Timothy Keith-Lucas

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.

Good morning, savagete2860. Now that you have thoroughly overthought the entire issue, and we've gone down rabbit holes like tongue weight, I'd really like to hear your conclusion. In the meantime, some dimensions: Weight- Steel versus aluminum, with aluminum costing a bunch of money (about twice the price). Weight- Open versus enclosed, with enclosed weighing more and costing more, but better protection. Cost- Open is cheapest, and might safe you on the cost of the tow vehicle Cost- Enclosed steel is cheaper than enclosed aluminum Cost and weight- Single axle is cheaper and weighs less, and is adequate for a Cat. Those dimensions caused me to settle on a single axle 7x12 enclosed steel when I overthought the issue. Best wishes, --Tim.

Consider narrowing down the issue a bit. Take one side of a jumper cable and clamp it on the big terminal on the starter motor itself (not the relay on top of the starter if you have one). Touch the positive pole on the battery with the other end of the jumper cable. Did the starter spin? If yes, you can eliminate the starter motor and the battery as the problem. Now use MV8s test lead to supply power back at the starter switch, and so forth. Good luck with it.

That's one gorgeous car. Your flames look closer to what flames really look like when a speeding vehicle is on fire than do most. If you're hauling buns after your exhaust manifold fell off and a fuel line ruptured the flames go straight back. Usual representation of a bat-out-of-hell car look like a barbeque with too much charcoal lighter.

Amen on sources of error, MV8. The FAA/TSA seems to be thinking that if the battery is not too big and is in your carry-on, cabin staff can put out the fire while the passengers pray, scream, and dig in their bags for fresh underwear. So far, I have not heard of it happening.

I beg to disagree. Quoting from your FAA post " batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery." I'm travelling with a GooLoo automobile jump-off battery, rated as 76 watt hours, at this time. It went through TSA at the Orlando airport.

" Not all that fast but corners like a scared rabbit."

If your jump box is (as most are) under 100Whours, you can take it through TSA and use it as backup for all your electronics. I grabbed one out of the trunk of my Miata and brought it with me to Puerto Rico for a family event - great to have in airports and BNBs. Just remember that it has to be in your carry-on; they don't want them in the luggage hold.

Ok. I'm going to be comfortable with calling her a 948. At the minimum I won't be overstating her displacement, and it seems by far the most likely bet. If I ever take her head off, I'll be sure to measure it. Thank you all for both sharing your wisdom with me and engaging in a really interesting discussion. I've learned a lot more than just her likely displacement. God rest ye merry gentlemen. --Tim.

She raced in "FP"

That may be as close to certainty as I can get until I experience a "Catastrophic failure," leave broken parts and oil all over the road, and then have other reasons to pull the head. Thanks for your wisdom.

I was hoping to resolve the issue without taking the head off to measure the bore and stroke. The car was factory assembled, and I think we've established that it started life with a 948cc engine, but the term "race prepared BMC "A"" could hide all sorts of mischief.