Because I don’t have enough Lotus kits. ...

[absmiami]

Tail profile is close - now i have to figure out how to part the tail from the driver compartment cowling - this will allow me to remove the panels to display of all that good stuff that Chapman came up with - note - this stuff failed to make the 16 competitive - but it served as the final development of front engine space frame technology ….

[absmiami]

Question - while the site is off line to migrate to a new server - should I remain under moderate sedation ??

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, absmiami said:

Question - while the site is off line to migrate to a new server - should I remain under moderate sedation ??

Why moderate?!?

[absmiami]

All set …

[absmiami]

The 16 - in its 1958 form - used suspension componemts developed from the Lotus 7.  These were changed on the 16 into 1959 - but as I get a bit further into this build i am inclined to make chass 362 - which is a 1958 test car that was driven by Clark in his first test with Lotus - Clark did not compete in the 16 - his first comp with Lotus was aboard the 18 - chass 362 was sold to a privateer for use in 1959 - and has been restored and recently auctioned in its privateer livery - so my choice of chass 362 allows me to “borrow” some susp parts fr the Tamiya Lotus super 7 kit - and I’ll use any excuse to build a Jimmy Clark driven Lotus…

[absmiami]

Some additions and corrections to the base plate and the engine cover … and that crack on the leading edge of the cover has re-appeared - not surprised - but i’ve added a strip of half round Evergreen - .040 - to the nose - and gouged out the crack with a Tamiya tool to get some more CA into the crack - this should do it - 

[absmiami]

The shape and size of the suspension cut-outs on the resin castings are changed to accept the Tamiya parts - these openings will be closer to the actual openings on chass 362 …

[absmiami]

On the baseplate casting i’ve opened holes left and right - these will be covered with blisters - the openings were made on all 16’s - allowing space for the base of the radiator - 

[absmiami]

Ill make the frame around the Tamiya susp parts - this gives me greater odds that my stance and wheelbase will be correct - the torsion bar faced forward on the first eight or so 16’s - including chass 362 - so the Tamiya kit parts can be used with little modification …

[Pierre Rivard]

Having such intricate knowledge of the specifics of a car saves you tons of fabrication. These Tamiya parts appear to have good level of detail and should combine beautifully into this build. Can't have enough Jim Clark driven race cars.

[Bainford]

I agree with Pierre. Your knowledge of the intricacies of these cars is impressive, as is your tenacity in sorting the issues and non-conformances. It's great seeing these lesser known cars built and appreciated. 

[absmiami]

Thanks  - And some credit to Tamiya - the Super seven kit is at least 30 yrs old - - - guess I’m gonna have a make a Lotus Seven also …

[absmiami]

And thanks to the Auction houses - their Lotus sports car and early open wheel auctions fill in the gaps left by - Douglas Nye - and others - wish i had Nye on speed dial - i think he would regret that, though …

[absmiami]

Locating the Tamiya front susp part - to be glued into the baseplate - but not yet …

[absmiami]

More work on the Tamiya frame/susp parts  - they are difficult to mount to the base plate - due to the curve - once located, i saw that i had to increase the height ot the frame part carrying the top link - to allow adequate height for the spindles …. 

[absmiami]

Which brought me to my Monty Python - “it’s just a flesh wound” moment …

[absmiami]

[absmiami]

By adding .040 length to the frame legs - i’ve found enough space between the bottom wishbone and the top single link to place the spindles …. And the front of the frame still fits well within the profile of the bonnett … 

[absmiami]

Still can’t glue the top frame part in yet - but now i can make the shocks - beginning with the Tamiya super seven kit parts …. And some old stock springs from somewhere in my parts stash ..  i need to reduce slightly the height of the shock - giving me an excuse to make a better looking part …

[Straightliner59]

19 hours ago, absmiami said:

Which brought me to my Monty Python - “it’s just a flesh wound” moment …

A place we've all been!

[absmiami]

16s used Climax engines - the DOHC fours - larger capacity than the Climax fours in the Lotus 12 - ….  These engines were compact but relatively tall - so the sump sat in an opening in the base plate - and the engine was tilted so that the cylinder head cleared the bonnet  line … and in the sixteen the dr shaft was placed to the left of the seat - to lower the driving position - so the engine pointed back to the left -  Chapman had done this with the Vanwall chassis  the year before - think he may have been the first to try this …

[absmiami]

This pic shows how the engine was mounted in the 16s - tilted down and to the left and rotated over - so the right  hand cam box is close to the  center line of the bonnet …

[absmiami]

I made this engine for an old project years ago - gotta find the castings … but this is what a Climax four looks like …

[absmiami]

This engine  will just fit - as long I’m careful with the location of the engine mounts … and I’ll use different Webers- these are too big - 

[absmiami]

Whilst a poke around looking for a spare Climax engine - I’ve opened a channel in the left side of the base plate - using a Tamiya scribing blade and a razor saw …