Al N.

UPDATE: SALE FINALIZED. I don't know when or if I'll own another Seven. But it's been a fun 20 or so years in the hobby. Great group of people.

UPDATE: CAR IS ON HOLD WITH DEPOSIT

Thanks for sharing this sad news. I met Skip when I flew out to rendezvous with Gert and a few touring folks out West (Beartooth Pass was one of the drives, IIRC). He actually let me drive his car for a stint. He certainly had his share of stories!

Bumping this in the hopes of someone from/connected to club has interest...will probably consign with local dealer at beginning of November. Also dropped the asking price.

Had the car out for a few hours this weekend. Always a joy — and people continue to love it.

@BugeyeKat Sending you an email now. Thanks for your interest.

Bumping this because, amazingly, car is still available! I'm open to reasonable offers...

I'll write more when I have time, but here's part of the story from someone who was "in the room where it happened." The genesis for the forum/club was a small get-together held in 2006 of a few Mid-Atlantic folks who connected using that Yahoo listserve that Croc mentioned. I think there were 5-6 cars at that initial meet-up at Skyline Drive. Two Rotus cars (Roti?) and 3-4 Caterhams? Anyway, we had a blast (until the park police caught up with us, at least!) and talked about doing it again in a bigger way. Attendee and British expat Steve T. mentioned that 2007 was the 50th anniversary of the Seven, and so we targeted a 07/07/07 date and went to work, with Mazda and I doing a lot of the recon and organization for the event, and many others joining as charter members to form the club (for liability/insurance/tax purposes), and many more helping make that Tail of the Dragon meet a reality. This was back in the days when ToTD wasn't as famous or popular as it is now. The "7 with tail" logo was made for that event, and the block USA7s logo for the club.

@BugeyeKat — Yes, the car is still available...lots of views, but few actual inquiries.

Thanks Henry! FYI that I removed the frame tag image based on the discussion about Chassis Plates/Frame Tags where someone mentioned keeping that info more private. My car has a replacement front frame section so that number has been welded in from the original. It does begin with a "B".

Visited the car today and took more pix.

Too kind! As you know, your 1997 was the inspiration for the car's colorway. I do think Nathan helped out a little in the early stages of the rebuild. In terms of weight, I have the numbers somewhere...from when I had the car cornerweighted after installing the new shocks/springs. I'll try to find it, but if I remember, it's lower than 1200 lbs. Maybe in the 10XX range?

Thanks John. It's true, sadly. But who knows how long I can go without one! I'll shoot you some pix via email. Thanks again for offering to list it.

