Kitcat

The standard Birkin is much tighter than the Caterham you tried on. Birkin makes a larger (and more affordable) version similar to the Cat SV. I can't tell the S3 and SV Cats apart unless they are next to each other. Adding Tilet seats wld give you 2" more legroom and 1" more headroom. That's what I did to fit my lanky 5'9" frame into a standard Birkin S3. Unlike Cats, Birkins do have adjustable pedal assemblies. I like the Westfield option mentioned above, ditto the Stalker. In the car you tried did your head stick up past the roll-over bar? I think lowered floors would help with that but not sure they would help with legroom. A removable steering wheel might help get in and out, I use one on my track Cat. Also, there is no place to put one's left foot in a Caterham. On the track I hover it over the clutch which mite be hard if your leg is too long, on the road I slip it under the clutch pedal. Rather than perform drastic surgery on your legs, I wonder if the Caterham has a bit more room in the engine bay to extend the footwell via drastic surgery there?

Most of the cars on Croc's current listing that bill themselves Caterhams are. The RM 8 roller doesn't seem to know what it is. Most of the misrepresentation comes by cars falsely claiming to be Lotuses. I had a Birkin festooned with Lotus badges and Lotus seat belts etc. Few, if any but the above confused RM 8, falsely claim to be Caterhams. Many of us call all of the many and varied Lotus 7 clones: "se7ens". BTW, the name Caterham is pronounced K8-trum (2 syllables, not 3,e.g Cat-ter-HAM, etc). At least by the company itself. And just so you know, Stalker is pronounced "Storker":).At least by some Caterham owners who are jealous that the Stalker is faster and cheaper than their Caterhams....But I digress.

I'd add that sometimes there are se7ens listed for sale in the Marketplace sections of Sportscar Magazine (the SCCA publication) as well as Grassroots Motorsports magazine, that don't get picked up by Croc's very thorough system. Also check EBay motors, under Lotus. Used Caterhams, Westfields, Stalkers etc., often get listed there.

"Finalizing logistical details:)!" I think by that Tom means he and Croc are ordering extra booze and collaborating to invent additional embarrassing trophies to award:)! Which I am good with! And Tom, there is nothing magical about 30 attendees. We had 5-6 originally and it was huge success!

Croc: You are bringing it dude! I like the way you use ALL the curbing-except for the evil curbing on the right as you enter the straight. As you say, ya gotta avoid temptation and stay off of it. And yes, I have done some serious rock gardening down in the "Octopus" (turns 8-9). I had 2 blown tires in a single off there once. I think that may be the only place I have gone off on T-Bolt. Of course I am old and my memory was never good to begin with:). Now Lightening, where haven't I gone off....

Skip, what a tale. I began to think this was one of your humorous stories and that you just posted it in the wrong forum section:). The best part is the whole big thing got started with the need to sell your truck, but you went thru all of this and still ended up owning the truck. I like the WRX. I might have driven a VW GTI as well, just to see how it stacked up. I think it is a bit more civilized (nicer ride) and just as quick? I am pretty sure they come in white....Doesn't have all wheel drive tho. Resale value on the WRX is excellent as well.

Glenn is a maestro with the camera! These are too chopped up, tho,to get a clear sense of how the track flows and what curves follow what straights, etc.

I love this part: "Extensive engine work was done by some of the best performance shops in the West coast have this Ford crossflow producing 135 hp using dual webers." Putting aside grammatical and punctuation errors, since a stock X-Flow also produces 135 hp, I guess they are bragging that the tuners didn't fek it up:)? Love the color. RHD is a advantage as the LHD side is 20 degrees hotter, per measurements in my own X-flow Cat. Also, since most US tracks run clockwise, driver's location helps balance the car in these mostly right hand turn tracks. Price isn't bad either, for a Hemmings car.

Too funny! Will it replace Texas chili in your diet? It is a big part of the culinary scene in Cincy. There are hundreds of chili "parlors" here. For some reason they are not called restaurants when they serve Cincy chili. I have an unproven theory that is because this stuff is not really food:). Anyhow, your photo shows you signed up for the works, chili dogs, chili bowls, and side containers of what I like to call liquid indigestion! Sounds like you survived, against all odds....

I vote low $$ as well. It is a Caterham. There should be a mfg plate with serial letters & #'s behind the pedal assembly. That will tell you what year it is and what spec, to some degree. As Croc notes, Wire Wheels has a nice one for $37K. Long time member Sabbot also has a pristine version with a BD engine that he is selling for $34K. This one will takes tons of time and money to bring back from the dead. So maybe $12-15K, to be safe? So much expensive stuff may need to be fixed/replaced. And in spite of what you may hear, Caterham parts are often nearly impossible to find. It does have a nice upside but the reality is that newer cars with Duratec engines are as powerful, cheaper and more reliable and get better mpg. For some (like me), the BD engine is still a major selling point, but I suspect I am in the minority.

