Issue 007

7Spot Live Magazine

An opportunity to drive some of the famous Mille Miglia.

What began as a humble Facebook group has grown into a thriving global community of over 12,000 passionate members, and now, we’re thrilled to launch this digital asset to bring our shared love of cars, kit cars, and all things light & fast to an even wider audience.

7Spot Live is more than just a publication—it’s a celebration of the stories that our cars help us tell. From the roar of an engine starting for the first time to the quiet satisfaction of turning a wrench in the garage, this magazine is about the people, the builds, and the adventures that make car culture so extraordinary.

Through interviews with car builders, owners, racers, and manufacturers from around the world, we’ll explore the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and camaraderie that drive this incredible community. Whether you’re here for inspiration, entertainment, or practical tips, we hope you find something to spark your imagination and fuel your passion.

Thank you for joining us on this exciting new journey. The best stories are yet to come—and they’re yours to tell.

Happy Blatting,

7Spot Jim

Jim Gould

Click photo for link to 7Spot Live.

Many people ask "What is a Locost?

At its core, the Locost is more than just a car—it’s an idea.

Born from a simple premise: you don’t need to be wealthy to enjoy the thrill of building and driving your own sports car.

The Locost movement started with Ron Champion’s groundbreaking book, Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as £250, published in 1996.

It was a blueprint for dreamers—a guide for those willing to roll up their sleeves, take on a challenge, and create something uniquely their own.

"For some, it’s a weekend project. For others, it’s a way of life. And for a select few, it’s the gateway to competitive motorsport.

But where did this movement begin? To answer that, we must go back to the man who started it all ... Ron Champion.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3.

Full documentary plus multimedia extras available now here:

Full Ron Champion Story

Some of the Cars of Ron Champion

Those were the days! … with Derek Manders

Ron Champion and Locost 001

For this weeks Weekend Blat we’ve got Stories, Interviews and YouTubes from our vault of 7Spot freshness.

Here’s this week’s fresh vids from the 7Spot YouTube Channel:

I built a 1930 sports car at home and you can do it too!

Got Too Much Time and Not Enough Money?

This video features, Peter Vivian, and Chris Hollier as they describe the MG M class replica sports cars which they built at home in their sheds.

It's a a fabulous look at how two builders approached building a similar replica at about the same time in two different areas of the UK and what platforms they used.

We're also bringing your most recent update on the Avon Rescue series with Chris Hollier. 

Here’s Chris with this week’s episode of Avon Rescue.

It is the epic tale of a 24 year abandoned Kit Car project.

This week … Will It Start?

Stay tuned for the answer to the timely question, … What Is a Kit Car?

To help us understand the complexities of the question we asked Gary Janes of Formosa, 120.

Oh, the Trials and Tribulations!

Tools n Track Tommy in an exclusive, 7Spot interview about his Vodou Locost build.

 … a quick interview with Tiger Racing fanatic Paul.

… re-wiring, anyone

Rewiring a car is one thing, but rewiring a 25-year-old 7-style kit car? 

TBF … Wiring Scares the hell out of Me!

Congratulations Tommy!

The process has been rewarding and sometimes a bit challenging.

Part of the challenge is related to the choice of plans (ie - a hybrid of Haynes Roadster and Vodou) and, as you can imagine, a scratch build is always fraught with engineering surprises.

Notwithstanding the “how do I do that” stuff, there were issues surrounding the (now questionable) choice of using “Skinny” Westfield fibreglass bits to fit the chassis.

All in a day’s work (spread over 3 1/2 years) for Tommy!

7Spot will be interviewing Tommy in an exclusive and here’s a taste!

Stay Tuned!

To see the complete build series, please visit the Tools N Track Channel

Click photo (above) for a redirect to Tools N Track YouTube Channel.

This just in from Sean Lamothe

“Hello again sir. 

So I’ve attached a bunch of pics of my Dutton Phaeton. 

editor’s note: The Above Name - RODZina - is NOT the Name of this Car

… just 7Spot Jim playing with words!

Feel free to use whatever helps. 

I’ve also done a big old write up of my deal with my car. 

Use whatever you want. Scrap what you don’t need! 

I should probably say up front my auto mechanics experience is limited and this is admittedly a big learning project for me.  

