b10bt

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/caterham-7-special-outfitted-by-lambretta/

Using Google Translation: http://tinyurl.com/lwzvym

Beautiful and functional! I like it.

Fifth Gear: Lotus Exige S vs Caterham 260 Superlight -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reviewed here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JldoEhkWZ1w Both are fast. One was 2.5 seconds faster on a rainy track.

"So my next question is out of curiosity, not loyalty. Did it meet your expectations, or will you be looking for something with a different personality?" Personally, I think the Brunton is the best value in the Se7en world right now. I admire Dennis' out-of-the-box thinking in using a truck engine designed for torque over a high revving 4 cylinder or motorcycle engine. Parts are abundant, easy to modify, inexpensive. It is the abundant torque that makes the car such a good daily driver. The Stalker I was riding in had only 2500 miles with a new crate engine from GM. It also had a 4.11 rear end. Much too short to be useful in my opinion. The weight is around what a Roadsport SV would be (some caterhams advertise a lower weight that is optimistic when actually weighed). My impressions were that the ride was not too harsh but definitely on the sporting side. Going fast merely required tapping the pedal - especially with the low rear end. There were no unusual chassis noises. The seller's wiring could have been a little neater. Only squeeking was attributed by seller to the rear drum shoes where the lubricant had worn off. Everything was simple to access and adjust. The Brunton designed exhaust was the right blend of sporty yet not so loud as to annoy the entire neighborhood (I have no tolerance for straight piped Harleys who are totally inconsiderate). We were able to carry on a conversation while driving albeit with raised voices since it was an open top vehicle. Still within my parameters of comfort. The weather was too cold to push the car as the road conditions had varying patches of frost and wet spots. I like the car. In Canada, the options of having a Se7enesque car is limited to a only a few choices. A true Caterham fully built would cost between $60,000 to $75,000. A no-name COLD version would cost around $15,000. If I wanted Brunton-like performance, it would cost about twice of that. I could get a Deman Motorsports kit but with an SR27 Nissan car engine, the cost is again in the $20,000s at least. I don't think an NA engine from a Miata donor would have the torque-to-weight ratio I desire. By the way, I should mention that the Stalker shifter has a very unique and pleasant feel due to its configuration. Instead of a Miata-car snick-snick short throw feel, the Stalker's shifter has a floating-slot-in feel due to the way the rod linkage is connected back to the shifting mechanism. It kind of feels like the way you would shift the bolt action of a single round rifle. A "straight in" chamber effect. I would have to buy\makeup some side doors and canvas tarp over the car. I would also need to move the seat forward from the bulkhead (I'm 5'6). While the accelerator and brakes are fine, the maximum travel of the clutch puts the pedal beyond my reach in the seat's current position. I could easily see myself in a Stalker. It the right car for me, but the timing is not ideal. So I think this is one where I have to sit and wait for a better time on my part.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I was able to ride as a passenger in a Stalker 3.4 V6 with the seller driving.

Thanks Darrin.

Could you describe some build details such as: - final drive \ rear differential ratio? - Positrak or limited slip differential? - Size of wheels, type of wheels and current tires Can you also post some pics of the car, front on and shot of the rear? Thanks, Victor looking-for-a-stalker B10BT

Slngsht, your comment about the 4.11 is duly noted. Thanks a lot!

Just bought the magazine yesterday. Superior reading than any US-based automobile rag so far. Much more European in approach and even the editorials are interesting. I love the throwback to 80's cars, bits of racing history, rally stuff. Bascially I think they looked at everything the other mags were not providing and covered it. Much more interesting reading than just looking at comparison graphs like CD & RT. CR\RT are so alike and their covered of vehicles so identical that when you look at one, you have read the other. No soul, no personality. From what I have seen of 0-60 so far, I really like it. The photography is very good as well. The other matter is that the content and articles show some originality and creativity.

Thanks jbanker. I have used your pic as my desktop wallpaper to keep me inspired!! Current owner tells me the 4.11 is so low, he starts in 3rd gear. So yes, 4.11 is a bit too low to be useful. However, the important thing is for me to get the car first and tinker later! I am so conflicted between trying to be financially responsible and wanting a car of my dreams...

