Al N.

Have you checked with Caterham USA to see if they have any? At one point they were importing soft bits stuff...

Terrible news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Kevin- That part of the site is restricted to paid members of the USA7s Club/supporters of the site...a benefit of membership. I think there's a button somewhere* that links to paid membership info. The Club is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2007 to support owners, makers, and fans of original Lotus Seven and Lotus Seven-inspired Sportscars (LSiS). -Al Navarro *The link is on your profile page...at the bottom of the column on the left.

At certain speeds (throttle openings, actually), you can hear each other if you yell. ;-P She hasn't seemed to get bored. Of course, the tour we joined was passing through Montana and Wyoming, so the scenery was entertaining enough (Thanks again for the wheel time, Skip!)

Having tagged along for part of a longer tour last year, I can say that having predetermined stops and rendezvous points is perhaps the most critical part of the communication stream. That and hand signals (I'm not entirely joking). My wife and I both use helmets for anything more than a run down to our local ice cream store, and I have to say that while we've considered a driver to passenger intercom system, I can't say I've missed not having one. Mostly because I don't want too many distractions chirping into my helmet when on the road at speed....whether from my passenger, another convoy member, or a GPS. Just my preference. FYI, I think there are a few companies who do Bluetooth enabled helmets now (for phone connectivity). Interested to hear Gert and other PNW tour veterans give their opinion on this.

All kidding aside, it may be interesting to note that I know of at at least one manufacturer/importer that doesn't think publishing the ins and outs of how to get a car titled and registered in a given state is a good idea.

@Bster13: I am pro helmet for extended drives/highway use...it will cut down on windburn and the previously noted sound issue. I know Gert and his wife (among others) go helmetless on their mega-mile tours, but Laura and I enjoy the protection from the elements that helmets afford. I doubt this will change when I get the new car.

@Skip: That's an interesting thought. Instead of taking two half weeks (for pickup and LOG), I could just take one week...I guess I should reach out to Ross R.

@Jason: Again, I would have to say that "it depends". If there was an unsympathetic state inspector in the mix, then registration might not be so straightforward for the owner. It truly all depends. Additionally, some insurance companies are not fond of the "title says one thing, but claims adjuster says another" situation. When I had my 2004 Caterham, I was able to get it titled and registered as such here in NJ. However, they changed the laws after I brought that car in, and I don't think it would be as simple today. But a car with a 1967 title from another state MIGHT (I really have no idea) be simple. That said, I think AZ is a fairly easy state to get an LSiS-type car registered.

@Jason & All: FWIW, I would address specific state-by-state registration advice directly (off forum). We all know that A) every state is different and B) there are loopholes in many states. I think those loopholes would start to close if there was an easily searchable centralized database. Just my 2¢.

@All: The pic is from Chris Beebe (Peter Egan's mechanic) who is known for, among other things, his particular method of bracing the Triumph T-10 Axle. I think Mazda's analysis of the jig and stand are accurate. I have no idea what the square wheels are for, I specified octagons! ;-) One of the big delays in the reconstruction of SB1341 is that I elected to go back to the original Triumph axle/bolt pattern. I was wrestling with doing a front disk conversion with the Ford set-up that the car has now, but one particular bracket turned out to be impossible to find. After some back and forth, I chose to revert back to the Triumph set-up, which has the added benefit of allowing use of "Wobbly Web" wheels (a whole other rabbit hole to chase down). The car will have drums all around. I bought the axle unrestored (you have no idea how rare these thing are until you stick your nose down the vintage rabbit hole) from Chris T of Sevens and Elans. Chris Beebe was tied up with an entry in the Automotive X-Prize for a few months (I guess that's a modded EV-1) which delayed the completion of the axle. Happy to report that will be out of powder coating next week. I am seriously considering driving the car back from Colorado in late aug/early sept. Will make for an adventure for sure!

People have been asking for pix of the build. Here's the first of what I hope are many to come in the next two months....

It will be interesting for me to compare the miniscule leather wrapped wheel I had on the Superlight (I think it was 9.5 inches across) to the period correct 15" wooden wheel that is being fitted to SB1341.

