2010 Locust 7                                               ...

Hammer

£4,464

2010 Locust 7                                                    

Chassis Number: DAVEJCLOCUST72010
Registration Number: KFX 585F
Recorded mileage: 2,500 miles

The Locust is a kit car inspired by the Lotus Seven. First developed in the mid 1980s as a cheap kit to be built onto the chassis of a Triumph Spitfire, it was later developed into a full kit car which used its own in-house designed ladder chassis - unlike others using a space frame. The last kits were produced in early 2000.

The original Triumph-based kit was quickly superseded by an all new Locust using its own chassis with the choice of a Triumph or Ford Escort for the donor vehicle. The original design was by John Cowperthwaite and sold as the JC Locust by J.C. Auto Patterns. The Locust used a ladder frame and body constructed from exterior grade or marine plywood or MDF sheets, skinned in aluminium.

The kit for this example was purchased some 30 years ago by an aircraft engineer who took around 20 years to build up to exacting standards. Using a more traditional approach to the styling, the Locust is trimmed in soft leather with a padded dash and wooden steering wheel, and fitted with earlier Lotus 7-style steel wheels with hubcaps. The outer panels were finished in a Rolls-Royce shade of Chestnut metallic dark red, and the car was granted a period 1968 registration number. Mechanically the car was fitted with a newly rebuilt Ford 1600cc with twin Weber carburettors and electronic ignition, simple to maintain but with more than ample performance.

The quality of the finish is evident, from the paintwork to the neatly trimmed interior and detailed engine bay. Since being pressed into service in 2010 the Locust has covered a mere 2,500 miles in the hands of 3 owners. Recent works includes new ceramic brakes and titanium hoses.

Supplied with bills for many components and other items purchased, IVA certificate, a new MoT Certificate, a Locust owners manual and also two folders of hand-drawn diagrams detailing the build method and process, this is a lovely looking Lotus 7 replica that we are sure will be very rewarding both to own and drive.