Kitcat

I can attest to BBall's se7en being a thing of polished Alu beauty! As can anyone who has attended our annual gathering at NJMP.

Croc: In my own defense, I rarely spin out when parking:)!

BeagleGuy: Many (most?) bike-engined se7ens lack a reverse gear (like the motorcycles they are based on). Some have an electric reverse, etc., so this one might. But without reverse, it's a deal killer for me, esp if mostly intended for street use. Since they do weigh 150-250 lbs less than their auto engine/car transmission counterparts they can really scoot. This one appears to have a sequential transmission (like most bikes), a $7K option on a Caterham. That also makes it terrific, say, on an auto-X course.

A possibly relevant side note: As I have posted before, when the engine mounts on Cats of this vintage wear, the engine starts moving about excessively. It can be so excessive that the air cleaners poking though the bonnet slam against the bonnet cutout causing the seal between the carbs and the engine to leak. This was the very first (of many:)) mystery issues that I had to trouble shoot on my original Cat. I think BBall had the very same issue. In fact he may be the one who solved it for me? The other tip off that something is amiss, other than power loss, is abnormally loud metallic noises when hard cornering. Since the engine mounts can be shot after 5-8K miles, this is a maintenance issue worth keeping an eye on.

I bought my first se7en here on this site. The seller insisted on cash. So I drew out $22.5K and put it in a Passport type bag and slung it around my neck and under my shirt. I flew to NJ from Ohio, got a ride to the buyer's home, inspected and drove the car, fell in love, handed over the cash, took the title to the local place and got it transferred to my name along with temporary tags, called my ins co, got coverage, and drove it home that day.

BG78: You will not fit in a standard Cat S3 or Birkin S3. You will fit in the roomier variants (Cat SV, Birkin XS). You will likely fit in a Stalker. The larger models are rare and the SV Croc has for sale here is one of the few I have seen for sale in a while. Having seen, and run track days with Croc's car, I can vouch for its excellence.

My Brooklands are now sold. I was amazed to learn that the price from the Cat parts store has fallen by about 60%, or more, in the 6-7 years since I bought them.

The dazzling array of skid-marks in that corner says it all:). Like Shane, I'd love to add this to my "stable" but no room and no $.

My (expensive) Caterham-spec Brooklands screen bolted right into the spot vacated by the full Cat windshield-no drilling necessary, no interference. I loved them on my street Cat-cockpit was quieter, cooler, and there was less air resistance. Plus they look so cool. Downside: no top/side screens. Since I have a race Cat now, with a small fiberglass aero screen, my Brooklands are for sale. Shoot me an email if interested.

Good job Dave! GRM and its sister publication, Classic Motorsports, are two of my favorite monthly car mags. I have to believe the se7en poised in the middle of the shop tipped the balance in your favor, though the spectacular surrounding scenery probably didn't hurt.

Don't tell YellowSS, but most of the good states are "red" states, whilst most of the bad ones are "blue". He is likely to see some sort of imaginary anti-regulation/anti-government vindication in there somewhere:). Spyker-I like your roads. They seem to be filled with other Spykers! It does seem that the authors of this study missed the whole point of driving. It is not to get from point A to point B in the straightest possible line (like Texas-which has the added bonus of many miles of 80 mph interstate). Instead it is to be entertained and invigorated by the challenge of piloting one's vehicle over hill, dale, curve and apex. Throw in some scenery, put the top down and that place hits #1 in my book (even if I do end up right back where I started:)).

As Slomove suggested, try the Birkin Yahoo group. As a former Birkin owner, I know that the prior USA Birkin dealer, Dick Brink, at Texas Motor Works had very firm ideas on this subject. And I vaguely recall part of the formula was having the rear of the car a bit higher than the front (Helpful, right?). Unfortunately, when I sold my Birkin, I tossed his alignment specs. He still visits the Yahoo group, so put it out there.

With so much power now I am surprised that a Torsen LSD isn't higher on your list. Or, does the 4C have some form of limited slip? All of these upgrades are great. Clearly "upgrade-itis" is not limited to se7ens owners:). I will be interested in how this car compares to your Ultralite on the track, esp lap times.

Sevens and Elans IS in Florida now, and is still in business there, I talked to their owner last year. Their website was never especially up to date. I am not sure if either Birkin or Caterham offers a kit for $20K. Maybe Stalker does?

Very entertaining. Sort of hard to comprehend. The scale of "larger" represented by the video is staggering.

Bump for one of my favorite unsold Caterhams.

Croc: Add a link to your secret Caterham VIN # decoder site and save yourself future work? Most of the info in the sequence seems logical, but not clear how "N" means 1992??? Does the chassis # 0236300 mean Caterham has built a certain # of chassis total since day one(6300?)?

I am sure I said this last year when this was posted, but "Wow!" What a great video!!! It really captures the essence of this wonderful event and the adventure of piloting these little giant killers in anger on a race track. Loved the Hitchcockian moment at the very end as well:).

Bump, to make this more visible. And a question. Bruce when you say this vehicle is roughly $45K "inclusive" of powertrain, it sounds like that price includes the 180 hp Duratec and a 5sp transmission. That can't be right??? If it is tho, that's quite the bargain on a new Caterham SV of this medium level spec, even unpainted and in kit form.

The less than perfect image of the unplanned composition?

Skip: Something seems to be missing in your post.

Lots of great se7ens roads near Ashville!

Scott Lentz and MichaelD were at LOG 30 with us. I remember them at the track day with Tom (YellowSS). I remember Norm Beaver was there as well and helped put on the LOG 30 auto-X. "Birkin Bob" was there too, even more ostracized by the true-blue Lotus owners than we Caterham imposters were:). Tony Vacarro (sp?), , a longtime Caterham owner/supporter/proselytizer was there too as I recall. He occasionally stumbles onto this forum, tho hasn't been to NJMP. But the instigators of this whole big NJMP gathering of the Se7ens clans were YellowSS and Croc. Big thx to those 2 guys for keeping the flame alive and this event going and growing and getting it better by the year!

A Lancia Stratos sold on BAT for $475K a few weeks ago. So basically I buy a 4C, enjoy it, then in the distant future sell it for 5 or 10x what I paid. I love this plan:). Alpha sold about 650 of these last year in the U.S., so the sales numbers are very small. I couldn't agree more about the alluring shape. Its like a normal sports car went to a body builder for a year of work outs. Definitely keep us updated. As a se7en owner I am hopelessly attracted to cars that fit the definition of "different."

Bob: Did you take the "Slauson cutoff" to get there:)?