That being said I have a long track record of taking on big weird projects that put me out of my element and ending up going way farther than planned. 

It keeps me going!

Although Kit Cars in general and Dutton’s specifically are pretty rare here in Canada and specifically Ontario, when I was a kid my Dad had a few friends with Dutton’s and it was formative for me. 

I always wanted one.  

The one I found is a Phaeton S2. 

My goal is to build it into a safe, reliably unique cruise night/summer car with a bit of pep for the wife and I to putter around in locally. 

As a Canadian built car it doesn’t seem to have many of the bits common to English ones so it’s been interesting figuring things out.

I’ve spent hours taking pics of parts and doing Google reverse image search’s to identify them.  

Mini wipers and washer.

… see failed UK washer motor.

Mine has a mid 70’s Toyota drive train/rear end.

I’m 95% sure Corolla. 

So it’s a 1.6L T2 engine with a 5 speed transmission.  

Pretty much stock and needing love. 

MGB column. 

Although this car appears to have been quite well built it’s had some rough work done and neglect along the lines.

Almost every bit of it needs at least a little attention.  

I’ve started off with the basics. 

Oil and filter, plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

I’ve replaced all the soft fuel and vacuum lines.  

Am working and replacing all the coolant clamps and a sourcing bits to refresh all the coolant hoses.  

Rebuilt the carb, and am currently addressing some rough wiring.  

In the pics I’ve attached I’ve included a couple test and scale 3D prints.

The Dash is, Shall we Say, … a Bit Tired Looking!

I’ve been doing 3D printing and modelling as a hobbyist for a number of years now and plan on piecing together a custom dash/interior with that approach. 

You’ll see that aesthetically it’s going to to be, well, unique. 

I definitely plan on incorporating influences from American hot rod, rat rod, Kustom Kulture.

It’ll be like an Addams family 7!

Happy Phaeton-o-Ween Everyone!

Sean

The definition of the word Phaeton is a Light four wheeled Horse drawn Carriage.

… and what happens when you take that light Carriage and Stuff it’s Engine Bay full with a Nitrous Injected, 7.1 Litre V8?

Answer: You get ... Lots of Ponies and the Fastest Phaeton on Planet Earth!

Rising From the Ashes!

This is a story of Rising from the Ashes; Literally, Figuratively and Repeatedly!

That’s because this little fire breathing monster wasn’t Bought.

It was Built from the Smouldering Embers of a Sadly Broken and abandoned Kit Car.

Russ Pursely is a man who loves the Drag Strip, Big American V8s and has long built drag monster-cars with his mates.

One day, one of his mates proposed to sell him a kit car that he had no more use for.

The Car was a wreck!

The engine was toast and all the suspension could be described as knackered (if you were being generous).

So what is a man to do?

Well, … How about re-building the chassis, building a custom suspension, drive train and then stuffing a (series of ever larger) V8 engines under the bonnet!

If there is one Truism of Drag Racing, … It’s “Your Engine is Going To Blow Up”!

That’s not the Goal, … it’s Just an Operational Fact!

This is a great interview with a friend of the channel so grab a beverage, sit back and enjoy the Thunder!

We couldn’t possibly have crammed all the Good Stuff into just this (edited down) video, so please feel free to see more by clicking our YouTube Members Area where you will find a detailed write-up, loads of photos and additional Monster Dutton video.

If you would like to see more (the unfiltered, full length recording of this video, more video coverage, photos and much more) please consider supporting our work by joining our Members Area.

In the Description area of this Members Area Video, You will be Connected by a Link to Full Coverage of this Story including extra Video Coverage, Photos and the People who Live the Story behind the Story.

We want to provide the best Live and Recorded Coverage of 7s, 7 Style cars and pretty much anything Light and Fast and Your Continued Support really Helps!

Membership Link at 7Spot YouTube Channel

Grateful thanks to Richard D. Smith Photography (Slide Show of Unfortunate Accident) ... https://rdsmith.zenfolio.com/

Photo credit: Brian Snelson (VW Beetle) https://www.flickr.com/photos/32659528@N00/3707756195

Subscribe now

https://7spot.nationbuilder.com/how_to_a_racer_s_dash_and_aero_screen

Welcome back to Avon Rescue with Chris Hollier.

