# just your normal lotus 7 kit car .... but being done with a bugatti body **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [November 21, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505 "2006-11-21T20:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/1 "2006-11-21T20:50:33Z")
> [@Imperial Wheeling Machines](#): > > In addition to doing a repair and > delivering a machine, one of the reasons for my trip to St Paul was to pick up > a LoCost (Lotus 7 clone) project car from Richard Kleinschmidt. (And sure > enough, driving through Nashville today on the way back, I got a call from > someone wanting a machine who said, "Understand you may be coming up to > St. Paul soon??? Never fails!) At any rate, here is a photo of a typical build: > > ![http://locostusa.com/e1done3.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/6/d/6d4640736eaa961d109aa01e9ca7e341630b2edc.jpeg) > > Richard started this build a few years ago and lost interest. He has pretty > well finished the frame, suspension, etc. Basically it needs assembly, wiring > harness, brake lines, etc, and the chassis should be drivable. The drivetrain is > an 85 Corolla GTS twin overhead cam 4 with a close ration 5 speed and > limited slip differential with disk brakes on all 4. > > I have no plans to race the car like most ‘Sevens’ but want a spirited driver > with high fun factor. > > While I certainly have the skills to build the chassis, suspension, etc, I > doesn’t interest me. Building the body does. The Locost chassis is a proven > design so the whole arguement of which suspension, engine, etc is not an > issue. It is what it is. > > When I was younger I lusted after a Lotus 7 but at this point in my life, I’m > after something else. Richard has completed the running gear…I want to do > the body…but not something simple like the photo above. I’m thinking of a roadster version of this: > > I’m pretty sure I can come close to the ‘look’ but probably not the > exact ‘math’ as shown. I will probably modify the chassis a little for comfort > and size and then do some design studies to see what I can build around the > chassis that has the ‘look’ of the Bugatti. I’m HOPING that the orginal 14’ long > version of the pedal car buck that Gene Olsen did for me is close to the right > body…we’ll see. LONNNNG hood, swoopy fenders > > For some reason, the thing in my head keeps telling me that it’s name is the > Bugatti Imperial…I can’t imagine where that comes from:lol: . > > My ultimate goal is a full aluminum body, full fendered with very few simple > rolls. Metalfinished, and clear coated polished aluminum. This is WAAAY > beyond my current skills so it may take years to get built to it’s final build > quality. > > It is my intention to document the entire build. I only wish I could get as > much accomplished in as little time as Dick Bear did. Maybe I can just get > Dick to come over and help… I can work days and Dick nights… > > I’ll try and unload the truck tomorrow and take some measurements and post some photos. > [@Imperial Wheeling Machines](#): > > Today (11/21/06) I was able to unload > the truck. It was pretty packed but not very heavy. Got lots of looks and > thumbs up in the 1000 miles between St Paul and Huntsville. > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Frame-in-truck.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/a/dae65ed09cc080207db7d0aac1226fed04ee240a.jpeg) > > Forklifts are wonderful things! > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/frame-in-air.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/e/0/e02f11b0d6c127281c8b519f3f5fba1889ed0b11.jpeg) > > Just had to sit the tires in position so I could see how it looks and measure > the wheelbase. These gumballs are 195/60 14s and I’ll be looking for much > taller tires to go with the art deco look. I have no plans to race this car. Might try and spin the tires once in a while though. > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/frame-staged-with-tires.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/3/d34b7671ed4b52e0989edf07a5aaedc5874714c0.jpeg) > > Love that invisible suspension…smooth! > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Invisible-suspension.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/c/6/c6bf23ab299006b22452c6b8ddfdcd7cb1a3de53.jpeg) > > The motor is an 85 Toyota Corolla GTS with the 4AGE motor, close ratio 5 > speed and limited slip rear with discs on all 4 corners. This was a very popular > donor while the cars were available. Pretty much gone now. > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Motor.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/7/d/7db4bbff6d673d39503206d04fb036802521158a.jpeg) > > Richard found a pair of Dellorio carbs (Weber like made in Italy). > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Delorio-carbs.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/e/1/e15c58dbc816540ffbf5e954ae3594ad56a737d4.jpeg) > > I had to sit in the car and make Varroom noises didn’t I > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Varoom-varoom.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/f/df0ab6354d2bd28e2c5b4d50c94e645ae80b9792.jpeg) > > The shifter falls to hand pretty well. > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/shifter.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/8/d/8da8aa94683f3daba21480ec4e126c944d98999d.jpeg) > > And the footroom is tight but I could probably live with it. However, based on > where the trans is, I can probably gain a couple inches. Also if the body > bulges out near the firewall I’ll spread the chassis a little. > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/footroom.