Nov
03
How to Build a Cheap Sports Car
Filed Under (Car Insurance) by admin on 03-11-2009
Review
Car and Driver, August 2006 Included in “The Homemades: Yes you can build a sports car for just a few grand” “This book is useful for Locost builders in the U.S. because it focuses on the Miata as the donor vehicle, a car that is readily available … it’s an instructive read.” …
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A more accurate title of this book should be “Keith Tanner’s Lotus 7 Replica Build Diary”
As another reviewer has mentioned, this is more of a companion book to Ron Champion’s book. That statement shouldn’t discourage anyone from purchasing this book though.
Champion’s book was more of a how-to cookbook, whereas Tanner’s is a variation of the recipe. It is quite interesting to see another build, especially a US-based build (Champion’s being basically a UK build).
This Miata-based build diary is a great way of seeing a different kind of variation. I, for instance, am building one around a Toyota 4AGE powerplant, and it is good to see how Tanner was deviating (and working around) the cookbook approach that Champion did. With a little ingenuity, one could use the “problem-solving techniques” that Tanner did.
That is not to say that Tanner outlined any techniques; rather, his diary was exactly that: a build diary. He shows what problems he encounters, and how he goes about solving it. The reader then has to infer what thought processes Tanner used, and the reader should be able to come up with his own.
I would have given this book 4-stars for the content, but it earns an extra star because of the way Keith Tanner writes. He manages to inject a lot of humour and wit in his writing. So when the time for your build comes and when the frustrations start pouring in (and believe me, they will start pouring in), go re-read this book and enjoy.
You will also notice that the author has this stupid grin [hey! His words, not mine... I think...] plastered on every picture that he appears in. You can even see that silly grin through one of those pictures where he’s wearing a full-face helmet. Can’t blame him though, as that Seven sure looks like it will plaster an idiotic grin on anyone. Heck, as I read the book, his infectious “stupid grin” has migrated to my face as well.
There is a child-like enthusiasm that Keith Tanner has, and it shows on practically every page. And it is contagious — after all, I think boys will be boys, and this is one helluva toy. I wonder how many times the author has written VROOM-VROOM in this book? I could remember quite a few.
If you are building a Seven, and especially if you are building a Seven in the US, this makes a great read. It is a worthwile companion (not a replacement) to Ron Champion’s book, and any builder should have this in his library.
I bought this book after looking over Keith’s website. If you approach the book more as a miata-based build diary, rather than a how-to book, it is a great book. The pictures and information are well put together. I am in the process of my own build, using a pre-made chassis from coveland7.com, and reading Keith’s book gave me a realistic idea of what to expect during the build process and provided the information that I needed for my own planning process.
I also have the Ron Champion book, which goes over how to build the actual chassis. Since I am planning on buying a pre-welded chassis, this book is less of a use to me than Keith’s book.
Thanks to Keith for putting together a well written book. If you are going to build you own locost project, I would recommend buying this and the Champion book.
-Brian
Keith Tanners’ new book, “How To Build a Cheap Sports Car” is a great resource for anyone that is considering building or is in the process of building a Lotus Se7en Inspired Sports Car. The book is full of good pictures and it is written in an enjoyable style, too.
The author uses a Miata as the donor for his sports car. Why ship Ford Escort parts across the pond from England?
There are excellent explanations throughout the book telling you the how and why basic automotive systems work. Good stuff.
If you have a copy of Ron Champion’s “Build Your Own Sports Car” and a copy of “Your Kit Car Assembly Manual”, the CD-ROM Se7ens Book, you should complete your Se7en Inspired Sports Car library with a copy of “How To Build a Cheap Sports Car”.
You will go back and re-read these 3 books time and time again. They are all chock-full of great information.