Yes, it’s true. I am putting up “Bessie” for sale. Some changes in priorities — plus the fact that I just don’t use it enough. As one of the founding members of the USA7s club, I’m a known entity and so is this car (my second Seven, btw). That said, if you’re looking for an all-original car, this isn’t it. It was a “bitsa” when I first bought into it as a rebuild project and it continues to be. It is a well-finished and strong-running car that’s been well sorted out over my 10 years of ownership. Think of it as a vintage-looking (and driving) car that's had some very nice upgrades to make it safer/more reliable/higher-performing. Car is currently garaged in Bucks County, PA. Can take/supply more pics and info on request. A few more notes: - Car carries build plate SB1341 - RHD - Under total 4000 miles since restoration/rebuild - Was restored/rebuilt by RMSCI/Caterham USA between 2010 and 2013, including a replacement “long front” chassis from Caterham, and complete reskin - Was Ali/Yellow from factory, repainted in “Ford Black” with Colorado Orange noseband and wheels - Runs magnesium “Wobbly Web” wheels that are vintage repro from Lee Chapman Racing — note that I sold the newer Dave Bean-sourced spare I had as a fellow Sevener needed one and I never liked that it didn’t totally match the other four wheels (only really noticeable if you closely examined back of wheel). If I was keeping the car, I’d get a steel Triumph wheel and paint it Colorado Orange for a spare. - Car has Avon CR6zz tires (including one for a spare wheel) - Originally equipped with a 1340 Cosworth Pre-Crossflow engine…now with a 1500 Pre-Crossflow (using original dual Weber DCOE 40s) dry-sump motor rebuilt by Savannah Race Engineering (Ted Wenz) in 2016. According to an email from Ted, engine dyno’d at 120.3 hp @ 6700 rpm/peak torque 110 ft lb @ 4900 rpm. - 4-Speed Ford Transmission - When the car was being rebuilt, we put in a Chris Beebe rear axle…I thought (and still think) his solution was the most elegant of the reinforced axles - Front disk brake conversion in 2021 (using brackets from Canley Classics, UK and stainless calipers and slotted rotors from British Parts Northwest). I cannot overstate how much this change makes the car much more usable/safe. - Newer (but correct) Spax shocks and springs - Replacement 10-gallon fuel tank by Axminster Specialist Panels — note that this sits in a custom-made subframe so the original tank frame is intact - Will come with vintage canvas top (it has side lights, so I’m assuming not original…I think they added those later in production) plus a newer vinyl top sourced from Redline - Repro Elan 26R Steering Wheel from R. Dent (13") - Recent replacement seat covers sourced from UK - Repro Wingard tailamps (have originals/vintage units...which are hazy) - Black/silver nose badge (as I felt the correct green/yellow would clash with black/orange paint scheme) - Will come with two unpainted wider front fenders (front track got a bit wider after the disk brake conversion so front wheels extend past current fenders a little) - Will come with custom car cover (for indoor use) - Looked after by Exoticars USA (Frenchtown, NJ) and Ragtops & Roadsters (Perkasie, PA) - Car just out of service that included rebuild of rear axle/brakes POA. Not interested in trades.

Thanks for the ping, John! Yes, this is all VERY old news. Hoping all are well. FYI...

John Viviani reminded me that today is the 15th anniversary of a mixed marque meet a few of us put together for the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Seven. Owners came from all over the country to converge on Tail of the Dragon for a few days of driving and camaraderie. A few of the folks in this group shot (taken just after our "non-parade" run of the Dragon...about 50 Sevens nose-to-tail in total) are no longer with us, but it's a nice way to remember that while the cars are great, it's really the people that make the hobby. Hoping you all are well.

No connection to seller (that I know of). But yes, certainly "in the neighborhood".

Great to see you guys there. Hopefully I'll see you in a few weeks down at NJMP.

See you guys there!

I'll be there tomorrow, with "Bessie".

Finally made time to read Sam's piece. Loved it. Here's what I was trying to get at in my post above: "You get out of the thing after a good, hard stomp down a back road and feel physically drained, at one with the essence of travel." I have to be in the mood to drive the Seven (and also to deal with the after effects). That's really why I don't drive it as much as I should.

I love Sam and have met him IRL, but IMO just because I don't put a ton of miles on my Seven doesn't mean I didn't buy the right car. Or even the right Seven. Both of the Sevens (a Caterham and now a 1961 Series 2) that I've owned are much more like motorcycles than they are cars. In the sense that I am exposed to the elements so much more — which is a good thing and a bad thing. Bad in the sense that driving the cars can beat you up more than any mainstream car. I often exit my car windburned, sunburned, and smelling like gasoline/oil...grinning ear to ear, of course, but nonetheless less a little worse for wear. And yes, I've done BIG drives in both cars...driving the Cat down to Shenandoah NP and back from NJ and the Lotus from Denver to LA over the course of 3 days. To get back to the question, I've got 3334 miles on the odo. I've had the car on the road (bought into it as an "in rebuild" project) since 2013.

Al Navarro lives! Glad to see that the Forum is still alive and well. Warming up here in NJ...will try to get the car out as soon as my driveway turns from mud to regular dirt!

Just saw this posted regarding memorial service: "Sat the 24th at 9am is the gathering and at 10am is the memorial service both open to family and friends. Heffner Funeral Home on Kenneth Rd in York Pa. Following is the burial at the cemetery open to family only." If I was not out of town, I would be attending. With my Seven.