Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Need help from a fellow owner, something to air - discuss away!

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Hammy
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Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Hammy » Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:04 pm

Right so guess what? Yesssss I've ordered another kit, shock horror hey!

For those of you that have built or drive a 7 inspired kit and were doing it again would you use front cycle wings again or go old skool with the clam shell type?

Cheers

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Nash
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Nash » Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:47 pm

Depends on the kit?
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DJ.
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby DJ. » Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:00 pm

I've owned a Westfield with clams back in the early 90s and now have a Caterham with cycle wings.

Clams:
For: they reduce stone chips on the rear wings/sides of the car and crap flying up the side of the car and onto the driver. They are much nicer in wet weather.

Against: They defintely reduce the cars top speed and create lift, my Westfiled used to get very light at the front over 90mph

Cycle wings:
For: Lighter and more aerodynamic so the car drives better at high speed

Against: particularly with sticky tyres, you'll get loads of stones thrown up onto the body and it will get chipped to hell. You'll also get a lit of water thrown up along with farmyard muck all over the rear wings- just ask Dave Hall after this years road trip :lol:

My conclusion is the best option is to have cycle wings with huge mudflaps, then you'll get the best of both worlds. However, a lot of people hate mudflaps, and I have to admit clamshell wings look better (at least to my eyes).

Duncan

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Tony C
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Tony C » Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:05 pm

Firstly, you need help :lol: The type of wing depends on the look you are going for, cycle wings for something modern, personally I've never liked clam style front wings, unless they fit with the rest of the car's design
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Hammy
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Hammy » Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:39 pm

Its a tiger avon Ive ordered, but not ordered the grp yet, I love the classic clam shells on 7 done in classic style and in brg but truly cant make my mind up. If not itll be red or orange with black front cycle wings

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Nash
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Nash » Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:29 pm

Don't think clam shells on an Avon would work. But your money, your choice
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Crunchie Gears
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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Crunchie Gears » Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:30 am

I built an early Caterham (1978). It had cam shells and I would not do it again! When overtaking lorries on the motorway it required you to turn into the bow wave of the lorry as you passed to avoid changing lanes or hitting the barriers :?

For me it is not the looks it is how the car performs :)

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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Hammy » Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:23 am

Cycle wings it is

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Re: Lotus 7 builders and drivers.

Postby Dav » Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:15 pm

Having literally just picked up my car,
so of course the fountain of all knowledge, I've gotta say go with the cycle wings. As mentioned, the clams age a car instantly, the cycle wings can look more modern.

Unless of course, you're going for the "older" look.


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