Jim F.

Even though I only have put `

Rip!

I don't know if this is of any interest to you, but Rich Kamp of Golden Gate Sevens (Kampena Motors) at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) who built my Caterham in '03 sold me a fitted cover that fits like a glove....a little spendy at $215 (then) with the only identifying labels reading C54GK & " Block-It" ™ fabric. It's grey in color, very light, elastic all the way around the bottom, and appears identical to a Tyvek fitted cover I used to have on my Esprit........bottom line, they are available but would check w/Ben @ Caterham Denver or Rich Kemp.

I remember a lot of years ago there was a production version called the Monster Miata w/ a high HP V-8 (Ford?).....haven't seen any discussions over the years whether they were good, bad, or indifferent. Anybody care to chime in on its specs, popularity, desirability, collectibility, etc. Can't remember the last time I saw one, if I ever have. I've always liked the Miata and felt (probably like a lot of others) that Lotus sure missed the boat when it was introduced.

This thread on tires is also a point of interest to me. I'm embarrassed to divulge how many few miles are on the tires that came on my '02 Cat Roadsport (new build in 6/03), after almost 8 years of ownership I feel I should probably change out the tires, not for wear but for age reasons. I've followed conversations over the years about tires and am left with the thought I should have Toyo RA-1's, R888's, or Avon ACB10's in that order of preferance based on member inputs. Existing tires are Avon ZV1 185/60R14's (as supplied), which IIRC, are rated as really crappy tires and should be replaced if for no other reason than on GP. I've thought about putting the car up for sale over the last couple of years due to my not being able to utilize/enjoy it, but before I make that final decision to sell I thought I should (maybe) put on fresh rubber. It hasn't seen one minute of track time since it's only street driven. Thoughts/recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Rich Kamp of Kampena Motors/Golden Gate Sevens at Sears Point (Infineon) built my Zetec Roadsport in 6/03 and even though he isn't an official Cat dealer anymore, IIRC Ben in Denver told me he would assemble a car, as I had been trying to get a hold of Rich with no luck, prompting my call to Ben requesting info about him......it's been at least a year since I last tried to connect with him. Try (415)341-3822 and/or http://www.kampena.com

After reading the comments on Tues. the 1st, I ordered the Silent Ears. $13.67 delivered for the two sizes ("average" and "small"). I've also been using the orange tapered foam plugs for quite a while, but since I also ride a Yamaha Virago I thought I'd try a plug that suits both needs. One thing I might do is to drill a small hole in one of the "petals" on each one and connect them together w/a piece of clear 5# fishing line to avoid losing one (them). They look very promising and are certainly worth a try.

Just noticed that Suguino's custom built 7 is back on eBay for $69.9K. I've always admired the car as a purely sensational work of automotive art and if I had $70K of liquid, discretionary cash available right now I would acquire it. Design/build time, materials, labor, fabrication, etc., translates into a huge pile of dollars, and for the price probably a screaming bargain. Has anyone ever heard how much money he had in the car at the time of completion or at least a break even point? Only curious.....

Because of a time constraint at this moment, from a viewpoint of a purely fun car to drive on a daily basis, two months ago I purchased a one owner '07 Dodge Magnum 3-year lease turn-in w/ 40K mi. Always caught my eye from its introduction in '05 and finally jumped in, since they stopped production in '08 and are becoming hard to find. Classified as a Sportwagon it still has the appearance of a hot rod stationwagon. More later..........probably. BTW, I'm almost 69 and have also had a ton of other cars throughout my lifetime (like most others my age), but this Magnum is a pure pleasure to drive...........not a bit of regret!

The aero I ordered to replace the stock plastic cap that came on my Cat came from Caterham but has an engraved "7" instead of "Caterham" in the area above the opening tab......otherwise, it's identical and as I recall was about the $170 price, even though it's been installed since 6/03.

Aside from all the trinkets and stuff, it's a sad day to acknowledge that at my age of 68 I'll never have a new Lotus again, after owning 2 Europas, 2 Esprits, and 3 7's in various time periods since 1970. If what I read in the recent past is correct, the new Elise will be the least expensive (cheapest) Lotus available at $120K. A new Esprit at $180K? I'm wondering what demographic group they're targeting.........sure hope we haven't seen the beginning of the demise of the Lotus brand. I've loved Lotus' since I saw my first 7 while schooling at Ft. Sill, OK in the early/mid 60's.

Randy G's is a Birkin and nicely modified for the track. End of season in White City saw Randy walk away with autocross TTDs each day. Fantastic car and driver. Well sorted out Webered Dunnell Zetec. BTW, he and I both live here in Grants Pass. I have an '03 Caterham DeDion Roadsport, LSD, wide track, TWM/Pectel ITBs, cycle fenders, etc. There's also Dave Nichols( Editor of Easyriders, V-Twin, and Rebel Rodz magazines) from Ashland on the CCC site w/a '78 Caterham/Lotus Twin Cam. I'm not sure if Dave's info is current and correct but will try to contact him in the near future. Feel free to contact me if you'd care to.....

