mccasksl

Got it thanks! Now I see the all the battery pictures posted. Cheers! Steve

Thanks Mike. It appears to be over the passenger footwell. I’m installing same bracket same place. Did you secure the two SS studded plates so they don’t fall away when removing side brackets /nuts / battery? How? The bracket is an engineering marvel except for when you might want remove the battery seasonally etc. cheers! Steve

Thanks!

Mike: Is this the Odyssey PC-680 battery bracket you reference? Amazon.com: Odyssey Battery HK-PC680 Hold Down Kit For Use : Automotive Looks like a proper bracket. Do you have a picture of it installed in a Caterham you can share? Cheers! Steve

What is the collective wisdom of Seven owners on freeing frozen threaded rod ends in various suspension bits? My record is very poor: 75% on rear Watts Linkage on a 2009 S3 and 50% on front inboard suspension push rods and rear track rods on a 2005 CSR. It appears literally everything was assembled dry on these two cars and no amount of Liquid Wrench / PB Blaster or concentrated heat are able to keep the rod ends from shearing off leaving a threaded portion in the fabricated tube. Heat also quickly destroys any rod end lubrication free PTFE insert or liner but I want to have complete alignment adjustment for dialing in the suspension. To date, while they are still available, replacement watts links, push rods, track rods and rod ends are less expensive than machine shop time to drill out and re-tap the fabricated tubes, if you can find a suitable machine shop. I was always amazed at what the serious dual sport / off road motorcycle folks would do, that of taking delivery of a brand-new bike from KTM and the like and proceeding to completely dissemble, inspect, and reassemble the bike using the proper lubricants, anti-seize, and torque settings. Both the S3 and CSR are quickly heading in that direction. Many thanks in advance for any words of wisdom or successful experiences you care to share. Cheers! Steve Austin

Hi Steve: Perfect timing as several of us (Lotus/Caterham Texas folks) are contemplating a trip early July to take in a number of like minded events. Several have booked to take in F1 Silverstone 7/5-7 followed by Goodwood FOS the next weekend 7/11-14, along with a number of other must do / see stops, Hethel for Group Lotus and Classic Team Lotus, and The Bird in Hand Pub / Restaurant, Dartford for Caterham Cars, Brooklands Museum, etc. etc. As for organized tours / packages, a number of years ago I took an incredible Classic Team Lotus themed group tour (all inclusive airport pickup to drop off) taking in most of the above and a number of other private car collections, restoration / race shops, and estates, not generally available or open to the public. I'll have to inquiry if they are still offered. There are many F1 oriented commercial tour package companies, not necessarily Lotus/Caterham focused, I'm sure can provide a great package although I have no specific experience with them. But with a little bit of work and input from others, you can put together your own trip. I'm sure Croc and others can offer many more recommendations and local contacts. Feel free to message or contact me off list and I'd be glad to share what I've learned and experienced. FWIW Silverstone F1 tickets are already running low or sold out for many selections. Goodwood FOS tickets went on sale to the general public a couple weeks ago and they will run low or sell out of the ideal days / packages etc. Silverstone F1 and Goodwood FOS are not to be missed on any UK trip if you have never been. Cheers! Steve Austin

Mike: Incredible experiences, write ups, scenery, cars, and pictures, Thanks for sharing! Your track day experiences are always eagerly anticipated so we can live them vicariously thru your writeups. The Goodwood Track Day sticker is a keeper! I notice NY plates on your 420 which is presumably kept / used in the UK / Europe. Can / do you legally drive it on the street? NY plates vs. UK registration? MOT? Insurance? pros and cons for your purposes? Cheers! Steve

Thanks for sharing. Caterham folks were readily encouraging / offering visual inspections of all CSR’s in attendance at the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Donington. FWIW no apparent cracks or deficiencies found in the 4-5 cars I watched them inspect. They had several offending (failed) parts on the bench to show what they were looking for. Upon my return stateside, visual inspection of my 2005 CSR w/ 11,600 kms did not show any cracks etc. but I plan to disassemble mine for a closer inspection and proper reassembly w/ lube etc. I received two new “clevis blocks” with purchase of the car. Cheers! Steve Austin

For those inquiring minds, who think about things like this, and more, check out Matthew Crawford’s two very fine books: “Shop Class as Soulcraft” and “Why We Drive”. cheers! Steve Austin

Excellent! Thanks for all your input. Steve

Plan now! Goodwood FOS 11-14 July 2024 https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/festival-of-speed/2023/7/2024-goodwood-festival-of-speed-dates-announced/

Greetings: What is the general consensus on recommended coolant for mid-late 2000's Duratec? Caterham literature points to Comma X-Stream Red, which I have yet to find in the US. What is everyone else using in the US? To top off existing? To refill after total flush? Steve Austin

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/festival-of-speed/2023/7/project-v-is-caterhams-vision-for-a-future-ev-sportscar/

Very nicely done! 2005 Prodrive AM DB9 #59 Racing Green? just add yellow nose band. Looking forward to seeing Goodwood FOS coverage and hopefully appearance at Caterham 50th at Donington. cheers! Steve Austin

FWIW, in my view, Goodwood FOS / hill climb (held annually late June early July) has become the premier motorsports event in the world. Get a roving grandstand 3-day pass and take time to see everything. Book early as tickets / hotel rooms sell out. Goodwood Revival (held annually in the fall) at the motor circuit is also not to be missed. It mixes historic car / motorcycle races and displays along w/ WWII aviation (Spitfires, Mustangs, etc.) with the whole revival theme, period dress, dances, etc. Goodwood is much more than I can describe, you have to experience it, maybe several times, to fully understand. Growing up as a boy in the UK in the 60's and 70's, while not all cake and ice cream, must have been pretty heading stuff for motorsports fans. Cheers!