Bodywork Edit

[golem]

I was like the 7-type / Locosts but for such a great chassis and basic idea, they do lack aerodynamics from what I read and often this is made worse when cars have bonnet bulges and cuts and external exhaust plumbing. They'd be so much more competitive over a wider variety of tracks with just a little aero.
What's more, a slightly bigger engine bay for turbocharged models and small V motors.
So I wanted to nip and tuck it and see what people think of the idea. While I'maybe a slightly more aero back would help too because a lot of drag comes from there.

I set to work on doing a rough edit of the basic shape, using a pic of the Belkin Z190. Result - Locost Supersport. (Couldn't think of anything else)



Do please tell me what you think. And do you think it could:
- make it easier to fit up to about the 2.5 - 3.0 V6's
- increase it's ability to punch through air at higher speeds?
- look good?
- be made to not add all that much weight?

[grahambell]

Hi golem,

Cars like the Fisher Fury, Ginetta G20/27, SSC Stylus and Caterham 21 are all effectively more aerodynamic, full bodied '7' type cars. In fact the Caterham 21 is essentially just a 7 chassis with a different body.

Some of the above have been fitted with V8s, so if you're going to do it why not go the whole hog and ditch the 7's lousy aerodynamics completely rather than merely turning a narrow brick into a wider one?

[golem]

I guess the idea was to make it recognisable as a seven. I might even redesign it back a bit so it's less wide but more like a bodykit you would buy for a 7 car.

Except unlike a 'ricer' kit it actually HELPS the aero rather than detracts. Do you think that'd sell at all?

[grahambell]

golem said: I guess the idea was to make it recognisable as a seven. I might even redesign it back a bit so it's less wide but more like a bodykit you would buy for a 7 car.

Except unlike a 'ricer' kit it actually HELPS the aero rather than detracts. Do you think that'd sell at all?

Well, a broadly similar idea has been tried before with the Spirit (do have a photo but don't know how to post it here!) and that didn’t do very well or last very long.

Also remember Westfield offering a sort of ‘aerodynamic kit’ at one time too, but how many Westfields do you see with them fitted? Obviously didn't prove popular.

History shows that people wanting 7 type cars tend to want the pure classic 7 shape or something close to it while those wanting better aerodynmics want something with a curvy 50s/60s style body a la Ginetta G20.

Sorry if that's put you off, but that seems to be the way it is.

[Mark B]

Golem,

That's been done before - See Dutton Phaeton - It looks virtually identical to your sketch.

I will go along with other comments, Caterham 21, Sylva (Stylus, Fury, Phoenix) or Ginetta's are all great adaptions of the 7 chassis.

Cheers, Mark

[PeetBee]

As Mark B said, you've designed a Phaeton, Dutton also did the Legerra which was a further developement on the idea, but if I didn't own a Phaeton (& had the money!) I'd personally go for a Fusher Fury for the looks/aerodynamics.
For more info: www.duttonownersclub.co.uk/

[TheLemming]

I seem to recall an article in autocar a while back regarding aero kit for sevens.

I think it was specifically about an aero kit developed for a BEC that was entered in the Nurburgring 24 hours a couple of years ago...

[golem]

I looked at the other designs and so far the Caterham 21 looks like a winner that didn't. :/ Same length and placement proportions, nice crisp lines... 100kilos over the usual 7 weight didn't sound too bad for a car with very road car acceptable looks. Shouldn't be hard to fit a smallish snail tuned for mid range oomph and you'd have the perfect all weather sportscar. An MX-5's aerobics instructor if you would. ^_^

Anyhow, I gather that the various 7-ups or whatever you could call them aren't that popular though I tend to think it's not really the concepts fault so much as the lack of a marketing machine to push them.

The fury also looked very nice with good rims, but I liked the 21 just that bit more.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

[simonelite501]

Looks pretty similar to my Dutton Phaeton, except for those side skirts covering the exhaust. They would have to be strong enough to hold a persons full weight as it would prove impossible to get in or out without standing/sitting on them. The only disadvantage is with the front of these cars, the large fibreglass wings tend to give a large amount of lift at high speed, reducing contact with the tarmac and causing some palpatations