Kitcat

Excellent idea Mike. Where did you get yours, or, are they home made?

My tail light fell off recently-didn't think to ck that. So what? When asked abt cost, I was told "unobtanium" was cheaper. Michael D-as far as I am concerned, the mystery short is the ultimate maddening problem(:!

More impressions: The Birkin has the turning radius of a school bus. My driveway is L-shaped. I can't make the turn at the end without backing up. It has much more accurate gauges than the Caterham (Tach, oil pressure, etc.). Removing the inner panels has made it possible to slide the seats back and forth and generally provided a bit more elbow room. The large protruding seam where the leather upulstery over the shifter meets the tranny tunnel digs into my right leg. It seems to draw even more gawkers than my Caterham. Advertised 0-60 is 4.0. I believe it. Torque is huge/flat. Many little ergonmic issues that Caterhan has resolved. Quieter, less windy, less vibration than my Cat. Engine wont rev over 3K cold and stumbles and misses and dies. Takes 5-10 minutes to warm, then it's a beast. I am getting the hang of the clutch.

Hopefully, the sex change operation was more successful than this build:).

I am told I have the standard single dry plate disc that Birkin uses for street cars. The clutch pedal has about 4" of travel. I am getting the hang of pushing it in abt 1" (where my left foot hit the frame member on left side) and shifting. I clearly dont need to push it all the way to the floor. For what ever reason, not much feel and very quick engagement, disengagement. And that terrible smell to let me know every time I let it slip too much.

For anyone who may have paid an installer, what was cost for nose cone, exposed area of rear fender? I just got a guesstimate of $650.

My experience is they are no grip-pier and probably not as grippy as high performance street tires. I just did back to back Toyo vs street tire test on my new Birkin and my butt-O-meter suggests the Toyos dont hold the road as well. I have a nice deserted roundabout (skid-pad?) where I see what the tires can do. My Toyos are "naturally shaved" and just have the 2 deeper tread rings left. On the track, once warm (1 lap is all it takes), the Toyos are terrific. Now that I have a set of full tread tires, I will run them on the street and save there Toyos for track use.

Croc: Who did you rent the se7en from? What version se7en? My law partner rented a Suzuki Swift, and did some laps there this summer, so now I HAVE to do it to keep up w/him. Of course, doing the 'Ring in a se7en wld be way cooler. Tom: Is 11/12 a date that is open to all se7eners? I mite be able to squeeze in a final track day before the snow blows.

12.9 secs in 1/4 mile isn't so shameful, nor is trap speed of 109.9 mph. Make mine red! I wldn't have picked the Nissan GRT to embarrass the Ferrari, et al, tho.

I have run RA1's for last 4 years and you are right, they toss a lot of stones, including many in the cockpit. I wish I had done the 3M thing. A related thot: In the process of selling my car I put on street tires. Of course, many fewer stones. But, surprise, handling/grip are as good. Seems the Toyos need heat to generate optimal grip. That happens when I am on the track, not on the street when the tires stay fairly cool, even when I am driving in my usual manic stye. FWIW.

Ahhh, the old clams vs. cycle wings debate? If so, YUJ, just search "clams" for many discussions on this perennially favorite subject. Basically, it is relatively easy to do, but you then have a cascade of rivet holes up both sides of the car. Those can be filled with plugs. I can say the exercise is purely aesthetic on this car as I have never experienced the dreaded front end lift (car isn't fast enough).

My car was registered successfully in NJ, when the builder convinced the BMV that the X-flow was basically a 1969 Ford Pinto engine and thus exempt from all smog rules. Your engine is older than mine .....

I think 1969 is the magic year. After that, trouble.

YUJ: The Prisoner wheels have small wheel covers that fit over the 4 bolts. They are each held in place by a single bolt (visible in the large wheel photo, above). I never use them as I prefer the look without the covers. I hand tightened the bolt onto the covers on one side of the car for a few of the above photos. I have a special tool that snugs them down. Mike

Which circuit Tom, T-bolt? Oh yeah, slow pokes, they make me do things I later regret:)! I am headed to Mid-O nxt Monday in the Birkin if has been de-bugged, or the Caterham if not (wish I had a 2 car trailer!)

Owning a se7en is madness. After that its just a matter of degree:).

OK, folks, a few photos are (hopefully) attached: including se7en with top off, on, sidescreens only, toneau, etc.

I try not to drive in the rain, or after dark. These little cars are hard enough to see w/o adding terrible visibility. Of course, that is aspirational only, I have driven in the dark, in the rain, and in the the dark when it is raining. Do as I say....

Luvely, Paul. Is it a distillery or winery? Certainly looks like a pretty day for a blat!

Thx guys! Yes, a well sorted car is a plus, as I am learning all over again w/my track spec (and basically undriveable) Birkin:). But nothing cubic $'s can't fix!

