ID help please

[stevep944]

Hi all, went to see this yesterday as the school I work in is looking for a cheap project to teach vehicle mechanics etc.
The guy selling it says it's a Seven and from his knowledge and collection of cars I have no reason to doubt it, but would anyone be able to confirm from the pics that it definitely is or not?
Many thanks..

[Gingerbread Man]

It's a Seven, just not a Caterham Seven.

[stevep944]

Tell me more! Do you mean it's a home made copy?

[Gingerbread Man]

The Lotus 7 is one of, if not the most replicated car going. What exactly it is I couldn't say.

[Equus]

The nosecone looks very much like a Westfield (you can tell by the slight 'groove' on either side - introduced after the Caterham litigation), but the chassis definitely isn't, so it's just someone using Westfield bodywork for convenience.

I'd guess it's a one off, based on the 'Locost' plans book.

Try asking on the Locostbuilders forum.

[Carbon Tart]

Defo not a Caterham. Most likely tobe a Robin Hood or Locost

[V7SLR]

The fuel tank looks a bit dodgy .....

[CharlesElliott]

Chassis looks very rudimentary - I would bet on it being some variation on the Ron Champion Locost.

[Trackdayguy]

I really struggle to understand these cars. All that work and when its done its close to worthless

[AdamIndy]

The chassis/wishbones look very similar to my old MK Indy. They were effectively a “factory” built locost.

The Indy’s had independent rear ends rather than the live rear axle of this car. Certainly looks like a Westfield nose cone as said above.

I’d say it’s a homebuilt chassis from the locost plans. Not necessarily a bad thing providing the welding is up to scratch.

[stevep944]

Thanks for the replies, yes it seems to be a Ron Champion Locost chassis.
We decided to buy it as we can physically get it into a classroom /workshop and it will be ideal for teaching basic car mechanics. As time and money allows we can do more with it although it's unlikely to turn a wheel in anger.
Off to join the Locost forum and start scanning ebay for bits!