Al N.

Throw one of those motors into an older and lighter car and I think you could approach r300 power to weight ratios. This is all theoretical, of course.

I fielded another inquiry on the phone today about Orange, and thought I'd post here to A) bump this post up and B) offer some thoughts to other prospective buyers: My car will not represent a "steal" for the next owner, but as I've noted before....for a car with the upgrades that Orange has, in the condition that it is, I think it's fair. Look into the cost of putting in a 55 Liter ATL fuel cell properly (with a new fuel line) and you'll start to get the picture. Oh, and have you seen the sump guard on this thing? Some people have asked about the cold start issue that I've written about here and at my blog...note that this comes into play only when the outside temp is cold...like in the 20s, 30s, and 40s cold...and when the car has been sitting for a bit. Some people think this is a factor of my cold start profile being a bit off...they might be right. But in the summer, the car does fine even if it's been sitting for a few weeks as long as you make sure to feed the throttle a bit when turning it over. I've always thought of it as a tradeoff the ITBs force you to make vs. a single throttle body. Many people have asked why I'm selling. Basically I have a long list of home improvements that I need to take care of (include some stream bank restoration...when the DEP/EPA gets involved, it ain't cheap) this summer and selling the car is a lot simpler than trying to swing a home equity in the current home loan market. Finally, I advise any prospective buyer (especially if you're not close enough to visit), to ask around the Se7ens community about me and the car. I'm confident you'll get a thumbs up on both counts. It's not like I'm some random person offering a random car on eBay (no offense if you are one of these people). Orange is a known car, owned by a known club member (and officer). Which is one reason I feel okay about pricing it the way I have...maybe I'm wrong on this, but I don't think so. EDIT: In the interest of full disclosure...I just got off the phone with another prospective buyer and want to mention two very minor niggles with the car. First, as mentioned in my post about roll bars, the Jill Judd half-hood I have for the car doesn't fit quite right with the Caged FIA bar that's on the car now...the car will come with the original "r500-style" bar that the top is designed for (plus the FIA). The JJ top works with the FIA, just not perfectly (the 3rd brake light bar is obscured by the top now). Also, if you look real closely, you'll see a few dimples in the driver's side skin...near the top edge, from where I've taken the belts off and the central locking knob thing has flopped onto the side skin. (Future owners, take care to not let that thing flop!) Barely noticeable unless I point it out, which I am doing. EDIT 2: The car makes a rattle when idling when you don't have a gear engaged and the clutch pedal is out..sounds scary but apparently is totally normal for the 6 speed...I can link you to the discussion about this over on blatchat.com. Here's one example of "they all do that, sir...":Blatchat thread on gearbox rattle. P.S. I thank the other USA7s members who have vouched for the car and its owner already. Not to get ahead of myself, but I've already priced out a MWE-massaged crossflow.....

Bruce- The only smell I notice in the garage once in a while is coolant (I don't think I've hooked up my raceline water rail exactly right...another thing we can compare at Carlisle). My vent hose is attached to the outside of the rollbar (the right side upright) with zip strips...the hose itself seems to have some sort of rigid liner so that it doesn't deform under the zip strip. The wire to my wolo light bar is run up the right hand support bar. See pic below... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1923877586_Cat Bar Detail.jpg

Oh dude, keep the cardboard...adds lightness! Besides, I like Frankenseven with just that little bit of unfinished feel that it's had since, oh, we first met at Skyline east. Didn't it have a wooden veneer dash at one point?

Bruce- As you know, I don't do any of the work on my own car, but here's what I know about how my cell is rigged up...my rollover shut off valve/vent was run up my roll bar and terminates pointing down...when I asked the mechanic about it he said, that's if you roll over... Don't know if this helps at all, but I do know that the open end of the vent is at least 2 feet above the fuel cell itself. I don't notice a fuel smell (from that particular region of the car, at least!). We can compare set ups at Carlisle if you are going out... -Al

Damn, that was quick! It was a nicely spec'd and finished car, and (if you got somewhere near your asking price) commanded a premium over what many other S3s have traded for recently. I guess it's all a matter of finding the right buyer.

Phil...thanks for the write up! As a USA7s club officer, I think that turning some of these more regional meets/drives into annual occasions people can plan for/put on their calendar well in advance would be great. Anyone on the West Coast up for organizing an "annual" similar to the Hill Country event or the Minnesota Lakes District drive from last year? PNW2007 was probably too big to try every year (I know that an event like 7-7-7 would probably kill me to try to organize every year ), but perhaps a long weekend type thing, perhaps around a trackday or even a car event like Knots Berry Farm "kit car" show?

