Is a LoCost 7 eligible for the Challenge?

I picked up an incomplete McSorley 442(a stretched Locost 7) frame recently and have enough "stuff" here at the shop that I could easily build it under the budget, but would ot be eligible? 
 

So, I have a partially built frame that would only require 2-3 more 20' lengths of 1" tubing to compete. I have 2 Ford Ranger 7.5 rears that were purchased from the local scrap yard. It could be powered by a Ford 2.3 turbo or BMW K1200RS engine and transmission. I'm sure there's Miata front spindles/hubs/rotors and calipers somewhere on a shelf from an old Spec Miata that was crashed. Other than plumbing, electricals and a few sheets of aluminum, I likely have most stuff to put the car together. 
 

My question is, since this didn't start as a "real car" with a VIN or title, would a home-built thing be eligible to compete? I've built numerous of these vehicles in the past, but I've taken all of the necessary steps to title, license, inspect and insure them, turning them into a legal "specially constructed vehicle". I obviously wouldn't go through all that paperwork BS on this one, it would just be an auto-x or hillclimb toy. A very slow toy, but fun and very inexpensive in the long run. 
 

So would it be allowed to compete?

Eligible Vehicles:

Any four-wheeled, production-based vehicle that was originally sold as a passenger vehicle is allowed.

Vehicles may either retain production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures, or they may use a tubular frame provided they retain the production body.

If the vehicle uses a tubular frame, then modification of production exterior bodywork is only allowed provided the end result is substantially similar in general appearance to the original vehicle. Sweet box flares are specifically allowed.

If the vehicle retains production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures, then exterior bodywork modification is unlimited, provided no safety rules are violated. Production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures may be modified to alter a vehicle’s wheelbase.

You don't have anything that's production.  Sorry. You can run in the open classes. 

In reply to Stampie :

Now, if he were to incorporate a set of frame rails from a production vehicle, it would be legal.  The rules don't specify how much of the frame rails need to be included. And the rules definitely don't say the rails have to be structural. 

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

I picked up an incomplete McSorley 442(a stretched Locost 7) frame recently and have enough "stuff" here at the shop that I could easily build it under the budget, but would ot be eligible? 
 

So, I have a partially built frame that would only require 2-3 more 20' lengths of 1" tubing to compete. I have 2 Ford Ranger 7.5 rears that were purchased from the local scrap yard. It could be powered by a Ford 2.3 turbo or BMW K1200RS engine and transmission. I'm sure there's Miata front spindles/hubs/rotors and calipers somewhere on a shelf from an old Spec Miata that was crashed. Other than plumbing, electricals and a few sheets of aluminum, I likely have most stuff to put the car together. 
 

My question is, since this didn't start as a "real car" with a VIN or title, would a home-built thing be eligible to compete? I've built numerous of these vehicles in the past, but I've taken all of the necessary steps to title, license, inspect and insure them, turning them into a legal "specially constructed vehicle". I obviously wouldn't go through all that paperwork BS on this one, it would just be an auto-x or hillclimb toy. A very slow toy, but fun and very inexpensive in the long run. 
 

So would it be allowed to compete?

 

Build it, slap some light weight production car frame rails on it and come have some fun 

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

I picked up an incomplete McSorley 442(a stretched Locost 7) frame recently and have enough "stuff" here at the shop that I could easily build it under the budget, but would ot be eligible? 
 

So, I have a partially built frame that would only require 2-3 more 20' lengths of 1" tubing to compete. I have 2 Ford Ranger 7.5 rears that were purchased from the local scrap yard. It could be powered by a Ford 2.3 turbo or BMW K1200RS engine and transmission. I'm sure there's Miata front spindles/hubs/rotors and calipers somewhere on a shelf from an old Spec Miata that was crashed. Other than plumbing, electricals and a few sheets of aluminum, I likely have most stuff to put the car together. 
 

