11Budlite

Do you have a better photo of the switch? Or if you don't, what does the emblem on the switch look like?

I've driven the Birkin in weather down to 19 degrees on my 15 minute trip to work with just a hooded sweatshirt, down vest, balaclava, and insulated gloves (no heater installed in my Birkin). Any time I've driven longer than that I start to get really cold unless I stop every half hour. I finally decided to check out the Gerbing jacket liner as mentioned by Loren in this thread: http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3187&highlight=gerbing. A few of my motorcycle buddies also swear by them. So I went to a local motorcycle dealer to try one on, and ended up picking up a jacket liner and a temp controller. The installation was real easy and it only draws a little over 6 amps on full power. The first time I used it the temps were in the low 30's, and I was turning it down to 1/3 power after I was about a 1/2 mile from my house. I was totally impressed and also very toasty! I know they're a little pricey, but if you like driving in cold weather like I do, then to me they are a great option. Here's a link to their site: http://www.gerbing.com/index.php They even work in weather like this:

That was hilarious! :smilielol5:

I agree with Mazda, that's a beautiful car! I didn't even know there were any Donkervoorts in the US. Good luck with the sale Jeff.

Looks like it's up for sale again: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-Lotus-Clone-Westfield-SPa-1600_W0QQitemZ230406604681QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item35a54dc789

Found this on Pelican. I guess there have been some people that were looking to shut the track down. There's an on-line petition to help protect it. Even though I've never been there, this is one of my all time favorite tracks. Pétition pour le circuit de Spa Francorchamps"

"Every time I seem to get on a roll, life gets in the way." - I definitely know how you feel. Keep up the good work Glenn, your car is looking great!

Probably one of those early 1.6 liter models with an automatic!

Thanks for the compliment Geoff. Looking at cars for sale is the only shopping I like to do! The Birkin is sold, waiting transport to it's new owner. Thanks

Welcome Greg. Not trying to be a smarta$$, but they look backwards to me. Maybe it's because it's a RHD car....

It looks like it's on Ebay again: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-7-Series-IV-1-8-Liter-BMW-Turbo-Seven_W0QQitemZ150390848528QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2303fe3c10

Arya - OMG that hurts!! All this time I was calling it my Big Bad Man Machine!

Al - I have no personal experience with these but they're available at Roger Kraus Racing. Looks like they have a couple different compounds in the 175/70HR13 size which should work on a 5" rim. They'd look sweet with those wobbly webs, but not inexpensive! http://www.rogerkrausracing.net/files/34184291.pdf They're also available at Aim Tire but only by special order: http://www.aimtire.com/typ_category.asp?ObjectID=6682

Nice job on the write-up Skip, but I would change this: "If the car has an automatic transmission, pull the dipstick and check the cleanliness of the oil. Smell the oil when the transmission is hot. If it smells at all burnt, walk away and find another. If you see sparkling metallic particles, walk away" To this: "If the car has an automatic transmission, walk away"

Good for him....I'm impressed!! :cooldude:

Looks like a nice turnout! Thanks for sharing!

:iagree: Good for him!!

It looks like it's back on Ebay. $19,500 Buy It Now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Caterham-7-Kit_W0QQitemZ190350398610QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2c51c49492

Andrew7 - That barn has a lot of potential! :cooldude: My cousin once converted a barn into a home and it came out beautiful. I still keep an eye out for barns for sale when I'm driving in the country...

Mike - No reason to apologize when it's the truth!

I'm guessing #1098, without driver.

I thought I'd share my latest towing experience with my Honda Ridgeline and USA7's Mission trailer. The first time I towed my trailer/Birkin combo I got just under 15mpg on the way to Carlisle when the Ridgeline had appr 2400 miles on it. I took it up to Buffalo in July with 8500 miles on it, and got 20.5 mpg with the unloaded trailer and 17.2 with the Birkin loaded on the way back. This was doing right around 65-68 mph. I had heard that the Ridgeline fuel mileage improves once you got past 7500 miles and my experience seems to verify that. It really makes a very good light/medium-duty tow package. I was able to put the gearbox and many other parts in the huge trunk under the bed, strap the motor in the bed with some other containers, and throw all the paperwork and clean parts under the back seat. The Ridgeline is very comfortable to drive, excellent in the rain and snow, and pulls my car/trailer combo like it's not there other than downshifting into 4th gear, and sometimes 3rd gear, when going up an incline on the highway. It might not be a torque-monster, and I don't think I'd like pulling the 5000# limit, but it suits my needs perfectly.

Thanks for the kind words guys. :blush: Sale pending. I will contact the 2nd in line if it falls through.

Some photos of the engine and gearbox:

Thanks for all the photos and the write-up, that looked like a fun time! I picked up a Gerbing jacket liner and temp controller in anticipation of driving to NJ on Sunday morning to check out WTR and go along for part of the drive. Unfortunately as soon as the jacket started heating up, the clutch started acting up and I wasn't able to make it. :banghead: Oh well, hopefully you'll do it again next year...