As some of my fellow Barn Finds writers will confirm, motorsport can be expensive. Building a car utilizing high-end components can cost a pretty penny, even if you adopt a DIY approach. However, this 1996 Locust Lotus 7 Replica could provide an affordable alternative. It is a turnkey proposition, allowing the buyer to hit the track immediately. In the Lotus tradition, its maintenance should be straightforward, allowing the new owner to spend more time on the track than in the pits or the workshop. The seller has listed the Locust here on eBay in Flagstaff, Arizona. They set their BIN at $14,900 with the option to make an offer.
The brainchild of Moss Motors founder John Cowperthwaite, the Locust was a kit car that utilized elegantly simple design principles, mimicking Colin Chapman’s Lotus 7. The car features a tubular steel chassis with a 12mm marine-grade birch plywood body “tub” that is bolted and bonded to the steel frame. This process resulted in impressive torsional rigidity, allowing the suspension to work extremely effectively. Most of the exterior is wrapped in aluminum sheeting, while the builder utilized molded fiberglass for the nose and fenders. The car’s presentation is quite tidy, with the panels polished and the fiberglass components wearing iconic British Racing Green. The contrast is striking, but it allows scope for relatively straightforward personalization to cater to potential sponsors. The robust rollbar offers excellent protection should things go horribly wrong. It is worth noting that while the Locust is currently a Track Day Car, it does feature brake lights. The seller includes a headlamp and indicator kit, giving this beauty scope to become a roadworthy, legal road rocket.
Power-to-weight is a crucial consideration when constructing a race car. The fewer pounds a motor needs to shift, the better the performance and handling should be. In the tradition of Lotus, this Locust weighs about the same as my left leg. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but its curb weight will be exceptionally low. Locust typically utilized Ford mechanical components for these classics, but this car follows a different path. The 2.0-liter JDM Toyota DOHC four-cylinder engine inhales through a pair of Weber DCOE carburetors, with the spent gases exiting via headers and a custom Oceanside exhaust. The motor generates 175hp, which feeds to the live rear end via a five-speed Toyota T5 manual transmission. The driver will feel the impressive power figure when they floor the gas, with the Locust capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in around four seconds. That’s supercar territory at a fraction of the price. At the same time, the low ride height, double-wishbone front suspension, and the large, unassisted brakes mean that the Locust has handling and stopping power to match its outright performance. Potential buyers can consider this brutal beast a turnkey proposition.
As a racing machine, the Locust is short on creature comforts. There’s no air conditioning or cruise control, and no stereo to drown out the bellow from the twin-cam beneath the hood. It is functional and designed to keep weight to a minimum. The driver is secured in the body-hugging racing seat with a six-point harness, while the passenger is secured in a less supportive seat with a four-point harness. The center armrest is the only comfort feature, with the dashboard housing the gauges crucial for monitoring the car’s mechanical health. The flat-bottom wheel is a practical consideration, and its suede covering will provide excellent grip. The interior is clean and tidy, and the buyer might choose to add a radio if this classic is destined to serve double duty on the road.
I built my last race car approximately twelve years ago, adopting a hands-on approach. Admittedly, I used high-quality components, but the parts bill reached $25,000 before I was finished. I could have reduced the cost by compromising, but that would have cast a shadow over reliability. This 1996 Locust Lotus 7 Replica is considerably cheaper than my last car, and the performance it promises would be eye-opening. It is ideal for someone wishing to dip their toe into the racing world, and with impressive listing statistics, I suspect it will easily find a new home. The big question is whether it could be yours. Are you tempted?
“Locust”? It’s a shame such an interesting car would be named after a destructive insect. Why not “Cockroach”? Nevertheless, I’d love to daily drive this. A lot of folks would notice, unfortunately so would the cops. I’ll have to pass or I’d lose my license.
A buddy of mine built one of these back in the late 90’s. They are great fun on and off the track.
Owned a couple while living in the UK. My dad was friends with Colin Chapman, Founder of Lotus, so have fond memories and enjoyed the 7 often on country zid-zag narrow roads…….a blast going through the gears!!