ListerBell Stratos
Discussion
Bright Halo said:
Will you be going to any shows/Trackdays with it this year? I saw it a couple of years ago at Kenilworth when it was part built so would love to see it completed and running.
I'm full of good intentions. Whether these come to fruition or not may be another matter but I'll certainly be out and about in it.renmure said:
In the spirit of keeping things moving along till the weekend when the car should (hopefully) be delivered...
Ah well, never count your chickens and all that 
Shakedown and road tests are supposed to find things that might more easily be solved now than later and I'm perfectly cool with the idea that it's better to get it right at the start, before I take possession, than later. So a slight delay on order to modify a couple of things in a belt and braces manner.
In the meantime... some pics of the other side of all those dashboard wires
240Cup said:
maqnifique Jim
R300 has gone to new pastures - I believe the new owner contacted you. I missed the chance to buy it back by 24 hrs.....
Hiya stranger,R300 has gone to new pastures - I believe the new owner contacted you. I missed the chance to buy it back by 24 hrs.....
Yes, I think the new owner of the SLT was trying to join the dots in the history folder. That was a nice car. We probably both should have kept it
DJHay said:
Superb. Looks like an aircraft dashboard
It seems a pity to stick labels on the carbon fiber but I suppose you could forget what does what!
I was down seeing the car recently and that was something we discussed. I think the idea has now changed to having it without the labels on the dash. It seems a pity to stick labels on the carbon fiber but I suppose you could forget what does what!
Part of me likes the idea of labels. Another part of me fancies them in Italian
but I've got a little bit of OCD and worry a bit that the labels would be different sizes and some things might have one and others not.... so I think it's safest to start without them and assume I'll quickly learn what not to push at the wrong time. Shouldn't be too hard.
GSAPilot said:
Discovered this thread about 3 days ago, and started at the beginning, and I have been reading non-stop for the last days. Absolutely brilliant build and a dream to put on the bucket list.
A quick question on the round vs square arches, did the overall rear wheel width differ between to 2 variants?
The reason I ask this is because it looks like the square arches protrude further out than the round arches, but maybe this is just an optical illusion, as both variants rear wheels seem to fill the arches completely.
Thanks.A quick question on the round vs square arches, did the overall rear wheel width differ between to 2 variants?
The reason I ask this is because it looks like the square arches protrude further out than the round arches, but maybe this is just an optical illusion, as both variants rear wheels seem to fill the arches completely.
I'm not sure if the rear wheel arch widths for both round and square arch cars are the same or not to be honest and unfortunately missed the opportunity to measure them side by side a couple of days ago. I always preferred the more brutal looking square arches. I know with my car the rear disc bells were changed to help the wheels fill the arches better and when I look back at some of the earlier build pics and compare them to current ones I can see that difference. I'll ask someone who should know.
GSAPilot said:
Was just wondering about this, as it dawned on me when I looked at pictures of Erik Comas and his Stratos. He seems to be swapping out between the round and square arches on his car when you see different pictures of his car in action at various events. It may be that he adjusts the wheelbase width depending on where he is competing. Just got me wondering.
Ok, having been educated by someone who knows, I can now appear to be knowledgeable (don't be fooled tho) ..The bodywork dimensions of both the round arch and square arch cars are identical as is the chassis, wheel width and suspension. Round arch cars were the earlier variant with square arch cars coming along later and Comas may have swapped from square to round arch to make the car comply with whatever regulations were in effect to have the best chance of winning whichever FIA Historic Championship he was competing in at any given time.
Seems like a good time for a retrospective look at how it's turning out compared to how I'd hoped it would turn out. A 1/18 scale model of the original car was always going to be helpful. Only a few minor details to be fine tuned then I'll need to see if I can find it in the carpark at Tescos.
Edited by renmure on Saturday 4th September 22:27
jimmyjimjim said:
I believe you went about this the wrong way. Most people get the car, then start looking for a model of it.
I guess I should be relieved that I didn't pick up a scale model of a Spitfire Anyway, some fun while waiting for the next update...
Edited by renmure on Friday 10th September 16:26
Projectblue51 said:
There are not enough superlatives in the English language to cover this. So I need to use Italian:
Madre di tutti gli stronzi, è semplicemente sbalorditivo.
Darei il testicolo sinistro per quello, e Dio sa che ho perso quello destro in battaglia contro i fratelli Canelloni, quando è stato rimosso da una pallottola vagante del colpo su Don Ameche.
