Caterham/Lotus 7

[mallone]

Doing a product study at school at the moment about the Lotus/Caterham 7. Does anyone know of any sites that feature either a comprehensive history of the car and also some kind of site featuring the more technical aspects of the cars construction? I have been looking at build diarys and things but i just wondered if there was one specific site.

Much appreciated

John

[MGv8]

Get a copy of Classic Cars Dec 2003.
Page 53 All about Graham Nearon and Simon Nearon.

That will take you from 1973 on....

[eric mc]

There is a potted history of the Seven at www.se7en-up.co.uk. I won't boast about who wrote it.

[minghis]

John,
If you ask this question on either the Westfield Sports Car Club website (www.wscc.co.uk - click boardroom and you'll get to the forum) or on www.blatchat.com you'll probably find what you're looking for.
Sounds like you could do with a build manual, they're available from Westfield/Caterham but they charge for them.
Good luck!

[DustyC]

minghis said:

John, If you ask this question on either the Westfield Sports Car Club website (www.wscc.co.uk - click boardroom and you'll get to the forum) or on www.blatchat.com you'll probably find what you're looking for. Sounds like you could do with a build manual, they're available from Westfield/Caterham but they charge for them. Good luck!

Good recommendations there.
This may well do better on PH in the Caterham Forum too.

[eric mc]

Mungo - True.

[getcarter]

Not comprehensive... but check out mine: www.CaterhamSeven.com

Let me know if you need hi res pics... I can supply at no cost.

Steve

[7Fan7]

Hey everyone, I'm doing a project at the university regarding Lotus-7 style kit cars. I'm thinking of building a carbon fibre passenger tub, so essentially the front frame and the back frame will remain as they are (either steel or aluminum). From my initial thoughts a carbon fibre tub would further reduce the weight, and additionally enhance stiffness. What are your thoughts? is there a potential market for it? what are the important considerations to take into account?
Cheers guys!

[Equus]

7Fan7 said:

Hey everyone, I'm doing a project at the university regarding Lotus-7 style kit cars. I'm thinking of building a carbon fibre passenger tub, so essentially the front frame and the back frame will remain as they are (either steel or aluminum). From my initial thoughts a carbon fibre tub would further reduce the weight, and additionally enhance stiffness. What are your thoughts? is there a potential market for it? what are the important considerations to take into account?
Cheers guys!

Westfield has done exactly what you suggest, quite recently - they showed a prototype just last year. See discussion here.

They also did the FW400 a number of years ago, of course, but that was a full carbon tub, not with tubular front and rear frames.

[7Fan7]

Equus said:

Westfield has done exactly what you suggest, quite recently - they showed a prototype just last year. See discussion here.

They also did the FW400 a number of years ago, of course, but that was a full carbon tub, not with tubular front and rear frames.

Thanks for the information; yes indeed this project is practically the same; but my area of focus is not so much on the structural and technical aspect but rather if it is a viable product, and if there is a market for it. Would you happen to have any insight?