Kitcat

If you Google "woolies trim" you will get a UK site that sells individual Brookie screens, brackets etc, for around 57 pounds sterling. Seems like a deal.

Raw, incredible sensation of speed, people swarming around the car-that is definitely the se7en experience! At least phase one. Phase two? Upgradeitis! If your NSX is any guide, this will be good:).

I have seen the subject of ear protection popping up here and there, just as an aside, in various posts lately.It is actually a serious issue with our cars so I thot I'd start a thread devoted just to it. My experience: I bought my 7 over 3 years ago in NJ and drove 700 miles home with foam ear inserts. Since then I have had a mild tinnitus (ringing) in my right (not left) ear. Yes, it is ringing away as I type this. Since that experience, I always wear the foam inserts and the ear muff type ear protection, available at hardware stores for abt $15.00. The kind of things people use for mowing their lawns, running power saws, etc. Since then, no problemo. It has the additional advantage of holding my baseball hat in place. I think the incredible and constant wind buffeting is what did my ear in. The exhaust etc, is pretty mellow at a steady speed, even 75 mph. I have the rear exiting exhaust so the sound exits behind my ears too, which helps. So, a word to the wise. And, if other ear damage sufferers want to add their experiences, solution's, it mite help some of the newbies/lurkers from making the same mistake when the magical day comes and the get their se7en. Mike

As your signature says:"Highly entertaining. For others":). Impressive time on last run, esp when you factor in the spin:). Longest auto-x course I have ever seen-nothing like we have around here, not that I have that much experience. Mike

Skip: I got whatever mirrors Chris T sells at Sevens and Elans. They are carbon fiber, or faux carbon fiber. They look better than they they work but once adjusted they are fine. Before my Caterham, I always took mirrors for granted. However the mirrors on my Caterham are often very entertaining. What's this bracket you speak of? Photo? Mike

"Old reliable":). Actually, after many descriptions that my wife didn't grasp, i finally showed up in it in person and she shouted:"Why, it's a little roadster". So that's how it is known to friends and family.

Skip: FWIW- On my official Caterham set-up, the side mirrors, and center mirror, are all attached to the Brooklands screen frame. As you say, swapping it out is a coupla screws (I leave the small inside panels covering access to the screws off). Even if I take my time, I can do it in 15'. As noted in a post last year, put some tape or foam on the underside of the frame or it will rub off the paint there. Mike

Mark: Have you tried Texas Motor Works? They are the US dealer for Birkins and I think you can get a new one built for abt $40K with a 220 hp Duratec. I know that's more than you want to spend but you wld't lose as much come resale time-and you'd have a whole lot more car. Or, contact the owner, Dick Brink, and he can look for a used Caterham/Birkin for you. He has lots of contacts. Ditto Chris T at Sevens and Elans, or Ben at Caterham USA. Mike

For well over $20K you can get a lot more se7en than the above Caterham. Be patient. Four or five years ago I watched an identical car sit on the Rocky Mountain Sportscar site for 2 years at $18K. Don't know what it finally sold for. My informal survey of costs is : 1600 cc Catehams $18-20K. 1700 cc Caterhams $22-24K Zetec Caterhams $26-$50K. Lots of variables tho, depending on condition, equipment. Subtract $2-4K for similar Birkins. I paid $22K for my cat 3 + years ago and have easily put in $10K more in upgrades (Carbon fiber seat, FIA roll-over bar, 6 pt seat belts, Brooklands screen, kill switch, car cover, tires, suspension bushings, etc.). Keep in mind (wh/I did not), low mileage cars are not necessarily a plus. So much on my car was worn out by time, not mileage. Even tho I now have 26K miles on my car vs. 13K miles when I bought it, it is in much better condition now because of constant use and constant tending, maintenance, upgrades, etc. Happy hunting. Mike

I have the set-up sold by Caterham, as tweaked by Chris T at Sevens and Elans-you can sort of see them in my avatar photo. The mirrors look great, small, sleek, but are hard to adjust much. Major adjustments involve removing the entire structure from the car-not a big deal-fiddling, putting back, repeat, etc.-royal PITA. Once they are right, you are good to go (just don't adjust the seat back/forth). The Centerpost mirror is also a pain tho much less so. Again, once it's right, it's right. And rearward vision is excellent. Cost? Too much to mention in such a public forum:)., so let's just say: not cheap.

$20K is a good price for a 1600 cc Kent engine in a bare bones Caterham (IMHO). Seller shudda pounced.

I took a long convoluted drive over 700 miles last weekend w/a NUVI and didn't use the sound, With earplugs and ear muffs, wind noise and exhaust noise, the Garmin audio never had a chance. But with the Caterham, the windshield is so close it is easy to see the directions on the GPS screen. I never missed a turn. Also nice for accurate MPH and odometer #'s.

Thx, that's lite!

Craig: How much do they weigh? Mike

The quality of your work is amazing!

Drive from Colorado? Remember Al, this car will have none of the "almost Germanic" qualities you observed in the highly evolved Mr. Orange. As I have discovered, primitive and simple do not translate into reliable:). Mike

I like the 1st track much beter. A little more room, not quite as twisty. I just got back from a trackday at Waterford Hills. Similar to the 1st track, tho. at 1.5 miles. lots bigger. Still, almost all curves and twisties with some nice elevation changes. Only track where I never got out of 3rd. I did abt 1/4 of it in 2nd. The track was designed in 1960, when sports cars were smaller and less powerful so it fits the se7en perfectly. I had no trouble leaving the Elises and Exiges behind, wh/was a 1st. Mike

I think the EV-1 is actually the donor car and this will be the 1st all-electric se7en.

My ex-law partner is a graduate of Gettysburg College and says that it is really the perfect time of year there. Cool nites, mild days, generally dry (tho it is still hurricane season and that can be a wild-card wetness wise). He admits he may have air-brushed away some of the flaws over the 40+ years since he graduated:). Mike

Isn't the reason you are not using the existing cutout for your intake because the intake on the new engine is on the other side of the car?

Ditto the "props" to Al/Mazda. And, my se7en is outside in my office parking lot, tho I too forgot the significance of today's magical number.

I have solved this problem by filling my tires with water. Once I finally get rolling its pretty smooth.

Folis, still racing at age, 72, 73? My kinda guy.

Tom: I am going to play departure/dinner Sun eve by ear but, if feasible, I will opt for a caravan to the Texas Steakhouse w/you and other se7ens. My goal is to roll in Fri eve around 6:00, it will all depend on what adventures the car has along the way:). Mike

I made a rez at the Travelodge sun eve pre-track day. $60.(A little scary). Not sure as to Sunday eve agenda. Will do the mandatory driver's meeting at the Eisenhower, of course. If the auto-x is as exhausting as it usually is, (heat/adrenaline/self recrimination:)) I will probly want a break/some food. So will play it by ear. Mike