Lonnie-S wrote:
Do you have the chassis plans too or just the bodywork/sheet metal designs?
No, no chassis plans--I don't believe there ever were formal chassis plans, the original builder (Tom Rodgers) didn't make many of them and he did each to customer preference. He used MGB subframes front and rear...I wasn't too concerned because I think a chassis redesign is in order.
carguy123 wrote:
How close is "close" when you're ready to register?
In DMV parlance, I see the phrase "most resembles" is the clincher. I've never heard of a Locost failing to "most resemble" a Lotus Seven, and the Kokopelli resembles a Lotus 11 more than a typical Locost resembles a Lotus Seven. If you put a bulge on the bonnet to fit a modern OHC engine (as shown in the dark green Miata-powered example above [and yeah, I have the mold for that too]) I guess it's possible that the gal behind the counter at Vehicle Inspection station will say, "1956 Lotus 11, huh? Looks to me more like a 1958 Lotus 15," but they're not going to send you packing. I think the "most resembles" rule is to keep folks from trying to smog their Miatas as replicas of a 1962 Lotus Elan. Anyway, the benefit of their being an 11 Breadvan is it gives me a photo to point to for a period-correct hardtop with some storage space, in case somebody says "1958 Lotus 11 replica, huh? It looks more like a 1997 Volvo 850 Station Wagon," which could otherwise be hard to argue with.
Warren Nethercote wrote:
Jack, before everyone gets too excited, any thoughts on a windshield? A split pick-up piece like Lalo?
For the roadster, either a replica clear plastic windscreen (it's not a windSHIELD, officer, it's a windSCREEN. See, I look -over- it, not -through- it) or in those states that call for it, a remove-after-registration flat glass windshield (as I currently have on my Lalo--though it's not required, it's a nice alternative to goggles, particularly in the rain) and I'm not completely sure on the breadvan/coupe version but most likely a split pickup windshield or a split early 'Vette.
cs3tcr wrote:
I've been lead to believe that Malcolm Linder did the original molds for the Kokopelli
Hm. I knew that about the Breadvan replica but hadn't heard it about the Kokopelli. Tom Rodgers told me he'd widened the body about 4" from the original 11, but he may have got his original 11 body from Malcolm Linder, or may even have hired Malcolm to do the widening. But I know he had the molds made in the US by a local boat manufacturer, which is why they're a bit unorthodox from an automotive standpoint (for one thing they're white). The Kokopelli is definitely wider than the Lotus 11...here's a shot of an 11 (coincidentally submitted to a Westfield 11 forum by Malcolm Linder):
Attachment:
Lotus11FtQtr.jpg
Compared with the photo a few posts ago, you can see the lime green Kokopelli has a wider cooling air inlet in the nose than the 11, which is probably a good thing for the bigger engines these bigger cars are likely to enjoy. Of course, it's pretty easy to narrow a body if you find a Nash Metropolitan or Sprite axle and want an authentic sized 11 replica...