Al N.

While I have to say that I like the lines of the modern Caterhams (the skinny ones) the best (well, maybe except for the Dax!)...I know first hand that the Stalker is CRAZY FAST and a good value. And the fact that the builder of one of the most refined bike engined Locosts in the US (Jeff U) has said that if he had to do it all over again, he'd build an S2000 powered Stalker should speak volumes. --- And speaking of Stalkers, will one of those engines from a Buick GNX fit?

Brent- Did you build that off of Norm's pattern or simply inspired by it? Very cool either way.-Al

Many of us just run an ITG type foam filter (or paper for the traditionalists!) that peeks out of bonnet cut-out. I've seen vintage Loti with the a little bump out induction cowl and someone makes a carbon one that I've seen for Cat r500s. IMHO, that thing on the grey car you show is over the top and to my eyes a little ugly. Start with the filter, and then take it from there.

I went out Saturday for a short blat, probably my last of the year...temp about 37 degrees. Despite having lined leather gloves on, my hands were numb by the time I got home. I had a balaclava on, so my head was fine. In the words of Skip, I drove "briskly"...about the pace of the Skyline East 2006 drive. It snowed that night here in NJ, and on Sunday and Monday too. Glad I got that drive in.

bump...I couldn't find Norm's trailer in any of these pix, but it's still worth a trip down memory lane, and a great intro for any new folks.

Norm's trailer (and driving!) is the total hotness, btw. We have to find a shot of it here so Gary can see it....it's just big enough to cover the car, so it's very aero compared to a normal trailer you can stand inside.

Gary- A few of us have custom aluminum trailers made by Performance Trailer in Flanders NJ. The guy to speak to there is Glenn Ehrgott. Details can be found in a few threads, including this one: Performance Trailer "USA7s Edition" Trailer. These are based on one that Aluma made for Mike D, but since they couldn't accomodate our timing last summer (and had raised their prices significantly based on the cost of raw materials), so I sourced Performance and had them spec one out for our small, light cars. I can manuever mine with Honda Pilot pretty well, and also my Polaris Ranger ATV (I use the ranger to back it into my garage). When it's on a flat surface, it's easy enough to position the neck by hand...but I don't think I could "tow" it any significant distance without a powered vehicle....then again, my drive way is gravel and slightly uphill to the garage. Maybe one of the other owners could comment on its unloaded flatland manueverability. -Al

John- What I've noticed with bigger guys who come for rides in my Tilletts (similar in shape to your MOGs, but not carbon:cry: ) is that once they feel the hard sides squeeze their hips, they they either ride with their hips tilted or just abandon ship. Not that this info will help Kyle. -Al

I emailed Dennis O. to see if he'd donate it to the club. He was, to put it nicely, unreceptive.

Thanks all. I'll try the Stabil. Mike...my tank is a 55 Liter ATL deal as used in one of the Caterham race series (Masters?). I bought it direct from the UK factory when the exchange rate was a bit better because the ATL USA folks didn't exactly sound knowledgeable about the specific application. I'm sure ATL would much rather you bought it from the US outfit...located somewhere in NJ. Scroll down a bit to see photo of installed fuel cell and lack of luggage room I'd check with Cat USA to see if they have any of their bag tanks sitting around...though I think they stock the smaller size. Some other folks have used Fuel Safe cells, too.

Great idea...so someone with as much disposable $ as love for our cars please win this for the club. Please?

This is Dennis Ortenburger's cache. Does someone in the club feel like buying that for us? Might make a great raffle prize at a future national meet!

You mean "winter"...and you must have me mistaken with some of my neighbors.:jester: Jon-it's just a matter of scheduling. Maybe January-March?

