So, it's been nearly 10 years since myself and Ben (S2Avant) transported a van of parts from MK to my garage but after many, many hours my Lotus seven inspired replica is finally ready for IVA preparation. 
I started off with the best intentions, getting the chassis painted and the aluminium and fibreglass panels fitted, along with the suspension and brakes.
Then the project sat idle for over 6 years (The S2 can take some of the blame for this).
It's only really been the past 18 months or so that myself and my brother have had regular evenings working on it.
Here it is in all it's glory.
Up front I have a 2.0 litre Ford Pinto engine with a Burton Power big valve head and FR32 cam. It has a custom inlet manifold courtesy of my Bro. so that I could fit a set of bike carbs. We rebuilt the engine using new bearings and rings - this was one of the easier bits of the project.
The interior is fully carpeted, a Digidash takes care of all the info.
I've modified a set of Lotus Elise seats to fit too.
The rear end has carbon effect lights (sorry) and an aero fuel cap. I've also made a rear cover that will fold open to give storage underneath eventually.
I'm in two minds about the project now.
On one hand I'm happy that it's finally finished, but on the other I'm a little sad that the challenge of having to build the car is over.
This isn't a westfield that just bolts together with off-the-shelf parts, I have had to fabricate all sorts of parts, learn about how everything on the car works and overcome all sorts of issues.
The next stage of the project will be to ship it off to a company to get it through the IVA test and get it road legal.
Matt.
I started off with the best intentions, getting the chassis painted and the aluminium and fibreglass panels fitted, along with the suspension and brakes.
Then the project sat idle for over 6 years (The S2 can take some of the blame for this).
It's only really been the past 18 months or so that myself and my brother have had regular evenings working on it.
Here it is in all it's glory.
Up front I have a 2.0 litre Ford Pinto engine with a Burton Power big valve head and FR32 cam. It has a custom inlet manifold courtesy of my Bro. so that I could fit a set of bike carbs. We rebuilt the engine using new bearings and rings - this was one of the easier bits of the project.
The interior is fully carpeted, a Digidash takes care of all the info.
I've modified a set of Lotus Elise seats to fit too.
The rear end has carbon effect lights (sorry) and an aero fuel cap. I've also made a rear cover that will fold open to give storage underneath eventually.
I'm in two minds about the project now.
On one hand I'm happy that it's finally finished, but on the other I'm a little sad that the challenge of having to build the car is over.
This isn't a westfield that just bolts together with off-the-shelf parts, I have had to fabricate all sorts of parts, learn about how everything on the car works and overcome all sorts of issues.
The next stage of the project will be to ship it off to a company to get it through the IVA test and get it road legal.
Matt.
Comment