My question is, since this didn't start as a "real car" with a VIN or title, would a home-built thing be eligible to compete? I've built numerous of these vehicles in the past, but I've taken all of the necessary steps to title, license, inspect and insure them, turning them into a legal "specially constructed vehicle". I obviously wouldn't go through all that paperwork BS on this one, it would just be an auto-x or hillclimb toy. A very slow toy, but fun and very inexpensive in the long run. 
 

So would it be allowed to compete?

 

Alternatively, build it, slap some production car body panels on it ( doesn't have to be ALL the panels) and come have fun 

In reply to Indy - Guy :

I was just answering his question and not getting into how lightweight Model T frame rails are.

It might be "illegal" but If you built a traditional lotus 7 clone for <$2k and it was a legitimate attempt at a replica/car I wouldn't protest it.  

Stampie said:

In reply to Indy - Guy :

I was just answering his question and not getting into how lightweight Model T frame rails are.

Morgan frames are made of Ash.......

nocones said:

It might be "illegal" but If you built a traditional lotus 7 clone for <$2k and it was a legitimate attempt at a replica/car I wouldn't protest it.  

I'm sorry I would because I said I'd do the same for Frenchy.  

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

I picked up an incomplete McSorley 442(a stretched Locost 7) frame recently and have enough "stuff" here at the shop that I could easily build it under the budget, but would ot be eligible? 

So would it be allowed to compete?

No, but who cares? That's what they invented the open class for. Come down, do some runs, have some beers and hang out with the rest of us oddballs.

nocones said:

It might be "illegal" but If you built a traditional lotus 7 clone for <$2k and it was a legitimate attempt at a replica/car I wouldn't protest it.  

That. 

Kit cars and god knows what else has run. I'd love to see a janky 70s fiberglass mobile "birth" a good 7 replica on concours day. 

In reply to Byrneon27 :

I assume by kit car you are referring to the Bradley GT that won a few years ago. It was sitting on top of a panther chassis using production frame rails. Thus it was completely inside of the rules. 

Whether or not it makes it down to The Challenge, I decided to weld up the rest of the basic frame while I had a day free at the shop. 
 

I totally believe that I could get it done for under the budget limit since my costs to date are very reasonable. It won't be fast and it won't be pretty, but it should be drivable as an auto-x or track day toy. 
 

Here are my basic costs to date. I have 3 engine options on the list, so eventually I will remove 2 of them. 
 

Do I need to calculate the cost of MIG wire, TIG metal and welding gas into my budget?

What about a factory-built two-seat sand rail frame?  Not intended for street use so it doesn't qualify?

stroker said:

What about a factory-built two-seat sand rail frame?  Not intended for street use so it doesn't qualify?

 

Seriously, I'd really like to know...

It's welcome to join for exhibition, but yeah, not originally sold as a passenger vehicle. 

Tom Suddard said:

It's welcome to join for exhibition, but yeah, not originally sold as a passenger vehicle. 

What if it was welded to a VW floor pan?  I'm reading the above comments as that would make it kosher...?

Do I need to calculate the cost of MIG wire, TIG metal and welding gas into my budget?

wire and metal yes, gas no.

stroker said:

Tom Suddard said:

It's welcome to join for exhibition, but yeah, not originally sold as a passenger vehicle. 

What if it was welded to a VW floor pan?  I'm reading the above comments as that would make it kosher...?

https://2000challenge.com/rules

Eligible Vehicles:

Any four-wheeled, production-based vehicle that was originally sold as a passenger vehicle is allowed.

Vehicles may either retain production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures, or they may use a tubular frame provided they retain the production body.

If the vehicle uses a tubular frame, then modification of production exterior bodywork is only allowed provided the end result is substantially similar in general appearance to the original vehicle. Sweet box flares are specifically allowed.

If the vehicle retains production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures, then exterior bodywork modification is unlimited, provided no safety rules are violated. Production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures may be modified to alter a vehicle’s wheelbase.

I would argue that the VW pan (and iirc Tom has said so) counts as factory frame rails.

Yes, that's correct. A Manx or similar would be legal, while a tube-frame rail without the factory pan would not. 

I've decided that I'm not going to get to this anytime soon, so if somebody's interested here is a link to the for sale thread.