Taber10

In 2007 I heard the figure of 30 a year, and that seemed very high. 2000 total in the US seems awfully high. Just my uneducated opinion though.......

[quote=Interesting article about Caterhams and winter driving: Bruce, great article, thanks for posting! I guess I'm lucky to be in Florida, because the "one percent" in winter UK is a much larger percentage here. Yesterday we headed off in 40 degree weather to a Christmas Parade, with no doors. Loved it. By parade time it was approaching the 60s, and the drive home, without top in 60+ degree weather, on back roads, was terrific.

Hey, Croc, you really shouldn't put "all of Florida" together, at least not politically. The Panhandle has even been recognized TWICE by President Trump as "different" from most of Florida, once during the 2016 elections when the Panhandle, which is in Central Time Zone, swung the State in his favor. We try to refer to it as "LA" for Lower Alabama, because we tend to vote differently than the rest of the State. Also, we have one of the highest percentages of active and retired Military in the Nation. AND, we have some pretty good microbreweries!

I had both front fenders replaced, and the right front fender support, along with both headlamps, nose cone, radiator, etc. etc. But, for the record, the wife STILL insists that the bear was hunting us, as he ran into us--in her description of the incident.

I will add my dated (2007) experience in FL, but also Croc's statement about different DMV offices applies: FL requires that to register a "Specially Constructed Vehicle" the owner must provide documentation that the parts were separately purchased, and not purchased as a constructed vehicle. See another thread where Croc describes "Caterham USA" and "Rocky Mountain Sportscars Incorporated" as separate--but in adjoining buildings--sources for the chassis and the engine. You must state that YOU assembled the vehicle, but you can hire as much "help" as you want. FL will accept a prior registration, for parts of the vehicle--and it can ease the process--but still you must have at least two sources for the parts. You cannot just go to any FL DMV--it must be one of the DMVs with an assigned vehicle inspection officer--in the case of Pensacola in 2007 that was a uniformed (and armed!) State Trooper who will verify the VIN, and in theory at least, ensure seatbelts, windshield wipers, etc. Good luck with the process. Taber

I'm not sure that it is necessary, but I would like to "add one" to Croc's opinion of Jon Nelson stated above. After my encounter with the bear, I had some extensive dealings with Jon also, further complicated by the interaction with my insurance company, and he really went out of his way to help me. Taber

Certified Lotus, Thanks for the Christmas wishes, and for the great pictures. Not exactly sure about the, "...and their lonely cars stored for the winter." as it has FINALLY cooled off enough down here to really enjoy driving. Taber

I can't explain the dealership, but I will say that David Saville Peck, RIP, was an outstanding individual and great representative of Caterham, driver's sportsmanship and even of both of his countries. He was a gentleman and host of the finest caliber (calibre?). While many of our group knew him better than I, and of course had known him longer, he allowed the Grizzly Bear Blat crowd to take over his house, the dealership and most of his garage. He provided beer, barbeque and even test rides in his Hayabusa powered Caterham to many of our group. He dropped everything going on in his shop to repair a wheel bearing problem for one of the cars, and provided help and advice to several of us.

Jabbers, interesting site, but if Andy reads it--and nothing else--it could be depressing! So, has anyone heard from Andy? Did he get the visa, get moved, get the Caterham, etc? And, more important to me, he mentions getting parts from "Caterham USA" and I'm not sure who/what that is today. At Log 37 I discussed it briefly with Tony, but hadn't heard anything since. Does anyone have any input? Taber

Once you paint or polish the "virgin" aluminum, it is difficult to return the aluminum to the original "satin" or "brushed" natural state. Not that I have done any of that to my Caterham......

