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Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
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 Post subject: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 12, 2014, 2:32 pm 
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Joined: January 8, 2012, 2:34 am
Posts: 285
Location: Niagara on the Lake Ontario Canada
Well, I think its time I switched over to 'completed'... adding a switch here and there isn't really part of a 'build'

Its been a fun year and a half getting the Centaur Kit back on the road and a bit prettier then when I bought it...

My association with British Cars over the years influenced the changes I've made... adding MGB gauges and switches brought it back a bit closer to an original British design.

I had never had any experience with rotary engines and had thought about changing to a BMC engine (probably an MGB 1800), however, the more I drive it and get used to the high revving engine, the less i would consider any kind of swap. The rotary is amazing...1100 cc (or 2200 if your racing) and no valve train, or upper end, puts the centre of gravity extremely low in the chassis... and 125 HP with a 1300 pound car is truly amazing. The 0-60 time is about 6 seconds or so... I've never really wanted to stress the drive train to find out... it does push you back in the seat however.

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gblawson (Gordon)
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http://gblandco.com/gb/cent/cent.html


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 15, 2014, 7:22 am 
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Joined: August 12, 2012, 6:38 pm
Posts: 1937
Location: worcester county, Massachsetts
nice, only ever saw it in your avatar. dig the colors, very "Prisoner". that black button next to the admonishment to not crash into things is the horn, correct?

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The B-3 build log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=13941 unfortunately, all the pictures were lost in the massive server crash

The beginnings of the Jag Special,
https://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19012
Again, all pictures were lost.


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 15, 2014, 8:39 am 
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Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
Posts: 1879
Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
Gordon Great looking SEVEN :cheers:

Try just putting a small strip of dense foam rubber under your center mirror clip(s). Will tight the glass but, still allows you to adjust the mirror. It should help with cutting the down the vibs. I only needed it on one clip. Dave W


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 16, 2014, 6:21 am 
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Joined: January 8, 2012, 2:34 am
Posts: 285
Location: Niagara on the Lake Ontario Canada
...Yes...I ordered an MGA horn button and made an aluminum ring for it...
The elastics on the mirror was a quick iPhone mount for a quick first run of spring video.....



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwoanT2 ... nEmBCfZJrg

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gblawson (Gordon)
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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 22, 2014, 4:24 pm 
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Joined: December 16, 2012, 1:54 pm
Posts: 27
Location: Colorado
Nicely done!!! Great improvement in looks over the original. Head turner for sure at the local malt shop.

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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 23, 2014, 5:43 pm 
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Joined: January 8, 2012, 2:34 am
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Location: Niagara on the Lake Ontario Canada
...next is to raise the headlights...am sure they are illegal, not that i care that much, but they are uneven and I think will look better a tad higher.... The hood is one piece with the nose so have to be able to clear the fenders.....(and the rad underneath)

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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: April 24, 2014, 12:09 am 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
Posts: 1994
Location: Novato, CA
Agree on the headlight height. I like the tops about 3" higher than the top of the nose, higher than the tops of the fenders. Like a real Seven.


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 13, 2014, 4:34 pm 
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Joined: April 22, 2010, 4:43 pm
Posts: 432
Location: Livermore, Calif.
I'm reporting some very sad news. Gordon Lawson who had just completed the modifications to this Centaur 7 passed away earlier this month. I never really met Gordon but exchanged comments on this site and another site that we both frequented, dealing with older MG's and in particular MG TD's.

http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5 ... 3144819377

Gordon was very knowledgeable in the details of many British cars and was most helpful to fellow MG owners during the restoration process. He also hand made some very elaborate wooden steering wheels for other classics.

His knowledge and friendliness will be missed by all.

Roy

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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 7:10 am 
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We are Slotus!
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Joined: October 6, 2009, 9:29 am
Posts: 7651
Location: Tallahassee, FL (The Center of the Known Universe)
That's very sad news. I never actually met Gordon either, but thru this site and Facebook, I considered him a friend.
I will miss his presence here.
JDK


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 9:26 am 
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Joined: August 12, 2012, 6:38 pm
Posts: 1937
Location: worcester county, Massachsetts
oh no! that's so sad, my condolences to his family...;-(

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The B-3 build log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=13941 unfortunately, all the pictures were lost in the massive server crash

The beginnings of the Jag Special,
https://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19012
Again, all pictures were lost.


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 9:34 am 
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Joined: July 17, 2008, 9:11 am
Posts: 6414
Location: West Chicago,IL
Like so many others, I never personally met Gordon. I always enjoyed reading his posts. I will miss them.

My condolences to his family too.

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 12:34 pm 
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Joined: December 16, 2012, 1:54 pm
Posts: 27
Location: Colorado
We will miss you brother. May this time of grief pass quickly for your family.

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Royce


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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 12:46 pm 
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The voice of reason
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Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
If you are able, please let the family know that we enjoyed what Gordan shared with us and appreciate his effort for that and the humour and inspiration he gave us. There will always be a little corner of the Internet here that is his...

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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 1:26 pm 
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Always Moore!
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Joined: November 9, 2007, 3:40 pm
Posts: 4074
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
That is a shame to hear. I'll miss seeing his simple yet elegant solutions and his fine work. He's going to be missed.

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 Post subject: Re: Gordon's Centaur 7
PostPosted: May 14, 2014, 3:42 pm 
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Joined: December 24, 2007, 5:11 am
Posts: 1307
Location: Seattle area
Always enjoyed and benefitted from Gordon's posts. He will be missed....

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