mylesofsmyles
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 06:43 PM |
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How many bodies?
Excuse my ignorance, but if someone could help, it would be much appreciated. I am still learning about the Locost 7, but am soon to begin a build of
my own. I am in the US, and it seems as though there are thousands of different sources for such a kit. I am not skilled enough to weld my own
chassis, thus will opt for a full kit. The first few companies I know of are Coveland and Demans, and now Westfield. Are there many differences from
one kit to the next?
I will be using a Mazda MX5 Miata as my donor, thus will buy a MX5 ready chassis. In the photo gallery for Coveland, they show a vehicle that appears
to be pieced together with scarp sheet metal. At Demans, it appears as though the body is alloy but contains fewer, but larger pieces, making for a
smoother and more refined appearance. At Westfield, same as Demans, it appears as though the side panels are one piece, rather than multiple, and
look cleaner. Is it my imagination or are the bodies of different kits actually different? If it makes any difference, I intend to completly paint
each panel; I want something clean, fewer panels and light weight.
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miegru
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 06:57 PM |
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There are many differences to the various kits, both in styling and in how much you need to do yourself.
Limiting it to MX5 running gear should limit your options. I am happy with my westfied (not the MX5 one). I think it is one of most complete kit on
the market today. This is reflected in the price.
With complete kit I do not mean the quality of the product itself; A westfield in itself is not a better car than a locost, a GTS, a Dax, etc. A good
build Locost with a good set-up will drive better than a badly build Westfield with a poor set up. And vice versa.
With complete kit I mean that the Westfield is a more complete package. A builder has less input; you are more bolting together a car than actually
building it. For me a Westfield is easier to build than a locost and it is more difficult to botch up the build. On the other side a locost will leave
much more room to build exactly the car you want to the standard you want. Most other sevens I know are somewhere on the line between a
'pure' locost and a Westfield.
I chose a Westfield because I knew I would have little time for the build and wanted to be on the road fast. Haven't regretted it. However my
next car will be a more 'involving' project.
Hope this helps.
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coozer
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 06:59 PM |
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Get in contact with MNR, I'm sure they are developing an MX5 donor kit and they do come highly recommended.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 06:59 PM |
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coveland are robin hood agents or were , dont go there - stick with the decent tube chassis , you wont go far wrong with an Mx5 base .
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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mylesofsmyles
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 07:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by miegru
There are many differences to the various kits, both in styling and in how much you need to do yourself.
Limiting it to MX5 running gear should limit your options. I am happy with my westfied (not the MX5 one). I think it is one of most complete kit on
the market today. This is reflected in the price.
With complete kit I do not mean the quality of the product itself; A westfield in itself is not a better car than a locost, a GTS, a Dax, etc. A good
build Locost with a good set-up will drive better than a badly build Westfield with a poor set up. And vice versa.
With complete kit I mean that the Westfield is a more complete package. A builder has less input; you are more bolting together a car than actually
building it. For me a Westfield is easier to build than a locost and it is more difficult to botch up the build. On the other side a locost will leave
much more room to build exactly the car you want to the standard you want. Most other sevens I know are somewhere on the line between a
'pure' locost and a Westfield.
I chose a Westfield because I knew I would have little time for the build and wanted to be on the road fast. Haven't regretted it. However my
next car will be a more 'involving' project.
Hope this helps.
Very informative, thanks! With that said, let me specify that I will most certainly be building a Locost; I value the input I will be able to have.
I seek a very specific outcome. Given that I will choose a Locost, is there much difference from one vendor to another? Coveland appears to make a
very affordable kit, as doe Deman. From the few pictures on the Coveland website, I don't think I like their execution of the body; can a body
of a Deman be placed on a Coveland chassis?
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mylesofsmyles
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 07:04 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
coveland are robin hood agents or were , dont go there - stick with the decent tube chassis , you wont go far wrong with an Mx5 base .
Coveland isn't a good vendor? Also, when you say a decent tube chassis, could you please specify. I noticed on the Coveland website, they now
make the MX5 chassis in classic square tube or a more expensive round tube (supposed to be of higher tollerance for higher power)
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stevebubs
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 07:22 PM |
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take a look at the FlyinMiata site - think they may become US agents for Westfield and are already Miata specialists.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/
One of the chaps that work there has already built a locost based on the Miata and published a book on it.
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/
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stevebubs
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 07:22 PM |
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take a look at the FlyinMiata site - think they may become US agents for Westfield and are already Miata specialists.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/
One of the chaps that work there has already built a locost based on the Miata and published a book on it.
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/
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miegru
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| posted on 21/3/07 at 08:06 PM |
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From what I have seen there is a HUGE difference in the various offerings.
Some are plain bad, some are very good. Others are simply different; size, weight, design, etc.
I would really recommend to visit the factory or dealer and see at least three different finished cars per marque that you include in your short list.
The three cars is needed to be able to see through what is the 'kit' and what is the 'builder'.
And more important; see if you get along with the people who will provide you support. As you can see on various treads on this forum most
manufacturers have loyal followers and real haters. This must be due to the fact that some personalities suit some better than others and vice versa.
In 'the industry' there are some colourfull characters and by nature they tend to be of the love'm or hate'm types. I like
this aspect but make sure that the people you will be working with are the love'm kind.......for you at least.
Enjoy!
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mylesofsmyles
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| posted on 22/3/07 at 05:52 AM |
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I think I understand better now; there are just so many manufacturers of such kits, it gets confusing. Between a Locost and a "more
complete" kit, I will choose the Locost; I intend to make this a unique build and would like to pick and choose components as I see fit. Body
wise, I want something simple, clean and light. I think I have decided on the Coveland Motorsports kit as it is the most affordible, their
chassis' make a MX5 donor the easiest and seem to be quite simple.
Touching upon what has been said about styling variation, I am still unclear as to the cosmetic differences from one kit to the next. Below is a link
to some inspiring images of others' Seven kits. Will a certain locost kit determine whether my kit will look like these or not? What are the
common differences from one locost kit's body to the next?
Locost7 Images
 
Rescued attachment MK1.jpg
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