Kitcat

Tom: Looking very good. I know I have mentioned it before but it's worth repeating: put tape or something under the aluminum strip to cushion it when it vibrates. That will keep it from scuffing off your paint. I learned this the hard way(:. Any drives yet? I found the B'lands changed the way the car felt: much less heat retention in the cockpit and an even greater sense of speed/sensory overload. And, remember to wear shatterproof eye protection. Mike M. Mike.

That diesel engine mite be packin a few extra pounds too, Jon. I admit it wld be an intriguing combo tho.

April 1:)?

Been there, but at a track day. I found it incredibly distracting to process the helmet problem, gloves, etc. I also worried abt whether my missing gloves, wh/likewise shot into my foot well, wld lodge under the pedals and mess up braking, shifting etc. Fortunately, at a track day, you do a slow lap and come back in. I was so thrown off I cld barely stay on the track-this guy is really racing. And in a downpour, just to make it more exciting. Great clip!

In my S3 Cat, I find fitting my left shoulder/upper body in is very tight. And I am all of 5'9" and 160 lbs. As others have noted, the foot well is small so I have to wear narrow shoes (size 9), when driving. I have lots of leg room and do not have the seat all of the way back. I can vouch for Croc's SV having seen it and caravan-ed with it at LOG 30. Mike M.

He was one of a kind. An automotive institution. Perhaps a bit irascible? Who knows, I never met him but have enjoyed the car mags he wrote for, founded and and championed, incl C&D and Automobile, as well as Winding Road on the internet. One of my favorite stories abt himself was waking up hung over in a motel room somewhere, having no memory of having driven home, and looking out to the parking lot, to see his TR3, with the drivers door still open and the engine idling away. Of course it was irresponsible etc, but he was an interesting guy. And I remember reading the infamous C & D story on the new Opel he had photographed in a junk yard, to symbolize just what he thot of it. Then I watched the mfg (GM), who wasn't amused, pull all of its advertising. Mike M

Everything that can wear out shd be replaced: hoses, suspension bushings, engine mounts. Looks like a great project for someone w/lots of time and some skill. I wld "guestimate" value as $6K-8K. You don't know if engine works, ditto clutch, brakes etc. And when you are done you have a 30 year old Westy w/an ancient engine. If it were me (I know it's not), I'd keep looking. BTW, my X-flow has intake and exhaust on opposite side as this car. Mike M.

No thank you:if I can't burn my leg on a side exhaust, I don't feel like I have had the full se7en, experience!

Martin-I grew up in Meadville, 75 miles north of Pittsburgh. We had 2 factories that employed 8000 people (American Viscose and Talon Zippers). All have long since been shuttered, along w/most of the the other factories (Tho ChannelLock is still there). Town is now a shell of the place I recall-sort of a miniature Detroit.

Similar memories Martin. I grew up in western PA in late 40's-early '60's and we took the Penn Turnpike many times to visit friends in Philly. I can still taste those Ho-Jo's fried claims:). We went thru the Laurel Tunnel each time. I do remember the large back ups where the highway went from 4 to 2 lanes. As I recall, the speed limit was 50 mph in the tunnel. Mike M.

Paul: Great to see the semi-finished product, looking good! I'd sacrifice some sound quality for your extra ponies. And, it's easier to add a racy muffler than graft on another 100hp. I try to make up for the lack of power by driving like a maniac, as you discovered on your test ride in my car:)! Here's the perennial se7ens question- any idea what your car weighs? Enjoy the weather, maybe we'll find a mid-point w/some great roads to meet up and race around together at some point? Mike

Steve: I feel your pain. I was having trouble getting needed radiator hoses for LOG 30 so ordered a set from Sevens & Elans, from Cat USA and from the place you used in England. Fortunately one set arrived in time and now I have a lifetime supply of spares:). I will advise re my Putnam plans as they develop. I am definitely doing Mid-O w/ 3Balls Racing on Monday, 5/16, tho if it rains I will take my BMW. Wld be good to have another se7en there.

Wemtd/Paul: If you went for a blat, your car must be done. Last I heard you had purchased a new Birkin kit from Dick Brink. That was abt this time last year. Photos? How do you like it? Any interest in doing a track day? I will probably head to Putnam park racetrack some time in the next coupla months. Mike M

Slomove's epic trip for all se7ens from Calif to the Black Hills and back, w/numerous stops in between, shd be at the top of anyone's list. Ditto LOG 31 in Vegas.

Any photos of the "channel"? I don't recall this issue with the installation of my Brooklands in place of the Caterham windshield.

After 4 months of storage. Ok, it took a little cranking but I did not need to resort to heroic measures. And not even a puff of smoke! I expected the garage to fill with a white cloud. And no, it is not because all the oil leaked out of the various gaskets over the winter:). Ran like a top today. Starting my 5th season, averaging abt 4K miles per year, mostly local. What fun!

Interesting discussion on Blatchat. Esp since it all is based on the infamous smiling "motoman" internet post years ago (the guy w/the dirty T-shirt who recommended a hard break-in for motorcycle engines). Many of the blatchat posters report success w/hard break-in, so perhaps the t-shirt guy was on to something. On the other hand....

How many "break-in" miles recommended? My M3 V8 was 3K. I thot I wld never get to open it up! That was 35K miles ago tho so a distant memory.

Headlights deleted, ditto turn signals & windshield. Still has a side mirror, and the front fenders look like huge air dams, to my inexpert eye.

As a 64& 1/2 y/o, I can relate. I can never find my cell phone. Just call it you say and listen for the ring? I wld, but the battery is always dead or the phone is off, or it's set on vibrate, is miles away, or in the trunk of my car, etc., etc. Now my pocket knife, I actually seem to need it and its always handy (old dudes...).

YellowSS/Tom: I have been practicing my point-by all winter! Karl's discarded engine made 2x as much power as mine, the new one makes 3x. And it looks like Croc has that covered. Love the CosworthFord cam cover. Everytime Alaskossie offers up a tidbit abt his car, I am more impressed. Mike M.

I can't wait to see the airport:)!

Tire life: I can't imagine how long a street tire wld last on a se7en, given my super sticky race compound RA1's have 12K miles on them (tho little visible tread).

All nice cars. Don't see a bad decision, whatever you do.I wld probly choose the Boxter (or Cayman?). I have toyed w/selling my '08 M3 because there is simply no way to exploit its potential away from a race track. So I have a large investment in a car that I can only really use a few times a year. And I get lousy gas mileage all the time.

And RA1's w/o tread are seconds better than treaded RA1's. (Mechanically or naturally shaved). Unless it is wet(:.