Locust (car)

Locust is a kit car inspired by the Lotus Seven. It was a budget orientated kit car built using a ladder chassis and a marine ply body. It was created by a famous kitcar 'name' John Cowperthwaite. Shortly after his J. C. MIDGE had been successfully launched and the 'patterns' principle proved popular, it became obvious that perhaps the design of some vehicle other than the traditional style vintage' Roadster could lend itself to this method of construction. The criteria were that the car must have a very simple shape, preferably flat sided with virtually no compound curves on the main body.

The style of the 'LOCUST' appeared straight away to be an obvious choice. The body tub is a small simple tapering 'box' with slab sides. Only the GRP extremities of nosecone and wings carry compound curves, the curved rear and bulkhead panels being simple to wrap with aluminium by curving it through one plane only. The car was famed for its cheap to build construction using marine ply for the body, which was then covered with aluminium sheeting, the kits were produced by various manufacturers until 2014.