Kitcat

Vlad: 8 years x 666 miles a year is 5328, not a lot but not all that unusual. The hp of 220 is possible but at the upper limit of a Zetec. Maybe it was built to a higher spec? My SVT Zetec makes about 160 hp at the wheels. I am sure the 220 hp is a flywheel #, so maybe 190 hp at the wheels? Anyhow, it is a great looking Cat, in great shape and the SV spec is a bonus. If it doesn't sell here, maybe wander over to Bring A Trailer. Caterhams have done exceptionally well there.

They dont look all that bad to me. What engine/suspension/transmission does it have (i.e., how likely is it to become a track car?). As you note, the seats will be a replacement item if it will see significant track duty.

Shine it up and fix the seats. People judge books (and cars) by their cover:). How many times have you seen a worn looking car for sale and the comments are always negative,e.g.: If it looks that bad, imagine what the condition is of the stuff you can't see, etc. IMHO, of course....

I like: "budget blown as usual"! We all understand that sentiment:). FWIW: I read your "project car" plan exactly as you intended: bringing a tatty worn out CSR back to life. I look forward to the pics.

I had a similar Tilet seat set up and same problem in my Birkin Paul. I was able to make it work even with pull-up belts, but it was tight. Once they were adjusted correctly (with me out of the car), that was good for countless track days. But if I needed to shorten, or lengthen them, that was a process, not something done sitting on the grid waiting to go onto the track. BTW-per your photos, your belts expire next month:).

Shane: you really need to add some color to that car.....

I had a similar thought Shane. Except my flashback was triggered when I saw the mammoth bear toothed, seven-destroying curbing on the turn at the bottom of the photo(:!

I agree with the advantage of being able to "stretch" a gear with a higher RPM limit. At our annual gathering at the Lightning circuit at NJMP, I am able to hit the 7200 RPM redine in 5th gear, half way down the front straight. This is in my 6 sp Zetec powered Caterham. So the question is whether it is worth an upshift, and then a downshift before entering the big right hand turn at the end of that straight? The answer, after much trial and error, is no, it's not worth it. Instead I lift up on the accelerator a bit and keep the revs at 7000. Then a single shift down to 4th before the turn (rather than 2 shifts into 4th before the turn) simplifies things. Lightning's front straight has proven diagnostic over the years. On my original engine, following a tune, I was able to get into 6th at the beginning of the straight. That was nice! Later, when I had trouble getting into 6th by the end of the straight, I knew there were power issues. (First O2 sensors, later compression loss). When I came back following an engine swap and was only able to use 6th gear 1/2 way down the straight, I knew the new engine was missing some hp.

JB: 9K RPM's? We are all looking forward to the dyno results! Tom: what's redline on your orange Cosworth Cat, maybe 8.5K? My Zetec starts to cough around 7.2K.

FWIW: The Dunlap Direzza ZIII (catchy name, no?) tire comes in a 14" size and is supposed to be a good street/track tire compromise. Toyo makes a pretty aggressive 14" tire as well, the Proxes R888, that is more track oriented. Not sure either will be suitable for your use. Also FWIW: I have tried 15" and 13" tires and haven't noticed a performance advantage, although I would defer to Croc who has done many more Caterham track day laps that I have. I am mostly making his point that the differences are subtle. Currently, I am running 15" on the back and 13" on the front as that is the way the suspension was set up for my track-only car.

Birkin, like Caterham, makes a slightly larger model called the XS (extra space) that is like the Caterham SV. Gherkin has a standard Birkin (AFAIK) and how he fits into it I do not know:at 5'9"/160 lbs I found my '09 Birkin, even with ultra-thin Caterham Tilet seats, just barely roomy enough. I don't doubt that he fits, but if you are tempted by a Bikin, which I found to be at least the equal of my Caterhams, I'd try it on for size as well.

Knifey: Shoe size is also an issue, both length AND width. Wear driving shoes or be prepared to drive in your socks. You will definitely be on the tight side, assuming you fit at all. Getting in and out, esp with a fixed steering wheel, can be challenging. Stomach protrusion can be a factor as well.... And, imagine doing it with the top in place, or better yet, maybe one of the generous volunteers here will have the top up for you to sample? Also, the lowered floors put your butt just that much closer to the pavement. Since these have about 3 &1/2" ride height+ whatever height the seat offers, there is not a lot of room to work with. The Tilets do really open up the usable room, I have had both configurations. Stock are much more comfortable, but Tilets aren't bad and are much better for track use. MoPho: long time!

