Kitcat

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?).

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":).