rotary engine -- what's the name ??

Not familiar with this name. It's not a pet name for a Lotus 7 kit is it?

Brian W

It's the car described in Ron Champion's book "Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as UKP250". While it has a lot of similarities with a Seven and can easily be mistaken for one, it's not technically a Seven.

I still enjoy reading a book about building a race car from mini bits _ I think he called it the Terrapin - he used brazed square section tube. He worked out steering geometry etc. from articulated cardboard models. Must get Ron Champion's work too. Ouch! Amazon wanted $150 for a copy - too high.

Thanks

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

Try Amazon UK. They're listing it for about 13 UKP and 7 UKP shipping to the US.

I scratched round a little and settled for an eBay.uk bid I saw Haynes is offering a new version with the same title, different author - similar illustration. I thought I would stick with your recommendation.

Brian W

Actually there are three that kind of form a set. Ron Champion's is the original. Chris Gibbs' is designed around a single-donor concept using a Ford Sierra--he also cleaned up the drawings some. Keith Tanner's is also designed around a single-vehicle donor but using a Miata. Ron's is more generic--he goes more into how to piece things together from what you find at the junk yard.

Keith Tanner also has an excellent build diary online at

Making a home-brew sports car out of a Miata? There's a concept to juggle with!

Thanks

Brian W