Clubmans deliver Seventh Heaven

What is a sportscar? That seemingly innocuous question generally defies a simple answer.

The "sportscar" definition is so clouded by psuedo-sports models and Grand Tourismo types that different people invariably disagree about where the line is drawn, and mould their judgements accordingly.

But amid many confusions, there is one absolutely undeniable sportscar icon... the Seven, otherwise known as the clubman, or clubbie to its (many) friends.

Regardless of what it's called, this is the quintessential sports car design, the real thing reduced to its elemental core.

Widely likened to a four-wheeled motorcycle, the clubman revolves around minimalist construction, light weight, no-frills habitability, thought-processor handling, and performance that punches way above its engine capacity.

On second thoughts, it's as much a philosophy as a design.

The concept took root 50 years ago in England, during the golden age of British sportscars and sports-racing designers, when the then new Lotus Seven rose to the top of its burgeoning class on the track, on the street and in sales.

The seventh model in Lotus's lineage, the Seven (and later Super 7) became the design that defined the clubman genre. And in doing so, would become the most copied car ever.

By 1973 Lotus had outgrown its kit-car origins, and so sold all rights to the Seven to its main dealer, Caterham, who concentrated on the classic Series 3 version.

Thus began a continuing policy of evolutionary upgrades that have brought numerous detail improvements without diluting the Seven's intrinsic "clubman" character.

Incidentally, although Caterham acquired the Seven/7 designation from Lotus, and strongly maintains that connection, popular usage led to the name/number becoming a generic label for all such clubman cars. And there are plenty of them, that's for sure.

Currently, Australia supports at least 10 different clubman makes, most of which are offered in variously staged kit-set forms, while others come fully assembled. And then there are many one-offs and low-volume group projects, the majority of which are based on the DIY phenomenon, the Locost which originated in England in 1996 with the book Build Your Own Sports Car (for as little as £250).

The budget may have been optimistic, but book's concise plans and step-by-step instructions kick-started a whole new chapter in the clubman story. BYOSC became a tearaway best seller, led to at least three other self-build titles, spread the message to almost every corner of the motoring globe and inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of latent clubmanists, from comparative youngsters to middle-agers to red-blooded retirees, to head for the workshed and begin cutting tubes and pop-rivetting sheet aluminium.

On a cautionary note, all clubman cars, kits and DIY projects are not created equal. Kit prices differ according to quality and content. Australia has very tough registration requirements, which can vary inexplicably and inconsistently from state to state.

Kit cars and individually constructed models must meet strict design/construction/safety stipulations, must have locally-compliant late model engines and be okayed by authority-approved engineers.

The god's truth best advice is to fully do one's homework before buying or building. And bear in mind that these days a well specified, newly completed clubbie typically costs $40K to $50K drive-away, sometimes more, rarely less.

The bottom line is a hand-built, hopefully well crafted device that ignores many of the conventions and niceties taken for granted in mass-market 'mobiles.

So, knowing a clubman isn't the cheapest, quietest, most comfortable, most habitable, nor most practical car going, and quite probably not the most crashworthy either, why do it?

Because, if you're up to it, nothing (but, nothing) else on four wheels delivers the personal individuality, the raw thrills, the same sense of driving involvement and quite the same camaraderie as a 7-style clubman. As a proper sportscar ought.

The main players (alphabetically)
Arrow   www.arrowsportscars.com.au
Locally-made derivative of the long-running, well sorted and very reputable earlier Westfield design. Available in live rear axle, or IRS (independent rear suspension) versions. Basic kit from $11,400.

Birkin www.birkin.com.au
Produced in South Africa, Birkin lifted kit-clubmans to a higher league, and has the popularity to prove it. Live axle starter kit begins at $9999, with comprehensive edition at $17,999. IRS adds a grand.

Caterham www.caterham.com.au
Still the car by which clubmans are judged, Caterham offers a multi-model turn-key range (no kits for Australia) beginning with the 1.6-litre Roadsport priced from $59,990. Many optional extras and costlier Caterhams are available.

Elfin  www.elfin.com.au
Famed local brand headquartered in Victoria no longer produces traditional design, instead offers (and exports) brawny V8 Clubman which stretches the original definition and gob-smacked drivers' credibility. Turn-key only, from $84,990.

Fraser www.fraser.co.nz
Founded in the late '70s, the New Zealand-born Fraser is highly regarded not only at home and in Australia, but equally in Japan and also the USA. Specified second to none, Frasers are exported only in turn-key form. Details and prices on application.

Leitch http://home.iprimus.com.au/ponton
Another kiwi creation, the well regarded Leitch is represented in Aus by WA's West Coast Roadsters and comes in kit forms with the live axle rolling chassis version priced from $20,790, while the IRS edition opens at $25,385.

PRB www.prbaustralia.com.au
Producing its own top class clubman designs locally since the late '70s, NSW-based PRB recently introduced a new 'Widebody' iteration with IRS standard and either Honda S2000 or Ford/Mazda 2- and 2.3-litre engines. Sold only in kit form, priced from $16,990.

Westfield www.westfield-sportscars.com.au
Arguably second only to Caterham in international repute and success, Westfield also hails from the UK. But unlike its perennial rival, the Westy is marketed here in kits as well as built-up cars. Starter packages begin at $11,350 (SEW) and $15,500 (SEiW).

Others
Puma www.pumaclubman.com
The South Australia-based Puma isn't a kit-car as such, because every example is individually constructed by the buyer (or whoever) from Puma components which follow the Locost design. Details and prices from Puma.

Stryker www.strykercars.com
Another SA production, the Stryker Clubman is offered at four kit levels, priced from $11,850 to $35,970, plus a fully built turn-key version from $45,900.

Locost  www.adelgigs.com/australia.shtml
Just one, and one of the best, of innumerable sites dedicated to the Locost design and completed Locost examples. Or, if you've time to spare, just do a Locost search to unearth an avalanche.

Clubman forum www.oz-clubbies.com/forums
The clubman-central site for Seven enthusiasts and admirers, from novices to experts and everyone between. Always a good read. Register (free) to participate.

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