That's funny, because I have something I'm trying to sell....:jester: See you all there...I'm coming in early Sat AM and staying over. BTW, I saw that a drag strip is somehow associated with this show — AND they're showing Iron Man at a drive in? Choices, choices...

I just registered for the Standard of Excellence Judging, so I'll join everyone in the tent when my car is through. I've never done a non-"People's Choice" show before, so this should be interesting. I guess I have to wash my car now.

I have always waited for a hose to blow... don't they all come with this "auto draining" feature? :jester: All kidding aside, I haven't blown a hose since the Raceline water rail was put in...I also do about 1% of the work on my car, so I wouldn't know...sorry.

I'm sure you'll find that many people use their normal carrier (State Farm, etc.) and many use the specialty carriers like Hagerty, ParishHeacock, etc. Hagerty doesn't have a milegage restriction for me (my limit is imposed by the state), but I think I am only supposed to be driving to/from/in car shows and meets — not as a regular commuter.

Old vs. new rollbars, or why my Jill Judd top fits less well now.... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2098144405_Rollbar Orig.jpg This is the old bar on the car as I bought it. (dig the rear exit, silver exhaust guard, and aeroscreen!) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1691469716_Rollbar Cant.jpg This is the new FIA bar (by Caged, not Arch) that is on the car now...photo taken at NY Autoshow. Pretty big difference in the forward cant of the bar. At least 2 inches...look at the gap to the seat. A caveat for all people who have a top that fits a particular bar...may not work for a different spec, even if they are both "factory" products. My JJ top works, but it certainly isn't perfect.

The ingenuity, determination, and craftsmanship of our forum members never ceases to amaze me. Nice work Gert.

I say, "It is in the US for legal reasons...but in the UK you can buy a Se7en turnkey and drive it out of the dealer's showroom."

The floor is actually concrete...it was formerly a marble warehouse that trucks pulled in and out of. Sugino's car would be over the top, and perhaps too nice.

As some of you might know, my car is currently in residence at the store of my friends in NYC: Orange at Groupe1620 I will be taking the car in time for Carlisle on May 10th, and my friends are interested in having another Se7en take its place. An older clamshelled car or at least a bare ali car would be a nice contrast. Write to me at al at mintadv dot com if interested. -Al

Loren- Thanks for organizing that event...looks like a great time was had by all. -Al

Guys- As the day approaches and we get some more feedback on interest, I'll make a reservation somewhere...leaning toward Allenberry or Boiling Springs Tavern. I think this is going to be a VERY BUSY show due to the 50th anniversary of the Midget (I think)...saw it promoted in a very upscale overseas car mag (Octane)...which means traffic will be not so great...it would be smart to make our drive/dinner outside Carlisle proper (Boiling Springs may be perfect). -Al

i don't mean to get all pollyanna on everyone, but this marque-inclusiveness, BS-ing, awe-inducing, and gauntlet throwing nature of this thread is making my morning, too. I've never met Loren, but Kevin and his wife are some of the most friendly and fun people you'll ever meet. Yay USA7s! Is it 2009 yet?

Note that the Tavern is the most yupscale of the places...would prob. be at least $25 a person. The good news is that they list the option of "a private room" on their site.

Folks- Trying get a gauge of who would be interested in any of the following: A) Some time at the local go-kart track B) A 1 hour drive after the show C) A post show group meal...and if so, here are a few options: Chains: Bob's Big Boy Chili's Cracker Barrel Non Chain: Boiling Springs Tavern (the most upscale of the places i've listed) All Star Cafe Allenberry Resort

Posting here for max visibility... I'm pretty sure we have to "register" for the show field...to park on the show field. Not like just paying admission like a spectator then driving over. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this. Link to Carlisle Show Registration Form There's an online form somewhere there too...

I'd like to see 0-60, 1/4 mile and/or 0-100 mph figures. Willing to run my car if someone coordinates a drag strip meet.

Cool Bruce, it'll be good to see you again (and you car for the first time!). I just checked and the 10th is really the only day that works for me. I'll come in to get the car rain or shine...if it's really rainy, I'll understand if others don't want to come out and prob head home directly.

Folks- I am going to bust my car out of my friends' store in early May...probably Sat 3, Sun 4, or Sat 10 (the 11th is Mothers Day). In time for Carlisle show. Thinking of getting in very early (6 AM), getting the car out by 6:30/7 (I'm sure it will take some coaxing) and blatting up West Side Highway then swinging across and down either on Broadway or 5th Ave...I think that early we might be able to get into Central Park. Then brunch somewhere where we can keep an eye on the cars. Anyone else in? I'd prefer the 10th. -Al