If you are thinking of building a Kit Car and are looking for advice, you have definitely come to the right place.

Chris has built over 100 cars, has created his own Kit Car marque and was the editor of a well known Kit Car magazine.

In other words, he really knows his stuff!

This is going to be a real Meat and Potatoes episode which will focus on the “Why” as well as the “How To” of building a Budget Friendly Racing Dash for your Kit Car.

This is going to be a real Meat and Potatoes episode which will focus on the “Why” as well as the “How To” of building a Budget Friendly Racing Dash for your Kit Car.

In this episode Chris will walk you through:

. The Contents and “Why” of his Racing Dash

. Disassembly and view of the Dash Modules

. Disassembly of the DIY Racing Aero Screen

.  Introduction to the How to Build an Aluminium Aero Screen

Full Details here:

In this interview, we sit down with Mike Rupp, a skilled builder from the UK, to explore his journey building a Locost 7-style cruiser over the past year.

Though Mike has years of experience building Formula V track cars, this is his first time tackling a Locost 7.

Instead of building a track car, Mike opted for an ultra-budget approach, choosing not to weld his own space frame.

He picked up a failed project from someone else's lot, hoping to save time and money.

That’s where the “fun” started!

With parts sourced from auto jumbles and eBay—including a refurbished Ford Crossflow engine and a Ford Cortina differential—Mike soon discovered that assembling a car with a mix of used components brings its own set of challenges.

Tune in to hear about the trials, successes, and lessons learned from this unique build journey.

If you're a fan of DIY builds, Locosts, or classic British car culture, this is an interview you won't want to miss!

Mike Rupp’s Locost 7 Build Journey: One Year On

More information on 7Spot’s webpage:

Mike's 1 year journey on 7Spot Webpage

Tune in to our dedicated page following the incredible build journey of Mike Rupp as he embarks on creating a Locost 7-style cruiser.

You’ll find the video interview, a slideshow presentation, and additional build photos, showcasing Mike’s progress over the last year.

Hear about his decision to use a mix of parts sourced from auto jumbles and eBay, and the unexpected challenges that came with it.

Dear 7Spot Community,

It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce Robert Goddard as our newest 7Spot Show Host!

Robert is no stranger to the kit car scene, having already made a significant impression through his knowledge, passion, and hands-on experience.

Many of you may recognize Robert from his recent Livestream feature, where he showcased his stunning MEV Exocet build.

more here ... https://7spot.nationbuilder.com/say_hi_to_robert_goddard

His expertise shone through as he took viewers on an in-depth journey through his build process, offering invaluable insights for both seasoned builders and newcomers alike.

NEWARK KIT CAR FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND 21ST AND 22ND SEPTEMBER.

Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY

The aim with Newark kit car show was to give the Industry a second show it deserves and to give the opportunity to all the clubs to have another location where they can all meet up with other like-minded kit car enthusiasts.

At the Newark Kit Car Festival you will find a great selection of the best Kit & Sports Car Manufacturers we have in the UK, Showcasing there perfectly designed cars for you to purchase as a Kit or as a Factory Built Car.

Ranging from 1950’s styled cars with modern engineering to fully tricked out exoskeleton track weapons with 666bhp per ton power to weight ratio.

The Festival is FREE to enter for Kit Car Drivers (passengers £10) and any other tickets can be bought at the gate.

Tiger Sportcars will be unveiling their new R10 at the show and MK Sportcars will be showcasing their new road and track demonstrator.

Chris Hollier and 7Spot will be there and it's a great opportunity to go and speak to him and also manufacturers if you are looking at building a kit car or already have one and are looking for some upgrades.

The outside Group stands will have a varied selection of Marques and CycleCarts will also be there showcasing up to 15 cars that you can build for as little as £2,000 and go racing including a world record holder !!!

Be Seeing you !

Our Latest Avon Rescue episode:

How I Made a Clapped Out Pinto Engine Track Ready (For CHEAP)

Join Chris Hollier in this exciting episode as he dives into the budget-conscious rebuild of a Ford Pinto engine!

Discover essential engine modifications, learn about the parts included in the rebuild kit, and find out why Chris chose some components over others.

This engine needed some serious attention, including a bore and honing process to optimize performance.

Curious about power expectations?

