REGULARS
HYNESIGHT
The editor reflects on the major advances in engineering, performance and quality of the Lotus Seven-inspired breed of sports car as well as dismissing any major impact from the replacement of SVA by BIVA in April 2009 – a topic covered in great detail this month by our Nigel on page 108.
YOUR SAY 10
Explanations of comments in previous articles, the NG Tycoon and
Sedan
, previous users of the Riot name and a progress report on a Charger 2 under restoration in trying circumstances.
NEWS 14
News from
Westfield
, Sebring, Blaze Motorsport, Razor Sports Cars, GKD, Robin Hood, among others as well as a home powder coating kit, an excellent source of rubber extrusions and hiring a Caterham in
Scotland
.
BEING THERE 100
The remaining shows of the year are listed.
CLASSIFIEDS 117
Our usual vast selection of previously enjoyed, already built kit cars for sale.
FEATURES
SMART WORK 20
Robert Hawkins gets to grips with a Banks Lotus Europa shell sitting a top the mechanical underpinnings of a Brabus Smart Coupe. It was complex to build but well worth the effort. Will there be more?
56 MILES OF HISTORY 30
As the London Brighton Kit Car Run comes round in June,
Ian Hyne
takes a brief look at the significance of the trip and why it’s worth the entry fee to do the distance.
SEVEN GUIDE
A to Z 51
The next 48 pages shows a selection of more than 20 of the industry’s most authentic and/or popular Lotus Seven look-a-likes. Some are given just a page, whilst the following get full feature treatment:-
AVON
IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE 52
Tiger Sports Cars have launched their budget
Avon
and published a book on how to build it. Rob Hawkins test drives the
car and finds out how it’s done.
CATERHAM CSR 56
Trevor Legate examines the Caterham CSR and applauds the company’s re-established link with Cosworth that has produced such a stunningly capable and exhilarating road car.
BANANARAMA 62
You don’t have to fit a massive V8 or a ‘turbo-nutter’ engine to a Dax Rush in order to have real performance fun.
Steve Hole
warms to the 115 bhp Pinto EFi.
MK PLUG 70
Ian Hyne drives the MK Indy R and is impressed both with the car as well as with the progress the company has made since its debut in 2001. Great car and great price.
MNR FROM HEAVEN 76
Selecting a Lotus inspired sports car is tricky when you’re 6’4” and 16 1/2 stone. But those are the vital statistics of Andy Daniels, the hugely satisfied customer for the MNR Vort-X bearing chassis number 1. But the ability to comfortably accommodate someone who’s bigger than the average bear is far from the car’s only asset.
R IS FOR ROARING 92
Tiger’s R6 represents a significant development of the model that has been the company’s most dedicated track star. This one is owned by Geoff Mason and though it has a few special parts not every builder will fit, it still underlines the car’s purpose.
Ian Hyne
took it round Bruntingthorpe’s very quick circuit.
WORKSHOP
DAX RUSH CW 460 Pt2 38
Nigel Dean continues construction of the most powerful Dax Rush ever built while his daughter reflects on life following her father’s strange disappearance.
TECH TALK 41
This month
Nigel Dean
addresses sorting out the problem of a misfiring Pinto engine in a Dax Rush.
TECH PRODUCTS 45
Aluminium soft jaws for gripping delicate items in the vice without marking, a billet alloy fuel filler car, clever tools from Sealey and the widest possible range of rubber extrusions, seals and strips.
TECH TIPS 48
This month Nigel Dean addresses the various solutions to satisfying the SVA requirement for adequate ventilation and demisting using everything from a 12 mini heater to full air-con.
GOODBYE SVA 108
In April 2009, SVA is scheduled to be replaced by BIVA (or IVA). Nigel Dean goes through the list item by item to determine what the news means for future kit car builders. The answer is, not a lot.
Kit car companies have had stabs at electric cars before but new technology makes them far more viable as well as offering real performance. Also, has anybody ever heard of an SRN Cobra replica?
