Al N.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to start a separate thread about the trip...so be sure to repost in there! Let's save this thread for more pix and info of the car!

@Skip: It is about to go into storage out there for a few months. As noted above, I am currently planning on driving it home in the Spring (probably late May?). I'll be in contact as those plans get more fully baked.

Longtime lurker, first time poster. ;-P Happy to announce that the project I took over in 2009 is done and should be back in NJ in a few months. Actually looking to drive it home (with support)...but that is for another thread. No name yet. I hear some call it "Bessie".

In case you don't feel like registering... FROM CATERHAM SITE: "Caterham has confirmed the supercharged R600 track-car, which the company is claiming to be the fastest Seven it has ever created. It’s the first factory built supercharged Seven, and it will provide further progression in the Caterham race series, stepping in to take drivers in from the current top level R300 series. The car is powered by a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine, which has been supercharged to produce 275bhp – similar to the setup in the SP/300.R. This is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox, with a Titan limited-slip differential. Avon racing slicks complete the package. With 200lb ft of torque, the new model produced 13 percent more torque than the R500 road car. Caterham claims it provides ‘an increase in aggressiveness, although the linear power delivery of the supercharged engine makes it superbly driveable’. Currently, there are several different Caterham race series, with racers progressing right through the Academy, Roadsport, Tracksport, Supersport and R300, the current top level series. The new R600 will provide room for the current top R300 racers to progress further. Caterham is expecting at least a 16-car grid for the debut championship season in 2013, with 30 cars anticipated to compete the following year. The R600 race car will cost £44,995 complete, with the upgrades available to current R300 owners."

http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/news/newcarnews/286819/caterham_releases_r600.html via ExoticarsUsa (shop that looks after the cars of Croc, Bruce Bowker, and mine) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildegroot?fref=ts

Keep it up, Bessie, and I may stay off the forum for an even longer interval! ;-)

Since I am closest to Milford, don't I get first dibs?

I would consider this totally "on topic" btw. Thanks for posting Dean.

@Romeo: When I first met up with Mazda, Scott, and Steve back in 2006 (or was it 2005?), I drove 7+ hours, in Tilletts, with half doors and half hood, through extended stints in torrential rain (this is sounding like a "when I was a kid, we walked to school uphill, both ways"! story). I could barely walk upon getting out of the car at Shenandoah. Good times. Good times.

@yellow: Deal. Man, I forgot how fun this forum can be!

Avantgarde Trios mit Basshorns? I know you're kidding (I think), but I have always wanted to hear those speakers. One thing that's funny about that pic is that it looks like Krell amplification...which IMO is overkill for those very efficient horns. Regarding the correlation between cars and hi-fi, I bet that most Se7eners have some other slightly niche passion that they've indulged. One thing I'll clarify about my hi-fi habit is that it's strictly 2 channel. While I do have a surround sound set up, it's mid-fi at best.

This may help explain it...(key word "may") http://youtu.be/0M9Bu6jObxY Initial D is an animated series about a teen drift specialist who learns his craft running tofu over a mountain pass. He has to learn to keep the tofu intact, which adds up to smoothness. It's really quite a good series. What I'm referring to is the plot twist where Bunta (the dad and former racer) drops in a JDM racing motor into his son's AE86 (Corolla).

A BDA? That's like that time in the Initial D anime series when Bunta puts the formula motor into the AE86!

Croc- How long were you without power post Sandy? We were without for 15 days. Other than that, things are fine. My office moved to Clinton NJ, very close to exit 15 in case you all want to use that for a rendezvous sometime in the future. Is there someone in NJ with a blue/yellow noseband? (Stewart?) I saw him driving up 173 towards Clinton recently. There is some progress. I'll keep you all updated. -Al

@GBOLT: My first "high end" amp was an Acurus...I think for the money, those were amazing products. I hear the brand is getting resurrected. Looking back on my hi-fi history, I'd say the best thing I ever owned was a Wadia CD player. After using it for 3 years, I sold it for pretty much what I paid for it. Anyone here have experience with Quad ESL speakers?

I think the idea of turning the NJMP trackdays into a larger event in the spring is a sound one. I do miss the camaraderie!

