New Blog

Just to let everyone know, life has intervened. My Locost plans have now been placed on the back burner. for more info, visit my new blog at tl7homestead.blogspot.com .

New Blog

More Updates and a Change of Plans

OK, here's some more of my CAD production. My new design chassis build table. Well, not really my design, but one I found on LocostUSA.com. It looked good, and will fit in nicely with my change of plans. Thanks Racers Dan & Al. Now, about the change of plans. Many of you will remember that I spent a great deal of time waiting to get an old refrigeration stand from the store where I work. The plan at that time was to build a big, heavy, solid, immoveable table to build my chassis on. At the time it seemed like a great idea since I was blessed with a large (almost 750 Sq. ft.) shop/garage, so a big, heavy, etc. table didn't pose a problem. Notice I said "WAS" blessed. Ah, life has a way of intervening, doesn't it? Due to a family situation, it appears that my shop space will be cut in half. Not a big prob when building something the size of a Locost, but the BHSI table is out! I need something light and portable yet sturdy,true and level. The answer lies in a 1" sq tubing framework (very appropriate for a Locost) with a heavy plywood top. The legs are equipped with levelers for adjustment after moving if needed. For the portable part, I'm working on retractable mounts for the casters that should allow for lifting and moving by one person, even with a partially built car on board. The basic table design is ready to go, but the caster retracts are still on the drawing board, so to speak.

Progress Update

Well, here's what I've managed to run up so far with Google SketchUp. It has been a bit of a struggle to try designing a car chassis while learning to use a new program at the same time. It amounts to overloading the system of my poor old senior citizen brain. As you can see, it's still a work-in-progress. In fact, the file has been dubbed "WIP". BTW, I just notice that the legend doesn't include a description of the RED pieces. They are 1" round tube. Still have more work to do of course, scuttle bulkhead bracing, trans tunnel, structure behind the seat bulkhead, etc. Even though the progress is slow, at least there is progress. More to come!

PROGRESS OF A TECHNICAL SORT

No, I haven't started construction yet, I'm sorry to say. But, I have acquired some new technology which should help speed up the planning stage.

After a late night session working on some drawings of the chassis with the modifications that I plan to use, things went a bit awry, due partly to a need for some sleep, and partly for lack of proper drafting tools. While laying in dimensions on a drawing that I had just slaved over for hours, I discovered that I had inadvertently shortened the car 3 inches. Unfortunately, this was in an area of the frame that would have required redrawing about 2/3 of the whole thing. This lead me to search for an inexpensive CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software that would allow me to work on the PC rather than the DRT (Dining Room Table). Thanks to the gang at LocostUSA.com, I found "Sketchup", a free (free is always good) program from Google. It seems to offer everything that a drafting "duffer" like myself would need. Now, all I have to do is learn how to use it.

More news as it breaks!

More "Gathering" Pics

Here is a link to more photos from "The Gathering". Be sure to check out the links there to videos and such!

The Mid-West Gathering of Se7ens

Julian Dziurawiec's 280-Z powered Locost.

Well, it finally arrived, "The Midwest Gathering of Se7ens". As of Friday, there were 13 cars in attendance, and around two dozen people, with more expected to arrive on Saturday. On Friday they were on a morning blat that brought them up to my neck of the woods in Missouri, with a stop at my favorite pizza joint, Tony's Pizza House in Protem. My plan was to hook up there with Graham Early and ride with him in his Leitch Super Sprint down to The Hub hotel where the Gathering was headquartered. Well, between the heat, humidity, and lack of planning on my part, my first ever Se7en ride was cut down from about 45 miles to less than a mile.

The Gathering gathers at Tony's Pizza House.

After having to wait for about 45 minutes to board the Peel Ferry for the trip across Bull Shoals Lake, my head started swimming and I swapped my seat in the Se7en for one in an A/C equipped Ford Ranger. A few miles, and a couple of Gatorades later I was fine, but so much for my big first ride. Thanks anyway Graham. It was fun while it lasted.

The Peel Ferry

Upon arriving at The Hub, we checked out all the cars, and then had dinner with the group at Scooters restaurant. Talk about a warm, welcoming bunch of people! Everybody made our family feel like we were old friends that they hadn't seen in awhile. Thanks everyone, it was a great experience.

Russ Amos holds a driver's meeting.

After dinner it was time for the autocross. Nothing high stress, just some guys (and gals) out to have a little fun with the cars. Every body got a few practice runs, and then things got serious... sort of. The runs were timed, but only a few took it real seriously. I don't even know who took FTD! The main thing was everyone had a safe and fun time

Graham Early's 20-valve Toyota powered Leitch S/S.

One of several Brunton Stalkers.

Brunton Super Stalker (note blower drive under hood scoop).

Tom Suppa's Alfa-Romeo powered Locost.

At the end of the day, a grand time was had by all. We met some new friends, got some ideas for our car, and learned that you have to keep well hydrated when the weather gets hot and muggy. Can't wait 'til next year, maybe we'll have something to show off, too! See you there.

Chuck Schaefer's RX-7 powered Locost.

Wendell Karr-ake & Beverly Carlile in their Toyota powered Westfield.

More to come!