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Croc

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  1. Those answers helped. A conservative build 2.5L at around 250hp will be a very under-stressed engine. The same engines in Formula Atlantic are pumping out 380hp. At 250hp, a 2.5L Duratec will not be breaking a sweat. Great for longevity on track. The Duratec is an excellent engine to work with. Plenty of torque to punch out of corners on track but not too bonkers to lose your license on road if you show some restraint. Tom will spec the car with a 5 speed gearbox which the 5th gear will make for relaxed touring and plenty of oomph in the first 4 gears for track work. He did a Birkin build for Steve, my ex-neighbor, (username Merlin on this forum) which is the exact spec level you are targeting. The Birkin IRS rear end does make for a very composed car on bumpier roads than the equivalent standard Caterham deDion rear end. It allows you to put the power down plus stay on-line in corners without being thrown off line by bumps. Keep asking questions - this is a important learning exercise for you. One thing you should keep in mind - you are not buying a Toyota. These cars are low volume bespoke builds. Expect a level of fettling in the initial ownership period as you get everything dialed in and reliable. You will have some problems - all normal and expected. This is normal and is characteristic of these cars. Once you are through that stage the car is as reliable as anything. They do require closer inspection and looking over for problems from time to time as these are higher strung cars than what your wife might drive every day. Tom knows his stuff and is a great ambassador for Birkin cars. Just so you know who you are dealing with, in this photo, Tom and his wife Ottalie are front row right hand side with his silver Birkin.
  2. Reading List Dennis Ortenburger, Legend of Lotus Seven LEGEND OF LOTUS SEVEN: Dennis Ortenburger: 9780850454116: Amazon.com: Books Dennis Ortenburger, Lotus Seven & the Independents Lotus Seven & the Independents: Ortenburger, Dennis: 9781902351124: Amazon.com: Books Chris Rees; The Magnificent 7: The Enthusiasts Guide to All Models of Lotus and Caterham The Magnificent 7: The Enthusiasts Guide to All Models of Lotus and Caterham: Rees, Chris: 9780992665111: Amazon.com: Books The Magnificent 7 (2nd Edition): The enthusiasts' guide to all models of Lotus and Caterham Seven: Rees, Chris: 9781844254101: Amazon.com: Books The Magnificent 7 (3rd Edition): The enthusiasts' guide to all models of Lotus and Caterham 7 https://a.co/d/1JA5hxU The Magnificent 7 (4th Edition): The enthusiasts' guide to all models of Lotus and Caterham 7 https://a.co/d/8cTcqM3 Caterham Sevens, The Unofficial Story of a Unique British Supercar https://a.co/d/g6XlAg3 Chris Gibbs; Build Your Own Sports Car: On a Budget Build Your Own Sports Car: On a Budget: Gibbs, Mr. Chris: 9781844253913: Amazon.com: Books Rob Hawkins; Lotus Seven Replicas & Caterham 7: 1973 to 2013 (The Essential Buyer's Guide) Lotus Seven Replicas & Caterham 7: 1973 to 2013 (The Essential Buyer's Guide): Hawkins, Rob: 9781845844868: Amazon.com: Books Lotus Seven Replicas & Caterham 7: 1973-2013: The Essential Buyer's Guide (Essential Buyer's Guide) (Paperback) - Common: By (author) Rob Hawkins: 0884931749029: Amazon.com: Books Tony Weale; Lotus Seven: Preparation, Restoration and Maintenance Lotus Seven: Preparation, Restoration and Maintenance.: Weale, Tony: 9781855321533: Amazon.com: Books R. Clarke; Lotus Seven, 1957-1980 Lotus Seven, 1957-1980: Clarke, R.: 9780907073130: Amazon.com: Books Lotus & Caterham Seven, Gold Portfolio, 1957 to 1989 Caterham Super Seven: Maintenance and Restoration Book (British Cars Maintenance and Restoration Books) CATERHAM SUPER SEVEN: MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION BOOK (British cars Maintenance and Restoration books): Designs, Oxyger's: 9798581915806: Amazon.com: Books Caterham Seven 1974 to 1999, Brooklands Road Test Portfolio https://a.co/d/9gVJDCI Caterham Seven 2000 to 2010, Brooklands Road Test Portfolio No Amazon link available Monty Watkins, Ian Stent & Peter Filby, The Kit Car Collection Series: Performance Roadsters, The Enthusiast's Guide to Cars Inspired By the Classic Lotus Seven https://a.co/d/0by2uNA Michael Eddenden; Why Build a Seven? Putting a Sports Car on the Road Why build a Seven? Putting a sports car on the road, a personal record.: Eddenden, Michael: 9780557543984: Amazon.com: Books John Aston; Driven: An Elegy to Cars, Roads & Motorsport Amazon.com: DRIVEN: An Elegy to Cars, Roads & Motorsport eBook: Aston, John: Kindle Store Gary Brizendine, The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 1 - Introduction, Basic Chassis, Steering and Pedal Box Amazon.com: The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 1 - Introduction, Basic Chassis, Steering and Pedal Box eBook: Brizendine, Gary: Kindle Store Book 2 - Front and Rear Suspension Installation Amazon.com: The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 2 - Front and Rear Suspension Installation eBook: Brizendine, Gary: Kindle Store Book 3 - Accessories, Wiring and Lighting, Gearbox and Driveshaft The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 3 - Accessories, Wiring and Lighting, Gearbox and Driveshaft, Brizendine, Gary, eBook - Amazon.com Book 4 - Engine Installation Amazon.com: The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 4 - Engine Installation eBook: Brizendine, Gary: Kindle Store Book 5 - Completing and Racing Your Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car The Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car Series Book 5 - Completing and Racing Your Lotus Seven Inspired Sports Car, Brizendine, Gary, eBook - Amazon.com Chris Rees; Caterham Sevens: The Official Story of a Unique British Sportscar Caterham Sevens The Official Story of a Unique British Sportscar by Chris Rees published by Motor Racing Publications Ltd (1995): Amazon.com: Books (His original book) Jeremy Coulter; Lotus Seven: Collector’s Guide Lotus Seven: Collector's Guide (A collector's guide) by Jeremy Coulter (1995-10-24): Jeremy Coulter: Amazon.com: Books John Tipler; Lotus & Caterham Seven: Racers for the Road Lotus and Caterham Seven: Racers for the Road (Crowood AutoClassic): Tipler, John: 9781852238582: Amazon.com: Books Paul Robinshaw & Jeremy Bouckley; Westfield, The Story: A Pictorial Review and Enthusiast’s Guide Westfield, the Story: A Pictorial Review and Enthusiast's Guide: Robinshaw, Paul, Bouckley, Jeremy: 9780952808633: Amazon.com: Books Keith Tanner, How to Build a Cheap Sports Car How to Build a Cheap Sports Car (Motorbooks Workshop): Tanner, Keith: 9780760322871: Amazon.com: Books Chris Goodrich, Roadster; How (And Especially Why) a Mechanical Novice Built a Sports Car from a Kit https://a.co/d/8HjNxFG And a call out for long time Lotus 7 owner and Lotus enthusiast Ross Robbins with his two books on road trips: Highways, Byways and Racetracks - Adventures on Asphalt (2018) https://www.amazon.com/Highways-Byways-Racetracks-Road-Trip/dp/1984949594/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ross+Robbins&qid=1614899266&sr=8-1 Road Trip!: Chasing Blue Skies on Roads that Go Forever https://www.amazon.com/Road-Trip-Chasing-skies-forever/dp/0615771971/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614899266&sr=8-2
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