Al N.

I've got the Caterham branded Tilletts, but have seen the Kirkeys on a few Sevens and think they'd be good.

I've always suspected the FIA bar was canted forward a bit more than the "r500" style bar I had on the car before. And now, I can confirm it. My Jill Judd top, which was made for the r500 bar that was on the car initially, no longer fits properly. The top of the bar is about 2 inches in front of where the top of the old bar was. If anybody wants a slightly used JJ Half Hood (old style), let me know. It works on my car now, but isn't as sano (the wolo 3rd brake light that I worked so carefully to be exposed is now covered again!) as I'd like it to be. -Al P.S. Although the differences in weight between the r500 bar and the FIA bar (new, x-braced style by Caged) have been noted in the recent weight post, the difference to hand is stunning.

I did a search for any threads we may have had about vehicle weight...and there were too many results to sort through as I'm rushing out the office door today... But, I just wanted people to know that I had my car weighed and it came out to.... 1280 llbs without driver but relatively full 55 liter (14 something gallons) tank of gas. EDIT: This is with FIA bar, BTW.

Breezy, what did you mean by "a cut"?

Box....did you find the tip? Was it in the sump and if so, how'd you get it out?

Standard Cat USA wet sump config. Thanks Gert. Oh, and has anyone had issues with bending/breaking of tip of the dipstick?

Does anyone know offhand what it is? I seem to recall 4.5 quarts...

FWIW, my watch works fine...

FYI...Rooms are tight due to car show and Dickinson College graduation. I usually stay at the sleep inn, but it's booked. Allenberry, a charming old resort, only has 1 room left. I took the other one. -Al

WIth the ITBs, it's the intake noise that's deafening, not the side exhaust...

Live from now sunny San Antonio...(it rained like heck this AM)... At a restaurant today, there was a sign out front that said something to the effect that "It is illegal to enter with an unregistered firearm." I noted this to Laura, and said "I guess it's perfectly fine to enter with a registered gun." Although I don't own any, I like guns. Shooting a pistol at a range is like driving a performance car in many ways: it's loud, it's a little scary, you can feel the power, and it's best done in by someone with some training in a controlled situation. Regarding gun control laws, I wouldn't want to take guns away from my relatives who hunt...but I think that some of the shooting sprees that have occurred in the somewhat recent past would have been less severe had guns not been so readily available. Then again, it's fairly easy to make an explosive device or start a fire or use your car as a weapon if you're an imbalanced person who wants to cause destruction.

Bob, in the "white paper" for the 2009, there are a few routes already outlined, thanks to Jerry E.

Bob, that would be great...take pix and form opinions. Let's correspond before you go, too...

I am intending on being there with LEO on the 29th Jon, though I just checked and I have to get there at like 8 and stay until 7 pm! Long day. Please refrain from punching me square in the mouth when you stop by...:jester:

Live from rainy San Antonio!.... Loren et al...don't know if you will be passing by Driftwood TX on the tour, but we stopped by the Salt Lick BBQ on the recco of a friend who used to live here. Great food and would make good stop...also, the roads in Hill Country are much more suited to Se7ens than the Chevy HHR I rented.

Mike, this is an awesome idea...perhaps the club can pony up an ongoing trophy to commemorate? I think the mileage should be submitted via PM or email in Nov just to keep all entrants on their toes... (Should there be another contest, counting $$ spent in the same timeframe? :ack: ) For the record, I have 3,970-something miles in oh, 3 years of ownership! I think that qualifies me for close to dead last in this particular contest. Hope to see many of you at Carlisle. Or at the NYC Auto Show on the 29th. I've been reminded that it's "rain or shine" by the LEO organizers, so perhaps I'll look like I was in a dunk tank regardless...

