Al N.

Mutt- Our "rain" activity for the Saturday of the meet is the Biltmore...would love any advice on that area of NC. I'll be headed down over Easter to do some more recon. -Al

Rob- We're still sorting out the non-t-shirt mementos...got a good lead on panoramic photography from one registrant and lots of good feedback from others. Our January email should be going out by Mondayish...keep an eye on your in boxes. One note I'd like to make is for all the manufacturers/distributors who have signed up or who are interested to email me (al@mintadv.com). I have an idea that I'd like to bounce off you all and want to make sure I'm connecting with the right people instead of guessing from your names on the list. Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in person in July. -Al

Jeff- Welcome! Mazda E. (slngsht) is the founder and admin of this site, and thanks to his efforts and those of countless others...word has spread to the various marque-specific communities. Mazda brought a few of us together in person last June on VA's Skyline Drive and that mixed-marque group (2 Roti and 3 Cats) had such a blast (or should that be blat?). Glad to see you've picked up on the inclusive nature of the forum...there is a national marque-inclusive club in the works too. Stay posted. -Al

I have many seven books, but not that one! Hope you complete build by 7-7-7 and make it to the meet at Tail of the Dragon. Or better yet...bring it with like 12 more hours of work to complete it and I bet we find some folks to lend a hand...could be a real fun way to get your car on the road and meet some other Se7eners! Welcome to the forum, btw.

Since I don't have a heater, I was thinking abotu converting my heater fan switch to the cooling fan override purpose Mike. I have a full face helmet (Schuberth motorcycle flip-up) and bought helmets for my kids and wife. I have been thinking about getting an "driver to instructor" intercom...but don't mind having to shout occassionally to be heard. I have a dual cigarette underdash. And of course, the Jill Judd half hood. I think the helmet makes the most difference on long (sometimes rainy) drives). -A

I've got USA7s.com — as if I needed to go to any others! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif Well, okay, so I'll visit >www.britishcarforum.com once in a while. And Magnus' West Side Posse site, otherwise known as the >California Caterham Club I used to go to Raging Bull back in the Internet bubble phase. It's not a forum, but probably my most frequent site is the carblog >Jalopnik And finally, >blatchat.comAl Navarro2007-01-04 15:30:01

Can we have a separate class at teh 7-7-7 Auto-X for Mazda and anyone running slicks? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

I had a post all written, then it bounced me out! I listen to a lot of just about everything, except for Country and anything too hard/unmelodic (pretty much anything with screaming in it is out). Favorite album of all time would probably be the John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman, with the Coltrane/Monk Carnegie concert a close second, just barely nudging Kind of Blue to third spot. I listen to a lot of contemporary rock/alt./rap too — staying away from teen pop and dance stuff. The Raconteurs, Radiohead, and Broken Social Scene get mixed in with Kanye West and Jay-Z. I'm also no stranger to classical/orchestral music, and have a few versions of Copland's Appalachian Spring on both vinyl and CD.

I had my first ride when I was 33. Took delivery just before my 36th. Now am 37 (yes, just like Mazda). I don't know about having a fistful of S$$, but I am familiar with a few of the University of Pennsylvania fight songs.Al Navarro2007-01-02 06:33:12

Just toasted 2007 with some old friends. Here's to a great year for all Se7eners, including the attendees (and organizers!) of the Tail of the Dragon and PNW 2007 meets! -Al

Mike- I use my car exclusively on the street (much to the dismay of some of my fellow Se7eners!). In terms of seat time helping with your purchase decision, I can only report that my first drive/ride in a Se7en haunted me for about 3 years...and that feeling only went away after I bought one. Do so at your own peril. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif I've put in as much as 9 hours of seat time in a day (with some of that in the POURING RAIN!)on the interstates and still love the car. -Al

Gosh, I feel like such a rube now! I am immediately going home to let some air out! Happy New Year all.

Even on the CR500s, hunh? (I thought the ACB10s ran that way.) Wow. I guess it's got pretty stiff sidewalls.

So the other day I finally took Orange out for a spin with my younger daughter and we stopped to put some air in the tires. For starters, what are people running as typical F/R pressures for the 15" CR500s? (I put in 40 all around...44 is the limit printed on the tire). Also, can anyone guess what the Treadwear rating is? I was shocked, shocked I say, to find out that they are UTOQ 20!!! I don't think I've ever had a tire that was under 240.

Jon- Here's a pic of the back...you can see that in this shot, the hood does obscure the Wolo...although I have strapped the hood on very loosely on other occassions and the Wolo is just barely visible. I did ask them to cut mine a little higher in the center, but without having the car to fit it, I guess they did their best. It's pretty easy to see how it could be retrimmed to work perfectly. I will probably get that done in the Spring, along with a custom tonneau from the folks at Exoticars. Regarding your tranny drain question, I'd love to know more...feel free to send me a PM. -Al http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061229_073507_Rear3Qtight.jpg

Congrats! May your January 2007 be filled with as many sunny days as possible.

