Kitcat

The first one offers side protection, the 2nd doesn't. Of all my nightmare scenarios, being T-boned on the driver's side by anything more than a kid on a Big Wheel is tops. Being upside down with my FIA bar and 5 point belts doesn't scare me 1/2 as much (or much at all). Getting upside down in our cars would be quite a trick too, given their low center of gravity, wide stance, etc. Not so being T-boned: anyone can do it. Second on my list is being rear-ended. I have not seen a cage yet that accounts for that (distinct) possibility. Mike

You don't want to mixed up with a guy like him, he's a rebel, a loner....

Oyagi: Suspension bushings? Remind your mechanic to lube the insides-otherwise you get; squeak, squeak, squeak, as I found out last year when I had all my bushings replaced. Mike

First two look pretty lame, 3rd is a bit better, stripe on solid color is best. I like it as-is tho. There is something honest abt it.

What are your secrets to survival? Any heat related issues for car or driver? Alakossie has been reported to have suffered mightily in that regard on his Colo-Alaska-or-bust trip. What, if anything, have you done for driver comfort? Added a lumbar pillow or cup holder (shudder)? Are you running w/side screens in place, top up or down? How often do stop to stretch/unkink your back? What seats do you have? My experience on long, but lesser, trips has been lots of breaks is the key-stop every 2 hours, rehydrate, stretch, etc. Sounds like you have been in the car for longer stints? What is your cruising speed? I cruise at about 70 mph. My engine is relatively quiet at that rpm and wind noise, etc is manageable. I use a lumbar pillow, top is up, rear window/sidescreens out. I have a canvas "organizer" that slings over the passenger seat that holds my wallet, soda, portable computer, etc. It goes with me every time I leave the car. Are you looking forward to the trip back? Mike

Just read a book about them and the 18th amendment (Prohibition) appropriately named "Last Call." It makes several interesting points including: To get it passed Congress had to come up with a substitute for the revenue lost on booze (then about 50% of the federal budget). So the 17th amendment passed first, allowing the federal income tax. Since women disproportionately favored Prohibition, and their continued support was considered vital to enforcement, that was a major factor in the passage of the 19th amendment (woman's suffrage), a year later. When the 18th Amendment was rescinded, the major force behind it was the ultra rich, who hated the income tax and longed for the good old days of the liquor tax. They got half their wish: the liquor tax resumed (but the income tax was here forever:)). Prior to prohibition, the per capita alc consumption was 4x what it is today. So the effects continue (apart from the inc tax).

WCM-Isn't WestTexasS2K picking up the pieces and continuing it?

Great photo-all it needs is a guy leaning against the wall takin a leak:)!

The E-bay for-sale section seems like an odd place to seek investors for a new car company Do we send our millions of $$$ to a prince in Nigeria perhaps? It uses "patented" technology, I wonder whose patent? All hating aside, I like it and prefer it to the new "Seven" that Lotus is purportedly contemplating. Diesel has potential too, tho all that torque mite be wasted on such a lite car.

Well, that was today's best 5 minutes! Something tells me it will be tomorrow's too. It really is too much to absorb in one viewing. I loved the bare necked couple in the park-talk abt attention to detail:)!

Chris T at Sevens and Elans recommends Brad Penn 20-50, which I am using now. I have mostly used Mobile 1 and other synthetics, ditto prior owner. Despite much nay-saying, at 26K miles, the engine has been fine w/them. I think as long as you have the requisite ZDDP and stay in the weight ranges mentioned above, its a matter of personal preference, price, etc.

I use the 3 point belt system the car came with for passengers with a supplemental lap belt that is easy to adjust. I have a 5 point system for my self and, I gotta say, the crotch strap is a pain in the crotch. In addition to adjusting it, I have to adjust certain body parts, a bit dicey in mixed company or out in public.

Livin the dream! The most direct route is 2100 miles, so about 500+ miles a day, hope it doesn't become "Livin the nightmare":).

Steve: Will do. For now I am just going to add 30 to whatever the gauge says:). Mike

With the mechanical gauge: cold idle 40, warmed up,on acceleration, 60, warm idle 25. And this w/the new oil pump that produces less, not more, pressure than the old unit that came w/the car. So who makes a mechanical bolt in oil-pressure gauge for a Caterham? Mike

Kinda disappointing that they don't offer a oil pressure gauge that always reads 60 pounds.That wld completely eliminate my current oil pressure issues.

Hence "FourFather" ???? Mike

The latest GRM (Oct 2010) has a nice article about Michael Dougherty's "Wounded Warrior Project" with NASA. Thru it, wounded veterans come to the track, have lunch, watch the racing, meet the drivers and then spend 30' riding in their dream car, piloted by a NASA instructor. Nice photo of Michael, as well as a group of veterans next to the "HyperFest girls". Nice discussion of his passion for racing se7ens as well. A very positive article for a very positive project.

Tom-my mechanical "skills" are limited mostly to checking the dipstick to see if the engine has adequate oil (it does). The new pump was added by my trusty mechanic, who was baffled (no pun intended). So someone else will have to offer thots and theories on my oil pump conundrum. I will have the actual pressure accurately measured next week and we'll go from there. Once all is resolved I will post an update here. Mike

New pump = lower pressures, not higher(:. Next step-get an accurate measurement of actual oil pressure as BBall's theory is looking more plausible.

Agreed value-in my case $22K. My history w/SF has been excellent: #1-A co-driver wrecked my Miata whilst we were auto-x'ing. SF paid everything, even tho I explained how accident occurred. #2-My 1 year old Accord w/12K miles and a few dents was caught in a flood and totaled. SF paid $1K more than the purchase price of the car (I had made a good deal and apparently book value was above what I paid). #3-My son wrecked our dented, beater, high-mileage mini-van. I had ck'd value and it looked like abt $2K tops, SF paid me $5K.

My umbrella policy covers everything, its w/State Farm.

I e-mailed the seller and got a response that said, well, there are SOME real Caterham parts in it, but a lot is home-built (including everything I noted above). Al, you are so right. I have spent a small fortune, making my used Caterham right, post-purchase (fixing stuff that didn't work, upgrading to my spec, etc.). I am still doing it, in fact, tho the money flow has slowed considerably, a mere 3+ years out. In hindsight, it might have been cheaper to buy new or, at least, not as used. Mike

Doesn't seem to be a Caterham, fenders (front/rear) aren't right, hood doesn't fit, etc. Looks a lot like a home built se7en, tho I am no expert.

My rides of neighborhood kids to their schools are "legendary":)! Many happy faces, screen saver photos etc. I have a bunch of very twisty , empty park roads close to where I live, so the path to school detours thru them (Planting the seeds for the next generation of se7em ownership). Also gave a ride to an occasional visitor here who sent a note recently saying he is now building a Birkin he'd just bought from Dick Brink.