Locost GT40

[Eddie]

My idea for a "Locost"
Using the drawings posted by Chris{ just the ticket Chris}....build the center section then ....using the diamentions from my other Mid-engined project...build copies off the front &rear subframes ...weld them on ..voila Mid-engined rolling chassis for scrapyard money.
Now I have you wondering..what is his other Mid-engined project...Renault Alpine...I often wondered UN1 to Cortina..dosn,t make sence...complete rear end..g/box,drive shafts ,uprights hubs discs &calipers you have a proven rear-end..same at the front..I have since built tubular A-arms & installed them front & rear...no problems with camber change..bump steer bla..bla bla.
I intend to scratch build my chassis when the other project is running[ just building the Megasquirt] & would be happy to let all members of the forum have all the information including the chassis diamentions i gather on my build..Remember PURISTS this is A LOCOST.

 

[Mike Pass]

A locost is a very tempting idea but...... how do you cost your time? Sure - steel tube is cheap and you can save money but the main cost of a forty is not in the chassis. If you tot up all the bits you need to build a good car the £3,000 - £3,500 you pay for a chassis is a very small proportion of the total. Also when you sell it a known quantity is more saleable and you will recoup your investment. Also a chassis from a known supplier will be easy to bolt bits to and saves hours of toil. There is always a trade off between cost and time. Having built a fully triangulated spaceframe chassis for another car which took over a year to design and build the jig and the actual frame I reckon I was working for about 50p an hour! I have had a close look at the chassis out there and appreciate the amount of time the designers have put in to work out how everthing is going to fit etc. This may be why there is a distinct shortage of plans available for GT40s chassis unlike the "Locatorfield " style of cars. However I applaud your efforts and wish you well with your project.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Eddie]

Mike P,
Thanks for your comments...but I think your a little out of date with todays prices..The cost of a rolling chassis is probably arround 10,000 Pounds with vat. Whilst not trying to detract anyone from their given path what I want to build is nearer the origonal lines of Ken Attwel...I spent an evening with Ken,25 yrs.ago, went to the workshop the next day, drove the MK3 demonstrator[Escort trans. engine & box] paid my non refundable deposit & waited for my KVA...unfortunatley I bought a big old house & lost my car..but to this day still want a GT40. When building somthing of pleasure for yourself cost per hour doesn,t come into the equasion..also when reselling it,s what you consider the value, not the market.
I,m a retired ex-race car mech.ETCC, FIA.GT, BTTC, & see & know what things cost..that,s why I thing there is still room for anyone with the skills to do the bulk of the build themseves.
Cheers Eddie.

 

[Mike Pass]

Hi Eddie,
When I said £3,000 to £3,500 for a chassis that is correct. You can buy a chassis from Mick Sollis for that. You have taken it to be for a "rolling chassis" whatever you mean by that. If you mean a chassis with suspension or with a body that will be a lot more depending on how exotic you want to be with ally uprights and fancy brakes etc. Whilst it is possible to build a GT40 for a small amount of money by making lots of parts yourself to get all the right bits takes a lot of time. I know what it takes in bits and bobs as I have several friends who are putting a range of cars together KVA C type, MDA, Southern GT, GTD Mk3 and I myself am working on a GTD with KVA body. I know exactly what the total costs are from economy up to top notch stuff. I still think that while you can save money and have some "fun" developing your own chassis you are reinventing the wheel.
I still like the Ken Attwell story about him being asked for a build manual for the KVA GT40 when he said that if you need a build manual you shouldn't be building one! One point worth mentioning re the KVA is that the front of the chassis tapers in and the front suspension arms have an angled axis. This creates a lot of problems with enough space for the coil over shock and the issue of the back inner edge of the tyre hitting the chassis on lock. The GTD/Southern/MDA setup with a parallel section for the front suspension pivots makes life a whole lot easier especially if you try to juggle things to give a bit more width in the footwell for the neccessary feet. I have to drive my GTD in race boots and still need a one legged passenger - the MDA and Southern are much better.
Anyway good luck and keep us updated with your progress.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Fuoriserie - Italo]

Any updates on the locost Gt 40 ?