Thx Alfonse: I remember using high zinc oils in my X-Flow. Supposedly good for flat tappet engines like it had. No cat in my Zetec car so no need for low zinc there. I will add ZDDP to the list of desired ingredients for my next oil. I think it also comes in additive form. Hey Shane enjoy your nite in the Queen City. I am already committed this eve or would offer you some hospitality. Lots going on along the river, both in KY and Cincy. And the "Over-The Rhine"(OTR) section of downtown is now a mecca for folks who like great food and micro beers (Try Rhinegeist-my son is the head brewer there and it is a happening place). Avoid Cincinnati chili at all costs:). Unless you like spaghetti with a thin cinnamon flavored meat seasoning....indigestion is guaranteed.

Update: Added a new oil pressure gauge, fixed broken check valve, cleaned out and re-pressurized the Accusump, replaced o-ring at the pick up point in the oil pan. All worth 5-10 lbs and much steadier. So not as much bouncing pressure and more in the mid 50's than low 40's. Still occasional brief drops into the 30's. Idles in mid 30's. Reads 70's first 3 laps, then 50's. Same brand of oil: 5-50 full synthetic Schaeffer. I will change oil to some other brand before next track day. Likely Mobile 1 20/50 full synthetic.

The assessment is ongoing. Since it is a track-only car, I have to wait to track days to see if changes have helped. Cutting open the oil filter suggested all was well. The oil looked new. Cam caps were fine. Changing the pressure gauge added 5 lbs of pressure and my mechanic is making some additional tweaks to be sure the system is air tight. I am running Schaeffer full synthetic 5/50 and I am a bit suspicious as that is a new oil for my car (mechanic loves it) and it seems to me the pressure problems started when I began using it. So I will try a new brand of oil (Mobile1 20/50 per T.Tom's suggestion) if the latest tweaks dont help.

I always used the 2nd version. I'd stick one leg in as far as it would go, bend over double so my head touched my other knee (which was still outside the car) and fall butt-first into the seat. Then using both hands behind the left knee, still outside, drag it in after me. All to the great amusement of the crowd of onlookers that inevitably gathers whenever a Caterham stops for gas, etc. Once in it is cozy but remarkably dry/comfortable. To get out (much harder as you are fighting gravity), reverse the process (jacknife your body, lift your butt out onto the "doorsill", reach down and drag one leg out and sort of fall out onto the pavement, etc. Again, great entertainment-for others. And, one of several reasons a se7en isn't a great daily driver:).

Or if it is already here, like the one on BAT, which may have prompted your question?

Sure would love to hear your engine at 8600 rpm's:)! If you have dyno hp sheet I'd post it as part of sales photos. If you don't, maybe have it tested? Is the 190 hp at the rear wheels or at the flywheel? The fascinating link to Cosworth shows the BDA was a 1600 cc engine making 120 hp. Yours is 1734 cc and makes 190 hp. Is it a souped up BDA, or a later BD version? Does it have dry sump or Accusump? I think the $34K price would make it pretty tempting.

Tom: That would definitely be in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion:). Or, maybe look into a portable mechanical bull, like the one Croc so memorably rode at prior USA7s event!?

Hey Dave, I am a longtime GRM subscriber. I got this month's version (June, 2018) about a week ago. You and your workshop are on p.140-141. (Does all this publicity mean you can charge more for your bike frames?).

As long-time forum member, David Kirk (Davemk1), noted some months ago, his home workshop won the magazine's best "small shop" award this year. Like our 7's, it is small and beautiful (It doesn't hurt that his lovely Westfield sits in it:)). So clean, so organized! And he offers his 5 top tips for making a small space work. I especially like tip #5: at the end of each work session take 5' to clean up spills, return tools to their assigned location, etc. Failing to do that, he suggests, will result in much time wasted looking for the 12mm, 12-point socket that rolled away when you weren't looking. Hmmm, has he been spying on me??? To get the other tips you have to buy the mag:). Congratulations Dave!

Looks fabulous! It gets better every year guys:)! I breezed thu registration and, as Croc knows from my past years' registration screw-ups, that is a testament to its ease of use!!!

Lots of familiar names (and cars!), cant wait to hang out and shoot the breeze (and drive T-Bolt). Without a doubt, my favorite track experience all year, as much for the socializing, food, venue, humorous awards nite, as actual driving. Mike and Tom throw a memorable party.

Congratulations CarlB on buying Michael's storied Caterham! A car with much character that was owned by a person who is also a lovable character:). We'd all enjoy seeing you (and the car!) at NJMP, if you are able to make it. Yes, the turn-in on a Caterham is fierce, almost shocking at first. As is the braking, the acceleration,the ....

I see that Croc’s for sale thread lists a BDR powered ‘ 94 Caterham for $37,750. It’s not as nice as yours Stewart, so maybe that is a rough guide to your car’s value with the current engine? It is an asking price, and is listed by Wire Wheel, a huge dealer, so not saying that’s what you could get, just a rough starting point.

It is a gem! Congratulations! People will be drawn to you like moths to a candle. Enjoy the sense of occasion inherent in every trip/blat:)!

That is one interesting car! What is the engine (BDR?). Are you bringing it t he USA7s event in early July at NJMP? (You should!). Love the custom wheel chock!