About to take the plunge!

[BigBazza]

My Mrs has kindly agreed to me getting a "7" type machine for my 40th.

I'm on a limited budget as this won't be alone in my toy cupboard so I was wondering what everyones thoughts were of this;

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...

As i'm 6'4" and big boned, i'd have to swap the seats out for GRP numbers and maybe a smaller diameter steering wheel but overall, how would this be for a first forray into the kit world?

[jontysafe]

Is it me or is the steering wheel at an angle?

[downsman]

I know a chap with an ERA shortened sump and he is changing it due to oil surge problems on his Zetec.
It's worth finding out how much a Raceline or Scholar sump would cost.

[Skyedriver]

Nicely presented.
Don't like the warning lights on the dash
The roll bar needs replacing, it's useless
Don't like the humps on the bonnet
Cheaper than a Caterham
Wheels a bit bling.
The rear number plate doesn't look legal.

Theres a similar one on ebay, bit north of that one, at £5300 but its a 12 reg not a Q

Edited by Skyedriver on Wednesday 30th January 21:36

[MG CHRIS]

Im 6ft 4 and really struggle to get in most 7 type cars even with grp seats. So you need to try out a few and find out.

[spyder dryver]

Firstly, Happy Birthday! The car looks well specced to me. Weber Alpha and 45's aren't cheap. You'll need to check things like foot room, especially if your feet are "big boned". You might be able to dispense with seats altogether and just have a squabs fixed to the bulkhead and floor.
The Avon is one of the better proportioned "sevens" to my eyes, although I don't like the yellow dials or the particular wheels on this car. Small front plate is a no-no too. Steering wheel is awful.
These minor (personal) niggles apart, I'd investigate further, especially if you could shave the price a bit.
I do like the rear aspect. Nice,wide arches. Proper dual wishbone front, IRS rear suspension. Scuttle is nice and low. Its on ebay with a "Make an offer" so he'll deffo come down some.

The other one on ebay has 180hp (unlikely) and would have 230hp with a remap! Ha-ha. Bought for 14K so wont be selling for anything like 6K IMHO.
There's also a Quantum on ebay which ain't my cup of tea but they are roomy.

[spyder dryver]

MG CHRIS said:

Im 6ft 4 and really struggle to get in most 7 type cars even with grp seats. So you need to try out a few and find out.

Are you the 6'4", 18st. Chris asking questions on the Locost auction on ebay?

[BigBazza]

Thanks everyone for your input!

Size 12 feet.

I would be replacing the wheel with a smaller diameter quick release so that's not an issue. Other than that I like the aesthetics!

If I was sat on the floor (what do you actually sit on/in?) would I need to lower the rake of the steering column, and if so is that a simple matter?

I'm not an engineer/mechanic but would enjoy learning on something like this.

[spyder dryver]

Seat squabs something like the following...




You wouldn't be sitting much lower than with a normal seat but you would be as far back as possible.

[BigBazza]

Yep they look just the ticket.

Romantically I had the Mrs measure the width of my hips for the JK seats and I reckon as long as I dont wear any clothes and i accidentally spill some oil on my love handles I should fit in their 39cm seat.

I think as long as it drives right, i'm going to do it, get it home and then make it fit me.

[rhinochopig]

I'm 6'5" and used to run a factory built Westy Medgabird. The major issue with size in 7s if you are tall is fitting your knees under the wheel. Even with shell seats I struggled for knee space so had Westy modify the steering column position and length. They raised it a couple of inches and lengthened the column so that the wheel was much closer and gave plenty of knee room. Interestingly their mechanics preferred the driving position of my car to that of the standard one as it was closer to that of a WRC / Touring car.

For reference I couldn't even get in the fully padded seat cars and caught me knuckles on my knees in the standard mega cars with shell seats.

That would be my approach as even with shell seats, you may find the wheel a bit of a stretch.

[BigBazza]

Most of the quick release bosses space the wheel out by a good 50mm+ so i was hoping that might be enough. It's going to be a suck it and see and possible leg shortening exercise I think!

[spyder dryver]

A quick look on Tigers website shows the cost of the kit to be £9995+VAT. Then you have to build it. So price-wise I don't think its far out. Don't worry about the Q plate either.
The steering wheel already looks quite high so I think you should be OK for knee clearance, especially with a smaller diameter ( and hopefully more tasteful) wheel. I did exactly this on my car, together with a spacer to bring it nearer.
Your feet may be the biggest problem. Wear your slimmest fitting trainers for any roadtests. You might need to invest in some "driving boots".

[rhinochopig]

BigBazza said:

Most of the quick release bosses space the wheel out by a good 50mm+ so i was hoping that might be enough. It's going to be a suck it and see and possible leg shortening exercise I think!

I had the QR boss too, as did the factory demo that I struggled in. I still needed the column lengthening and raising.

[Andy Bell]

BigBazza said:

As i'm 6'4" and big boned

So I am same height but a skinny waif and i tried sitting in a standard (R400 caterham) and didnt fit even with seats as far back as could go. I then sat in one with lowered floors (quick release steering wheel) and fitted fine. Try and scab a seat in one from someone on here to check I would definitely recommend.

[BigBazza]

I do have some driving shoes, i'm turning into my dad, pair of shoes for every occasion!

I'm either going to take a trailer (slow journey and a nightmare if I don't buy it) or a smaller person (gutted that someone else will drive it home) just in case I physically cant get in to bring it home.

Thanks for all the advice!

[spyder dryver]

It says on ebay that its currently SORN so it will need trailering.

[BigBazza]

He said he'd stick 6 months on it so "I" could drive it home.

[MG CHRIS]

spyder dryver said:

MG CHRIS said:

Im 6ft 4 and really struggle to get in most 7 type cars even with grp seats. So you need to try out a few and find out.

Are you the 6'4", 18st. Chris asking questions on the Locost auction on ebay?

No i haven't the space for another car and im only 11st.

[BigBazza]

Where do I look for squabs chaps?