panamericano

" you did not stink out the plane with that stuff, did you? :eek:" You talk about stinking up a plane? Must be some tame chili. Returning from the Terlingua Chili Cookoff, we stopped at Big Bend National Park. I ran every man out of the large Gent's Room. My buddy outside said they came out screaming and saying someone should go check on me. Terlingua is the best. Start the tequila AT 8:00 AM then commence the chili tasting! Viva Terlingua!

Croc, About your comment on the A110. I had a Dinalpin in the long ago. It handled great. When I first came to the US for good (at 19), I tried a Lotus Europa. It had nothing on my Dinalpin. The car had previously been a racer, I watched it at the Magdalena Mixhuca racing against Freddie Van Beuren's GT350 (SCCA B Prod. champion). Ate the Mustang in the twisty bits and then the Shelby would blast past on the main straight. -Mark

"This weeks finds: NEW..." Great job Croc. Five new ones this week. Love the aluminium work on that Locost.

Croc, Since it is in TEXAS, I shall be glad to hang a paper tag on it and drive it to you, personally. -Mark

" A Caterham just for Panamericano following his comment above" Thanks, Croc. That is the best price I've seen for a Caterham. Hell, I paid ten times that for my Birkin.

One from our sister station, for our lookers who cannot afford one of those over priced factory kits: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=19350&sid=45315c256552cb10da33f43bb497ff8d

Andy, I have brought in a lot of cars, and you will need to be persistent and possibly visit various TXDOT and county offices, as the clerks all read the regs differently. You are on the right track to call it parts (body and chassis). I have pulled several perfectly good engines to do so. TXDOT will want it to be a REPLICA of a 60s Lotus Seven, then they will (eventually) register it that way and all you have to comply with are the regs for the year of the original (no smog check). As I recall, in 1965 you needed a L side outer mirror and lap belts. If you go to 1967, you need a crankcase ventilation tube. Checking that is up to the safety sticker inspection station, where you will get a "green sheet" to show the registration people it complies. Don't worry about calling a Series 3 a 1965, we're not concerned with fooling anyone that knows, and the bureaucrats do not know. Since you are coming through a Port of Entry, your receipt for Duties and attached invoices, MSO, etc will be critical. All that needs to read 1965 (or whatever year)Lotus Seven Replica. TXDOT then will have the Fed's word for it that it is so. You must stress to your customs broker that every piece of paper state such. If you have to, go to the Caterham dealer there in Dubai and have him give you a invoice like that... The chassis number must be noted as well. The TXDOT/county tax office may also require the chassis # to be verified by a sworn peace officer (not easy to find one willing). You will need receipts for the engine, etc. after you get them, here. You will pay 6.25% sales tax, at time of purchase or registration. Copies of Lotus period pamphlets, books showing a car similar to yours may help. The section of TXDOT regs on replicas reads quite straight forward, but every clerk complicates it. Don't worry about wasting parts that have no DOT markings. That is irrelevant for the 1960s. Whatever you do, don't let them register it as a "2009/2018 Assembled". You cannot possibly comply with the regulations for that type inspection. Good luck, and persevere. In Harris County you have multiple tax offices to try, they will all be different. Good luck. Mark Late 80's Birkin (aka 1965 Lotus)

Great looking car. I'm a sucker for all that alloy. Emjoy!

Looks like the Darrin got a lot of attention. I've never seen one actually driving around.

Very happy with Hagerty. I got a package that includes 50 miles free towing. The first year I had the Birkin, I had to use that feature. (car is 30 years old, run down, etc.) Good service. Croc referred to "excess liability" If you go through an agent with most of your insurance, you may get an umbrella policy that will actually kick in at a low level. I was able to drop the liability on cars to the state minimum, which saved money toward the umbrella. You cannot have to much liability. You can't have much of accident, with injury, under $50K. The average fatality is now $2-3M.

Croc, "Writing up this post while watching Goodwood live on TV - sensational racing!" Nothing to do with me picking up (at HPB) today a 1985 biography of John Montagu of Beaulieu. A true motoring pioneer. How fortunate we all are that the motoring spirit has lived on in the family. After WW2, it would have been so easy for us to lose all that the Lord and Goodwood have given us.