I am starting to think that brain surgery would be simpler than a Duratec rebuild!

Well, you may have lost your job Shane (which truly $suck$), but obviously not your sense of humor! I am looking into getting an emergency order of Cincinnati's infamous (and that's putting it nicely) Skyline chili sent to you. That stuff never spoils (how can sawdust with spice spoil?). And, believe me, if you actually eat it, you will soon forget any other troubles you thought you had:).

Wow 7 days Skip! Same as it took the old Pony Express to deliver a letter from Nebraska to California. Mite have taken them longer to deliver a muffler than a letter tho:). Interesting debate now over whether to continuing funding for the U.S. Post Office past this Sept. The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to establish the post office and postal roads. It doesn't say it has to use that power, it seems to be discretionary.

$55K, and-dealers few and far between, unacceptable reliability, unobtainable parts, BUT telepathic driving experience, etc., etc.(I'm in:)). BTW, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that it's soon to be an all-electric world. I don't remember voting for that! What I foresee is USA = Cuba in 50 years. Ancient internal combustion engined vehicles being held together by bailing wire and high end duct tape, still transporting the masses. Sort of the mid- 21st century version of '56 DeSotos in Havana today.

They tested everyone in a large Ohio prison a few days ago (2,000 inmates) and roughly 80% were infected, tho no reported deaths. Apparently if death occurs, it happens about a month after infection so maybe dire news is in the future? Or not, who knows? They did a fairly random test of 3000 people on the West Coast recently and infected rate was 50-80x as high as the expected rate based on projections founded on the sparse testing up to that point. All of which suggest everyone is really guessing when they try to base assessments on very incomplete testing.

Apparently you can't just park them and forget them. They need to be maintained to some degree on an ongoing basis. So engines have to be fired up, hydraulics checked, even the tires have to be tended to.

Hey Croc: There is an '82 Ferrari for sale on BAT that is your F-car's twin (except for color). Looks like you are about to get a market value for your car?

Squeegee: Not of Titanic proportions, but not bad for a first post:)! Congrats to you and kayentaskier! We expect photos, stories etc. Let's keep the chuffing going!

"Price upon application". Right, I need to apply for the thrill of being allowed to consider buying your vehicle. Sorry, I will pass.

I got my May issue of R&T and it has the latest installment in their Caterham build story. Some lovely pictures and maybe 750 words. Sam Smith, the author of the article, is also R&T's Editor at Large and in a second article he notes that he now lives 40' from the legendary Tail of The Dragon in TN. So I would expect a review of the new Caterham, once it is completed, in its "element" at the Dragon (where USA7s held its 2007 celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Seven). I wonder if I am the only surviving participant of that event who is still active here? I CAN say that the Dragon, and the equally excellent, tho less famous, nearby roads brought the best out in my Caterham and in the collection of other se7en marques who all gathered for the event.

Just checked the Google on the 23B. It was such a giant killer that when it appeared at Le Mans, the french scrutineers, found numerous technical issues (e.g., windscreen height, gas tank size, lack of a spare tire, etc) all of which were remedied on the spot. Except for the requirement of a spare tire. So the 23B was fitted with a 4 stud front tire spare. But that was rejected, as the rear wheel had 6 lugs and the "spare" wouldn't be usable. So a 4 lug rear wheel was designed in England and flown over night to LeMans. And that was rejected for being "unsafe" since the original design called for 6 lugs, despite Lotus offering engineering proof that it was well with in the performance demands of the rear wheel. Chapman vowed never to return to Le Mans, and didn't. Lotus did not return until years after Chapman's death. BTW-a Lotus Elite won Le Man's performance of efficiency award that year. Now you know:).

Your math is accurate Sean. But, why stop at 3 weeks? If you add another 3 weeks to that, the toll is around 10M people. Makes one appreciate the whole "flatten the curve" concept. And the ameliorative effects of social distancing, etc. Plus lots of wild cards: will warm weather slow/halt the advance, will more effective testing and the resulting more targeted social isolation be effective (see S Korea). Will the secret sauce in Frischs' Big Boy hamburgers, with a chaser of tonic water, prove to be a curative????

For the third time this week I am buying booze for the next two weeks. My body has absorbed so much soap and disinfectant that when I pee it cleans the toilet....