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/f/6/f6234e34e447b16100213ae424231526409594fb.jpeg) > > Richard had accumulated a bunch of parts. New chrome headlights, brass > radiator, electric fan. Plus he has already shortened the driveshaft and built a > header and straight pipe. The front suspension is finished and ready to bolt > in. Richard did a really nice job 😃 . About all the new bits I will need are coil > over shocks and a couple disc rotors. Of course, there will be about a jillion > bucks in carb wires, points, wireing harness, switches, guages, etc. > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Parts1.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/3/c/3c545518ff96325904f6b0139a8ad89d5ef790d8.jpeg) > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/parts3.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/4/7/47cfa4642b3f61dd91870a6dd28af075ccafbbcd.jpeg) > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/parts4.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/e/0/e07e38ab292108a4e5de61ad93ff24fba7bcca5c.jpeg) > > ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/hotrodkid/Parts2.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/a/2/a2a2fb3fced9a1ced27e6ec0330f71621f7ce33a.jpeg) > > I’ll need to build a gas tank of course. Richard built the steering sector and > collapsable column but I’ll need a steering wheel and shaft. > > The chassis appears to be a 442 chassis over the ‘book’ chassis, that is, 4" > longer, 4" wider, and 2" taller. The wheelbase looks to be about 98". > > First order of business is to get it hanging on the suspension. I’ll try and get > that next week. After that, I’ll want to check out the motor. . ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 9:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/2 "2006-11-21T21:04:17Z")
lotus 7s look like a penis ---
**Author:** ![camarojoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@camarojoe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/camarojoe)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/3 "2006-11-21T21:48:43Z")
![http://www.rotten.com/library/culture/ambiguously-gay-duo/111.jpg](http://www.rotten.com/library/culture/ambiguously-gay-duo/111.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/4 "2006-11-21T23:19:14Z")
> [@turbo ls1 ss](#): > > lotus 7s look like a penis Fbods are for people that have a small penis. ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 11:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/5 "2006-11-21T23:37:33Z")
> [@91MR2](#): > > Fbods are for people that have a small penis. ehhhh…no. thats what vipers and exotics are for 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/6 "2006-11-22T00:55:47Z")
> [@91MR2](#): > > Fbods are for people that have a small penis. OT - i saw a silver lotus on the QEW sunday afternoon on my way home from my dads. you maybe? ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 5:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/7 "2006-11-22T05:07:48Z")
all redXs in the 2nd post ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/8 "2006-11-22T05:33:05Z")
> [@93z24](#): > > OT - i saw a silver lotus on the QEW sunday afternoon on my way home from my dads. you maybe? Nope, wasn’t me. It was an Esprit? ---
**Author:** ![auttiquattro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@auttiquattro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/auttiquattro)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 9:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/9 "2006-11-22T09:15:55Z")
All i can see is peter griffin going in and out of the tunnel lol ---
**Author:** ![Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/53a042/32.png) [@Ninja](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ninja)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/10 "2006-11-22T10:03:10Z")
> [@camarojoe](#): > :word: the first thought in my head after seeing the blue car pic. ---
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/11 "2006-11-22T10:14:32Z")
fixed the pics, thats the best they are gonna get apparently they refuse to properly load from photobucket ---
**Author:** ![Garick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8797f3/32.png) [@Garick](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Garick)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 10:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/12 "2006-11-22T10:27:07Z")
wow, he’s got a lot of cleaning up to do. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 10:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/13 "2006-11-22T10:47:31Z")
looks like a morgan ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/14 "2006-11-22T11:06:35Z")
Should do a Type 57: ![http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/100-greatest/03-large/22-bugatti-type-57-atlantic.jpg](http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/100-greatest/03-large/22-bugatti-type-57-atlantic.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/15 "2006-11-22T11:50:11Z")
> [@TrueBlue](#): > > Should do a Type 57: T41 sport carrera \> T57 🙂 Bugatti T41 Sport Carrera ![http://www.bugattipage.com/newspics/t41sport.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/5/e/5e14346fae38680dca2be1f186b8368301157b53.jpeg) ![http://www.bugattipage.com/newspics/t41spor2.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/b/3/b34d5342adeaf2a3ad847d478bcca8eadb558f0d.jpeg) ![http://www.bugattipage.com/newspics/t41spor3.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/8/a/8a9ffbedf2a089733d2ebdf53e24fa35353a80e6.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Anonymity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/anonymity/32/7215_2.png) [@Anonymity](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Anonymity)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/16 "2006-11-22T14:32:34Z")
^ hot ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/just-your-normal-lotus-7-kit-car-but-being-done-with-a-bugatti-body/20505/17 "2006-11-22T20:24:23Z")
> [@91MR2](#): > > Nope, wasn’t me. It was an Esprit? yea i was almost positive it was… but i did see it over the divider. oh well.