Kitcat

I was going to say what Croc said, but less coherently:). I think the GM plan to be all elec by 2030 is corporate malpractice/ suicide. GMmakes an electric called the Bolt. They can’t give them away. So based on that they are going 100% electric? Wonder how many they will sell in Texas. The USA is about to become Cuba(car wise, calm down YellowSS:)). In the sense that everyone will be repairing and fixing gas models to keep them on the road. There is so much wrong with this all elec plan. And understand, I hate pollution and don’t think global warming is a liberal hoax. I think a more measured approach is needed. Back on topic: it will be interesting to see how this impacts Caterham.Hopefully they will skate by this electric craze, just like all the other regs they currently skirt.

I am impressed that it doesn’t have a dirt floor:).

The Rocky Mountain S2 Lotus 7 is very nice! On the same page RM lists a 2021 Caterham SS1600 kit, for $49K. That seems a bit high for a basic throwback Caterham, tho I agree the clams add value:). I guess nostalgia sells?

Sounds like there is no chance that BessieTheSeven will reappear? We can all breath a sigh of relief! If ever there was a politically incorrect, unwoke female, it was Bessie.

My DD is a VW Touareg. It has a footprint and overall size that approximates a Honda Accord(tho it is much taller). And it has a tow package rated at 7,700 lbs, or about the same as a standard, but much larger, pickup. So, basically it drives like a car and tows like a truck. It has hauled my se7ens to tracks all over the eastern US.

Papak: So a cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension and cop shocks? He must have been on a mission from God(if you catch my reference:)).

This is a new definition of “four wheels off” the track! The traditional definition has caused more than one track day driver to have to come in for a chat (or at least one driver I can think of, offhand....). Croc, I don’t think you have you ever witnessed me doing this version of four wheels off(probably because the curbs at NJMP are not that steep).

Mark IV= Time Machines.

Mohair boot cover!

The owner paid $46K for it and put $30-35K into recent improvements, after blowing up the engine. I love this Cat's 2.0 Duratec, tho I know the 2.3L and 2.5L make more power. This one had about $20K in new parts, ECU and tune going for it, plus maybe 20% more power than a stock 420S engine. It redlined at 8,800 RPM's. Owner also added a dry sump system and had the 6 sp Caterham transmission rebuilt. Aftermarket shocks, high end telemetry for track days, LSD,you name it, this car had it. So the sales price of $48K was a bargain (IMHO).

My wife sat in mine once, and that was enough:). But talk about good sport, she also supported (or didn't object) to me finally fulfilling my age 14-15 dream car fixation, at age 61 (and still going strong, for now at least, at age 74). Counting my first Cat, my Birkin, and now this current Cat, this is the longest I have owned any car (type).

Great choice! I look forward to reading progress notes all the way thru the first drive. And kudos to your wife for being such a good sport. With practice, getting in and out will be much easier (unless the top is up....).

After spending a bit of time looking at the BAT/CAT, I count nearly $30K in recent upgrades after looking at his paperwork. Maybe that's why the bid just jumped $5K (to $30K)? I suspect the price has a long way to go before this auction ends. Time for a strong comeback mrmustsang, we are rooting for you:)!

Hey Paul: I have a '19 Miata that came with 17" wheels and there is an amazing assortment of tires for it. At the 13" size, there is little choice (tho the choices are excellent). Given the performance advantage of 13" wheels on Caterhams, as reported by Croc, I am a fan. And, as mentioned, if reducing un-sprung weight is a goal, it is hard to find a 17" tire that doesn't weigh more, by itself, than the 13" wheel/tire combo my Caterham came with (not counting the wheel which is typically 15-20 lbs more).

Minilites come in many sizes, including 13". As the size goes down, unfortunately, so does the tire choice. FWIW-my Cat came with a 13" wheel/tire combo up front that, together, weighed in around 19 lbs.

My 2.0 Zetec SVT, shown above, is totally stock, including intake, no ITB's, no bonnet cutout (all per SCCA rules and regs, to make it less competitive). No catalytic converter, but that's it as far as mods. I still prefer the sound of my X-flow Cat:).

I vaguely recall R&T reporting bright cars have 50% less accidents than dark cars. What little I have found on-line says black cars are the most dangerous and white are the safest (by 12%). Gray and silver are also more dangerous. And it gets worse at dawn and dusk when lighting is marginal. And there are subtleties: an orange or yellow car "swells" and is perceived as larger while a green or blue car "feels" smaller (so the car behind may start to tailgate). I can say that I put 10K miles on my original midnight blue Caterham with zero close calls. My problem was people losing their minds on first seeing it and trying to get close enough to take a cell phone picture:). Also, my motto was tread softly, but carry a big horn. It didn't hurt that my X-flow was always blasting, sort of how you hear a Harley before you see it. And, as others have mentioned,biking and cycling experience is good practice for developing better situational awareness. The bikers' motto of "assume you are invisible" is good advice in a se7en.

Great video! Great car! Great roads! I posted about traveling through Rabbit Hash in my then street legal Caterham on this very Forum, back in '08:).

Talk about a thankless job, so here's to all of you guys putting this together: THANKS!

As yet another Zetec powered se7en owner, welcome. I just had mine tuned and it made 152 hp, 140 lbs torque at the rear wheels on a "conservative" chassis dyno. Relatively flat curves as well. It feels very fast, even though it is not as powerful as current Duratec powered se7ens. Mine is the SVT version, which I believe was only made from 2002-2004. So likely yours is the earlier version which could make similar power with various mods. It will be a challenge for you to match the prior owner's accumulation of 60+K miles. What a die hard. Higher mileage se7ens always seem to have fewer problems as they are so well sorted. Enjoy your new ride!

Those tires would be excellent candidates for use in building the track's tire wall! Or, for storing the car. Or, for starting a fire (put a little gasoline in them to get started). Tire swings would work as well. Maybe obstacles on a fitness course? The possibilities are nearly endless, but clearly do not include track use: I am amazed you escaped undamaged.

As noted above, the dealer lists the Mitsuoka as sold. If interested, visit the dealer's "All" on-line inventory. Who else has 100+ used Figaros for sale, along with lots of Honda Beats and Autozams and other odd-ball, hard-to-find Japanese cars?

Ditto the under-the-dash placement of the external mic (wrapped in a sock).

Sounds good to me! I wonder who gave me the moniker:"Sir Spinsalot"? Any guesses, CROC????? BTW, the BAT Caterham seller says he has sold 10 Caterhams over the last few years, 5 of which remain in Cincy: Do I see a Cincinnati Caterham Club in the future?

No argument Bob, it shows risky driving, with the risk being born, in part, by folks just out running errands. In defense of this fellow Cincinnatian, tho, I'd note it was only 3&1/2 minutes long and was made to convey to potential buyers what the Caterham driving experience can be like. Also, he seems to be an excellent driver who was operating well within his skill level. And it was a mostly deserted road and he typically had clear sight lines so he was able to get over if and when needed. I agree a race track would be a saner venue, but it wouldn't give a sense of what the car is like on the street. IF this is his general street driving style and not a one time thing (which I doubt), then it is way too risky and he deserves to be criticized for it.