Lotus 18 FJ Restoration (Large Picture Diary)
Discussion
Evening All,
Yesterday I had quite a large cleanup and stumbled across my old SD cards from my camera. One of the Cards holds the photos that were taken during the 2 restoration/rebuilds of the 18.
Resto 1
The car was bought in 1996 to restore/rebuild for track/sprinting use.
Below are some photos of the car (as found/bought). Apologies for the quality, as they pics of prints. Album yet to be found.
Car was complete, but as a rolling chassis with all other parts in boxes. Over the next 3 years my grandfather kept a photo record of the processes up to the cars first sprint outing. Pics cover the period of Late ’96 to ’99.
The car was subject to a ground up rebuild where the chassis was refreshed along with all other components. (That could be saved)
The engine (998cc at this point) and 4 speed queerbox were surprisingly good nick and after a clean and overhaul slotted nicely into where they should be. The main thing that was absent from the car was the exhaust system so we got one made up and then fitted.
Car was ready to go until disaster struck and the engine and box had to came out and go off to be fixed. Note amount of blocks it is on
He was never an H&S man.
Fortunately it was not as a bad as we all thought and soon enough the car was back on the floor and ready for its first outing.
So for the next few years my uncle and his dad used the car for sprinting, with relative success. Then they both retired from sprinting and my parents acquired the car in early 2001 or so. It sat about for a few years as we were working on other projects and then the time came to rebuild to a standard of race use in the HSCC FJ C’ship.
Resto 2
The influence of grandfather was that he wanted it to look like it did when it first left the factory.
So with this in mind the car was handed over to CTL (kept him quiet) and the ground up rebuild began. (Thanks to CTL for the following photos of progress-sent on to grandfather to keep him happy
)
Too many photos here, but below are a selection of the process. A few things needed some work (either replaced or rectified).
Unfortunately there are no pics of going back together after this but we did manage to get one as it was the day of being picking up.
The car has now done both ’07 and ’08 seasons on the refreshed 998cc with a few class podiums. Highlight being at Nurburgring (Aug ’08) and getting to drive on the Nordschleife(see linky).
http://www.hellopress.de/EVENTS/Eifel08/Eifel08_Fr...
For ’09 we have decided to do the full (or as many as possible) HSCC FJ C’ship rounds, and have therefore upped the engine to 1100cc to match other 18’s in the class, so that now can have a go at being one of the fastest 18s on the grid.
Cheers,
JM
Yesterday I had quite a large cleanup and stumbled across my old SD cards from my camera. One of the Cards holds the photos that were taken during the 2 restoration/rebuilds of the 18.
Resto 1
The car was bought in 1996 to restore/rebuild for track/sprinting use.
Below are some photos of the car (as found/bought). Apologies for the quality, as they pics of prints. Album yet to be found.
Car was complete, but as a rolling chassis with all other parts in boxes. Over the next 3 years my grandfather kept a photo record of the processes up to the cars first sprint outing. Pics cover the period of Late ’96 to ’99.
The car was subject to a ground up rebuild where the chassis was refreshed along with all other components. (That could be saved)
The engine (998cc at this point) and 4 speed queerbox were surprisingly good nick and after a clean and overhaul slotted nicely into where they should be. The main thing that was absent from the car was the exhaust system so we got one made up and then fitted.
Car was ready to go until disaster struck and the engine and box had to came out and go off to be fixed. Note amount of blocks it is on
He was never an H&S man.Fortunately it was not as a bad as we all thought and soon enough the car was back on the floor and ready for its first outing.
So for the next few years my uncle and his dad used the car for sprinting, with relative success. Then they both retired from sprinting and my parents acquired the car in early 2001 or so. It sat about for a few years as we were working on other projects and then the time came to rebuild to a standard of race use in the HSCC FJ C’ship.
Resto 2
The influence of grandfather was that he wanted it to look like it did when it first left the factory.
So with this in mind the car was handed over to CTL (kept him quiet) and the ground up rebuild began. (Thanks to CTL for the following photos of progress-sent on to grandfather to keep him happy
)Too many photos here, but below are a selection of the process. A few things needed some work (either replaced or rectified).
Unfortunately there are no pics of going back together after this but we did manage to get one as it was the day of being picking up.
The car has now done both ’07 and ’08 seasons on the refreshed 998cc with a few class podiums. Highlight being at Nurburgring (Aug ’08) and getting to drive on the Nordschleife(see linky).
http://www.hellopress.de/EVENTS/Eifel08/Eifel08_Fr...
For ’09 we have decided to do the full (or as many as possible) HSCC FJ C’ship rounds, and have therefore upped the engine to 1100cc to match other 18’s in the class, so that now can have a go at being one of the fastest 18s on the grid.
Cheers,
JM
deviant said:
I can imagine running costs are not all that dear in something like that? What happens if you bend it or lose the engine in a big way?
