Timothy Keith-Lucas

Could someone with this stuff in their head tell me the specification for the brake shoes for a 1962 Series 2 America? They appear very ordinary, but as usual the parts dealers name the more common cars that use them but not the Lotus Seven. Thanks.

Bravo, Speedwagon. Therein lies a good point. The local mechanic has invested in tire changing tools, and some others I can't afford or rarely need. Farm out those jobs. Why he can't bring himself to buy even a torque bar for that demolition wrench is beyond me.

Part of owning a Seven is not handing it to a local mechanic. At least the pre-Caterham examples are so simple that it is difficult for me to come up with a scenario where I would. My local mechanic takes very good care of my Miata with my only complaint being the air hammer his resident Neanderthal uses to over-torque my lug nuts. The problems that are a challenge to me, such as 64 year-old Lucas wiring behind the scuttle, would take him just as long to figure out as it has me, and for everything else I have you folks, bless you. Sevens are a learning experience, not just a driving experience. OK, I'll let him mount tires, but onto rims, not onto the Seven.

It took me only 15 minutes to remove my windscreen and scuttle last week when flipping a switch resulted in bunches of Lucas electricity (smoke) escaped my under-panel wiring, given that last year I converted all those rivets to rivet nuts. Do allow me to suggest using stainless steel rather than aluminum nuts. They grip tighter than the aluminum version. That means that they are less likely to spin when you tighten the bolt. A spinning rivet nut is a real PITA, because it is really difficult to remove/replace. As a related point, I also recommend using a drill with adjustable torque, set pretty low, to tighten the bolts, as additional protection against spinning one.

That one is easy for us suuthern types. Pour-sha is close to Pour, suh (sir). How about coupe versus cou-pay?

If the Caterham really surfaces in the United States, such that people talk about it, will they pronounce it Cat-er-ham or Cate-rhum?

Gorgeous! I'm trying to get my head around the idea of someone actually putting many many miles on a Seven - I think of mine, and I bet others think of theirs, as short range go for a spin on some country roads sports cars, not long range transport. I put mine on a trailer if I'm going more than 80 km from home.

Cate-rhum. Sounds good. Thanks.

What's the correct pronunciation of "Caterham"? I've never heard anyone knowledgeable speak it, so I've assumed Cat-er-ham. But then, English "English" makes focsle out of forecastle, so no telling.

If you have not got an answer by tomorrow, would my picking up the front end of my Series two and taking some measurements help? I've got the original springs/shocks.

As bland as cold oatmeal. Could have been reduced to a short list of items to include when projecting a kit car cost. A much more interesting article would be based on the cost of a kit versus the cost experienced by someone who actually built one. A great big Duh....

You are inspiring me to add something similar to my 1962 Series 2. I hate that run-down feeling.

Small? Yeah. File down your fingernails on the pavement while driving. North Florida is the land of the Ford 5-150, and the top of my windscreen is five inches below the window sill thereof. Be very careful to stay out of blind spots.

Wow! She's pretty. Looks like you've found an excellent car on which to bestow all your disposable income. Improving this and repairing that will also keep you out of dive bars on weekends. Congratulations.

Lisa's 1924 Model T is pretty and lots of fun. She's pretty well finished work on it and is moving to renovation of another one. Actually, the enclosed trailer was bought for the T before I bought the 7. It just happens to fit. My usual 7 trailer is a generic 6x12 open utility trailer. Both are the least expensive options in the two classes of trailer, with the down side being having to own a truck to haul the enclosed one. Her Dodge Caravan Soccer Mom minivan will haul the 7 on the open trailer. If we both go to a show too far for me to drive the 7 there, she gets the enclosed trailer and the truck and I take the open trailer and the mini van.