Birkin42

Most of the parts that would be subject to wear and tear would be from a donor vehicle. Most driveline, suspension and brake stuff on a Deman is from T-Birds though I think some of his later cars were Miata. This particular car though I'm 99% certain was built in the UK so Dan would have used some other donor parts. What these would be and how available they could make sourcing replacements inconvenient if that vehicle was not imported into NA, but not impossible. Where you will have to be more creative are the in-house made parts like the frame, body panels, some suspension parts, etc. These could be repaired or fabricated but someone with reasonable skills and equipment. Not convenient but not impossible either. I think for a lot in the 7 community, these are par for the course. Consider it character compared to most mass market vehicles these days that are commodity.

That Deman is Dann's first car. He actually built in the UK and had it shipped into Canada. I think he got lucky getting it in without hassles. If it different in many ways from all the other Deman's Dann's built. It has a DeDion rear end instead of twin A-arm for example. It's been a few years since I've seen that particular 7 but it was decent. I believe the current owner has done a number of things to the car to make it more of a street car as it originally didn't have windscreen, mirrors, etc. This car is definitely an option worth looking into. I have heard that Deman is no longer making 7's. Another option is http://www.super7cars.com/. These guys are out in BC and are primarily building turn key busa powered Caterham's if I recall correct. I don't know what the issues are with bringing in one of these from BC to ON. I also know that Dick Brink from Texas Motor Works has set up Richard Wyly in Alberta as a Canadian Birkin dealer. He can be reached at glassguy100@gmail.com. I haven't talked with Richard since April and at that time he had not imported his first kits yet, though he had 3 coming in. Good luck with your search. Jack

Can you use the parts from the top (Trecel) rack to rebuild the Rotus rack? The middle rack is not useable unless you want to make your car right hand drive or reversed steering. Have you taken apart your rack to see what is worn or making the clicking sound?

If the pinion is on the wrong side of the rack, I would assume this would reverse the steering unless you swap front to back which side of the front upright the tie rod fastens to. That would be interesting to drive!

Looks great on the car Dave. I bought my RPF1's from Good-Win as well. Great to deal with and good prices. They were also the only NA source for the wider European size 16x8 that I found. The RPF1's use a hubcentric ring so easy to adapt to the 60mm Birkin hubs. Jack

I figure it is going to be a life changing experience. I have a few friends that are in the same boat with having their first when they are in their 40's so that should help. Yup I'm putting an S2000 engine and trany in a Birkin and building my own DeDion rear suspension. I'm not aware of anyone else who has tried to put this engine/trany is an original size 7, but I assume there are others out there. It's a tight fit. The engine and transmission now fit in the chassis and the stock hood will just clear once I trim down the valve cover. The diff and rear suspension mounts are now also in the chassis and I'm working on the axle and other rear suspension pieces. Jack

Bruce, No problem taking a picture of them once on the car, but you will likely be waiting a while. Progress was good through the winter but life has been busy with work, stuff around the house and a baby 6 weeks away keeping my occupied. The chassis mod's are done and am currently working on the rear suspension. Still a fairly long list of things to do after that. Having fun working on it when time permits though I can't wait to get the car on the road. I'm getting a small shop set up at work with a lathe, mill and CNC milling center so these will come in handy as the project progresses. If in the mean time you want any pictures or measurements off the wheels, let me know. Jack

I have a set of RPF1's for my car. The quality is great and I hear they are pretty strong with the rolled rims. A pretty good value too for the weight compared to forged or 3 pc wheels. Just need to make or find a center cap since they don't make them for the 15" size. I went with 15x7x35mm offset for the front and 16x8x38mm offset for the rear and plan to run 205/50/15 ft and 225/45/16 rears. Jack

