rzempel

Why not re-weld it?

You probably have the South African market only Toyota HiLux axle. From the sound of it, you do not have a LSD. If you can find one, Quaife units are excellent. I believe that Dick Brink, at Texas Motorworks has a different LSD Birkins. Also, if you haven't already, an upgrade to adjustable spherical bearing ended rods make the rear ride and traction much better. Woody at MSI used to supply a complete kit, but these days you probably need to put it all together from a racing supply shop.

What sort of noise is it...grinding, rattling, whining, etc.?

I'm not familiar with this box, though it certainly looks like a simple mechanism. What's the condition of that front shaft U-joint?

As far as I know, the earliest Birkins used uprights and steering components from Triumph Spitfire, but fairly soon changed to the aluminum uprights with spherical bearings on the steering arms. It *might* be possible to go backwards and fit Spitfire uprights with ball joints. Randall

That's just part of the crankcase vent system. Non-critical and easy to sort out. One side of the "t" hose likely comes from the air/oil separator on the side of the block, while the other line heads for the intake manifold or a catch bottle. That wouldn't be stock, but not much of the original smog stuff is left stock in our cars.

I like it. Too bad they don't have a real product to drool over and dream about.

I've owned several, and still have one--a '64 that I first bought in 1980. I also have a '60 TR3, that I prefer, though the TR4 is a much more sophisticated car (roll-up windows...imagine that!). They are very simple/crude vehicles but loads of fun to drive in very different ways than a Seven. Parts are readily available, and there are huge forums and email lists for fellow enthusiast support.

FWIW, my 2001 Birkin ignition key/ignition switch is identical to the switch available at O'Reilly's Auto parts (Formerly Kragen's). None of the locksmith/key places I went to could source a blank, so I just bought a new $10 switch with two keys that were identical to the one I had. I know it's a bit expensive to do it that way, but I was very nervous not having a spare. My gas cap key was sourced to a riding lawn mower by the local key copying guy.

I don't think that's the real deal. The real George Barris built movie car is/was in a museum in the mid-west.

Al, As Gert has said, there's loads of great roads out here on the west coast. If you get out to the Los Angeles area, I've got a guest room that you're welcome to use. Randall

As much as I like my Quaife (and wide front end), the biggest improvement was putting the heim-jointed radius rods in the back end.

The ones I can recall, in roughly the order I owned them, are: 1959 Triumph TR3A 1965 MGB 1972 Fiat 124 Sedan 1962 Abarth Allemano (wish I could have this one again) 1973 Pinto wagon 197? Triumph TR7 1965 Triumph TR4 Tonneau 1984 Oldsmobile wagon 1969 MGB GT 196? MGA 1986 Toyota MR2 19?? Mazda minivan 199? Ford Thunderbird 1987 Suzuki Samurai 199? Ford F150 4x4 1964 Triumph TR4 1960 Triumph TR3A project 1997 Mazda Miata 2003 Toyota Tacoma 2001 Honda CRV 1987 Toyota MR2 2006 Porsche Boxster 1960 Triumph TR3A restored 2001 Birkin 2008 Jeep Wrangler

Thanks, I'll do that.

I was hoping to join, but I now have a bit of conflict. In order to do this, I need to find storage for my car in Seattle for the week following the GBB. So far, I have had no luck finding it.

Very nice. I admit I'd be a bit nervous driving without a roll bar, though.

I'm at the other end of the county, but I'd be happy to take you for a spin. Randall

We haven't had any declared wars since 1941. Perhaps it's simply too much to ask our elected "representatives" to do their job.

And you have the perfect car to enjoy the drive.

Rear fenders integrated into body and fiberglass body sound like a Westfield. I know some of them have been built with Toyota powerplants, also. What the title says is generally unreliable. 1973 would be an S4, and all fiberglass, looking nothing like an S3. If it's an original Lotus S3, missing the chassis number plate, there should be a “frame” number stamped on the chassis tube located just in front of the passenger seat. The number would start with “U” if the chassis was built by Universal Radiator and a “P” if built by Progressive. On later cars the number was located above the pedal box. The number can be sent to John Watson at the Lotus 7 Club of Great Britain and he can cross-reference the frame number to the original chassis number.

It is Honda's test track. It's also for sale, if you happen to have a bit of extra cash laying around. http://www.cbre.us/o/southbay/properties/honda-test-track/Pages/overview.aspx

As a fellow TR3 owner, and Birkin S3 owner, I believe I can help with insight. The TR3 is a massive, lumbering TRactor compared to a Se7en. While the TR3's quirkiness makes it a fun and leisurely car to drive that can put a smile on your face on a perfect spring day...theSe7en is a half-million volt, blazing-white blast of pure, undiluted driving pleasure. Your face will cramp from grinning when you drive the Se7en. Yes, a Se7en makes a perfect touring car. Poke around the site, in "National Events" I think, and you can find several accounts of long distance touring. Read some of those; I think you'll be completely convinced that we're both totally lunatic and completely right about touring in these cars.

I'm hoping to join this one. No trailers for me, though. I expect to drive a route to and from similar to what Gert suggested (maybe even the same one--we only live a few miles apart). Hopefully I have all the weaknesses sorted for a trouble-free 4,000 miles. :-) Randall

You could put in one of these for reverse: http://www.roadstercycle.com/Reverese%20gearbox%20for%20motorcycles.htm

What does the $250 cover, and is that per car or per person? Randall