You'd be right there. In essence there really isn't much to it. A frame, aengine, a seat and a fuel tank. Parts are readily available, and not to dear. But if you really bend it then yes it can get expensive.Engine wise. There is no limiter, but they run out of puff (change up) around 8500 to 9000rpm, (Die at 10). Also depends who builds it for you, as it can be quite expensive. The engine has just come back from it's refresh after doing 1 and a half seasons runnig with a few tests days trown in. It neede new vaulves and seats, but otherwise it was fine.
Galsia, Have a look here for an idea of what these types of cars are for sale at.
http://www.formulajunior.com/For%20Sale/FJ_Cars_fo...
Well, the 2009 season has now started. Round 1 was on Sunday 5th April at Donington Park.
Winter preperation involved, a new top front wisbone and bushes, new tyres and respray of trailing arms. Unfortunatly there was a constant yellow flag due to the building works and the MSA.
Qualifying lasted 3 laps as we only had 1st and 2nd gear. Managed to fix for race and got third in class.
.
A few snaps after the race,
18 pictured with uncle's E Type S1 4.2 and friends' newly acquired Lotus 22. (22 was the car rebuilt by my grandfather before the 18. Sold it on and then finally ended up in friends hands). was a nice pic for the Grandfather.
Round 2 is at Cadwell Park on April 19th. Car is ready to go.
Winter preperation involved, a new top front wisbone and bushes, new tyres and respray of trailing arms. Unfortunatly there was a constant yellow flag due to the building works and the MSA.
Qualifying lasted 3 laps as we only had 1st and 2nd gear. Managed to fix for race and got third in class.
.A few snaps after the race,
18 pictured with uncle's E Type S1 4.2 and friends' newly acquired Lotus 22. (22 was the car rebuilt by my grandfather before the 18. Sold it on and then finally ended up in friends hands). was a nice pic for the Grandfather.
Round 2 is at Cadwell Park on April 19th. Car is ready to go.
JagJob said:
Hi!
You drove at the Nürburgring in 2008 you say. We have been there on the Friday practice day. Did you take part in the FIA Lurani Trophy? There were a couple of 18s. I could have a look for a picture of your car.
Do you know something about the period history of this car? I find it interesting to know more about the car and how it feels to drive something like it.
Hi Job,You drove at the Nürburgring in 2008 you say. We have been there on the Friday practice day. Did you take part in the FIA Lurani Trophy? There were a couple of 18s. I could have a look for a picture of your car.
Do you know something about the period history of this car? I find it interesting to know more about the car and how it feels to drive something like it.
Sorry for the very late reply. Yes. We were car number 141 in the 2008 Lurani race and were number 51 in the 2009 Lurani races.
The history of the car that i know of is as follows.
This Lotus 18. Chassis 746 was owned by Brian Gubby who was a friend of Neil McNab. The car then went to America and was used as a school car in the Jim Russell racing school.
The car was then stored for many years until it was bought for restoration by the previous owner. this never happened and then the car was acquired by our family to rebuild and then race.
To drive? The car is very light and with the small tyres can be a handful to drive fast. Even if it only has a 110 bhp 1100cc ford pre x flow engine. It has drum brakes all round and only an anti rollbar on the front, which is very thin and not that effective. plus the bodywork is not that aerodynamic as it has such a big front compared to the other cars.
It can be a handful on the edge, but also forgiving when it does get a bit close to the edge of grip. I would be pleased to see any pictures you have of the car.
JM
Edited by johnnymaestro on Saturday 15th January 22:28
CrashTD said:
Anybody else find the front suspension geometry insane? How do the 18s handle?
Top marks for the resto and well done for racing it
Cheers for the belated comments.Top marks for the resto and well done for racing it
The link below shows some good pics of an 18 FJ and what it looks like with the body off.
http://www.britishracecar.com/MarcusJones-Lotus-18...
A few shots from the article.
The front end has top and bottom wishbones, a shock, a spring, and a steering arm and that is it, holding on the alfin drums and wheel. Very basic. With added fuel tank over your legs just for added bravery. The tank in the shot is not original as it should be dome shaped like below.
As you can see the rear set up is a lower wishbone, but no top link. Wheel is held on by the drive shaft and shocker. Plus on the 18FJ there is no ARB. (18 GP cars had rear ARBs). It is even more basic, and therefore a mare to set up, a lot of roll, but when it is right it really makes a difference.
The 18 is somewhat out classed by some of the cars in its class as the suspension geometry is more advanced and the aero is more affective. But given the right track it can be very competitive.
CrashTD said:
I meant rear suspension, the fronts are pretty conventional.
Looking through the pics with your explanation I can see why they used such large driveshafts. Still amazed at what designers tried to get the competitive edge.
Cars like yours make the Caterham style cars look almost boring.
Yes lock tight is a must on them. As ever with these things development meant the GP cars got ARBs as did the later FJ Lotuses (22 and 27). The Lotus 27 was an F1 car with an FJ engine. Same story with Cooper. They are bloody quick and something else compared to the 18, which is only 4 years older.Looking through the pics with your explanation I can see why they used such large driveshafts. Still amazed at what designers tried to get the competitive edge.
Cars like yours make the Caterham style cars look almost boring.
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