Chris breaks down how a well-rebuilt car engine—especially compared to a bike engine—can be perfect for track driving novices.

By following the ‘KISS’ (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle, you can maximize your track time without breaking the bank!

Click Here for Full Series Playlist.

NEWARK KIT CAR FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND 21ST AND 22ND SEPTEMBER.

Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY

The aim with Newark kit car show was to give the Industry a second show it deserves and to give the opportunity to all the clubs to have another location where they can all meet up with other like-minded kit car enthusiasts.

At the Newark Kit Car Festival you will find a great selection of the best Kit & Sports Car Manufacturers we have in the UK, Showcasing there perfectly designed cars for you to purchase as a Kit or as a Factory Built Car.

Ranging from 1950’s styled cars with modern engineering to fully tricked out exoskeleton track weapons with 666bhp per ton power to weight ratio.

The Festival is FREE to enter for Kit Car Drivers (passengers £10) and any other tickets can be bought at the gate.

Tiger Sportcars will be unveiling their new R10 at the show and MK Sportcars will be showcasing their new road and track demonstrator.

Chris Hollier and 7Spot will be there and it's a great opportunity to go and speak to him and also manufacturers if you are looking at building a kit car or already have one and are looking for some upgrades.

The outside Group stands will have a varied selection of Marques and CycleCarts will also be there showcasing up to 15 cars that you can build for as little as £2,000 and go racing including a world record holder !!!

Full Details and a Presenter’s List here:

https://7spot.nationbuilder.com/avon_rescue_with_chris_hollier

So many great stories:

Steed Junior Cars

7 travaux d'Amour

. 1st - for my kids

. 2nd - for my parents 

. ... and finally for me!

Have you always had a dream car?

. a car that you’ve dreamed about as a kid and always wanted?

. a car that you swore that someday you would own?

Well, Caterham was the Dream car that Damien dreamt over and swore to have, one day.

… and that’s exactly what he has right now.

But this video isn’t about Damien’s Caterham.

It’s more about his Passion for:

. his family

. his parents

… and 7!

You see, Damien did finally purchase a Caterham but his Caterham came into the family after he created his childhood dream car for his kids, … and even after his parents purchased their Caterham.

… Amazing Story! 

more on Steed Junior Cars here … Facebook - Steed Junior Cars

Take These Broken Wings … and Learn to Fly!

… the Series with Chris Hollier!

For a lot of kit car enthusiasts just completing one build would be considered a great life achievement.  

But imagine if you got involved with 130 builds!

Then add to that designing and bringing to market your own kit car? 

And for a finale becoming editor of Kit Car magazine?

That’s the incredible story of Chris Hollier and he’s not done yet!

Chris will be joining us Soon with a Series on how to Breathe Life into an Abandoned Project.

… Be with us (Subscribe, Like and Share) on 7Spot for Episode #1.

… It’s Gonna Be Great!

Will I be Pretty? … our “How To” Weekend Blat Livestream

with Scratch / Kit Car Builders and Manufacturers

https://www.youtube.com/live/deMjJuULluM?si=aV9-6sy6rImYF-qC

Planning a 7 Build?

Thinking of using an MX5 as the Donor?

Do you have a plan? … or considering an MX5 Kit?

(They’re Loads of them)

What will it take to do the build?

and

What will it Look Like When I’m Done?

Hmm, … how do the lyrics of that song go?

“Will I Be Pretty? … Will I be Rich?”

here’s what she said to me:

… Que Sera, Sera

… or something like that

On this show we investigated building from scratch or from kits.

To help us … we got some friends to join the discussion:

. Mike Rupp … Locost Build /Webinar Series with MX5 bits

. Are you Planning to do a Scratch Locost Build with an MX5 donor?

… to speak to this topic, we asked Mike Machin

and what about building an MX5 Skateboard Kit?

We had MEV Exocet Builder (Rob Goddard) with us.

… Thinking of a Skateboard with a Fantastic Plastic Shell?

Today we brought in Replicar Builder (Gary Tordoff) to tell us.

We had  LMR141 and Quantum manufacturers (Rob Hancock and Peter Holder) with us to guide us through the build process.

Last week we had a discussion about the New Dutton Phaeton,

(entering into the Twilight Zone of Pure Conjecture)

. What do you think it will Look Like?

