If the following description appears written in fluent "Legalese" it is because I have copied it from my submission to the Department for approval of the project. I realised early on that it is better to provide the Authorities with as much information as you can, demonstrate to them that you have done a lot of research and are knowledgable in the relevant engineering practices and the rules, and make sure you give them the impression that you are seeking "their help", and let them know that you appreciate" their help", even if what the inspector says is going to cost you a load of bucks, make sure you say to him "thanks for telling me that, doing it right will save me heaps of money".
Basically the Locost is a rear wheel drive, two seat roadster-style
vehicle, utilising a TIG/MIG-welded tubular steel space
frame, with fibre-glass and sheet metal body panels. The vehicle
is powered by a Toyota 4A-GE 1600cc 4 cylinder
engine, fitted with complete factory fuel injection engine management systems,
and a Toyota T-50 5 speed gearbox. The rear
axle is from a Cortina Mk2 and steering lower column and rack-and-pinion
are supplied from a Ford Escort Mk2. Upper collapsable steering assembly
is from a KE-35 Toyota Corolla.
The G.R.P. Body Panels and other items are supplied by
Northshore Boats, 26 Sultan Way, Rous Head (North Fremantle,
WA) Note: Northshore Boats may now be out of business (Jan 2000). GRP parts are being finished by Lucas Motors. Sheet Metal Body Panels will be computer cut my brother in law
at a local sheet metal fabrication firm. The space frame and
suspension arms will be welded by a Guru Welding, Cohn Street, Carlisle
a commercial welding firm specialising in in auto and racing welding (the
number of Racing Porsches that are always in being welded makes me wonder
how much it is going to cost!).
As of 31 March 1999, Guru Welding pulled out of finishing the chassis - haven't figured out what to do yet, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy a finished chassis from the Locost club in the UK, for only 400 UK Pounds!
All welded items will be submitted to Jamie
Guard (Chartered Automotive Engineer-Australian Institute of Engineers),
of "Replicars", Poole Street, Welshpool, for "Torsion/Bending
tests" and other inspection, as required by the Department
of Transport.
The chassis and suspension plans are published in the book "How to build
your own Sports car", by R. Champion (Haynes
Publications ISBN: 0-85429-976-9 ).
Construction will also follow
the procedures outlined in the "Westfield SportsCar Build Manual".
Construction is mostly conducted at mostly at my home in Kelmscott, Western
Australia (26km South east of Perth) in a 25 square metre workshop, and
60 square metre garage. Guidance in construction techniques will also be
provided by a relative who is a qualified automotive mechanic and
by a local service station owner (David Scholes, Ampol Kelmscott),
who has constructed a vehicle of this type (Westfield) recently.
Detailed diagrams and plans (mostly from 'The Book') and a
list of parts were included in the Appendices to my Submission to the Department
of Transport
for approval to commence construction.