1980s LOMAX ROADSTER
DIPSTICK PETER MOORE
Back in the early 1980s a small English company called Lomax came up with the bright idea of recycling Citroen 2CV parts into a small two-seater roadster using simple 2CV mechanicals and a fibreglass body. A great idea that lasted about 20 years or so and generated another possibly better-looking roadster called the Burton built in Belgium. The Lomax years have now passed but the Burton still exists. A very few of these have arrived in Oz over the years and are notable for their sweet lines that are reminiscent of a Jowett Jupiter roadster
However, when you consider the accessibility in Europe of literally everything necessary to build or repair a 2CV, you have the opportunity of playing with and keeping a toy that is both practical and fun with low fuel consumption and decent carrying capacity that weighs in around 750kg or almost half the equivalent sized modern car.
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The Lomax corrupts that further by dropping the dry weight to 450kg but also restricting seating to two and an Eski, throw away most weather protection and just enjoy the fresh air.
The beast I recently purchased locally on a serious whim is one of probably less than 6 such units in Australia. It has the chassis of an older car (maybe mid 1960s) but the motor and running gear from a 1985 vehicle. Engine size of 602cc in 2 horizontally cylinders, inboard front disc brakes and a simple to operate and service suspension system when you get your head around a layout that is downright peculiar.
My challenge now is to get the little guy ready to go over The Pits for full registration, cop the giggles and shenanigans of the rego process and correct anything necessary to get the car legal for road use.
Its size, speed and maneuverability make it a perfect unit for driving around the Perth Hills with its winding roads – weekend forays, fish and chip evenings and Alice, you never have to tell your mother you are out in a fast car!
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Some 15 years of careful storage (that is what he told me!) have kept this car a going concern but the rego man wants more and preparing for this has generated searches for manuals and parts. New retractable seat belts proved an easy result as the dimensions involved were achievable with a pair of new belts from one of the suppliers I frequent for Landrover bits. The Securon brand ex UK with the necessary certification for Oz use should tick the right box here. A reverse light operation off the gearbox is a challenge but the necessary parts have arrived and will be fitted shortly. An old VW manual extract provides the essential bit for sparks to light the light.
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I will press through with the rego process before I get too excited about other things to do to tidy up the car but in due course some renewal of electrical wiring will be nice, maybe a spring / shock absorber upgrade could be interesting (Alice, they actually race and rallycross these ‘CVs in Europe sometimes with much bigger and more powerful engines) a couple of Stratos seats ex Melbourne of the type JRA fitted to the production Perenties for the Australian Army in the late 1980s will also be tried. These seats I have just purchased after they were removed from years in a Citroen Dyane and if space is too limited in the Lomax, the Landrover Series 3 beside it will enjoy the addition.
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Whatever you need to purchase for this car is measured in Euros with some frightening freight charges BUT when you know how the charging system for freight Europe to Perth operates you work out how to get maximum benefit out of it. In reality parts for a car are not cheap and parts for old cars can be very expensive but when you are buying a wide range of parts from competing specialists, you get some surprises and just a little joy from time to time. Except for one shipment which got stuck in Frankfurt for a month, all other shipments have arrived in Perth within 2-4 days ex-factory and then AusPost can double that (and more!) with local delivery. Generally, little has arrived in more than 8 days from order.
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So, for now, the lovely little yellow Lomax that both I and my pooch love will be worked on with serious intent. I do hope side intrusion issues do not arise, but this must be tested properly. We will see….
C’est la guerre, Pierre​
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