I went to the first time TWS was closing forever, about 15 years ago. Looks like for real. It does look hopeful that most of the tracks you mentioned are surviving. 30-50 years ago, it seemed a track had to go bankrupt and change hands 2 or 3 time until it was cheap enough to make a going concern. Of course, the emphasis on track days instead of totally irresponsible driving on public roads (hearsay, 5th amendment, etc.) helps add income. Also the huge limits of modern cars compared to the old stuff has an influence there.

As a Solo Safety Steward, I don't have to stand (run) around in the heat. Easy work. I do support the club. Cheap,easy place to play.

Mine ran small.

I unbranded some Puma driving shoes. Any brand that is not giving me money or product does not get free a logo on me. Even at my measly hobbyist level. I just painted the kitty a few times with black shoe dye and polish. The finish does not match perfectly, but I only wear them while driving, so I don't care. You might be able to stitch a groovy patch over a logo. I put an SCCA patch over something else on a nice cap,yellow with a reflective stripe.

Ref: "I agree on buying whatever tools you need, you can never have too many tools." I completely agree. However my son differs. We recently scavenged a building where they told him to take anything he wanted. I got a number of great quality tools and supplies. He jumped on me, saying I should get rid of stuff and have too much already...... I shut him up when I asked where he has to borrow tools, and who seems to usually have the right tool for the job?! UKChris, Hint. Used tools of high quality are often as useful as new, for 10% of the money.

UKChris, Ref: "I think my main debate is a torque wrench, it's pretty clear I need one but there seems to be a very broad cost curve,..." Grassroots had a lab test a couple years ago. The wrenches ranged from $12 Harbor Freight to $100+ as I recall. ALL were within 2% accurate, with no apparent relationship to price. You may want 1/2 inch sockets and wrench. Consider 6 point rather than 12. I use the $12 job, and nothing has fallen off yet. Maybe I should change my screen name to Po Boy 7.

Almost a 7.. It's a 6 on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/2018/03/10/raced-from-new-coventry-climax-powered-1955-lotus-mk-vi/

Congratulations. You will love the experience. Some of us don't get to own what we want till we hit a certain age. I always (still) think how unfair it is that young people can't afford cool sport cars, but us old guys can. Out here, in Texas, the land of giant vehicles, I use a bicycle flag thing to keep from getting run over. Use it on the street as much as you can. It makes the people smile and wave. The bikers get it. Just wait till you get it in your own garage. You have permission to just go out and look at it a couple times a night, cause it's YOURS! -Mark

Croc, Regarding your list. I notice none of yours say "ex". OMG! By the way, I didn't know Holman Moody did any fastbacks that early. Notch backs and Falcons, of course, But, what's the story of the fastback? -Mark

I exported one (yeelow) to a friend in Spain. He says it drives the folks there absolutely crazy!

"I once took a fake cashiers check for a motorcycle, ..." Follow-up. According to a friend in the Secret Service, this is all too common. It can easily be a counterfeit. Especially on the weekend or outside of banking hours. Would you have any idea what a cashiers check from First National Bank of Waco is supposed to look like? I used to be in the motor trade. I would only take a cashiers check during the business day. Before delivery, call the issuing bank, get a officer and inform them that the check is being negotiated and in collection. I far prefer cash. Don't look rich and no one knows what you are carrying. I would rather fly and drive, or fly and rent a one way Uhaul truck. I have bought long distance, as many said, you may have a good feeling. Get a friend or someone to go see it, at least. Or ask the seller to take it to an authorized dealer for a pre-buy inspection on a production car With a valuable car, I sat in the seller's office talking and drinking coffee for 2 hours until he could confirm the wire came through. A domestic wire should not take longer, and it can be sped up by getting the Fed tracking number, then the receiving bank can suck it in. Be careful and be happy. I once took a fake cashiers check for a motorcycle, I once took a fake cashiers check for a motorcycle,

The garage is great, much better that my measly one. But be careful with the rehydration process. Plain water applied topically will do more harm that good. You will need to do an IV drip. It is critical to get the proper minerals. Good luck.

Would a central backbone in aluminum work, instead of wide sides? Like the Elan, Renault Alpine, Europa?

Do I read that correctly? Texas #1. OK, 47th in education, but #1 in roads? It must be biased towards miles, as we have a lot of those. But, best for driving? Only if you're asleep. All straight lines. You could count the curves on one hand per day. Not the best for car nuts. Great in a cop-spec company car, but sucks in a Birkin.