Maybe look at 51's as well, saw one or two for sale a year of so ago your side of the pond.

But it should be easy to knock one up if you sink enough cash into it. The one guy I work with and share a pit garage with has a 51, he has two spare body shells he had made up and is running a non original frame under the original body. The original frame is there but needs a little TLC after a previous owner put it into the wall sideways by the look of it.

 

I know there are also Lotus 23 replicas, at least you can drive them to the track and back...just saying...

 

Lotus 49

I am currently working on this. I was short a million so I decided to build my own.

 

I am currently working on this. I was short a million so I decided to build my own.

Epic first posts, dudes. :bow: Now they just need updates!

 

Gordy,
like to talk to you about your project. I'm doing one myself, your a bit ahead of me. did the picts, books, models. now doing the mockup prior to sheetmetal
CHuck

 

Bump.

Keep us updated guys. Incredible.

 

Speechless

 

Wow! How about some more details on the design to construction phases? Amazing that you just appear with a 49 that is being hand made in your garage.......

 

My apologies to the purists. I preface this post with that comment as I have found some to be very interested in my little project and a few less so. I will leave it at that.

Having lusted for a 49 all my life and always being a bit short on cash, I entertained myself with a Lotus 41, a 51, and my current project, a 61. But the desire was ever present and I have been working on a close to exact 49 for the last few years.

I have approached the build from two very different directions, one a true monocoque, built to exact dimension and another, a tube frame/fiberglass body creation. When finished I hope to have two great track day cars, and sell one of them to fund my next endeavor.

I have included a few pics , hopefully of interest. The motor shown in the above post has now been replaced with a proper DFV and Hewland transaxle, and most of the suspension is complete. Still quite a ways from completion.

 

The 49 project

 

Gordy
I want one, can you replicate the body


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Just WOW! I can't see how anyone isn't impressed by your passion, craftsmanship, and creativity. The monocoque work-up alone is absolutely incredible.

I say don't waste your time on any "purist" who doesn't have an original 49 of his own...

The building of faithful yet affordable replicas of classic aircraft is truly appreciated and respected in the aviation/EAA community as they should be here. (For instance, there are some incredible 3/4 P-51 designs that really kick butt.) Your work appears to be on a par with some of the best stuff I've seen there.

Keep posting updates please!

 

Thanks for the kind words. I certainly can't or won't take credit for all the work, I have been assisted by some other very talented craftsmen along the way.

I will get some updated pictures posted in the next few days. The 61 is taking up most of my attention right now. It is currently down to bare frame, ready for some minor tube repair, and then off to the powdercoat shop. I just finished the refresh of the motor and transaxle, looking forward to reassembly.

When completed I plan to paint it in Gold Leaf Team Lotus colors, similar to this one.

 

What about a rolling chassis


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Keep us informed. Very cool projects.

These cars offer something that can't be had from modern manufacturers today. I applaud people who make their own when there is no other way to get that driving and ownership experience. In truth a recreation might end up being a more pure creation because it will be used on a track and not be a garage queen.

I care about driving more than history. Cars are not stamps.

Love your passion, and it looks like you are having a lot of fun!!!

 

51/61 are cool - id really like to have a 69, and in FB spec even more so - Kyle here has one... (that #%*!!#&) lol

the 47 build looks very cool - its certainly not magic to make it work - how many lola t70's have been re-created? (many, is the answer) its just that so few formula cars get the love and thought they deserve! as for the monocoque, since all the atlantics, f500's, indy cars of the era and continentals were built similarly - there is talent around to make it happen - maybe not "exactly the same" but likely better and safer and more durable than original (which would be a good thing!). mclarens f5000 we also quite similar - there is a guy in AUS making a replica one of those i believe.

where did you source the DFV? ....epic

where are you based Gordy?

 

Been flogging on the 61 for the last couple of weeks. The frame is done, and the car is going back together. Everything on the car will be new or rebuilt to new when finished. Then, back to the 49.

 

Absolutely amazing

Thanks for sharing - looking forward to updates!!

 

Gordy, on the 61 are you planning on maintaining the in frame cooling or going to do the outside of the tub cooling tube mod? Having had both I strongly suggest you go for the latter. The in frame cooling may be original but from the stand point of driver comfort, not desirable. Those tubes get hot and even when insulated generate a lot of heat within the cockpit.
Second food for thought item, the nose section as it came from the factory does not provide adequate air flow for cooling to the radiator. See attached photos, both cars were driven in the Texas region and without those extra openings we'd never have finished a session.
Third point, the original 61's came with solid wheels. the spokers are nice but in some classes of vintage they would be not allowed.
Good luck with the rebuilds, looks like you are doing a great job thus far.

Al B.

 

Gordy,
been following your build pics on apex speed. looking great!! also noticed an atlantic car? in foreground and background.

but honestly, really want to see more of the monocoque 49 build!!!

 

alphonse - there is a blue/gold 61 in AZ that has a similar opened up nose. in cali... 1/2 the time its under 50deg, the other 1/2 the time its over 85... so its almost like you want two! lol i have a hard time getting my car warmed up. typically on fords they are plumbed "backwards" a good cooling remedy it to reverse the coolant plumbing, that lets the swirl tank do its thing without suctioning on the coolant flow.

is there any real chassis differences between the 51 and the 61?

most everyone runs their cars here NOT in the chassis tube... eventually, the tubes will rust out and fail, and then you have a broke chassis squirting steamy hot water out of a turn.... its a fine practice when a car is designed to survive a few seasons only... but when it planned to be owned for 20 years... not such a good idea!

 

In case any 61 restorers are interested I have a set of unblemished, never installed, bent or cut tubes that we were going to install on the #13 car but never got around to. Cover the cost of shipping and their yours. Email me if interested.
Al

 

I would be interested. Are you talking about coolant tubes that would run outside the bodywork ? PM me with your email.

The engine and transaxle are rebuilt and ready for install this week on the FF Lotus 61. More updates soon.

Don't forget this FF is for sale and can be completed to suit the owner.

Thanks,

Gordy

 

Hey Gordy,

Good to see you at the ELKT banquet this evening. Thanks for mentioning this thread. Beautiful work. Can't wait to see the updates.

Take care,
Hartz

 

A couple of updated photos of the Lotus 61. Hopefully the bodywork will be ready for paint next weekend, and then final assembly.

Car is for sale and can be ready in two weeks for new owner.

 

Gordy,

Sorry I may have missed it, is that the uprated "m" motor or the original unit?

Al