Thank you for all your responses. I am trying very hard to get this car as I have explained above, getting a kit car in BC is not a simple matter. Will keep you updated as to what happens. Andrew7, thanks for your encouragement. Do share the photos once yours is complete! zbxb, you have a PM.

No, no. I meant driving the Stalker compared to a Caterham say SV R300, SV Roadsport, Westfield Miata, Birkin, W2K - other seven or sevenesque cars. I have experience with 911, 911 Turbos, Viper, Corvettes, Murcielagos and Alpinas... Driving a Seven is appealing because it is very unlike the cars I've listed above. There is also something very appealing about a back-to-basics car without power windows, er, windows, a carburetor with a lovely induction sound and without a ton of electronic gadgets. The only concession I will add to my 7 is a GPS unit like a Garmin and a cellphone charger for safety.

Your Cat SV looks beautiful! The red interior really sets it off. Congrats.

Tnanks for the replies everyone. I live in Vancouver, Canada (pacific northwest). Call me crazy but I intend to buy a seven to drive daily to and from work. It will not be to race other cars. I might take it out for track days and HPDE events but will not race in SCCA, Solo II or other type events. That is why the idea of a car engine for a daily driver appeals to me. In British Columbia Canada, we face an unusual challenge in obtaining a sevenesque car. Canada does not allow us to import a whole kit car from anywhere in the world. You must bring it in in parts and bits and pieces. However, I can buy a seven which has already been titled as a 1960's Lotus Seven for example. It is rather complicated. In BC, if you build a car from parts, it is classified as a UBILD (you build. Get it?) vehicle. An independent safety inspection will scrutinize items like the upper\lower control arms, axle, brakes, pedal assembly, steering rack and other such items to make sure you have not compromised their integrity for safety reasons. An unaccomodating inspector can completely derail your attempts to register your car. There are other issues such as functional windshield wipers, demister (cigarette lighter powered fan qualifies), bumpers, etc. It is not a simply open and shut case. Therefore, buying an already assembled car which has been previously registered in the province is very attractive as I don't have to pass any inspection to insure the car for the road. I would outfit any seven I buy with a canvas top and side doors since the weather here is rainy. The one I am looking at has a 4.11 rear end final drive with a limited slip differential. The Brunton Stalker appeals to me because its inexpensive, parts are accesible and plentiful and seem to be well regarded in the 7-community especially after their showing at Run and Gun and Tail of the Dragon. In an ideal world, I would also love a Deman SR27 but I believe it is outside my price range. Ditto the Hayabusa Deman. Genuine Caterhams are available from Vancouver island but they start at $55,000 and go up from there. Is driving a Stalker a very unrefined driving experience? How does it compare in refinement compared to other makes? Al, your comment about what Jeff U said is a very strong endorsement. I am surprised. That must be due to the chassis design of the Stalker, it's rigidity, suspension pickup points and so forth. The engine being a GM standard unit, is unlikely to be a star here other than providing gobs of torque. It doesn't even use an IRS. Very likely the Stalker is an example of where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. None of the parts are particularly exotic, yet the whole seems to work exceedingly well. My other car is a 1990 BMW Alpina B10 BiTurbo. If any of you are BMW fans, there way a writeup on this car in Bimmer Oct 2007 and a smaller writeup in the current issue of Roundel. It has about a 10.2 lbs/HP ratio. Engine produces 360 HP/ 384 TQ. Photos here: http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35965

Would Brunton owners and others who have driven a Stalker (non-supercharged version) care to give their driving impressions and thoughts regarding Stalkers? I am interested in a Stalker that is for sale in my area and am trying to do my research. The main source of info has been the stalker website. Unfortunately there aren't traditional automotive car reviews or test drives of our beloved seven car kits. How is maintenance on Stalkers? Comparisons to say a Deman SR27 other car-based engines would be welcome. Thanks, Victor

I swear I will get one, one day.

You have a beautiful car!

Caterham doesn't officially make a BEC that is why its not available. Super7cars offers standard Caterham cars as well as their own version of a Caterham BEC which you see in the video. Why do some say that BEC do not make daily drivers? Can a person drive a BEC as a DD?

You are correct Al. That's David's outfit. The car's spec is here: http://www.super7cars.com/Super7_GSX1300R_Hayabusa.html