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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: superfrank on Friday,September 30, 2016, 12:44:43 AM

Title: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: superfrank on Friday,September 30, 2016, 12:44:43 AM
Hi everyone!!

I'm working on a project to build some Carbon Fiber body shell in collaboration with Lamborghini (yes the supercar factory!) so the quality it will be the top one!

But to be able to do this they asked me a minimum order of at least 10 bodies! ....this is to be able to get a good price and not a foolish price!

So my question is: who can be interested on?? ...as I think most of you should know the Carbon is not only about weight but is better all around, as the deformations, rigid and stably fiber, much better in safety as crash etc... But anyway, in the near future they will give me all the spec about construction!

But again I need to know now if we can get some people interested on those bodies to see the number of body we rich!!

Awaiting to here from you guys!

ps: should be something like this on the pic!
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: EuropatcSPECIAL on Friday,September 30, 2016, 03:57:27 AM
 :Welcome:  Welcome superfrank. By the photograph I assume its S2's your looking at having made up Is there a figure price wise that you are looking at if 10 or more are interested?
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: superfrank on Friday,September 30, 2016, 04:50:34 AM
Hi,

Thanks for the welcome!!!

Well the photo is just to see more or less how it should look like! The body I'm working on is to fit the 47 and S1.

About the price I know (correct me if I'm wrong) in England to buy a Fiberglass body you will need 6, / 7.000€. And I'm tying to have this + or - 10 bodies done to our price be less or around 10.000€! ....but this is just the idea, not sure yet!!

So let's see what come's around and the possible interested owners!! .....I really hope that we can rich this goal
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: BDA on Friday,September 30, 2016, 04:52:40 AM
 :Welcome: superfrank!

That's a very interesting project! I wonder why Lamborghini's interested in this.

My suggestion is to join the lotuseuropa yahoo group and tell them about it. Also talk to Richard at Banks Service Station (http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/index.php) and see if he's interested.

Good luck and keep us informed!
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: superfrank on Friday,September 30, 2016, 05:22:58 AM
Hi BDA,

Thanks for the welcome!

Well Lamborghini is not interested on this, but I'm!! ;D

And I have a very good relationship with them and the factory who build they body parts etc...

Can you, or someone else help to put this info on the yahoo group, and also mention this to Banks (if someone know him)??

Thanks for the help
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: BDA on Friday,September 30, 2016, 06:57:41 AM
I could, but all I'd be able to do is tell people to join this forum (a good thing) and post or send you a PM. You know all the particulars, contact information, etc.
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: superfrank on Friday,September 30, 2016, 07:42:03 AM
Sounds good BDA!!
Anithing you need from me just ask!
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: Lotus 47 on Friday,September 30, 2016, 03:41:42 PM
I am interested to see where this project ends up!

A carbon fibre 47 body would be fantastic for a replica, and a S1 shell would be very nice as well.
The 47 body comes in 4 varieties that I know, and the S1 has maybe 3 or 4 versions as well. It will be difficult to decide what shell to copy.

These bodies are made with the chassis bonded into them, so the shell can't be completed until the chassis is ready. How do you intend to bond the carbon fibre to steel? I suppose an epoxy will do the trick!

I've attached a picture 47 with the upper shell removed. This is the correct way split a S1 or 47.

Most 47 have had a hard life, so you will need to hunt high and low to find a pristine body shell to take moulds from.

Good luck!

Richard Mann
460047
47-GT-3

Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,September 30, 2016, 04:27:36 PM
All S1s were built the way Richard has shown but later 47s had a removable body like the S2.
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: superfrank on Saturday,October 01, 2016, 04:54:18 AM
So here is the point about this issue. We are thinking about to build the "upper body" in a high quality carbon fiber to the client be able to use his "bottom body" (as you can see on the Richard's pic).

At the moment we think it should be a great solution to fit every car!

About what to fit, my personal thought is that kind of high performance body is the best solution to a racing car, as well an original 47 (that's what I'm doing!)!
Of course if you want a competitive and racing 47, but if you want a museum 47 that's not the product for you!
And of course if you want to build a high class S1 or S2 that's what make's for you!!
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,October 01, 2016, 05:10:59 AM
Check the regulations for the race series you are interested in.  I would be surprised if CF bodies were allowed.
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: Lotus 47 on Monday,October 03, 2016, 06:50:02 PM
Carbon fibre bodies would be illegal in Australian Historic racing.

John is correct that some of the later cars had the removable bodies.

I'm only aware of 47/69 and 47/70 having this arrangement. I have seen and photographed 47/69 when it was owned by John Bolding in 2009. Interestingly the front has much wider front guards which are blended in to make them look original. The rear section of the body is also flared, and uses the S2 type rear taillights. These cars are very much hand built "one offs". These bodies have a lower flange to mount to an S2 type underbody.


Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: Taimoshan on Sunday,January 15, 2023, 05:05:38 AM
HI SUPERFRANK ( AND ALL )

DID THESE CARBON BODIES EVER GET MADE?

I'M BUILDING A 69 S2 RACE CAR (NOT FOR CLASSIC RACING) AND WOULD BE INTERESTED IF SOMEONE BOUGHT ONE AND NEVER COMPLETED THE PROJECT.

THANKS
JOHN
Title: Re: CARBON FIBER BODY SHELL 47 / S1
Post by: Richard48Y on Sunday,January 15, 2023, 07:39:32 PM
Just noticed this thread.
Having been in the kit/replica car game years ago I can say with certainty that ten units up front is a very steep hill to climb.