Why are 7 type kit cars so popular?
Discussion
broadspeed1 said:
Why are Lotus 7 style cars so popular I don't get the appeal.
Styling wise I'd give them a 0 since they're just a box. It looks off having a classic car with modern wheels and tyres too.
Has nobody come up with anything more aerodynamic? Engines are cheap why wouldn't you build something with more then 4 cylinders.
Why haven't people moved on to mid engined formula style cars, is that not the natural evolution?
Modest grip powered by a modest engine up front with the driver sitting over the rear axel and exposed to the elements seems to be the perfect recipe for pure driving enjoyment on a narrow country lane.Styling wise I'd give them a 0 since they're just a box. It looks off having a classic car with modern wheels and tyres too.
Has nobody come up with anything more aerodynamic? Engines are cheap why wouldn't you build something with more then 4 cylinders.
Why haven't people moved on to mid engined formula style cars, is that not the natural evolution?
A 6 cylinder mid-engined formula car with aero is a great idea if you're looking to set fast lap times, and such cars are available. But will they leave you grinning as widely after a run to the coast and back on a sunny weekend?
A 7 type car isn't for everyone, but the appeal as a toy for driving is undeniable.
As for the 50s styling, that's subject to personal taste.
I built a variation on a Locost about 15 years ago, the only difference from " the book" is that is/was 100mm wider and 50mm higher in the chassis and came I a bit over 600Kg with 117Kw at the wheels.
Suspension optimised for the track so a bit too harsh on the road.
The fun bit, you can sit on the speed limit and not slow down for corners, but I don't play with motor bikes they don't have the grip and I don't want to encourage them to kill themselves trying to stay in front or keep up.
They are surprisingly strong, last August on the track I caught a bump which flicked the car head on into a concrete barrier at +140kph accelerating hard.
The chassis is destroyed back to the firewall and due to multiple broken bones in both feet and a fractured L4 I've only just started a full rebuild.
As well as rebuilding the Locost I'm building a Fisher Fury with a full house dry sumped Honda K20 which will be proper quick.
I never wanted a 7 type car until I drove one, I was hooked and then it went to another level when I started racing it.
On a shorter tight track a Porker GT3 is not much of a challenge, long straights find the aero shortcomings and big power and aero rules
Suspension optimised for the track so a bit too harsh on the road.
The fun bit, you can sit on the speed limit and not slow down for corners, but I don't play with motor bikes they don't have the grip and I don't want to encourage them to kill themselves trying to stay in front or keep up.
They are surprisingly strong, last August on the track I caught a bump which flicked the car head on into a concrete barrier at +140kph accelerating hard.
The chassis is destroyed back to the firewall and due to multiple broken bones in both feet and a fractured L4 I've only just started a full rebuild.
As well as rebuilding the Locost I'm building a Fisher Fury with a full house dry sumped Honda K20 which will be proper quick.
I never wanted a 7 type car until I drove one, I was hooked and then it went to another level when I started racing it.
On a shorter tight track a Porker GT3 is not much of a challenge, long straights find the aero shortcomings and big power and aero rules
Johnny5hoods said:
Panamax said:
Twas an excellent car. It just came out at a similar time to the Elise which, being mass produced (relatively speaking), was priced very keenly indeed.
I was intrigued by a 7-esque car - I quite fancied the idea of something a bit raw.
I bought a Westfield with a 170bhp Zetec lump. It was built for driving pleasure, not comfort. No screen, no roof, no heater, solid bucket seats with harnesses. It was ridiculously noisy, thirsty (c25mpg) and cramped to drive. Earplugs were an absolute necessity and for anything over a few miles, I used to wear a helmet. It was horrific in the rain - the aero screen dumped rain in my lap and the Toyo R1-R tyres were easy to spin up.
However, when in the mood, it was a pure joy to drive. Totally analogue, with no power-assisted anything, not even ABS. A tiny steering wheel meant effort was required, but always rewarded. Grip was immense (in the dry), and when it finally ran out, it was sublime to hold in a slide.