That's as pretty of a contrasting color choice and design I think I've ever seen, especially on a Seven! Beautiful......do you have any more photos you can post, like maybe a walk-around showing the rear end treatment? We seem to have similar tastes.

"only" $950 and free shipping......hell of a deal!

I, also, would very seriously consider attending a Sevens-only event if it were to be held in Las Vegas. My son and his family live in Wheat Ridge, CO, so this would be an opportunity to do both. I attended a LOG gathering (year unknown) in Cambria, CA years ago with my '89 Esprit and also felt very much an outsider, I assumed because I had an Esprit and not a vintage performance Lotus. I was just interested in the social side of the gathering (tours, scenic drives, show & shine, etc.) and felt ignored because I wasn't a dirt-and-oil-under-the-fingernails type of guy. NTS, I haven't attended another one since and wouldn't consider another one unless it was being held in my backyard. I left the LOG feeling very much snubbed by the elitist group.....not at all welcoming to outsiders. Part of the beauty of our club is all members are equal and status/income levels are of no consequence.........just a pure passion for our beloved Sevens and a willingness to aid in helping to solve problems and keeping the atmosphere upbeat and enjoyable.

Good question.....I've been wondering the same thing about a wrench for the Bilsteins that came on my Cat. Roadsport. I know I'm able to make one that will work, but I'd rather purchase a nice finished one.

McDougal; I'm the Jim F. (Jim Fraser) from Grants Pass that Gert's referring to in his post. Shoot me a PM and I'd be happy to arrange a meet-up with you if you're going to be down my way anytime. '03 Caterham DeDion Roadsport, TWM/Pectel Zetec, LSD, wide track, cycle fenders, removeable suede Racetech, cloth Cat. seats w/headrests, and a few more options/goodies. Only street driven (so far).

For the above mentioned reasons, that's why I've elected to keep the Al. bodywork in a semi-polished condition i.e. clean, bright, non-mirrored finish. I absolutely love the look of a highly-polished Seven w/ complimentary paint, but the maintenance aspect puts me off a little. Every other year or so I take about 2 hours to go over the car with Metal Armor and am totally happy with the results. Haven't done it yet this year but will over the winter sometime. The only paint I have is the Cat. yellow nosecone and four fenders. That and the Jet-Hot side exhaust make for a very pleasing portrait, IMO.

FWIW, and since you're asking for opinions, I've never cared for a single stripe down the center. I haven't seen anything I like better than a hood stripe with a nose band in a contrasting (complimentary) color on any Seven. I concur that a stripe over bare al. meeting a painted nosecone doesn't look very good but not necessarily "busy". I just don't think it'll look very good. But, do as you please as you only have to please yourself (true or not?). My Cat has stock yellow fenders and nosecone w/ semi-polished al. body and Jet-Hot side exhaust. This is my 3rd Seven, having had it built in '03 and have yet to add any striping at all, although am considering some tastefully done airbrushing by a local hot rod specialist. I might be looking to "enhance" the rather plain appearance, if there is any such thing in regards to a Seven. Best of luck with your decision! With best regards, Jim F.

Kiwi, for no other reason than curiosity, did you by chance take a look at the Fraser cars before you decided to acquire your Birkin and perform all the subsequent changes and upgrades you've recently acomplished? I share the Fraser name and was interested to visit their website fraser.co.nz. I saw some really cool LED lighting options they offered and had a tour of their offerings. One of their engine options appears to be the 1600 4AGE....is that the same motor you've installed? Enjoyed following your build along the way! Great job and quite an undertaking.

Here in Oregon when I registered/titled my newly built '02 Caterham DeDion Roadsport, the DMV would only accept the VIN as stated on Caterham's MSO. Since I live in a smog- exempted county, I didn't research further to see if there was alternate registration available or possible.

Sounds like a real plan! I'd like to investigate the possibility of an air tank exchange program similar to propane tank exchanges currently available at supermarkets, and a mobile air exchange service....we come to you at your convenience. Maybe we could start a franchise business. Look at all the tires out there that have never had their air replaced....way overdue for this type of service! Advice, suggestions, inputs? We should jump all over this before before someone else snags the concept and locks up the patents!!!!!!!!

"healthy as real bacon"?.................that's pretty disturbing!

If it is as high-strung as it seems to be (I certainly wouldn't argue that point), the driveline and ancillaries alone probably approach half the asking price. Absolutely a work of art and too nice to be driven "a lot".......belongs in a Jay Leno type's collection.