An important point to consider since you are in Canada is importation of a kit or complete car. Bringing in a rolling chassis or complete 7 into Canada, or at least Ontario is never going to happen with current regulations. I had my Birkin chassis disassembled and brought in as parts. If you want to go new and don't want to deal with finding a way to bring in a dis-allowed car, your options in Canada are very limited. There is Caterham dealer out west http://www.super7cars.com/, Deman, and I know of a guy out in Alberta that is being set up as a Birkin deal, though he hasn't brought a single car in yet and I'm not sure he know's what he's in for. There use to be a Caterham dealer in Calidonia but he has closed up. Bringing in a car or complete kit from the US, UK or any other place outside Canada is a real problem that is not likely going to change any time soon. Of course if you are looking at a car that is 15 years old or older, there is no problem bringing it in. I believe Super7Cars is only selling turn key 7's. This may be a good option though I don't know what the issues are of bringing a car from BC to Ontario. I believe Deman is willing to sell a car as turn key or at least near and are local, so that might be a good option for you. Of course finding a used car you like is always a great place to start but there is slim pickings in Canada. You can try to bring one across the border but you are rolling the dice that it won't get impounded if it is newer then 15 years old. Good luck. Jack

I've race a motorcycle there many times and is my favourite track. Once I get my car done (don't ask about the progress) I'd love to take it there. Definitely worth the drive (13 hours). I have never heard of track days there but an not really in touch on that front. Probably the biggest issue would be the number of people required to run it since it's a 4 mile track with most of it out of view.

Can the pedals be adjusted or modified to give you spacing you are looking for?

This looks like a smoking deal particularly if it includes most or all of the 'Group' though Dennis doesn't say.

Thanks Bruce for the update. Cutting the hole oversized is not a big deal. In fact I have to replace the rear aluminum panel on my car size it was damaged by the shipping company so I thought now would be a good time to make the change to a nicer cap while I'm at it. Jack

I''d love to have a nice tube bender, but so far only have the need to make one bend of about 90 degrees in a 1" OD tube where I need a center line radius of 5.5" or fairly close to. I have a hard time justifying spending the kind of money for a bender with die to make a desent bend for the sake of 1 bend. I had thought about looking for a shop with a tube bender but I fear my need for the specific bend radius which seems large for the size of tube will be a tough find. I also thought about using an electrical conduit bender but fear they won't be strong enough and/or will kink the tube. Any thoughts or suggestions that won't break the bank?

Thanks Bruce, I had seen those caps at BAT as well. Nice caps but not cheap! I wasn't sure if there were any other good quality aero caps on the market. I have seen a few but the ones from Mocal look like what I'm looking for. Knowing what size fits right in is helpful. I want to order a Laminova oil cooler from them as well so I was hoping to combine the order. Jack

Congratulations. My wife and I are expecting our first in late August. Since I don't have my Birkin together yet the issue of a child seat for it really isn't an issue for me. I'm hoping to get as much done before she arrives or I think it is going to drag out my build even further. All my chassis work to get the S2K engine and trany in are done as well as the independant diff in the rear. I'm now working on the DeDion axle and links. A long to-do list after that still. Jack

Great to see you have it together and looking awesome. It looks like you replaced the stock Birkin fuel cap for a much better looking one. What make/model is it? What was required to install it? Where did you buy it? Jack

Nice 7 but this picture always reminds me of the size compared to regular road vehicles.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1830306746_IMG_1700.jpg

Thanks for the link to the previous thread.

I am considering harnesses for my car but don’t know too much about them. My Birkin came stock with a standard 3 point lap and shoulder belt but I would like the ability to put in a proper racing harness for track days etc. What do people typically run, 4, 5, 6 point harnesses? What brand and models are recommended? How are the crutch or thigh straps routed and anchored? At this point I am mostly concerned about the last question in that if it would be beneficial to add anchors onto the chassis, now would be a good time for me. Jack

What is the bolt pattern and offset for these wheels?

Since they are using a Porsche transaxle that there should be a variant that could handle the torque of the LS2 or LS7 though it may not be a drop in.

With the engine weigh just 90 kg and all that carbon fibre I would have thought the car would come in under 550 kg though.

I remember years ago a guy who got himself on every mailing list he could get on. You ask why! He then took all this junk mail and made it into pressed logs and used it to heat his house. He more or less collected enough junk mail through the year to heat his house for the winter. Not too much help for those down in the sunny south, but not a half bad idea for the rest. Now what to do with all the junk emails!

You could try the factory Birkin seats. I'm sure they wouldn't be too difficult to get hold of since a lot of owners seem have swapped them out. Maybe you might find them acceptable for comfort. I have the new version (2003) and am hoping they are better comfort wise then the earlier ones that most seem to have. Otherwise I too may be swapping them out. I have to get the car on the road first though.