Donnie

Saw this on Ebay. For the 7 nut with too much time on his (her) hands. Don http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=&item=220170053535

Thanks. Certainly learning a lot about oil. Don

What weight oil is everyone using in their 1700 Kent. The manual calls for 15W40 which is diesel oil. I've run Castrol 10W40 since buying the car 10 months ago and everything seems to be fine. Thanks for any thoughts. Don

:cheers: We made another publication! check the latest issue of Caterham Life (contained in the Caterham UK website) I wrote this some time ago (July) and some of my facts (factoids) have since been updated but hey, notoriety is notority. Right? Don

By the way, Al. I sent R&T a bunch of photos to choose from. Mine was in most (of course). Yours in a few. Guess we both got shut out.:nonod:

The subject R&T issue is November. Just got my issue last Saturday. I also wrote a short article with a few pics for Caterham Life. They requested this so I assume it will be published. Just saw the Sept. edition and it's not there so look for it in the 10/07 issue. It's accessed online through Caterham.uk.com.

FYI Steve, The Infiniti G35X is AWD.:cheers:

Steve You really should drive the Infifiti G35. We just bought an Acura TL (wife's choice) but I much preferred the Infifiti. Superior ride and handling. Plus, I also feel that a car with this much power should drive the rear wheels. Neither one of us cared for the Lexus. Too soft. Good luck. Don

I'd be willing to help Rod with SE coordination. The Sept. issue of Classic Motorsports has a cool article on a Cobra (the real ones) blat (I guess for a Cobra it would be BLAT) through the North Carolina Mountains. Looked like fun. Don

See! Ford was right. Need more "Road Holding Weight"

How about meeting at a scheduled British Car Show. Bowie, Md., Richmond, Va., Carlisle, Pa. come to mind but I'm sure there are lots of others. I know that still doesn't help the folks on the left coast. Kind of short notice for this year but we could go in 2008. Don

Glad you finally got legal. Nice car. Was expecting a major problem with my Caterham that I "imported" from Virginia to Tennessee (built in North Carolina). Turned out to be a piece of cake. When the clerk asked how many doors it had the troublemaker in me wanted to say none but I thought better of it. Don

I have written a short article documenting our celebration at the Dragon and sent it as well as a few pics to Caterham Life. Thanks for you help, Steve. :cheers: Don Freeman

:crazy: Wanted to make it clear that I was not trying to pass the buck on this one. I just felt that any info of this sort concerning USA7s should be approved by some designated persona. It's easy to forget that, at 400 strong, this is no longer a casual, little group. I would be happy to run with this one. Or perhaps Steve. At least he speaks the language:jester: :jester: Don

Googling around a few days ago I came across a link to "Caterham Life" which is evidently being published monthly again after a lengthy absense. The July issue spoke of a Factory Tour over the weekend of 9/15-16 in connection with the 50 year celebration. Since I'm busy that weekend I emailed the contact person to ask if it would be feasable to do a virtual tour for internet distribution for those of us unable to attend. I also gave him a brief rundown of our gettogether on 7/7/07. He got back and was receptive to the virtual tour idea. He was also interested in our 50th aniversary Dragon celebration and asked if I would forward a blurb describing it and some pictures. Sounds likea great oportunity to get some global coverage for USA7s. However, I feel that maybe ther would be someone more qualified than I (Al?, Mazda?, John?). The email contact at Caterham is adamh@caterham.co.uk. I am available to assist in this and will follow this thread. Don Freeman The following is Andy's response to my inquiry: Hi Don, I'll see what we can come up with re virtual tour of the factory. In the mean time, if you would like to put pen to paper re your gathering in Tennessee with a few pics attached, I'll see what I can do to put it in next months Caterham Life. Regards Andy

School system wise, you are making the proper decision. I atended the Montgomery Co. public school system K thru 12 and, from what I see and read down here, the Md. schools are far superior. Get the kids through school and come on down. Don

:_deadhorse: Googled "frame flex" and got lots of interesting stuff. ie. http://forums.caranddriver.com/auto/board/message?board.id=6&thread.id=73055&page=2 Seems that Ford uses a fully boxed frame whereas Toyota opts for a C section. Never would have thought that frame flex could be that dramatic, having always owned those rigid British cars :cheers: Don

Amazing!! Not in the market for a PU but the mid frame flex is intriging. How do they do that? Don

We have schools down here.

OK. Here goes. I started out as a child. Born in Washington DC, raised in nearby Maryland suburbs and moved to Northern Va. in the early 70's. Got my first Brit car in 1965 (a '57 Morris Minor) since then I've had 3 Sprites, an MG Midget, 2 Spitfires, a TR4, a Ford Cortina GT (my first Kent engine) and several other cars not worthy of mention. Participated in SCCA production car racing in the DC Region pit crewing for various people/cars. I found that to be the cheapest way to get see the races up close. Autocrossed my Cortina and a '69 Sprite in the early '70s (I sucked). Married (again) in 1992, retired from the DC Metro (subway) in 2001. Convinced Corky to quit cleaning teeth in '03 and moved everything to Loudon, Tennessee. 45 minutes from Tail Of The Dragon. Have wanted a Lotus 7 ever since I saw my first one race at Marlboro Raceway about 1959. Cheers Don Freeman

:hurray: I turned 49K miles on the way to Tapoco on 7/6. I'm the third owner (a '92 Caterham). The 1st owner built it in '92 and sold it within a year. The second owner, who lived in Williamsburg Va., put 48,000 + on it and sold it to me in Jan. '07 after a complete Chip Bond rebuild. I've still getting acclimated but I love it. My last Brit sports car was a Frog Eye which I sold prior to moving to Tn. 4 years ago. I can't be the high mileage champ at only 49,000. Donnie

You go girl. Corky wouldn't even ride in my Frog Eye Sprite. She rode in the Seven once before 7-7-7, around our subdivision (30 MPH max). She kept saying "Slow down for the next corner, OK". She did one of the 7-7-7 tours on Saturday and, although she didn't complain (much) I know she didn't enjoy it. In her defense, I don't know if I would be comfortable in a Seven at speed with someone else in control. Come to think of it, I should be nervous with me in control. Don Freeman

I'm also missing, Al. Didn't trust my tires in the rain. Got within 2 miles of the photo site and saw cars coming at me. Don Freeman

Thanks to all who responded. Bought an Odyssey 680, although didn't get it mounted in time for the Tail of the Dragon trip last weekend. Incredible weekend. Already looking forward to next year. Maybe the two pounds I save on the Odyssey will make me competitive in the autocross. :crazy:

:cheers: Anyone found a small battery that works well in the Caterham. Currently using a Lawn & Garden which works well but needs trickle charge for extended down times. Mine is mounted under the Webers so size is a major consideration.