I'm humbled at it's extraordinary attention to detail, whilst retaining just enough comforts. I genuinely am shaking my head in disbelief looking at a car that's materialised from my childhood EXACTLY.
Forgive me Don Renmure, but in all the excitement I've forgotten what the power plant is?
Grazie.Madre di tutti gli stronzi, è semplicemente sbalorditivo.
Darei il testicolo sinistro per quello, e Dio sa che ho perso quello destro in battaglia contro i fratelli Canelloni, quando è stato rimosso da una pallottola vagante del colpo su Don Ameche.
I'm humbled at it's extraordinary attention to detail, whilst retaining just enough comforts. I genuinely am shaking my head in disbelief looking at a car that's materialised from my childhood EXACTLY.
Forgive me Don Renmure, but in all the excitement I've forgotten what the power plant is?
Purtroppo la tua offerta di un testicolo non è sufficiente. È tutto o niente, entrambi o nessuno. Loro sono le regole della guerra.
Powered by a 3.2 Alfa Romeo Busso V6.
200Plus Club said:
Was fortunate to be at a local show last weekend with Craig from LB in the yellow car, they are just fabulous close up. Attention to detail and engineering fit is superb. Drew a lot of Attention!
That would have been a great show to attend. This is pic that one of my Ultima owning friend posted on FB.They really do seem to hit the sweet spot for looking fabulous.
FiF said:
Just noticed you're going to be at The Late Brake Show live on tour in Leicestershire on Saturday. Have a good un and bask in the well deserved attention that will flow.
Thanks, I'm far too shy, big and ugly to be at anything like that myself but, yes, the good folk from LB Specialist Cars are taking the car along to the Late Brake Show. I know that Craig is slapping on the sunscreen and preparing for a fun 7 hours of answering questions all about the LB STR from Jonny Smith and others at the show and (hopefully) dissuading folk from wanting to sit in it to see if they fit... only because I've only sat in it once myself and that was about 2 years ago now 
DJHay said:
Bump.
Can we have an update or road report or even photographs of it looking polished and gleaming in a garage?
An update, eh. Can we have an update or road report or even photographs of it looking polished and gleaming in a garage?
As I mentioned previously the folk at ListerBell were doing all the road testing and running-in of the car before it gets delivered to me. That highlighted a couple of minor issues that were most easily sorted now than later. Nothing serious and more a case of everyone making sure everything is perfect knowing that I'm not particularly mechanically minded. I've made it clear I'm in no rush so all is good with the world and it should all come together within the next few weeks.
Simultaneously, LB have been working towards something I'd specifically asked for in relation to the airbox for the car. The GRP airbox looked pretty cool as it is.
However, my old S1 Exige had a carbon fiber airbox which looked even cooler, weighed far less than the original item and seemed in keeping with the project so I was keen to have something similar for this car.
So, CAD drawings were done and sent to a specialist to be CNC machined.
If I've understood the process then the top and bottom parts of the 3D "plug" gets machined out of the blue block.
This then gets covered with moulding carbon and cured. That carbon part then becomes the mould for the finished carbon to be applied and autoclaved to make the finished carbon item.
I should have some pics of the finished carbon box fairly soon.
JulianPH said:
This is superb Jim, absolutely excellent mate! 
You will have to bring it over to one of the British GT races next year and we can park it for show outside the VIP enclosure with the supercars!
It would get scratched by that bloody cat that follows you around mate You will have to bring it over to one of the British GT races next year and we can park it for show outside the VIP enclosure with the supercars!
Some more carbon progress...
Doofus said:
Yes, but do you actually have the car yet?
No, Soon tho. It really is in the final stages before delivery. I'd be surprised if I don't have it before the end of the month. The running in process identified an unexpected slight engine noise. To be on the safe side the engine was taken out again, sent off to an engine specialist, the issue identified and sorted and the engine is about to go back in. It has also given time for the engine itself and engine bay to be completely cleaned and detailed and for the carbon airbox to be made.That time has allowed a little bit of paintwork to be done to re-align the Alitalia stripes on the roof spoiler and rear canopy which went slightly out of alignment when these parts were fitted into their final position. I suppose the final details in any project take the most frustrating bits of time but it's sensible to get everything right at the beginning. It's all registered, taxed and insured so ready to hit the road when it arrives.
In the meantime, all I can do is stay indoors out of the monsoon and play with photoshop.
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