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Hi all. This is going to be the start of my XI build! My XI, once I order the kit, will be something other than the more usual green and red Le Mans humped cars. I do know that this will make the car a little marmite for some, but I'm also hoping that it will be an interesting take on an XI. It will be flat backed, despite the wind buffeting, it will have some kind of roll bar, and it won't be using the usual running gear. I started playing with minis when I was 18 and my first 3 cars were all minis. However, despite my familiarity with the A series and the ease of tuning it, I wanted to step away from the norm and go with something just as old in its origins. So after much hunting behind the sofa for any spare change I could find, I made the decision to go with a Climax FWB. I know that it will cost me more than an A series but it will also have a reliable(ish) 120+bhp due to the standard 1460cc size. Due to the joys of a well known auction site, I have a few little useful bits like breather plates as well as a hard to find 5 bearing cam and carrier. This last piece will boost the engine power a little too, which will be nice! The rest of the running gear will be equally unusual. The gearbox will be the 5 speed that Lotus used in the Eclat/Elite. It weighs naff all, is quite small, and has a useful overdrive 5th at 0.82. Seeing as I want to use my XI for touring, the extra cruising ability will be welcome. Best bit is i found two for £225, so it should end up cheaper than a type 9 conversion too. The back end will be more complicated! It will be my take on the de-Dion rear end of the Lotus XI Le Mans, inboard disc brakes and all! I have a diff carrier from a Lotus Mk14 to base everything around. The rest will be a bit of a parts bin exercise to use reliable, available parts so that I can build it once and once only.