Congrats! FYI, in addition to what Tom mentions above, the "black pack" includes the headlight nacelles and brackets....it's definitely a more modern look, and goes great with orange.

Skinny...IIRC, there are differences in the nose and bonnet (unsure about scuttle) between the Lotus S2 and Caterham products. I can't say for certain, but I think the Lotus nose is shorter and therefore the bonnet is longer. It could also be the other way around. That said, I am 95% certain that they are not the same dimensions.

I'm planning on attending with new/old Seven. Very interested in setting a rendezvous point for Wednesday in VA and driving up a scenic byway with a few other Sevens on Thurs.

Wow, I just looked at this clock/calendar device I have on my desk and realized that today is the 3rd anniversary of the 7-7-7 meet that sort of kicked USA7s.org into overdrive. What was initially started by Mazda E. as a forum for Rotus owners has become one of the primary sites for Se7en enthusiasts in North America — and around the globe. So a tip of the hat to Mr. Ebrahimi, the other founding members of the USA7s club, everyone who made the trip to Deal's Gap three years ago, and all the new folks who've made their way here since. We should start some sort of underground holiday or something...where all owners of original Sevens and LSiS cars pledge to either drive their car or at least start the motor/turn a wheel on the seventh of July every year despite the weather or family/work obligations! I can tell you that being without a Se7en for a few years has been like wandering in the wilderness. The good news is that SB1341 should be on the road and at LOG 30/Gettysburg in October. It won't be as fast as Orange/Mr. Orange, nor cover as many miles in the course of a year, but I'm sure it will deliver just as many smiles for its owner and passersby. Best, Al Navarro

Orange and black is taken. ;-P Just kidding, of course. But I will second Jon's advice on making the car as bright as possible...(though SB1341 will not follow my own advice...)

As long as you don't distract him from finishing SB1341! ;-P

Tom-I still have a bottle of wine for you. Regarding the LOG concours...SB1341 will not be 100% original, more of a period-correct hotrod. Martin-I have pix of various and sundry parts, but am waiting for the car to be together to post. Bruce-John D has been such a resource during this process. Give my best to Nancy. Mike-Aw shucks. Much appreciated. Mazda- Only if I'm not a passenger! ;-P

I burnt my ankle (not too badly) only once with Orange. Down at the 7-7-7 meet, actually, I was distracted talking to someone and...ouch.

OMG, I was just saying to Laura that it would be cool to have an old Saab convertible...

Mike...thanks for documenting. I was out and about with the kids on Sat...would have loved to see everyone again. BTW, would you be interested in using gardenstatesevens.org for NJ events? I could probably arrange to transfer the domain to you....

Hey everybody. Al Navarro here. I am happy to report that I am still alive. And healthy. And still the owner of a boxful of parts that, when assembled, will look like a Series 2 Lotus Seven. A few of my longtime friends and acquaintances reached out to me recently and their efforts made me realize even more acutely that I have dropped off the face of the Se7en universe over the past year. I really have no legitimate excuse beside the usual “life gets in the way” stuff, multiplied by the fact that I’ve really cut down on all social media (besides Facebook) AND the fact that I don’t have a Se7en in the garage which I can post pix of, wax poetic about, and..uh, drive. All that should change in August or September, however. The rear axle is nearly done and after that things should be pretty straightforward. I plan to be at LOG Gettysburg in October with the car. I feel worse than terrible that I haven’t much of a factor on the forum over the past year, much less a good club president. For me, as the father of young kids and a small business owner, it’s been really tough to dedicate any energy to hobbies — much less a car club when you don’t have a car. My apologies. Good to see that the forum seems to have grown and maintained some momentum. I’ll once again try to remedy my scarcity after I get back from a church mission trip next week. If anyone has any threads or info they think I should get caught up on right quick, just add it below. Or email me at al at mintadv dot com. Best, Al Navarro President & Founding Member, USA7s P.S. Gorgeous day in NJ for the Garden State Posse...sorry I missed it.

John, you are the devil. But your sidebar suggestion that I defer delivery of SB1341 until August and meet you all in CA is VERY tempting.