History

The Locust is a Lotus/Caterham 7 replica, currently sold as the BWE Locust (although this is a JC Locust). There is some confusion between the Locust and the Locost (which is also a 7 replica), but the Locust predates the Locost somewhat.

This particular Locust was built in the early '90s by Kit Smithers and a friend of his, with the intention to make more of these. It was a demonstrator, but due to the available parts, it really should not have been. The SVA would've blocked this particular build at every opportunity! I like to think it as an example of how not to build a car!

I bought the car in October 2000, after it had been kept in a garage for 3 years.

• When I first bought it
• On the road
• First rebuilding stint
• Second rebuilding stint
• Third rebuilding stint
• Fourth rebuilding stint
• Fifth rebuilding stint
  After this, I've lost all the words, so it's mostly pictures (although I'm filling in the gaps when I can remember what I wrote).
• Sixth rebuilding stint
• Seventh rebuilding stint
• Back on the road again
• Repaint (with more information added April 2005)
  The rest of this I didn't have to remember, so there's more text.
• New gearbox
• Two trips
• Upon reflection
• Rolling road (and aftermath)
• Evolution
• A nice day in January
• Cooling
• Final days
• Repair and problem solving
• I've now sold the Locust - gone to John in Stratford upon Avon. I hope to see it at some shows!
  My apologies for anyone who has seen it in the magazines it's advertised in; I wasn't anticipating selling it so soon!
• Making the cycle wing brackets - added March 2008
• Links