1. will it be a classic MX5 Donor on a Phaeton style space frame?

2. will it be a skateboard kit?

3. will it be body on subframe?

4. … or will it be full on EXO?

Let us know! … Leave a Comment!

(Hillclimbing with Ted Theodore, Ryan Cheek and Duncan Cowper)

Welcome to 7Spot!

Today, we dive into the exhilarating world of hillclimb racing, a unique motorsport that challenges both man and machine to conquer steep, winding roads at breakneck speeds.

But what drives people to participate in these adrenaline-pumping events?

Let's find out!

🌄 The Challenge of the Terrain: Hillclimb events take place on some of the most demanding courses, featuring sharp turns, steep gradients, and varying road conditions. Racers are drawn to the sheer difficulty of these courses, testing their driving skills and pushing their vehicles to the limit.

⚙️ Mechanical Mastery: For many participants, hillclimbing is a chance to showcase their engineering prowess. Modifying and tuning cars to perform at their best under extreme conditions is a key aspect of the sport. It's a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of performance.

💥 Adrenaline Rush: The thrill of racing uphill at high speeds, combined with the risk of sharp turns and unpredictable terrain, creates an unmatched adrenaline rush. It's a heart-pounding experience that leaves racers craving more.

🏆 Competitive Spirit: Hillclimb events attract some of the most competitive drivers in the world. The quest for the fastest time up the hill fuels a fierce competition, with racers constantly striving to beat their own records and outpace their rivals.

🌍 Scenic Routes: Unlike traditional racetracks, hillclimb courses are often set in breathtaking locations, from lush forests to mountain passes. The stunning scenery adds to the appeal, making each race a visually spectacular event.

🤝 Community and Camaraderie: Hillclimb racing brings together a passionate community of racers, mechanics, and fans. The shared love for the sport fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, making every event a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts.

Join us as we explore the world of hillclimb racing and celebrate the dedication, skill, and passion that drive these incredible racers.

#HillclimbRacing #Motorsport #AdrenalineRush #CarCulture #RacingCommunity

Fantastic Plastic with Pinky Hannah and Paul Cooper

Fiberglass shells emulating famous 50s and 60s race cars have captivated the imagination of enthusiasts and builders just about everywhere.

Pinky and Paul are a couple of blokes who know their way around fibreglass and they are capturing the classic racing vibe (in a Huge Way) down under in the land of Oz!

They manufacture Fibreglass Shells which allows a builder to transform the minimalist design of a Lotus 7 style car into a sleek retro-ride with iconic lines of classic brands like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Jaguar.

The flexibility of fibreglass as a material has enabled Pinky and Paul to capture distinctive curves and sexy contours with gobs of nostalgic flair. This melding of a modern lightweight chassis with timeless aesthetic appeal provides a unique driving experience which really turns heads.

These “kits” are offered as bare bone shells (right now).

If you are the kind of bloke who likes nocking about in the shed, then this solution might be just right for you.

The end result will be a vehicle that not only turns heads with its classic good looks but also delivers exhilarating driving dynamics.

Find out more here:

Pinky Hannah … Pinky Hannah on Facebook

Paul Cooper … Paul Cooper on Facebook

also at Lumorail.com

Progress

… Locost Updates from Mike Machin and Dave Lassell

Congratulations Mike! … great progress!

Dave Lassell … Keep it up Dave! … You’re getting there!

Dangerous and Mildly Offensive

Coming Soon … It’s a Wonderful Life!

It is our mission statement to share the stories that our little cars help us tell and we will be rolling out more cool stories from the builders, racers and manufacturers in the kit car world.

Stay Tuned!

Subscribe now

For your YouTube dining consumption.

There are about 10,000 “Build your own LOCOST Sports Car” YouTube stories out there but here’s one with a twist.

Feast yourself on this.

Most of the Self Build YouTubes feature a builder welding a chassis from a plan taken from “the Book” (see Ron Champion) or other similar publication.

Mike’s story is a bit different and that’s because … he is!

Instead of doing a Build Story (Diary) from the perspective of “How to do a Scratch Build”, he has decided to take on the challenge of building his own dream from the ashes of “Someone Else’s” Abandoned project.