I'm would say that I've got a hi-fi problem. I own 4 systems that aren't even at my house. The most "impressive" would be the vintage (well, for me) 801 Matrix S3 system fronted by Aragon 8008 (though not the BB, sigh) amp, 24K pre, and Cal Icon CD player (Power Boss upgrade), and my owned-from-new Rega 3. Besides the Rega, this stuff was pie in the sky when I was a teen and now is semi-affordable. The 801s can move air. Also have a 47 Labs Shigiraki Integrated fronted by, of all things, an original Sony Playstation. Drives single driver (ie crossoverless) Omega 6Rs. Apparently the old PS1 came with a fairly good chipset in addition to having stereo audio outs. The Shig is so quirky...has a slider volume control...people love it. Other interesting rig is an Audio Refinement stack (YBA's "budget" line). Beautiful kit. None of these are in the state of NJ. I'm doing something wrong.

I'm trying to round up some Seveners for a friend who is interested in learning more about Sevens and perhaps making the jump into one. If you're from Michigan and interested in helping "convert" another owner via test drives, etc., please send me a PM here or shoot me an email if you know my address. Tx. I think he's looking at relatively low hp, summer daily driverish sort of car...not some crazy monster (like I know some of the clubbers have!). ;-P Thanks in advance. -Al

I'm trying to round up some Seveners for a friend who is interested in learning more about Sevens and perhaps making the jump into one. If you're from Michigan and interested in helping "convert" another owner via test drives, etc., please send me a PM here or shoot me an email if you know my address. Tx. I think he's looking at relatively low hp, summer daily driverish sort of car...not some crazy monster (like I know some of the clubbers have!). ;-P Thanks in advance. -Al

Tom- Got your PM. Great idea. Let me get through summer and the kids back in school and we can chat more. -Al

Thanks for posting the pix (and the blow by blow stories to go with it)...FYI, y'all know that even when my new/old Seven is done, there's no way it's ever being tracked (or auto-xed). I prefer to polish fenders, organize events, and run out of fuel!

Folks- Next Friday, July 13th is National Collector Car Appreciation Day. My client, American Collectors Insurance, is having a show at their HQ in Cherry Hill, NJ from 4 pm to 7 pm. I will be there with a Lotus. (Alas, not my own quite yet. A very generous friend has lent me his 1987 Esprit Turbo for the show.) If you are not in the Philly/NJ area, look for other local shows that tie into this national-scale event. Would be great to see some of the Seven-faithful turn out. The writer from Hemming who covered 7-7-7 is planning to come down to the show as well. For those of you I haven't met yet, look for the white on white Esprit. I won't be far from it! Link to event page: http://www.americancollectors.com/nccad/ Best, Al Navarro

http://www.facebook.com/newjerseymotorsportspark From their Facebook page: Last minute opening for track rental this Friday, June 1st on our Lightning track – a 1.9 mile, 10 corner circuit which is fast and challenging! If your group is interested in finding out more, contact Joe Volpe, Director of Track Operations at jvolpe@njmp.com.

Bessie- Alas...I've been out of commission for a while now dealing with the aftermath from another lady, a real harridan named Irene. If you've ever dealt with FEMA, the DEP or EPA, you know that the process of clean up and restoration can be long, tedious, and expensive. The good news is that I'm also 100% committed to finishing your rebuild. And sooner, rather than later! In fact, Laura and I were hoping to come out in the summer and drive you home. To this end, I left a few messages for Ben this week. Hopefully he'll get back to me soon. Faithfully yours, Al Navarro ----- To all the clubbers who know me, I'm alive! Laura and the girls are well. Sorry I've been off the forum for so long. Rolling up on the 5 year anniversary of 7-7-7. Good times! BTW, if you ever need to get in touch with me, the al at mintadv.com address is the best method....Skip, I saw that you had used the forum to send a note earlier this year....I only just saw it now, sorry.

Folks- Short notice, but there is an informal car show in Cherry Hill today (7/8/11) at American Collectors Insurance...in honor of Collector Car Appreciation Day. The show hours are 4-7...I'll be there for a few hours on the early side of that window. I heard cars start arriving at around 3. 496 Kings Highway North Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 In full disclosure, American Collectors is a new client of my advertising agency. -Al