Taber10

Great article, great video, great couple of guys! Absolutely right on a few points: The Cat always gets attention; Most Americans don't recognize it, although more do if you say "Lotus 7"--I wonder if Caterham's foray into F1 will bring greater recognition?--and most classic cars here are "over-restored" resulting in "over-protection." While our British car club has some "drivers" we also have "showers" that prefer attending car shows over actual driving. Thanks for the post!

The "Jim Clark" driving shoes came in today. Includes extra shoe laces--in yellow, which I immediately switched out for the white ones on the shoe. Size seems correct to me. I am "lucky" that the green/yellow is correct for my Cat7 SV, but for some reason I want to add a white number circle and a "5" to the bonnet! Thanks again to you guys for posting this info--you don't get $60 shoes in my size very often. Taber

Skip, Thanks for the link--and, of course, the green/yellow works for me! Taber

I still can't thank Ben Wofford enough....He got me a "temporary" CO registration for $15, before I even saw the vehicle. It was to allow me to drive from Caterham USA to Florida, but then allowed me to drive to the FL inspection, which is NOT done in my county. But the FL guys took that CO "temp" registration to consider my Caterham as a "previously registered vehicle" reducing my FL registration problems significantly.

Thanks for posting the link to the picture gallery--some great looking cars there. Is yours the "LSIS" that is all red, or the red and highly polished Aluminum? Looks like lots of "prep work" went into that al body! Taber

This may not suit your needs, but when my Caterham light broke, I found an LED light on eBay that mounts to the top two license plate bolts. I'm hoping that since it won't "stick out" so far, that I won't have it broken! Taber

Subtlez28, You need to find a GOOD al welder, and not all welding shops and certainly not all radiator shops have them. I would suggest that you get these "tabs" that Prestone and GM developed after Cadillac came out with the Northstar. It had porosity problems with some aluminum components that was not fixable with welding--you'd have to weld the whole system. These "tabs" work wonders for PINHOLES, not for punctures, etc. from what my mechanics say. GM provided the first ones through GM dealers, but now several sources duplicated the formula and any good auto parts may have them. Good luck, Taber

Bigdog, Welcome home! I know it will be a transition. For me personally, I still can't drink a "Bud lite" or most other American beers. I came home right after the "wall" fell, but before the East German drivers took over, and my disappointment was in the skill and attention of the Average American Driver on the interstate. And, with texting that has gotten worse if anything. So, watch that, even in WA. Taber

One quick reply: The Master Battery Switch is an excellent "anti-theft" device for a road car. I had mine mounted on the dash, and I turn off and then pocket the removable "key" if I'm parked in a questionable area. Still, the earlier Caterhams, without the English "Immobilizer" installed, would be simple to rewire, but it gives me some peace of mind knowing I did something extra to prevent anyone messing with the car. For a road car, the five speed is probably best--at least that is what RMSC, Inc. told me back in 2007. At that time, they offered a "long first five speed" as the best road option. The unpainted aluminum is harder to polish or "maintain unpolished" than the painted surfaces. Not that I spend much time on the appearance of mine, but you have to "rub" it lots with Never-Dull or something to keep an even looking finish. I've NEVER washed the entire car, only wiped off surfaces, and I only do that a couple times a year. My car is definitely a "driver" and not much of a "shower" except that I've won awards at our local British car club show. Has more to do with the uniqueness of the Caterham parked among the Minis, MGs and TRs, as I'm the only "Se7en" in our club. While I have 14 inch wheels on my road car, you want the "tallest" wheel and tire combination to give you as much clearance for potholes, road hazards, etc. I would recommend the skid plate from Mid-Atlantic, if they still provide them. The track/autocross guys like the lower CG provided by smaller wheels, and I guess less "unsprung" weight from smaller wheels and tires--I can't speak to that as my car is totally road. The assembly cost was a very worthwhile investment for me--I was working overseas at the time and couldn't have assembled my car. You get a "professional" job, you get your car much sooner, etc. I'm not sure it affects resale that much, but is often mentioned in ads. The used cars have a limited market , and those guys looking to buy used will probably know how to sort out any issue discovered by a second owner/not sorted by the original owner. I am impressed that you are already considering that factor--I STILL have not actually worried about it, as it will be a problem for my heirs or full time caregivers, not me! Not specifically Caterham, but the number of "project" kits bought and never finished often astounds me..... Good luck with your decision and your car!