Episode 1

There are lots of reason’s for this approach and one (needless to say) is financial.

The fact is that there’s savings to be had when you help someone clear an abandoned dream from their shed’s wall of shame.

Having said that, there are challenges too because your mechanical dream inevitably will be different from that of the seller.

In Mike’s case, the seller wanted to build a Rotary powered track car while Mike has plans to build a Crossflow Cruiser. … There are parts to assemble, parts to sell and no matter how you slice and dice, there will be changes.

This build recipe may look a bit like cooking a pot of “Stone Soup 7” because you aren’t building from a set of plans.

It’s like being a Chef, … adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

In your mind’s eye you can almost see the finished recipe and you know how it will taste but it’s just a matter of having the right ingredients, precisely measured, making sure not to add too much salt.

By the Way, Mike is no novice to Building and Machining. … He has owned a machining shop, is an accomplished Machinist and has built (and raced) in Formula V.

7Spot is proud to bring you Build Diary Updates and here’s his latest …

Did I mention that it’s a Little Bit of This … and a Little Bit of that?

Both Mike and I are Foodies too!

Thanks Mike!

Delicious but You will Need Google Translate!

Subscribe now

Next Up!

Report from Andrew Johnstone (at the track)

… We had planned to have a Live Recorded Report but …

“Been very busy this weekend with a gear box failure on Saturday which meant working late in the night changing it track side… hot weather punished the cars and I was the only track side support today.. so sorry I couldn’t get in touch… here’s a few snippets I could get when I had 5 mins….”

Craig Hutchinson with James Noble “After the After Show” - Coventry MOTOFEST

Pics of the Week

Seven of the Week

… Hat tip to Stuart Moore

Nude 7 Pics of the Week

… Your Naughty Bits are Showing!

Thank you Anonymous(es)

Best Performance by a Non 7

What’s In a Car’s Name …

Please Share our Substack with your friends (especially those not on Facebook)

… this 7 thing, … It’s Contagious!

Daily Driver - June 20, 2024

Our Daily Stream filled with our best Live and Recorded Shows playing in Stream while our Worldwide Reporters bring you Live:

. Worldwide 7Spot News

. Upcoming Webinars (and other Learning Stuff)

. I Like to Watch (Parties)

. Best of Live and Recorded Shows

. On the Spot Interviews

Our worldwide Show Hosts are On the Spot with Live News (as it happens), Program Updates and Interview "Quick Hits" in real-time and just for you.

Have a look at our Daily Driver and Drop us a note to let us know what you think.

We have Lots of New Stuff Coming Soon:

1. ... from New Zealand "Scratch Built Design",

2. ... Do You Have What it Takes to build a Locost Roadster?

Dave Lassell and Mike Rupp are building Locosts on opposite sides of the (Atlantic) pond.

They have both found that Life is filled with obstacles and opportunities.

They’re experience has become a Show at 7Spot because we are taking the initiative to let you (our fellow builders) … Tune In, Join the Conversation and Learn how to turn your Locost Obstacles into precious Opportunities!

- Locost Building with Dave Lassell and Mike Rupp

Next Show … “What’s the Diff?”

Mike’s Pre-purchased diff doesn’t fit in his pre-purchased Frame!

and Dave Lassell?

Decisions, Decisions … It’s a Tight Fit!

… hmmm?

latest from the HiCost LoCost Channel

Stay tuned for our 1st show time.

This will be one of our “I like to Watch” Learning Show.

If you are building a Locost and want to Tune In Live, send me an email (sevenspotmedia@gmail.com) and Let Me Know so that I can reserve a Live In-Studio link for you.

We can air this Live on our 7Spot Channel with up to 10 on screen live participants and if we get a larger response we will be taking Registration on our Webinar platform.

3. ... What's going on at Raptor with NOTUS John and Andrew Entwistle

John will be bringing us an update on what’s New at Raptor!

mmm, … How about a brand new Raptor For You!

… Yummy! … and loads of foot room too! … because Andrew is 6’7’’ tall!

specs here:

4. ... Binning for Europas

- a Build Story like no other with Laurent Wiese and 7Spot Jim.

Thank you Laurent for saving this Europa … Details Soon!

5. ... A Shed Visit with Chris G. and 7Spot Jim.

