so will put a small bending load into the wishbone (another imperfect solution that doesn't show the level of structural purity I'd have expected from Costin), but that level of triangulation looks like overkill!
If so, any idea why he added the triangulated bracing... it's not like Costin to add redundant weight; since the lower wishbones are in tension from the weight of the car being reacted by the springs, adding bracing that seems to be designed for beam strength in bending seems an odd thing to do? I know that the shock mounts are offset, so will put a small bending load into the wishbone (another imperfect solution that doesn't show the level of structural purity I'd have expected from Costin), but that level of triangulation looks like overkill!
Hi
Oh yes, all to original drawings, even the mini engined prototype has them, as you say it does look overkill, but then he designed the chassis to cope with up to 300BHP. Also one of the verticals on the wishbones provides the thread for a rod end that picks up the anti roll bar.
Finished car still weighs in at 550kgs so still faithful to his principles. Although I think the next one will be a bit heavier.
We have access to rear hubs that take the Honda Shafts so someone can test his theory!
Oh yes, all to original drawings, even the mini engined prototype has them, as you say it does look overkill, but then he designed the chassis to cope with up to 300BHP. Also one of the verticals on the wishbones provides the thread for a rod end that picks up the anti roll bar.
Finished car still weighs in at 550kgs so still faithful to his principles. Although I think the next one will be a bit heavier.
We have access to rear hubs that take the Honda Shafts so someone can test his theory!
Interesting... I know that some of his earlier sports racers had a tendency to bend their wishbones because they were too light, so perhaps he became a little more cautious in his old age!?
I'm watching your progress with interest - I might even be persuaded to buy one, when you have it fully developed (fraid I don't have the time for 'projects' these days!
), though what I'm really waiting for is for someone to put the Costin Nathan coupe back into production!
I'm watching your progress with interest - I might even be persuaded to buy one, when you have it fully developed (fraid I don't have the time for 'projects' these days!
), though what I'm really waiting for is for someone to put the Costin Nathan coupe back into production!Its is ERW steel tubing and laser cut steel plate. We have made a few sets now and constucted jigs etc to make life easier.
Mmm Costin Nathan, watch this space, I was lucky enough to find some old moulds for some the body parts http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/php/ob... we did make some bits for existing cars.
The wooden monocoque means some wood butchering skills although there was a metal chassis version in development http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/phpGG2...
Drop me an email if your serious about a CN as I may have a solution in the pipeline. I think one with a modern bike engine would be an absolute tool.
Mmm Costin Nathan, watch this space, I was lucky enough to find some old moulds for some the body parts http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/php/ob... we did make some bits for existing cars.
The wooden monocoque means some wood butchering skills although there was a metal chassis version in development http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/phpGG2...
Drop me an email if your serious about a CN as I may have a solution in the pipeline. I think one with a modern bike engine would be an absolute tool.
How long have you got, checkout my profile and go to the main site, that has details our main project Frank Costins last car project, through that I have got in contact with other enthusiasts all over the globe, most are also lotus fans as there is a close connection, there is also a forum on there with owners of his other cars etc.
Joe T said:
Drop me an email if your serious about a CN as I may have a solution in the pipeline. I think one with a modern bike engine would be an absolute tool.
Yes, I'm serious about the Costin Nathan; I would definitely be interested in one at a sensible(ish) price, if it was available as a full rolling chassis/body (since I really don't have the time to build cars any more!). I came across a guy in North Wales a few years ago who claimed to have copies of all the drawings, but I subsequently lost his details.It would be a shame to use a spaceframe, though - half the point of the CN was the plywood tub. If not plywood, an (expensive) alternative would be honeycomb panels of carbon fibre. Most of the CN tub is flat panels, so you could use sheets of CF honeycomb bonded together with tape in a similar fashion to the tub on my FW400 to create quite a close analogy of the original design, but rot-proof, much stiffer and lighter, and perhaps more acceptable to the modern market?
I'm in the process of changing ISP, so my e-mail is going to change imminently, but I'll drop you a line some time in the new year. You seem to be one of the principal bearers of the flame for Costin at the moment (along with Friend Wood), so it would be interesting to meet up for a chat and a beer, if nothing else, if you can spare the tme?
Gooby,
If you're not familiar with the name of Frank Costin, try to get hold of a book called 'Flying on Four Wheels', by Dennis Ortenburger... long out of print and now quite collectible, but a fascinating primer on his work.
He was the brother of Mike Costin (the Cos in Cosworth) and a very talented engineer and aerodynamicist. He is probably most famous for the aerodynamic work he did partnering Colin Chapman on the design of early Lotus' up to the Elite and the Eleven, but he went on to create a number of other highly unconventional, engineering- and aerodynamics- led cars. The Costin Nathan is probably the most successful and famous of these and, as you will discover from his website, Joe's Costin Roadster project was his last.
If you're not familiar with the name of Frank Costin, try to get hold of a book called 'Flying on Four Wheels', by Dennis Ortenburger... long out of print and now quite collectible, but a fascinating primer on his work.
He was the brother of Mike Costin (the Cos in Cosworth) and a very talented engineer and aerodynamicist. He is probably most famous for the aerodynamic work he did partnering Colin Chapman on the design of early Lotus' up to the Elite and the Eleven, but he went on to create a number of other highly unconventional, engineering- and aerodynamics- led cars. The Costin Nathan is probably the most successful and famous of these and, as you will discover from his website, Joe's Costin Roadster project was his last.
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