erioshi wrote:
I love the look, but unfortunately in the era of modern engines with overhead cams it's almost impossible to find a fun engine short enough to fit under that slinky body.
True enough. Also, Locost seating is about as low as I want to go for both comfort and visibility. My solution comes in three parts, each of which reduces the slink factor a bit:
--For wheel travel and steering lock reasons, the fenders are going to be a bit higher off the wheels than the are on the Lola...and the center section will be raised along with the fenders.
--It will have hood bulges as needed. If I put a body into production it'll have different center sections for different powerplants (though I'll probably stop at the Miata-sized version...I can't say I cared for the look of big V8s crammed where bangers went before).
And last but not least...
--I'm tilting the nose a bit; it's higher in the back than in the front. The scuttle and pontoons will blend it in nicely and it'll still look period correct--Lotus had a sports racer with a droop nose and the front pontoons tapered to fit, I forget which model and I'd love a reminder if anybody recalls it.
So the finished product will be pretty compromised for the street (and modern engines) but I'll like it anyway.
BTW, if my Kubota were normally aspirated, it would fit in the Lola, but the turbocharger demands a speed bump in the hood.