Guides - Seven Replica Guide

004 > Gladiator

Tiger’s R6 has a formidable technical armoury including 265 bhp, 190 lbs ft, 570 kgs, aerodynamic aids, Avon slicks and straight-cut, sequential shifting box. It proved its mettle at Snetterton. Ian Hyne drives an all-conquering hero.

008 > An Offer you can't Refuse

Westfield’s Classic offers a basic specification which many would consider high spec, top quality at a debt crisis busting price. Ian Hyne drives it and reflects on whether buyers get value for money.

012 > E Numbers

We’re talking BMW 3-series E36 and E46 as fitted under the new GKD. When that comes as standard, who needs additives? Ian Hyne investigates the return of the single donor kit car.

022 > Zero - IVA

Rob Hawkins follows Great British Sportscars as they submit their latest demonstrator for IVA.

030 > Lord of the Rings

Colin Chapman’s performance mantra was to reduce weight rather than add power. The Deronda has followed half that advice by keeping weight down to 667 kgs but increasing power to 300 bhp. The result is explosive as Ian Hyne discovered.

040 > Mazda's Coyote

There’s much speculation as to the successor of the Sierra based Seven. Rob Hawkins finds out if Roadrunner Racing has the answer with the Mazda MX-5.

052 > Sheer Determination

Tim Barnett seems to have been plagued with bad luck, first over the build up of his Robin Hood Lightweight and then over the build of his subsequent GBS Zero. Rob Hawkins finds out what went wrong and how determination has saved the day.

075 > A to Z Guide

Here we list our selection of the top dozen Seven clones in alphabetical order.

108 > The Eyes of the Beast

Nigel’s last project was a rather impressive DAX Rush, aptly named the Raptor. Nigel developed a bespoke headlight system which gave the car a totally unique and aggressive stance. He explains how the system was developed and how you too can replicate it on your own project.

124 > RAW Striker

Mel Coppock of RAW has been refining the Striker design, making it easier to build and improving fit and finish, but mostly making it go faster. He’s concentrated on the excellent Toyota 4AGE engine. Iain Ayre checked it out.

132 > Vindicator Sprint

Rob Hawkins test drives the Sprint MkIV from Vindicator to discover the secret to its fantastic handling and refined ride quality.

142 > Whirlwind Romance

Car Craft's Cyclone was an ambitious project that never achieved the success it deserved. Owners cherish their cars, and after driving one, Ian Hyne can well understand why.

152 > Nil points or Ten?

Robin Hood’s line up of Seven inspired creations has evolved into the Zero. Rob Hawkins finds out if it’s a serious contender within this competitive market.

180 > Fighting in the Street

The Sylva Riot is exactly that but this is no mindless thug, it’s a cool, well calculated and potent, giant-killing driving machine that punches well above its weight.

196 > SDR V-Storm

Ian Hyne drives one of the industry’s most extrovert cars. It’s not to everybody’s taste but the V-Storm offers drama, excitement and driver enjoyment by the bucket load.

204 > Quantum of Solace

Quantum’s X-Treme is viewed as one of a range of cars inspired by the Lotus Seven but this car has many unique features that set it apart from its market rivals.

260 > Lovely Jubbly

25 years is a major milestone for any specialist car company but unlike those that don’t know what the next 25 hold, Westfield knows where it’s going and the Jubilee SE points.

010, 224, 268, 312 > Tech Talk

Questions about heater switches, hood materials, engine paint, stainless bolts, limited slip diffs, speedo calibration, Weber carbs,and where to place your fuel tank and battery. All answered by Nigel.

014, 064, 162, 240 > Tech Tips

Nigel Dean explains all about switches and relays. Dry sump lubrication, the process of rebuilding the back-end of a Ford Sierra. Heaters and de-misters, elecronic speedos, cooling systems, cleaning and painting parts. Phew!

016 > Working Aluminium

If you’re building a kit car you will be required to work with aluminium. Our Tech’ Ed’, Nigel Dean, is acquainted with this versatile meterial and passes on his knowledge.

018 > Racing

Keith Wood casts his expert eye on the world of motor racing. Here he explains that you need to learn to loose.

020 > Bike Power

If you are considering a motorbike powerplant, the following few pages make essential reading. Nigel (Tech’ Ed’) examines the pros and cons of bike power to help resolve this common dilemma.

022 > Zero - IVA

Rob Hawkins follows Great British Sportscars as they submit their latest demonstrator for IVA.

025 > International Display

Iain Ayre brings another fantastic kit car creation from the other side of the Atlantic.

027 > Tech Talk

Nigel answers questions on oil catch tanks, daylight running lights, choosing your engine and using a mulitmeter.

036 > Oil Works

Squeezing an engine into a kit car can present challenges with the accommodation of the lubrication system. Relocation of the oil filter and the addition of a remote oil cooler is the most common modification, and here Nigel explains how to identify such requirements, what hardware is available and throws in a few installation tips.

046 > Stirring the Cogs

The gearbox, a vital, yet often little-understood part of a kit car build. Tech’ Ed’, Nigel, explains all.

058 > Patchwork Wonder

Nuvex has the versatility to fulfil a wide variety of applications. Ian Hyne has been messing about with it.

066, 236, 302 > Tech Products

Nigel introduces cooling fans, Dremel tool, a lightweight heater kit, workshop heaters, draining lubricants, stainless fasteners, rivets, battery cut-off switch and high level brake lights all come under Nigel’s evaluation.

068 & 212 > Sierra Stripdown

Rob Hawkins visits RAW to find out how to remove the components from a Sierra that are still used in a number of Seven kits.

188, 244, 284 > Westfield Build

Here Nigel deals with brakes, cooling and fuelling, then fits the bodywork. Next he fits lighting, screen and interior. Then he attends to the final details and slips behind the wheel. Parts 1 and 2 of the series are available in our back issues.

230 > Tunnel Vision

MIRA’s wind tunnel is not the standard testing arena for kit-form cars but, as MEV’s forthcoming R2 demonstrates, there are highly beneficial lessons to be learned.

250 > Mixed Grilles

Steel mesh grilles are a seemingly insignificant piece of any car but as ever, there’s a great deal more to them than meets the eye.

276 > Oil Coolers Explained

C.A.M. Auto Developments Ltd and Nigel talk you through this important topic.

294 > Registration

All the steps you need to take to register your kit car.

307 > RAW Deal

Rob Hawkins takes his RAW Striker through a VOSA centre for testing.