Well, since it was in the high 40s when I got home from running errands this AM, I thought I'd try to start the Cat and maybe get it out for a short blat. With just a one application of Pyroil starting fluid (a precaution when the car's literally cold), it fired on the the second or third twist of the key. After letting it idle while I brought the tire pressures down to 21 all around (for now) and putting the foam filter and bonnet back, I waved goodbye to the family and set out. First thing that I noticed was that my left eye hasn't gotten used to the wind yet, and started tearing up almost immediately. At the end of the summer, I can drive for up to an hour with no glasses, goggles or helmet, no prob. But really, the overriding sentiment about my 30 minute loop was "Damn, this car is fun." Fast too, though didn't approach WOT or redline...don't want to push things this early in the season. When I get back from vacation, the car is going to have a once over before making an appearance with the NY chapter of Lotus Ltd. at the NY Auto show and then my friends' downtown clothing store. I'll take it out just in time for Carlisle. Why did I put this up for sale again? Right now, I'm wondering that myself...I secretly think Mazda and Jon C. (Boxologist) and others are c-blocking prospective buyers to keep Orange in the Navarro garage. :jester: Oh well, we'll see what happens over the next few months...again, damn are Se7ens fun!

Dennis...I would reach out to one of the MA Se7en owners...even if they have another type of car, they might be familiar with regulations. Paul Fluckinger might be a good resource. I saw this in an old email from him: "in Massachusetts, effective October 08, if your car has no ODB port then you do not have to have the emissions test. They are getting rid of the tail pipe test." Don't know if that applies to Stalkers or not. Also, Chris T. of Sevens and Elans would know the regs, but he's a Caterham dealer and probably fairly marque specific. Worth a shot though. -Al

Mike, I think replacement cost would be in the mid $60k range.

I've gotten some inquries and thought it might be good to post a POV on pricing. I've kept track of Superlights that have sold in the past year or so, and two that I know of went for about $34K each. I don't think either had a windshield. And one (the black one sold by BritAuto), didn't even have the 6 speed transmission. (Though it did have the Stack digital dash.) Orange has a 55 liter ATL fuel cell (ATL is the Caterham OE provider, this is the larger size that is not generally not offered in the USA) with A/N fuel line, not a swaged rig; the Raceline water rail; and the Birkinsport alternator. FYI, I'm going to be out of town next week. Best way to reach me is by cell.

Laura can't believe it either!!

Looks like Glenn has already incorporated a mod I suggested...to chamfer the edge of the loading ramps so they go flush to the ground...on mine they are squared off to there is a little lip the tire has to over come...never been an issue, but....

Well, the club officers had a call yesterday to discuss a few things, including USA7s at the Carlisle show. We will have a tent on the general show field, near or adjacent the Lotus section. We'd like to keep the tent Se7ens-only (see club name), but welcome our Lotus friends to park nearby. The club is picking up the cost of the tent. One or more officers of the club will be at the tent on Saturday from 9 to 4, other days and times by chance. Saturday is the prime day at Carlisle, with Friday and Sunday attendance very light. We are trying to get a grill set up at the tent so we can just cook lunch for ourselves...simple stuff like burgers and hot dogs. There might be a minor donation taken to offset food costs.... We're planning on having some club stickers and/or literature available. No sales are allowed on the show field, so we'll just give people instructions on how to join the club online. We discussed a short group drive in the early evening, culminating in a group dinner. This will allow people not staying overnight to maximize chat & blat time. Please chime in here if you are up for it. Additionally, we suggest you preregister your car at the site posted below. If you do so before April 28, you'll save $10. There is also an option for people who need to rent trailer parking. Please note "USA7s" in the "Club" field, so we/they can track things. Carlisle Show Online Registration See you soon!

Thanks for the kind words about Orange, gents. I plan to be part of USA7s for as long as it exists. With or without a car (hopefully, with!), I'll be at the 2009 meet wherever it is. And Carlisle in May, etc. As I noted, I am keeping the trailer, as I expect it is only a matter of time before I have another Se7en in the garage...

Is that the latest body for the XI? Fabulous!