For those of you who have Fuel Cells and who put your car away for the winter (damn you southern californians!)...a few questions: • Is it wise/unwise to add fuel stabilizer to gas in a foam-filled bag tank? • Do you drain tank or keep filled (to keep foam moist)? I had asked the folks at ATL last year and they said to keep it filled, but I think because of the safety breather (the rollover vent), that the gas eventually evaporates. I put it in the garage full, then when I went to take it out in the spring, the tank was definitely less than full. Do I keep topping it off? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? --- Suggestions that I simply keep driving my car through the winter cold and slush and salt will be met with :jester:

I think my ability to get into the car has more to do with my relatively short height and natural flexibility (it's definitely declining, though). I've got plenty of mass, mind you....especially now that I've put on "my winter coat".

Not to rub it in, but I can totally get into my Cat with the halfhood and steering wheel on. Tom's (and others, over the years) seen me do it.

I think the car is a Westfield. And yes, it's a videogame....but pretty awesome heel-toe action. You Tube vid of Westy in Video Game

I'm sure one of the friendly listers would loan you their top for a pattern....never hurts to ask. While you're at it, consider making a half-hood like the Jill Judd one. It's what I use as a top (no side or rear coverage...makes for excellent drives in the rain)

You need to set up some cones on your cul de sac! What got me was that the dad started using the pointer cones very early...maybe if I'd had such training, I would not have DNF'd all my runs!

I could probably learn a lot from that kid.:jester: Actually, that vid is amazing. Almost as good as that Senna animated vid where you go through his different karts/cars.

Jack...is that Tony C.'s car? I thought yours was yellow?

Unfortunately, the document I got has no title, just page numbers (and not in order...seem to have been pulled out of some other doc depending on the part that "failed".) I will say that it is NOT the "latest information on requirements as specified by law under Title 39 of the Revised Statutes" which was the document titled "Motor Vehicle Inspection Rules and Regulations" that I received with my initial info pack. The pages in my "reasons for failure/things to repair" had a cover sheet that has the name Michele Ermi, Special Services/Special Titles on it....I think she is the woman in Trenton who faxed my application to the Morristown inspection station. Would be great if you could track down the document my loose pages came from. FWIW, the "Windshield" section is on a page numbered 18, and is the 5th point in the itemized document.

I would have the seller get it titled in his/her state...saves you one step/lots of potential hassle. I nearly had the dealer I bought from title it...but there was a 3% tax difference, so I did it in NJ.

I'm looking at the documents I received when I failed inspection the first time and in section 5, it says: "Windshield -- Every reconstructed vehicle shall be equipped iwth a windshield which meets the following criteria: A) is made of safety glass designated as American National Standard AS-1 safety glazing material; and B) if not an OEM or OERP windshield, a windshield that provides continuous frontal protection over the entire width of the passenger compartment foward of the driver's seat; and C) The windshield has a minimum horizontally projected vertical height of no less than 7 inches over its entire width" This was not covered/explained in the paperwork I originally recieved, which merely stated that all glazing must be of safety glass if the vehicle is newer than 1935. There was no clause that said it had to have a windshield. And I tried to point this out to the inspectors, but they didn't really appreciate my logic. They failed me for not having a windshield (among other things, which I think are documented on my blog in an Aug 2005 post). Hairshirt Motoring post about failing NJ inspection I think the documents that Tom is refering to are for regular, not reconstructed, vehicles. Shotgun, I would just triple check with someone before going too far down the build process. I know that some Ultralites have a full (albeit it low) windshields with stanchions...though I think they use a plastic flat piece instead of glass. I would think you could use this for the inspection, then replace wiht the small "new brooklands" type screens before you get your decal....or just run the larger glass screen all the time.

Shotgun...sorry for being asleep at the wheel on this one. I was out at SEMA last week (the best of times, the worst of times, IMHO). Here is the link to the info dated Sept 1, 2007 that says you CANNOT register a Kit, replica, or reconstructed vehicle under collector status. NJ COLLECTOR CAR FACT SHEET If you are going for a regular registration under recon, you might be okay (esp. because you'll have the OBD gear), but I wrote this post with regard to the collector registration. I know you are specifically asking about the windshield, and I will find that documentation I had...could be that it's also been changed. But I do remember them kind of laughing when I brought in car with the aeroscreen.