JohnCh

And now Jay understands why I asked for at least 2 credit cards. If you want to stick with just 1 credit card, there are cheaper options than the full crocmahal treatment. The garagejournal.com is a great place to get real world feedback on those substitutes. Another option for heat is a good 240v ceiling heater. The shop section of my garage is 1260 sq. ft. with 9-1/2' ceilings. I have this unit, and despite what it says on the tin with regard to coverage, it has no problem heating up my shop to comfortable working conditions in the dead of winter (25F outside, ~60F inside). You may still want to go with natural gas as a long term solution, but this could tide you over. -John

Ooh, great idea! Jay, take pictures of the space, start a new thread, and provide us with your credit card details and shipping address (at least two credit cards - Croc generally has big ideas). Croc and I will take care of the rest. -John

Very interesting comments on that BaT listing... -John

I'm not sure which looks cleaner; the car or the garage? -John

I've ordered directly from Magnecor in the past: http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/main.htm -John

Welcome to the forum! I was the guy in the black 993 following you when you turned into the bldg 9 area. I thought you were going to park in one of the lots, so followed in hopes we could meet, but had to hit the freeway when you headed away from main campus. I'll shoot you an IM. -John

I saw a pale blue 420R this afternoon on the Microsoft campus. The front was partially obscured, but I think it may have an orange band around the nose in the classic Gulf palette. Anyone know that car? -John

Sounds like we do have a few people in the general area who are interested, and I know of 2 more who haven't responded who might be up for something. I have heard of some local se7en owners teaming up for track days in the past, but that's not my thing with the Westfield, so I've never paid close attention; however, Bruce Beachman may know. If people are interested in putting together a tour for next summer, we could widen the net and do something similar to the PNW2007 event Slomove organized; CA>OR>WA>BC>CA. I've done Monterey>Seattle via back roads a couple of times, and this summer did a much shorter loop from Seattle>Mt. St. Helens>North Cascades Highway>Seattle. Or, as benny_toe suggests, we could organize around a basecamp for a few days, taking day trips from there. Someplace like Whistler might be good for such an event. Bottom line, lots of options in this corner of the country. -John

The weather is a big variable for planning something now that's more than a day, but I'd be up for a tour next summer. Lot's of great roads in the PNW. -John

More like an invitation to get in line

I'm a crappy organizer, but a terrific thread starter In other words, throw out ideas for things to do either now or post Winter. -John

This site was created to celebrate and connect owners of cars inspired by the Lotus 7. If someone has a problem with a Locost in the community, they shouldn't be here When I bought my Westfield, I didn't think I would ever want to drive it on the freeway, but after driving over 750 miles of major interstates the first day to get close to home, I decided it wasn't that big of a deal. -John

Rather than further derail this thread, I started a new one here to gauge interest on a Seattle-area event or tour. -John

Following up on comments in another thread, any Seattle-area (or beyond) owners interested in getting together before the weather turns, or perhaps planning a tour for next summer? If so, please pile on and share your interests and location. I'm on the eastside in Duvall. -John

We weren't spared the snow this year. 10" of wet, heavy snow in one day with 7 trees downed on our property. It seemed appropriate to mention that here given the number BTW a little bit more on topic; although I've tried to organize get togethers and tours in the past with very little interest, perhaps we are getting the number of se7ens in the area up enough that could actually do something? -John

When I connected with him a couple of weeks ago he characterized things as going slowly; good to hear he is making progress. Hopefully the car will be completed before we enter the Wet Hell season. -John

I've lived and worked on the Eastside for a long time and have never seen any make of se7en on the street, let alone twice in a week. With that kind of luck you may want to consider playing PowerBall Have you checked with Bruce Beachman? He may know the car. BTW there is a new Caterham (believe it's a 420S) under construction in Carnation. No idea when it will be completed. -John

Those look like the air bypass screws. They are used to balance flow between barrels on the same carb and to adjust the location of the throttle plate to the progression holes at idle. -John

Glad to hear things worked out and we're not losing another se7en in the area! -John

Thanks Bob. I hope to get out again in late August. Depending on weather, this time I might try the Olympic Peninsula. I've heard there are great roads out that way, but it is a rain forest, so timing is everything. -John

Earlier this week, I did a brief solo tour in WA that included Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and the North Cascades Highway. The short version is I had a great time, with little traffic and no conversations with state revenue collectors. For the truly bored, the longer version, including more photos and a recap of my interesting experience with foreign tourists, is here. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12830&stc=1 -John

Yep, same picture Skip. Picture was there for me earlier, but I don't see it now either. I should point this out to an admin... -John

Here is an overhead shot that compares the S3 to SV. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12754&stc=1 -John

I still remember Skip's initial posts elsewhere regarding his "heretical" idea of installing a Miata drivetrain in a Caterham. Given the required surgery to fit the gearbox within the tight confines of the frame, some people (mostly respectfully as I recall) thought he was...well, nuts. However, the output from that marriage showed Skip's internal wiring harness was not hemorrhaging Lucas smoke, and resulted in a very unique and desirable car. Sad to see it go, but hope Skip does continue to stick around. -John

Dave, are you looking for a vintage ride, or back road blaster that sticks to the lightweight ethos of the original Seven? If you want vintage, then look at an early Caterham, Pre-Lit Westfield, or Lotus. Big budget spread between the three, but they'll give you that experience. Move to more modern variants and the things do begin to change. Engines go from 2 valve to 4 valve, carbs and points to programmable engine management systems, options of roomier cockpits, IRS, alloy 4-pot calipers, and leather or carbon fiber seats. You can't go wrong with either style, but the driving experience is a little different. As for replicas; if you are a purist, buy a Lotus. Semi-purist, Caterham or Birkin. Just want something fun that follows the Seven ethos, then things open up. Most of these cars aren't replicas per se, but rather interpretations of Chapman's concept. Some stray from that a little further than others, but they all have merit. The thing is to find the one that best meets your criteria. -John