Total number of Rotuses

[Jeff Bynum]

Does anyone know how many Rotuses were made?

[slngsht]

Hi, that's a very good question.



Chris Custer who started Rotus numbered the first few cars in an odd way. Mine is the first chassis, but it was actually designated #002. The next car was designated #014, and i believe the car after that was #021. At some point they went to sequential numbers.



Dennis Hedges of Short Mountain Enterprises in Falling Waters would have the best guesstimate.



Are you looking to buy one?

[Jeff Bynum]

I purchased Frank Nolfi's car last month.

[Old Yellow]

I think he detuned the engine some to make it more streetable. He told me one time that it was putting out about 250hp in race form.



Joe

[slngsht]

I purchased Frank Nolfi's car last month.



Welcome to the club! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley1.gif[/img]



Where are you located?

[Jeff Bynum]

I think most of the detune involved re-jetting the webers for acceptable performance off idle. He also told me he set the rev limiter to 6700 RPM. The car is in excellent condition but is clearly set up for competition versus having any street refinements. Frank was very meticulous in the construction and set up of the car and provided an impressive amount of documentation and spare parts. The engine is a 2.3 OHC Ford that was stroked to 2.6 (Esslinger components)in front of a T-5 transmission and a Supera rear end with a Lock Rite differential. I have just started exploring the the potential of the car which came to me in a very high state of tune including the suspension setup. Frank knew Chris Custer rather well and worked closely with Dennis Hedges in setting up the chassie of the car, which I was told has a wider front track than usual.



I am in North Canton, Ohio.

[Jeff Bynum]

Here are a few pictures of the car.



http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170221_DSC00012.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170237_DSC00003.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170250_DSC00006.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170306_DSC00007.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170326_DSC00011.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/JeffBynum/2005-08-05_170351_DSCN0058.jpg<edited><editID>Jeff Bynum</editID><editDate>38569.7205902778</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

She looks great. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley20.gif[/img]



Can't get to get mine on the road.

[solder_guy]

Is this the car that was on Ebay recently?



Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Jeff Bynum]

Yes Rob, it was. I found it in Hemmings.

[Jeff Bynum]

Anybody know how to contact Dennis Hedges? I was wondering if he still has any Rotus parts left that are unique to the chassie, i.e. fenders, windshield frames, etc.

[slngsht]

Anybody know how to contact Dennis Hedges? I was wondering if he still has any Rotus parts left that are unique to the chassie, i.e. fenders, windshield frames, etc.



Yep, I answered it in the "original mold" thread too <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]







shortmt@adelphia.net



phone: 304-274-0671 or 304-754-6561

One is his home, the other his business. I think he answers both during the day. He's in the Eastern time zone.



Cheers

[solder_guy]

Jeff:



What kinda seats are in your Rotus? How much did you pay for it? Where do you live?



Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Jeff Bynum]

Slngsht...thank you for the info on Dennis Hedges. I called and talked to him at length regarding the car I bought from Frank Nolfi and he was very familiar with its history. Some of the chassis modifications he made at Frank's request are very interesting.

[Jeff Bynum]

Solder_guy...my seats are from Corbeau. I am in Canton, Ohio.

[Old Yellow]

I think they rebuilt it after Frank said he had a racing accident with it.

[slngsht]

Slngsht...thank you for the info on Dennis Hedges. I called and talked to him at length regarding the car I bought from Frank Nolfi and he was very familiar with its history. <strong>Some of the chassis modifications he made at Frank's request are very interesting.</strong>



Do share :)

[Old Yellow]

I believe Frank told me that the steering shaft came loose at the collapsable portion that was held with a set screw. He had it welded to prevent that again. Mine has been tack welded.

[slngsht]

I'll have to check into that. 6 weeks of waiting for my car seems much longer

[slngsht]

Joe / Jeff, If you have a picture of the steering mod, could you post it in the Tech section? Might help some of the other guys out.



Thanks.

[Jeff Bynum]

Frank's original chassis was constructed in 1989. He had a new one built in 1994 after a racing accident with I believe he said a Mustang. I'm not sure about the steering shaft but will take some photos for posting. I know he had a front spindle failure in one race and had new front spindles made to accommodate bigger slotted disks and Elwood calipers. The track of the car is materially wider than normal at both ends.

[slngsht]

Dennis mentioned the availability of custom uprights. He said they cost roughly about $600. I'd love to see pictures of those too, if you get the time.

[solder_guy]

Another reread of the old Rotus literature put the number at "44 thus far" ... which I think was in the late '80s // early '90s.

Rob

[solder_guy]

I believe Frank told me that the steering shaft came loose at the collapsable portion that was held with a set screw. He had it welded to prevent that again. Mine has been tack welded.

Mazda:

Do you know about this unique feature of the Rotus?

Rob