Locost + Clubman racer

This is kind of a tangent off the Modified Masterpiece thread...

There are plenty of Locost kind of designs out there.  Some even call themselves Locost Clubman.  

But with a tiny amount of time spent in England, my version of what a "Clubman Racer" is would be this- 

Where the engine is offset and slightly toward the rear.  Just like for loosecanon's design and the EM Camaro in the other thread.

Does anyone in DM use a design like that for their 7?

And any idea where to get those kinds of plans?  With a more modern engine, the exhaust exits on the passenger side, so it could be easily set up as LHD.

edit- changed the picture but the original was posted as well

http://www.my105.com/private_images/28441/14798_147980_m.jpg

alfadriver said:

Does anyone in DM use a design like that for their 7?

And any idea where to get those kinds of plans? 

If not numerous, at least multiple. Mostly those competing, or planning to, at the national level.  I'm pretty sure that the many times National Champion Sprinto YC-3 build by Del Long and driven by Jeff (and Denise) Cashmore utilizes this type of layout.

Most of the 'plans' I'm aware of though are really just loose guidelines anyway, since rarely do two builders try to build the exact same thing, with lots generally left up to the interpretation and ingenuity of the builder.  From there, it should mostly just be a matter of moving the tunnel over and modifying the firewall design.

They are literally called clubmans cars in the UK.  They were tremendously popular in the 60's, 70's and early 80's.  The class stared to wain in popularity in the later 80's but they continue to be tremendously popular for sprints and hillclimbs still.  There were many manufacturers and home builts.  The most popular being Mallock and it's line of 'U2' (for 'You Too can race') series of cars built for many years.  The normal recipe was a Ford Kent (AKA Crossflow) engine in 1100, 1300 or 1600cc format depending on the class.  Most used the ubiquitous Triumph from uprights and steering rack along with a Ford live rear axle.  once cars started to move to IRS the cars got more complex I think that's when the slow decline in popularity.  There are a series of smaller, but similar concept vehicles called 'Formula 750' which, no surprise used 750cc engines and were the basis of the '750 motor club' which is still the governing body for many of the grassroots home constructed and kit car race series.  Those cars started out as Austin 7 based specials (hence the 750cc engine) and retain some loose links to the Austin 7 as they need to use two 2" square tubes as the basis of the chassis to 'emulate' the original Austin 7 chassis.  Later they moved to the the Reliant engine as used in the famous Reliant three wheelers as it was a distant descendant of the original Austin 7 engine.  Around the turn of the century they moved to the FIAT 1,100(ish, I don't recall) 'Fire' engine from the Panda.  I really do have way too much useless knowledge about old British club racing and kit cars.  I can also bore you all silly with pics from my hard drive.

That is a Mallock, or a knockoff, I believe.

See here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clubmans

and here:

http://www.mallocksports.co.uk/

Arthur Mallock was an interesting and very cool guy

-chris r.

An older U2

Tangent, the world needs a DOM tube chassis class the uses modern DI 1.6T and 2.0T (2 separate classes, split grid) factory engines to power the little beast. Spec chassis and suspension (but fully adjustable suspension).

I really think this is the answer to fill the void of vintage racing due to safety of vintage cars and the fact that NA miatas and E30s will be the only chassis left to build in the not too distant future. 

Note, this is a very old car that predates people using double wishbone front suspension with Triumph Spitfire/Herald front uprights.  This is an early split beam front swing axle car.  Probably a Ford 100E as was also used by Colin Chapman on the early 6 and even XI race cars

Adrian beat me to it.

There are Mallock's competing in historic formula ford in England, and doing quite well I believe. Proving that with ingenuity, a front engine design can still compete, with the mid/rear design that is dominant in open wheel racing.

-chris r.

Still a 60's cars but using a De Dion rear end with rotoflex couplings and a Lotus diff casing.

This is probably a late 70's early 80's car/

More of the first car I posted  I think.

A home built my memory is telling me came from the antipodes.

They may look simple, but they were/are very well thought out and designed.  Here's a few chassis details.  I want to say much of the chassis is 3/4" square tube.