s2K7, That's really funny! I am going to retire from my second career in a few months, after ten years working for a company headquartered in Burlingame, CA. As CA goes, Burlingame isn't as bad as some places.

jlumba81, While on the surface your idea seems fine, my "closest" NEW Caterham dealer is listed as Lamborghini Palm Beach. And, while they do have a 2012 Caterham R500 offered for sale, I'm not yet certain that a Lamborghini dealer with NO reference to Caterham other than the used car on their web site makes me feel that they can/will/want to support my 2007 vehicle. On the positive side, I make it down to WPB once or twice a year--on my way to the Keys, normally, and I will have to stop in and talk to them.....

A speedometer that only goes to 60mph on Skips' Caterham would be very inadequate!

Wow, looks like a great trip! Great places in the US Southwest to visit. Now, June in a "Seven" in the southwestern desert..... Taber

I'm very jealous, as I have only had one "low speed" circuit of Donington Park during the early '80s in a US Spec TR6. But I want to make a historical note: Donington hasn't hosted the British GP for quite some time, actually pre-war I believe. It did host the 1993 European GP, for which Senna is deservedly well-remembered. That was more than 10 years ago.... During that time frame, Brands Hatch and Silverstone shared hosting the British GP and alternately, the "world" GP or something similar. Donington was much more fun, in that club races, Formula Ford series, etc. were routinely held there from 1977 on. Thanks for the pictures! Taber

According to the information on this site, Jon at the former Caterham USA isn't even listed as a dealer. Is that correct? What happened to the stocks of parts he had..... Taber 2007 Caterham 7 SV*

Wow, That looks great! Taber 2007 Caterham 7 SV*

I only spent six months there in 1992, commuting six days a week between Eskan VIllage and Al Kharj, or about 100KM each way. Their philosophy--religion actually--is that "If Allah wills it..." it will be so. If Allah wills them to be hit, no amount of jumping, running, dodging etc. will save them. If they get hit, and Allah wills it, they will survive. Unfortunately, I saw a couple of bad accidents where this was applied in lieu of proper first aid.

I have a great picture of Guy--although Terri is more "photogenic".....

Likewise, I have been receiving the posts on suspension, and likewise I'm not sure of the question, but I have received it. Thanks, Taber

Much better than hitting a bear! Taber

I did a lap at Spa also--took me about 35 minutes! Before the 1989 Tour de France, amateur cyclists were warming up for a race, so I got out my Cannondale R400... Later, the peloton came in from Luxembourg, after riding nearly 100 KM, did three laps for a total of about 12 minutes or something like that. Great day....

Skip, Of course, I'm sure you are correct about CO, but in my research--I can't confirm for Fla, or one of the many other jurisdictions I lived in for the years I had been wanting and researching Caterhams--it isn't actually that the chassis and drivetrain have to be purchased separately, but you must prove that you didn't buy a complete car--it would have to meet many more regulations. The easiest way to prove that you have a "specially constructed vehicle" as some states call it, is to have at least two bills of sale for serially numbered parts--such as engine and chassis. Actually, you must assemble the car yourself, but and Ben agreed with this, you can hire as much (or as little) help and assistance as needed because there is not a regulation or law specifying the amount you must do personally and still qualify as a "specially constructed vehicle. I had to do--or at least claim I did--some of the "finish work" on my car at RMSC. Otherwise, RMSC would be an auto manufacturer, and their products would have to meet the entire range of regulations, etc. When Zetecs could not be sourced from Ford, then Caterham USA provided the second source, including the "adapter kit." But when Duratecs were sourced from Ford, that became the second provider, and RMSC was no longer actually required. Just my thoughts--even if they are slightly "off topic" here.

Do you mean, "all SV Chassis..." or do you mean, "...all SV Chassis....from now forward..." or, "...all SV Chassis... that I will import...?" Taber

It seems that this kind of misleading journalism and the wide readership that AW receives is exactly what could get a Federal review of the current situation, which could lead to NOTHING good for us. Just my thoughts.

Plus one on MichaelD's comment above. Taber (also known for a wildlife encounter where Jon's help was invaluable and unsurpassed!)