Kitcat

Sean: Ditto: you know you have "ample" power when you can break the rears loose when you drop the hammer in 4th, whilst putt-putting along at 70mph. Mike

We tried the Pinto starter on my car-wldn't fit. That doesn't mean it wld be a problem for a Birkin tho.

Hank: All I will say is How many other 2 wheeled vehicles come with a clever device on which to hang one's purse whilst driving? Mike

Clams or cycle fenders? Looked like a photo of the latter in your photo section, but hard to tell. What color will the fiberglass parts be? Acknowledging my profound bias in favor of Crossflows, I think the engine's basic crudeness fits the character of your car. It also makes a great sound and the modest power forces you to exploit its handling advantages. Also keeps you from getting too far over your head and beyond your skill zone, driving talent-wise. As you probably know from reading other posts, the assembly stage is the perfect time to add as much heat insulation as possible, wherever possible. These cars run (really) hot and cockpit temperatures can be very taxing.

The Dave Bean gear reduction starter I bought didn't fit, in spite of their assurances to the contrary, so I sent it back. I think it was abt $280. Rebuilding may be the way to go. Ask Chris at Sevens and Elans-he has a guy who specializes in rebuilding these units-at least those used on Caterhams.

As a former Vesper Grand Sport owner (a mere 45 years ago) I can say it was the worst handling vehicle I ever had. You could only lean it over about 1/2 as far as the motorcycle that replaced it. The tiny wheels had little gyroscopic effect and contributed to its overall wobbliness. Hit the brakes and the front dove about 5 inches. The only thing that saved it (and me) was its total lack of power, tho I still managed to wreck it 3x. In the process I discovered what a 'tank slapper" is, tho the tank was actually elsewhere on the bike.

WoW!!!!!!!! Do you have elec/water?

Add me to your car's list of fans! I loved the reflection of the yucca bush, or whatever, on the boot, where the spare might go. I think my Griot's Garage random orbital and their 3 levels of polish might be a less labor intensive way to go-tho I can't imagine anything duplicating your results. Why a built up Crossflow rather than the much more powerful Duratec? Obviously ultimate speed is not an issue. Have you contacted Jay Ivey in Portland (Google Ivey engines) for Crossflow parts? He makes a nice aluminum head (for a mere $2K as I recall) + everything else needed to extract power from our ancient, but lovable, Crossflows. Mike

As a lapper who spun and found himself stopped side ways in the middle of the track after a sharp turn, I can attest to the possibility of T-boning. Fortunately my pursuers manged to get around me. And no, still no side impact protection. But it's on my list.

None of the starters I tried when looking to replace my MM unit 2 years ago would fit in the cramped space.

No one's worried about their butts hanging down below the floor pan? I know its not a lot and your do have the seat "cushion". In my case that consists of about 1/8" carbon fiber Tillet seat. Just curious. Mike

Four days, 4 short blats. Like MI, OH is having stellar weather, low 60's-upper 70's. It is supposed to be hot/humid/oppressive. My Crossflow engine only blats, it knows not of this cruise concept:). Mike

Great write up. Fun to follow along vicariously. Nine hundred miles in one day? There's a record I wont break anytime soon! Were you also towing a trailer? What was your cruising speed, mpg?The other Stalkers all look great. Mike

Hope all is well. He lists Christchurch as his home and the earthquake was centered near there. Mike

Exciting! When I bought my 7 and flew out to get it I had a million fears (car wldn't be as represented, title wldn't be clear, seller wld be dishonest, I wldn't be able to get temp plates, etc.) all competing with decades of fantasies of ownership. And the seller insisted on cash, so I had $22.5K in 100's on me and hoped I wldn't get asked to do one of those really serious security checks at the airport. All came off w/o a hitch. Your car is beautiful. I am sure Powderbrake will approve of the paint scheme:)!

I use K&N part # 3859-10 on my webers. (4.5 x 7 x3.25"). Don't know if that helps. Fits w/o interference w/clams.

Thx Bob-what's the cure then for the squeak, squeak, squeak? I didn't have it before I went to all new stock bushings. Mike

Happened yesterday near Cincy. The 19 y/o driver, who was ejected, was alive and in critical condition 12 hours after the accident. No news in the last 16 hours at request of family. He is 19, a student at the Cincy Art Academy and had a job. Was "interviewed" by police 1 hour before accident in a pkg lot where he had an unopened beer and drug paraphernalia, and a young female passenger. Hard to fathom his motives (if any) for such bizarre behavior. Fortunately the female was not in the car when he went airborne.

Jon: Bring your new Miata:).

Will you be running snow tires:)?

Probably cheaper just to buy the Ferrari.

Hopefully paved roads?

Maybe ask your tire supplier? I had Hoosiers on my Miata and they ran out of grip before they ran out of rubber. Ditto my Kumos. My Toyo RA1s just kept getting stronger so that's what I now run on my se7en. They don't have the ultimate grip of new Hoosiers but last much longer with no fall-off at the end. I have just abt worn all the tread off them-naturally shaved (after 10K miles and they shd be good for another 5K miles in the dry). Remember to store the tires inside in the winter, below freezing weather is not good for race compounds.

Looks like, at 5300+ views, and counting, this is the 3rd all-time most popular thread on this forum, after "Southwind's 7" thread and the "So tell us a little abt yourself" thread. Good job!

Great cars! Funny how they all pale next to the se7ens tho . (OK, not the Elan). And what a garage! You cant take 'em with you but you sure can collect them while you are here! Martin try again. I had the same result on Photobucket but then all the referenced photos magically appeared here, after I'd ckd there (data migration?).