My Caterham has been "bare aluminum" for over ten years that I've had it. It really depends on "the look" that you are going for: I wanted a "traditional" look, and the club racers of the early Sevens history didn't waste time or money with polishing or painting--it wouldn't improve the speed or handling and would be harder to replace after the inevitable racing shunt, scrape, etc. IF you want a "fast and flashy" look then you are going to have to polish and/or paint. Another point--you can't easily reverse the paint/polish, but I can ADD paint or polish any time..... Just my thoughts..... Taber

I understand about the height issue--I'm 6ft3in myself. I would love to have you sit in my SV, but while I am in Florida, I am FIVE HOURS west of Jacksonville on I-10, in Crestview. If you ever get over this way, give us a shout. Taber

My thoughts are that you should have your knees cut off for calling the SV "...goofy...."! Maybe if you tried one, your opinion would change? Taber

Hope this helps.....

Great pictures, esp. the lowflying Spitfire in the background, and some pictures of Skip--but really his name should be in the original title......

I use an Odyssey Model #PC680MJ-A in my Caterham. Fits the space and provides LOTS of cranking power. Taber

I think it depends on the construction of the jack stands. I have done some slight damage to my RaceDeck even jacking CAT7SV and my Elan M100 because an older set of jack stands had "sharp" edges on the bottom of the legs. I have since made some plywood bases for my jack stands. It is possible to replace single tiles that get damaged, by prying out that tile and snapping in a new one.

I'm not sure how it would relate to your barn, but my garage--referred to as "Taber's Toybox"...has RaceDeck flooring. This is a plastic tile that interlocks, comes in lots of colors, and different "anti-skid"designs. One version is even designed for washracks and has a big drainage capability. While not inexpensive, it works great and lasts a long time--my floor has been down for about twelve years. While it withstands oil, gas, brake fluid, acetone, etc. IT DOES NOT withstand a slow gas tank leak while you are working overseas for three months! BUT, the company replaced the three "buckled" squares free of charge. I strongly recommend it.

Not sure I know what measurement you want, but since no one else has posted..... Measuring from OUTSIDE on driver's side at rear bottom of scuttle, across dvr's legs, above trans tunnel, STRAIGHT to bottom rear outside on passenger side: 43 3/4th Inches. Removing bonnet, measuring from outside front of scuttle on drivers side, across petal box, under heater box, behind battery straight to outside on passenger side: 39 3/4ths Inches. Measuring for windscreen fitting--from bottom of glass where it sits on the scuttle to the other side, INCLUDING some of the curvature at this point on the scuttle, and NOT reaching the "bottom" of the scuttle where the w/s stanchions mount, but only the length of the bottom of the glass: 40 1/4th inches. Measuring from the FRONT top of the scuttle, back over the center line to the REAR of the scuttle--over the dash: 14 1/4th inches--this could be considered the "depth" of the scuttle vs. the width??? Hope this helps...

Beagle, Welcome. I'm 6'3" and around 220, and fit an SV fine. I'd recommend you take your driving shoes along for the test fit, because the foot box restrictions come into play for some of us--like my Size 12s! Taber

Good to know! Any idea how many came to the States? Taber

Just to make sure this thread is complete, although this post is actually "off-topic" Joan and I were at Gettysburg/LOG 30, and felt as if we were "outsiders" and not as "welcome" as we had been in Birmingham/LOG 29. At least this past year at Birmingham/LOG 37, Joan and I felt that there was more consideration of the "non-Lotus" Lotus Seven Inspired Sportscars.

Gert, Ditto what "...Dingo..." said: Glad we got to travel with you, and I'll never forget how jealous Joan and I were of all your "modifications" during GBB. That has to be one of the best "touring" LSISs ever imagined, and so well sorted! Hope you continue to contribute your great knowledge to this site. Taber

I have given "dozens" of people rides in my Caterham SV, in the years I have owned it, and similarly in the two Corvettes C6 and C7 that I have owned. This has included some children. While both cars are enjoyable and get lots of comments, the "sports car" experience of the Caterham is far, far more impressive than the Corvette. I guess if I were doing competitive driving somewhere, that would reverse, but on the street, the Corvette feels like 40 mph when you reach 90 mph, but the Caterham can--depending on the road--feel like 90 mph when you hit 40! The Caterham is the full sports car experience. Agreed, not so much fun on cold or hot days, and I've rarely driven it in the rain. Just my thoughts....

Skip, Despite selling your cars, I hope you stay on USA7s--I need the jokes! Thanks, Taber