Who are we ?

ClubbiesSA is an informal group of Adelaide based Clubman enthusiasts who share the passions and ideals of Clubman type cars.

The group consists of people from all walks of life, owning many different types of Clubman cars, from big budget turnkey models to home constructed Locosts.

Most of our cars are built/assembled either by individuals maybe in their home garage or in groups where knowledge, skills and group buys can be shared and arranged.

ClubbiesSA acts as a point of contact for people with similar interests, but we also facilitate activities and participate in motor sport events.

Several key members of the group act as focal points for these activities, e.g., a drive on selected days, country drives and overnight stays, participation in Superspints, garage nights and so on.

ClubbiesSA has the following aims:

- To foster and promote the enjoyment of these cars, both on and off the race track;

- To facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas to enable us to build our vehicles, keep them safe and well maintained;

- To build a group that can represent all clubbie makes and owners in South Australia.

We meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 9 -11.00am in the Burnside Village Shopping Centre car park. Given weather conditions and/or a range of other major events on, in 2006 we have had role ups from a low of three (bad weather) to our all time record of 39 cars.

We welcome people who are interested in clubman style cars, either as owners, or future owners/builders.

For more information contact us via email here

History of the Clubbie, or Lotus Seven

The first Seven was built in 1957 by Lotus, the brainchild of Colin Chapman, who was convinced of the advantages of small lightweight racing cars, giving huge power to weight benefits. He actually referred to the Seven as something he had dreamed of designing since he was a schoolboy - a 'four wheeled motorbike'.

The Lotus Seven began as an uprated version of the successful Lotus Mark 6. Steel tube frame with aluminum bodywork, later with glass-fiber nose and fenders.

The first sevens were priced at �587 and were powered by a 40bhp Ford engine coupled to a single dry plate clutch and a three speed Ford gearbox. The design proved to be an instant success, Graham Hill being the first driver to race the seven in 1958.

Over the next decade there were three more series of the Seven developed, improving transmission, suspension and increasing power to 84bhp. A variety of engines were used. Low, light, very quick, incredible handling and a winner of enumerable club races. Lotus discontinued production after the introduction of the Glass-Fiber steel backbone framed Series 4.

In 1967 Caterham Cars in the UK became the sole distributor, and have continually developed and improved the car since. Major developments over the years have included the introduction of double wishbone front and de Dion rear suspension, four wheel disc brakes, a six speed close ration gear box, a torsionally stiffer spaceframe chassis with honeycomb panels for side impact protection and lead free engines with catalytic converters. In 1976 the R.A.C. banned the seven from racing, as they said it was "too fast" - so special categories were developed.

See this link to the official Colin Chapman Museum and Education Centre website.

In the past 20 years many copies or clones of the Seven have appeared, with the Seven becoming the most popular "kit" car available.

This link details early Clubman racing and development in Australia http://www.supersports.asn.au/history.htm

In Australia a number of manufacturers have established themselves, such as Westfield, Kestrel, PRB & Birkin, which supply both kit cars and complete.

In recent years, Ron Champion, a teacher in Motor Engineering, released a book called "How To Build You Own Sports Car", which has inspired a new generation of home constructors. Ron's book is based on welding a space frame and sorcing parts from a "donor" vehicle, thereby building a Seven for very few dollars. Aptly, Ron labelled his car the Locost.

In Australia, in excess of 200 home built specials are now on the road, with Adelaide accounting for at least 50 "Locosts" alone. Some of these were built by groups or consortiums, but also many by individuals in home garages.