A few more detail shots...sump guard and fuel cell (lifted from separate, and now deleted previous thread). http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_124239_OrangeSump.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_124253_OrangeSump2.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_124307_OrangeFuelCell.jpg

Mine hangs of the bottom of the boot floor. I happen to like this solution better than drilling yet another hole into the painted skin. Which is why my rear license plate bracket comes up from underneath the car too.

I have bare aluminum floors with rubber floor mats. My dealer-built car came with heat insulation on the engine side of the footboxes. I occasionally feel the heat in the footwell, but nothing too bad. Nothing on the tranny tunnel, and that normal black plasticky stuff on the sides. I happen to like the bare bones look of no carpet and think it matches the Superlight aesthetic well.Al Navarro2006-12-29 07:58:12

Well, it wasn't quite 80 here in NJ. But it was in the 50s and the weather broke in the early afternoon. So I gave myself an early X-mas present and went for a short blat with my younger daughter. It's been way too long — I forget how damn quick these cars are.

No. But, I was just reading the new EVO last night (issue #100!) and I think if price were not an issue, I would be stupid enough to buy a Veyron. I think you have to buy it in the classic Bugatti blue though. However, I'd still want to keep the Seven.

Last post before the holiday weekend (although I'll check in from my dial up home). Thanks to all the new folks as well as the old guard for helping make this forum a genuine grassroots resource for people who share our love of the four-wheeled motorbike. And additional thanks to everyone who supported our crazy little idea to suggest a national level meet back in July. We're nearly halfway to 7-7-7!!! Happy holidays!

Most of the details on my car can be found at >gardenstatesevens.org Here's a quick rundown of the basics: • I took delivery in May 2005 and am the first owner • Car is a 2003/4 Superlight built by Rex M. of Speed Classics • Powered by non-SVT Zetec with throttle bodies • Full windshield (also have aeroscreen — actually sold this in 2007) • 6-speed Caterham tranny with LSD • Full carbon pack - front and rear fenders, dash, and sills • 15" rims with Avon CR500s • Composite/carpet seats with 4 & 5 point harnesses • Heat shielding on firewall • NEW AS OF 07/07 — Raceline Water Rail The big ATL fuel cell and Woody's alternator kit are about all I've had done from a systems POV. Oh, wait...I got the headers down to the 4 into 1 Jet Hot coated and fancied up the heat shield with black powdercoating. Converted the car to side exit exhaust to comply with NJ inspection. And of course, I've dressed the car up with the Jill Judd half hood and trackday cover. What else...a Wolo LED brake light, dual power ports under dash, an i/o port racing camera bracket, and a custom sump guard from the folks at Exoticars USA — who look after my car maintenance-wise. Eventually, I'd like to get the Raceline water rail. Since my car came in a pretty high state of tune, I'm happy enough with its pace. We'll see how I feel after going tire to tire with Mazda's V8 (now with head and cam!!!) at the auto-x next year. My priority for 2007 is a trailer. Here's a pic that's similar to my avatar, slightly different angle, cropped, and blown up. This shot was taken at our house, which although small, old, drafty, and constantly in need of repair, has its charms — including a bridge in the driveway. We've also got enough field space to host at least 25 Se7ens...maybe even more should a Northeast/Mid-Atlantic meet ever transpire. FYI, Mint is the name of my company, although the Seven is definitely not a company car. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061221_152308_OrangeBridge.jpgAl Navarro2006-12-28 12:09:44

Thanks Mike! There have been so many new folks over the past few months, it's nice to know just a bit more about everyone. A handful of us on the East Coast have met up, and then there's the West Coast contingent (californiacaterhamclub.com) who meet somewhat regularly. We hope eventually to have a centrally located meet where the twain can meet (although we're getting plenty of signups for 7-7-7 from far and wide). This site (which was set up by Mazda E., initially as a Rotus group, I think) has become a great hub with appeal to owners of all LSiS marques (except for the uber purists) and future owners alike. I think a lot of the folks from the various marque-specific forums as well as the usa@se7ens.net list come here — including quite a few manufacturers/distribs. I'm pretty sure Brian Anderson of WCM is going to be at the 777 Event next July. A bit far for you, but then again, you'd be a lock (or a tie) for the longest drive prize! -Al Al Navarro2006-12-21 15:02:21

Thought this might need a bump to the top...welcome all new forum members. Please take a minutes to share a little bit about yourselves here.