Coming Soon! … Stay Tuned!

... Would you like to "Go Live" or "Record" a Walk Around of your Favourite Ride?

... or ...

6. Do you Have a Show Idea you'd like to share?

... Drop us a line!

Understanding Pull Rod Suspension with Rob Fields

and his amazing Cardinal

… A Webinar Soon

We are Planning Something Special!

and You Are Invited

… Stay Tuned!

Understanding the Pull Rod Suspension

by Aric Streeter

(as posted by Aric Streeter on Facebook)

"As a suspension nerd, one of the coolest things to me about the Fields Auto Works Cardinal Coupe that I drove with Scott Robertson on the Tire Rack One Lap of America this year is the pull rod style suspension on both the front and rear of the car.

As opposed to the more common push rod style of suspension - often seen on formula cars and some high end road cars - where a rod (the push rod) from the lower outer control arm actuates a bell crank and then the damper / spring assembly, the pull rod style takes a slightly different approach.

Instead of pushing / compressing a rod as in the push rod configuration, in a pull rod system the actuation rod “pulls” on the bottom of the damper / spring assembly, with an extra (usually shorter) link attached to both the bottom of the damper and the chassis to make the free body diagram happy.

There are pros and cons to both styles, but there a few distinct advantages a pull rod suspension has over push rod.

The first is that at no point are you putting a thin and long actuation rod in compression.

In a push rod system, the actuation rod is in compression on bump, where the highest forces occur, and depending on the angle of the rod, often its material and diameter (and wall thickness) needs to selected to prevent buckling, and the effects of buckling if a failure were to occur.

I’ve seen more than one push rod fail in buckling due to binding and shock loading over curbs.

With a pull rod arrangement, you don’t have that problem.

The next advantage is that given the places that components of the suspension naturally want to be, its relatively easy to ensure that each articulating joint is in double shear - or supported on both sides of the pivot.

Double shear is FAR stronger given the same materials as compared to single shear, and as such, single shear joints, as are common on push rod bell cranks, need to be oversized to both support large forces and to allow large enough bearings to support those forces.

Oftentimes heavy hardened shafts are needed for the bellcrank pivot as well, which can complicate assembly methods, as these shafts aren’t an integral part of the typical chassis.

Another advantage is that a pull rod configuration more evenly distributes forces amongst the suspension and chassis pivot points, so the material sizes, choices, and assembly methods become more uniform and straightforward than with a pushrod style.

Lastly, a pull rod arrangement not only moves the damper assembly inboard - like a push rod system does - it also moves the damper center of mass downward, helping C of G height.

In all, it’s a cool, if uncommon arrangement.

With cars like the Cardinal out there, maybe it will become more common in the future!"

Are you:

. looking to buy a Track Car?

. Would You Like to Know More about how a Pull Rod Suspension System works?

. The Cardinal is Light, Quick and it really Sticks!

. an amazing car with fabulous technology throughout.

Stay tuned!

The Week that Was

… and it was Fantastic

Hi All,

This is just a note to offer a huge Thank You to John Minion, Trevor Rolfe, Jack Wood (editor of Complete Kit Car), Paul Wylde, Craig Hutchison, Mike Ruff, Trevor Harmer (in absentia), all of the manufacturers, and all of our interview guests who helped make our coverage of the National Kit Car Show in the UK such a success!

Thank you all!

7Spot Jim

Here is some more live and recorded media from Malvern.

From Trevor Rolfe of Oscars Garage

Extra From Malvern

We also streamed Live from Malvern and had a MiniKit interview with Paul Wylde (while searching for Trevor Harmer), had a pre-view of Motofest in Coventry with Craig Hutchinson and had a terrific time catching up with Locost Builder, Mike Rupp.

Mike Rupp is a busy fellow and aside from building his Locost he is also busy creating parts on his lathe for customers.

Looking for a good man with a Lathe? … Give Mike a Call!

Contact details are in the description below

… and What’s up Next for (NOTUS) John Minion?

How about the Annual Pilgrimage to Lemans

Builders Webinar

We are planning another Locost Builders Webinar soon too!

This Time from the UK!

If you’ve been doing a scratch build and would consider being a presenter for the show, please give me a call.

and another Raptor passed IVA

Etcetera … Stuff you sent me!

Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW.

Be with us Live for the UK’s longest running kit car show.

7Spot will be Live with Roaming Reporters on-site so that you can see more kit cars in one place than at any other event on the planet.

We will be on the spot to meet with manufacturers, see their displays, visit the Kit Car Club Stands and interview fellow Kit Car enthusiasts and their cars.

Our coverage will include interviews with all major players in the Kit Car world, showcasing fabulous custom technology, amazing beautiful cars and all just waiting to be purchased in kit or factory built form.

Whether your taste is a 7 Style roadster, a Cobra replica, GT 40 tribute or just about anything else in your kit car imagination, you will find it here.

Meet Our Reporters

Trevor Rolfe (also on Oscars Garage YouTube Channel) … Westfield Factory Tour

Trevor Harmer (North West Kit Car Owners Group) … Live from The NEC

NOTUS John Minion (NWKCOG) … Live from Stoneleigh

Nick Bradley … (minute 45:00 onward) … Bike Engined Car Specialist

Our Co-Host for this show will be Craig Hutchinson

(of the Make Some Noise Channel)

National Kit Car Show Feature Stand - Locost #001

The Very First Locost!

Matt Reid and Ron Champion have agreed to show Locost #001 at the National Kit Car Show.

This is a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!

Ron Champion is the builder of this historic car and author of his famous book.

Make sure that you take the time to see the exhibit and say Hi to Ron and Matt!

What’s On at Malvern!

“What’s On” … Live Action, Club Displays, Camping, Stunt Shows and more.

National Kit Car Show Exhibitor List:

AAbrasive Solutions, Absolute Horsepower Ltd, Aerospace Tools & Technology, AK Sportscars Ltd, All Leather Jackets, Argento Global Solutions Ltd T/A Fire Safety Stick, CKW Distribution Ltd, Complete Kit Car - Performance Publishing, Crendon Replicas, DJC Sports Cars Ltd, English Classics Ltd, Gradient Engineering Ltd, Great British Sports Cars Ltd, Hawk Cars, JK Sportscars Ltd (Dax), MEV Kit Cars Ltd, MK Sportscars, Pop Parts Plus Ltd, Quantum Sports Cars Ltd, S & J Motors, Simtek (UK) Ltd, Tornado Sports Cars, Turbo Trade UK, WCD Tools, Wrights Auto Supplies, XCS Designs Ltd

… just a few Interviews from our coverage of the National Kit Car Show 2023 (see our YT Channel for complete coverage)

National Kit Car Show Club List:

ARL & Spire Owners’ Club, BeachBuggy.Info, Beauford Club, Bertini Owners’ Club, Birkin Owners’ Club, Club Marcos International, Club Nova, Covin Owners’ Club, Daytona Replica Club, DNA Owners’ Club, Eagle Owners’ Club, Exo Sportscar Owners’ Club, Gentry Register, GT40 Enthusiasts Club Ltd GTM Owners’ Club, Hawke Owners’ Club, Jago Owners’ Club, JBA Owners’ Club, Kitnet.uk, Marlin Owners’ Club, Mini Kits, Mini Marcos Owners’ Club, Quantum Owners’ Club, Rickman Cars Owners’ Club, Rochdale Owners’ Club & Fairthorpe Sports Car Club, Royale Owners’ Club, Sebring Owners’ Club, Shropshire Alternative Car Club (ShACC), South Wales Kit & Specialist Car Club, Spartan Owners’ Club, Spirit Owners’ Club, Tiger Owners’ Club, UK Cobra Replica Club, UK Kit Car Club, Vincent Hurricane Register, Westfield Sports Car Club Vincent Hurricane Register Westfield Sports Car Club

What’s up next on 7Spot?

Introducing our newest Show Hosts - Craig Hutchinson and Mike Rupp.

Craig is introducing 7Spot to a Tasty Variety type of Show that sometimes wanders off the Kit Car Topic a bit, … but it’s all … Very Cool!

Mike is introducing a New Show theme about Building a Locost 7 based on the premiss of:

“Adopting Someone’s Abandoned Project” … Good Idea?

Be with us as we explore the How To and … Should I?

Mike will also be doing upcoming Interviews with 7 owners, racers and builders for our German speaking audience.

Stay Tuned!