Al N.

BTW, what events are people signing up for? I am about to fill out my form and send in, and want to hang out with all the cool people (that means anyone who has, wants, or has had a seven, of course)!

The 6 speed is teh hotness, btw. Though at highway speeds it is buzzy...also, don't get thrown by the rattling at rest with clutch out (pedal not depressed). They all do that...

That was out in CA? Just curious.

We've got a few BEC folks here, btw.

Try it in the rain for 7 hours, without full doors. One of best driving days of my life. I found that the trucks were very sympathetic to my cause...most gave me a very wide berth and honked their horn approvingly. You'll get used to the size of car relative to other vehicles soon enough. Congrats on the new purchase. And regarding your top...maybe the solution is to keep it under 80! ;-p

The sump guard they did for me looked a little more robust (not diamond plate)...perhaps overkill. I'll look for a photo or perhaps Morgan can take a shot. It attached at the rear using bolts on the transmission housing. Your front plate bracket looks a little more robust than my old one, which Morgan took off immediately!

I'm sure there's a clubber in the area who might lend the use of his/her trailer...

how is it titled?

Croc...did you get a sump guard while you were at it? My old guard made by the same shop was very very sano. Would be a great semi-mass produced piece.

I see some familiar faces at that table!

Where are the pix, Phil!!!! Car-less schmos demand as much Se7en porn as possible!

Jack...I have the shield here in the office...I'll mail it out today. Looks just as "nice" as the one on Croc's car.-Al

Guys, I can send you my mailing address via PM. BTW, Skip, I have a data sheet for you...I meant that for any of the newer folks.

I had that light on my Audis and Volvos, so I think it's a European thing...I like the added security in deep fog. However, I was once pulled over by a trooper who thought that my other brake light was out...I toggled it on and off, and was sent on my way with an apologetic wave and no ticket.

I hope I am so lucky, come July 3...congrats old buddy. Thanks again for getting this whole "Rotus owners forum" started many moons ago.

Folks- Well, I got around to about 85% of the fulfillment of cards and stickers a few months back. And now we're closing in on a new year. Time is the only thing that flies faster than a Seven. So here's my "make good" to everyone I didn't get to: I will personally pay for 50% of another year of membership for anyone who didn't get member materials this year. And I'll still try and get your cards and stickers out when I can this year. Please send me a PM via the forum if you are one of these people who paid in 2008 and never got stuff. Be sure to include your address...for some folks, that's what's been holding me up. Mazda tells me this fancy new forum software allows us to keep track of paid dues better, so that should help going forward — but if you're a dues-paying member, please be sure to send me a USA7s datasheet...that's how I'm keeping track of fulfillment. In other news, the club will be offering one limited edition copy of the Dennis Ortenburger book "Lotus Seven and Independents" as a door prize at the each of the 4 "semi-national/regional" meets this year. It's up to the organizer of each meet how the recipient will be chosen. Additionally, I think I'm going to 3 of the 4 events on the books so far, and will make sure each region gets its own USA7s vinyl banner to sport. I mailed a banner to Phil via Dick B. so I think we're in good shape. Thanks everyone for your support of the club and your patience with the Club Secretary (that would be me). See you in Carlisle, Birmingham, and Cody! -Al

Guys- I'm arriving in Jackson Hole at about 6 PM on the 11th, and figured I would just hightail it over to Cody that night...probably too late to catch up with you all that day...but looking forward to rendezvousing on the 12th, your "off day" in Cody (I assume we'll take in the charms of the Buffalo Bill Museum, etc.). I intentionally am not bringing the kids for maximum flexibility. Tom, I appreciate the offer...I had the composite Tilletts on my old car and look forward to a little seat time. I'll practice being a better passenger from now until then...:jester: Again, looking forward to meeting you all. -Al GERT: Care to revise your first post to include a running list of attendees and the legs they are in for? As Skip notes, maybe if we show that hey, there could be a half a dozen cars there...it would build some momentum for others to drop in on legs as they see fit. BTW, I just looked at your route map...I didn't realize we were going from Cody to Jackson the long way round...I'll be sure to get a car that can fit plenty of refreshments for you all at the rest stops. And of course, we are going through Yellowstone, which I just visited last year, so I can play tour guide if you'd like. With the open cars, things will be interesting if we encounter any buffalo or elk herds...

I will go out on a limb and say that many Se7eners (myself included) would not consider XIs (as cool as they are) to be Se7ens...primarily because of they don't have the "minimal bodywork" that characterizes the essential "add lightness" nature of Se7ens. I'm not trying to be divisive or exclusionary (I think other folks can vouch for my non-marque specific bent), but I doubt the casual observer would remark about an XI, "there's nothing to it"....instead they'd probably be drooling over the gorgeous bodywork and making comments like "It's beautiful"...a phrase which may have been uttered only in the presence of the infamous Sugino Seven. That said, I've always thought that it would be neat to have a "Charge of the Light Brigade" event with XIs, Fisher Furies, Atoms, etc. Welcome aboard!

Guess who's flying into Jackson Hole, WY on the 11th of July, then driving to Cody in support of the USA7eners, and then back to Jackson, WY on the 14th with them? Um, that would be me. Really looking forward to meeting up with some of the West Coast/Mountain posse...I'll be with Laura (and consequently be getting a rental car instead of riding shotgun in a Se7en), but without the kids for this trip. -Al "No Seven, No Problem" Navarro

Well done Mike. Congrats... I was titling from new (not the smartest move, in hindsight), but seemed to go through a similar process. In addition to the things you note, the rear exit exhaust (as my old car initially had) was deemed too low and my steering wheel too small...both things easily remedied. I have heard that the rigor of any inspection really depends on the inspection site/inspector...so your contact info is very welcome. I also went through the Morristown office, but I wouldn't characterize my experience there as particularly friendly. For my next car, for a few reasons, I'm definitely leaning toward vintage...to circumvent much of this process. FWIW, I had read that NJ was considering legislation to allow replicas to be titled as the year of vehicle they replicate. I don't know what the status of that is, but will follow up if I get word.

I'm pretty sure there is at least one "USA7s only" sub-event at LOG...for starters, we have to have a club meeting/election. Oh, and I'm working on some shirts that make it easy to pick out 7ers from the rest of the Lotus nuts.

Other than being a terrible passenger, I think I'm fairly good company!:jester:

Hmm...I'd even consider flying out to run "support" for part of this..... FWIW, think about a stop at Chico Hot Springs if you have time. Worth it, and the naturally heated pool would be welcome after a few hours in the Seven saddle. Beartooth was awesome in a minvan, I can't imagine what it would be like in a Se7en. Recon for 2011?

Paul...email me your complete name (I didn't have your last name from the email Mazda forwarded to me). -A

Mallard, I'm glad Dale got in touch with you...he sent me an email regarding this back in my dormant period.