Even with only 170bhp, it was really quick. 0-80mph was where it was most fun - blasting around the Peak District on a sunny weekend was pure joy. Cat & Fiddle was a hoot if you got the traffic right - just don’t slow down for corners (remembering not to hoon it on the straights, for fear of the average speed cameras…)
However, I also REALLY enjoyed tinkering with it, adding my own improvements. I stuck quite a few carbon bits on it over the three years I had it.
I bought cheap and sold at the peak, meaning I had three years of free motoring (I got back everything I spent on it, which was slightly more than I paid for the car).
I only sold it as it was getting less and less use, and I fancied an Aston.
So - to answer OP’s question - yes, a 7 is utterly compromised in many, many ways, but for some reason, the end result is just bloody brilliant.
Any excuse for a couple of photos:
I bought a Westfield with a 170bhp Zetec lump. It was built for driving pleasure, not comfort. No screen, no roof, no heater, solid bucket seats with harnesses. It was ridiculously noisy, thirsty (c25mpg) and cramped to drive. Earplugs were an absolute necessity and for anything over a few miles, I used to wear a helmet. It was horrific in the rain - the aero screen dumped rain in my lap and the Toyo R1-R tyres were easy to spin up.
However, when in the mood, it was a pure joy to drive. Totally analogue, with no power-assisted anything, not even ABS. A tiny steering wheel meant effort was required, but always rewarded. Grip was immense (in the dry), and when it finally ran out, it was sublime to hold in a slide.
Even with only 170bhp, it was really quick. 0-80mph was where it was most fun - blasting around the Peak District on a sunny weekend was pure joy. Cat & Fiddle was a hoot if you got the traffic right - just don’t slow down for corners (remembering not to hoon it on the straights, for fear of the average speed cameras…)
However, I also REALLY enjoyed tinkering with it, adding my own improvements. I stuck quite a few carbon bits on it over the three years I had it.
I bought cheap and sold at the peak, meaning I had three years of free motoring (I got back everything I spent on it, which was slightly more than I paid for the car).
I only sold it as it was getting less and less use, and I fancied an Aston.
So - to answer OP’s question - yes, a 7 is utterly compromised in many, many ways, but for some reason, the end result is just bloody brilliant.
Any excuse for a couple of photos:
cerb4.5lee said:
Johnny5hoods said:
Agreed, and I'm not quite sure why it bothers me so much, but I genuinely thought that the 21 would be a success at the time though. Bad timing I guess for sure. GTRene said:
just came acros this sort for sale, looks cool and has a V8 under its bonnet, a Marlin V8 from 1973 RHD in Germany.
what a difference a nose makes
looks more like a oldtimer this way.
Yeah, the marlin doesn't do it for me, but see also the MNR Vortx and Germany Donkervoort.what a difference a nose makes
looks more like a oldtimer this way.I really like the nose on the MNR.
dhutch said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Johnny5hoods said:
Agreed, and I'm not quite sure why it bothers me so much, but I genuinely thought that the 21 would be a success at the time though. Bad timing I guess for sure. 
Johnny5hoods said:
I love the Fury. Legend has it, it outsold the Striker.
If I had the garage space and time for another car, I'd have a Fury in a heartbeat.
Does anyone still make the Fury?
Yep. Sierra rear end though I believe, not a live axle as the originals. If I had the garage space and time for another car, I'd have a Fury in a heartbeat.
Does anyone still make the Fury?
https://www.furysportscars.com/
Can’t help but think that a redesign to take MX5 NC running gear would go down a storm these days.
I’m after a secondhand one. Can’t stomach the price of new, much as I’d love to.
Regarding the OP, never got Sevens of any flavour. But some of the aero bodied ones are another kettle of fish in my eyes.
FNG said:
Yep. Sierra rear end though I believe, not a live axle as the originals.
https://www.furysportscars.com/
Shame they're not offering the version with doors any more. Whole point if you ask me. Being able to drive a seven derivative in all weathers, comfortably, requires a hood and sidescreens. Without the doors that's a real problem.https://www.furysportscars.com/
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