 

[Eddie]

Hi Fuoriserie,
Chassis design complete....suspension, brakes etc. as before...been in touch with a guy with the moulds for the body & for some fabrication work I can use his moulds...so by the Jan.of 09 should be starting the first build for myself.
Cheers Eddie.

 

[Fuoriserie - Italo]

Hi Fuoriserie,
Chassis design complete....suspension, brakes etc. as before...been in touch with a guy with the moulds for the body & for some fabrication work I can use his moulds...so by the Jan.of 09 should be starting the first build for myself.
Cheers Eddie.

Hi Eddie,

That is great news and will be looking forward to your build.

Ciao
Italo

 

[Fuoriserie - Italo]

Hi Fuoriserie,
Chassis design complete....suspension, brakes etc. as before...been in touch with a guy with the moulds for the body & for some fabrication work I can use his moulds...so by the Jan.of 09 should be starting the first build for myself.
Cheers Eddie.

Hi Eddie, any pictures to post yet ?

Cheers
Italo

 

[Eddie]

Hi Fuoriserie,
Still keeping up to date with what,s going on...Had to put the 40 build on the back burner for a bit...Just came out of hospital after a hip replacement opp..still to finish my other twin -turbo build..all the parts in place just get it running & paint...should have been finished end off 08 but for the timely intervention off only having 1 good leg. Will keep you postedwhen everything is back to normal.

Cheers Eddie.

 

[glen]

hi, i'm waiting for news as i'm doing a locost40!!:embarassed:

 

[Eddie]

Hi Glen,
Thanks for the enquiry, things are starting to move...my friend & I have just bought a ex-industrial water-cooled tig welder..so I can weld all day long no probs...will be starting chassis work & the a-arms that I allready construct...hopefully in a month or so..will keep you posted & when someone showes me how to post photos you,ll get them as well.
cheers Eddie.

 

[glen]

cheers ed, what rear susp set up are you thinking of using?
i've got my shell and some plans, just need to find out the cheapest way to mate a v8 to a tranny. (prob 302 and audi....hmmm)
looks like i'll be hunting down 2nd hand parts then!!

 

[Darren]

Eddie, the easiest way to post pics is to get a photo bucket account i think, when you upload the pics the link back to the photo is supplied all you do is copy the link and paste it in your post.

 

[Bram Boekestein]

Glen,
Kennedy Engineering sell's adaptorkits for just under $600.

Eddie,
Cool project, someone who's trying to break the $$$$ barrier.

gr bram

 

[glen]

cheers bram. could you post a link? still intrested in uprights etc as i need a rolling chassis so i can roll it in and out of work and keep the boss sweet. :thinking:

 

[Bram Boekestein]

Jim,

At the bottom of the page: Other Adaptions
For genuine parts look at www.southerngt.co.uk

 

[Eddie]

Glen,
I am at present involved in the repair & restoration off Renault Alpines..which we all know uses Renault 25 suspension & brakes..I make my own fully adjutable a-arms to suit.. front & rear ..top & bottoms..while not origonal..kit-car..I will build the chassis to take my a-arms & Renault uprights & brakes.
Cheers Eddie.

 

[Wayne M.]

I am having trouble with locost and GT40 in the same sentance. They just dont seem to fit well together.

;-)

 

[David Sturch]

Wayne,
You can do it. You need lots of tools. As for used parts I still have to tear down my engine and transaxle and rebuild them before I put them in. Those will be the only used parts I am using. As for welding they will spend more for Argon if they Tig than the steel for the chassis. It would best to use a donor car for the front end and fab rear uprights.
Dave

 

[glen]

i think nuts and bolts will be the only new parts i'll be using!!!! locost ang gt40 will go together in the same sentence, along with "arceye, bleeding knuckles, if i grind that bit off, it'll fit" etc