After 4+ years of se7en's bliss I am selling my '97 Caterham. My focus has shifted from a car that is a nice daily driver and holds its own at the track, to a pure track car. SPECS: '97 Caterham Supersprint , licensed and titled in Ohio. It was purchased in New Jersey where it passed that state's challenging license standards and was licensed for the street. It was built by Sevens and Elans, outside Boston. Body: painted midnight blue with red nose band, long cockpit, S3 model, clams, full weather kit (high visability top, side-screens), windshield wipers, standard flat windshield (replaced cracked windshield in '10), heater. (I am keeping the Brooklands screens shown in my avatar photo). Standard Caterham cloth seats (very comfortable). It has 15" "Prisoner" wheels with 2 year old Firestone street tires (195 x 15) w/lots of tread and good grip. When weighed in '07 the car was 1225 lbs. Chassis: De dion rear suspension. Disc brakes front and rear. "Narrow" front track. Powertrain: Transmission 5 speed T9 w/overdrive 5th, open diff, 1700cc Kent Crossflow engine, front oil cooler, rated 135 hp by Caterham, top speed 106 mph, 0-60 in 6.5 secs per contemporary tests. Mileage approx 20-22 mpg highway, 11 mpg at the track, premium gas required. When dyno'd in '07 it made 95 hp, 93 lbs of torque. Thx to a recent tuneup, it makes a bit more now. Engine: is an AX block. These Crossflows have always been (and still are) the engines used in Formula Ford racing (except FF uses 1600cc versions). Redline is 6500 rpm (valve float after that makes it hard to over-rev). Caterham modifies them by boring them out 100 cc, adding a hotter cam (this one has the 234), adding double action valve springs, stellite valves, head porting, and hardening the exhaust seats for unleaded gas. Mine doesn't use much oil. I drove it on a trip to LOG 30 and after the 1500 miles round trip including a long track day, it was down less than a quart. it does puff on start up. A compression check 2 months ago showed 175-80 lbs compression all around. Leaks a bit of oil, natch. Safety: 5 point Caterham belts along with 3 point standard belts. New front brake pads, rear brake light added to existing brake lights (mounted high on roll-over bar), FIA roll-over bar, emergency cut-off switch, honey comb cladding surrounding 9 gallon gas tank, extremely loud dual air horns. Recent maintenance: Less than 50 miles on new oil change filter, less than 500 miles on recent complete nut/bolt check, tune up, lube, new speedo angle drive, brake fluid flush, new plugs, front brake pads, valve adjustment, alignment. Stuff that has broken/been replaced sometime in 4+ years of ownership: Rear axle boots, windshield, clutch slave cylinder, diff fluid, tranny fluid, plug wires, all heater hoses and radiator hoses, upper/lower, solenoid, ignit switch, rebuilt starter, all chassis bushings, oil pump, valve gasket, fan belt, battery. Stuff that the buyer also gets: a set of radiator hoses, 2 engine mounts, a throttle cable barrel (connects throttle cable to throttle and without which car does not move), 4-5 oil filters, throttle return spring. All of this is predictable maintenance and this gives the buyer a head start. Price: asking $23,900. The depreciation hit has already occurred: buy it, drive it, enjoy it, sell it for about what you paid. As may be obvious, this car was well loved and well cared for (always garaged). I have put about 17,000 miles on it. I believe it is in (much) better condition today than the day I bought it, due to constant, vigilant maintenance. Of course there is some road rash that wasn't there 4 years ago, the engine has more miles on it, etc. I used it as a daily driver in nice weather and for the occasional "blat". It also was a track day vehicle 2-5x a year. It does better at the track than its specs wld suggest: it was fairly competitive with the 200 hp se7ens at the NJMP track day event for se7ens last June. It has a beautiful balance between power and handling and is extremely easy to drive at 10/10ths and very forgiving at 11/10ths. It also has a glorious sound. Caveats: Your wife/girlfriend may not love this car as much as you. I'd request that you get their blessing before contacting me. It is a loud, hot, uncivilized car. It is not a Miata and can be a real pain in rain, heavy traffic, hot weather. It will fit folks up to about 6'1", 210 lbs. When used as intended, and where intended, it is peerless, like all se7ens. Photos: Added 9/12/11-see a coupla posts below. Mike Mooney mjmooney@fuse.net 513-977-4213 days 513-646-8120 cell

Bump-I am selling this Caterham now, after 4+ years of ownership and have reactivated this old post to poach its photos. My plan is to take some newer photos today and add them to the new and separate for- sale post on this forum ("'97 Caterham for sale"). The car has not changed any so these photos pretty much show it as it currently appears. The Brooklands wind screens in my avatar photo are not going with the car, I am keeping them for use on my new Birkin.

Try searching using the word "clam" as that is typically how the traditional fenders are described. AFAIK, Caterhams all come w/cycle fenders now (sadly, as I am a big clam fan). Most posts heareabouts are how to convert clams to cycles. So there mite be a nice supply of unused clams out there. I can not think of any reason clam to cycle fenders wont work: the cars haven't changed, just the fenders. Of course, you could simplify things and just buy a car w/clams. Mine is for sale:). Hopefully will have the official for-sale post up tomorrow, been waiting for the rain to stop to take some photos. Mike M.

Sounds like the problem, if there is one, is with the disc material. What's with the powerful smell tho? Is it trying to tell me something(like stop abusing the clutch?).

Dittos on the no-plate solution: In 20 years of no front plates on any of my cars I have gotten 2 $50 tickets.