DeanG

I think the biggest problem with choosing a Se7en is figuring out how you will use it (the same problem as choosing a boat). Its all about the difference between how you will use it and how you fantasies about using it. Think, what’s your poison: auto-cross, track days, race, concourse, show and shines, formal car shows, Sunday drives… I was lucky, I knew exactly what I wanted (a series 1 Lotus Seven) for Sunday drives and eventually concourse.

Pulling the head shouldn't be too bad but will be more expensive (i.e., gasket and possibly new head bolts). It allows a good check of the flatness of the head and block. If you choose to leave the head on make sure you turn over the engine so that the valves on the cylinder in question are closed. Good luck.

With cars such as ours the joy of having a good shop is boundless.

I will be visiting the trailer place on Tuesday. Other than that I see a circut with three relays and two diodes. One good thing. I found another brake system leak that would normally be hidden by the transmission tunnel cover.

Anyone going to the Euro Auto Festival held at the BMW in Spartanburg, South Carolina? We are seriously thinking of making the trip but have not committed yet. http://euroautofestival.com/default.aspx We were there a few years ago, it was great fun, in a nice location with good food. The only problem was the lack of Lotus & Se7ens! The most fun part was the track time driving new BMW’s. This year there is the option ($100) for the following. Wet / Dry auto-X: Driving 335s or 650 (TBD) through a coned autocross course that combines normal dry asphalt with a wet polished concrete surface. Performance Drive: Drive an M5, around a large road course. Sports Handling w/ Timed Runs: Drive the all new 335 around a road course and try to post your best lap time. Off Road course: Driving the X5 or X3, you will challenge the capabilities of BMW’s X Drive all wheel system. Match / Rat Race: Driving the M3 6spd or 335 Steptronic, you will race your opponent around a course to see who gets back to the finish line first. I found out that BMW drivers are wimps! I was driving a 7 series when the rear started to feel light. I figured that I could keep feeding it throttle and see how the electronic drivers would save me. Not! The rear tried to pass me! Afterward I asked one of the instructors how many cars they lost in a year. He said “none”, they had never crashed one.

Wow, using a small child for both a battery hold down and a data collection system. Chapman would be proud.

Several years back we had the oil filter back out of the twincam on our Elan. My wife and I had gone on an extended 400 mile Saturday drive. When we got home I saw some oil leaking. While wiping off the oil with a rag I felt the filter move (rock back and fourth). Glad it hadn't unscrewed another turn!

I like the darker colors. Unless you color match the top air screens I think the lighter colors are too jaring against the black. White would look good with color matched grill screens although I think it would need something (e.g., striping) to make it pop.

That’s the wonderful thing about Se7ens. You can tailor them to what you want. I happen to like the early Lotus Sevens best. That doesn’t mean that I don’t lust after a motorcycle engined Caterham and a Super Stalker.

Ah, the joy of owning a first class race shop. The car is like a period hot rod. Very clean and nice work, good design... The BBQ was fun with lots to see (Lotus Indy car, Se7en, super hot Mustang, replica Ferrari). The kids making root beer floats were a gas. They did a good job too. The Walker racing tour was amazing. Walking around the shop asking questions of the mechanics was encouraged. The speedway is a top notch facility. The yellow shirts were out in force and very helpful. The museum is interesting. I missed the guided tour of the museum. Can anyone tell me about it? The only problem with the speaker at lunch was that he didn’t have time to tell all his stories. I would have loved to get an extra lap or two on the oval, preferably at a bit faster pace but we filled the track! The banquette food was good and plentiful. Listening to the race mechanics talk about their experiences was fascinating. The presentation on the new Lotus cars kept my full attention. I need to scrape up some money so I can get a convertible Evora! The auto-x was fun with a good course at a good venue. There were even some off camber turns. The Putnam track looked like great fun. From my vantage point most everyone ran heads up and aware. There wasn’t any significant damage to anything or anyone that I heard of. Only the drive home sucked. John V. you definitely need to drive more. Remember: All work and no play will make John a dull boy!

Nice car and video. Watching the linkage between multiple Webber side drafts is always a thrill. The narrow tiers and chrome hubcaps certainly give it a classic look. Even a windy road seems to straighten out when there is a Se7en around, especially with an old Lotus Seven.

Apparently there is no end to the bad styling possibilities inherit in the design of the Seven.

I've been using Opera 9.5 for a while. No problems with this site. It does have problems with some other sites. Is it something so simple as not displaying the full picture (icon) of the camera in the lower right corner of the broweser frame?

I like the name "Se7en"

OK. If I hear of any older 7's I'll let you know. Has the Barber museum found a series 1 Seven? I know they were looking for one and have been cherry picking parts. Also, thanks for the kind words about #437. Our 7 is in a local shop for the moment. The differential was making horrid noises and the fuel tank was leaking. I didn't want to tackle those things myself. The shop is also taking care of a bunch of little things. I am hoping that I can get a good critique of the car at LOG.

Hazel Chappman will be attendance at LOG 28! She was at the birth of the 7, I think she was working in the kitchen while the origionl plans were being drawn. More than anyone she can be considered the mother of the 7 having pushed the idea that a replacment for the VI was needed. She was at the birth of the 7, I think she was working in the kitchen while the origionl plans were being drawn.

I bought my series 1 from a guy in PA. It was his last of quite a collection 2 series 2's a series 3 and a series 4. There are plenty of Lotus in NVA and a few between Norfolk and Richmond. I count 49 member of Lotus Ltd in VA.

Saw a Caterham in Paris when we were on vacation in mid April. That and one S1 Elise were the only interesting things we saw automotive wise. I wouldn't want to drive either in Paris traffic.

I can't promise we will be there. Our attendance depends on many factors not the least of which is the LOG schedule. I hear there are good deals at Branson at the moment. This may give you some leverage with the resorts.

Welcome Avery! Kingsmill is a mini hotbed of interesting cars. A few of the members of the Williamsburg Motoring Society live there. I'm down in Newport News, VA. Dean

Looks good. Enjoy. There are plenty of Lotus & Se7en folks in NVA.

The S4 is sweet.

The timing is touch and go for us although we intend to be there in time. I've never quite made any of the informal pre-LOG gatherings but I've heard they are a lot of fun and laid back. Soon after the frenzy starts: trying to attend all the tech sessions, preparing for the car show, auto-X, track, touring, meeting up with friends, looking at cars, trying to find parts, trinkets and bargains at the auto-jumble...

My wife had her first ride in our 7 about 2 months ago. She needed a lot of help to get back out (bad sholders) and then fell while helping me to push it home. She won't get another ride untill all is well and the car is reliable.

Dick would be a good contact. He has a wealth of knowledge about Caterham (being former dealer) and Lotus as wel as Birkin. Also, he has been racing and doing track days with on Se7en for quite some time. He was at 777 and has been at many LOG's. I've always had good dealings with him.