Croc

Updating for this week. NEW Lotus 7 S2 https://www.fantasyjunction.com/inventory/1964-lotus-super-7-series-2/overview Mitsuoka Zero - I hope this goes to a good home in Texas to keep Panamericano happy! :seeya: https://www.duncanimports.com/used/Mitsuoka/1994-Mitsuoka-Zero1-cb265bd50a0e08b907465681642548f8.htm REPEATS Diva https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Lotus-SUPER-7-ROADSTER-REPLICA/254554027674?hash=item3b449a369a:g:VZkAAOSwIxVef7VE and here https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ctd/d/scottsdale-15300a-lotus-super-7/7096325338.html Stalker https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Replica-Kit-Makes-Brunton-Stalker/303509475825?hash=item46aa9311f1:g:FwsAAOSw4dxeD8lq Stalker http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1437589044/1437589044ss.htm Lotus 7 S2 http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1583269377/1583269377ss.htm Lotus 7 S2 http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1557321710/1557321710ss.htm Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/unspecified/2320672.html Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/caterham/super-7/2348148.html Lotus 7 S1 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7a/2388210.html and here https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20/the-elkhart-collection/lots/r0054-1957-lotus-7a-series-1-roadster/820361 Stalker https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html Caterham https://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/ Wharton 7 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1299993/1978-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-cadillac-michigan-49601 Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/ Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/ Lotus 7 S4 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1335318/1973-lotus-super-seven-for-sale-in-aiken-south-carolina-29801 and here https://www.carcaveusa.com/inventory/lotus/super%207/1212tc/ Lotus 7 S3 (3rd one down) http://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ Westfield https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/d/pompano-beach-1992-westfield-sei-lotus-7/7085104268.html Maxton https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longmont-1992-maxton-rollerskate-for/7089762838.html Westfield Pre-Lit https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/la-center-lotus-super-seven/7094746112.html Westfield https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/phoenix-lotus-seven-westfield-sei/7088703749.html CANADA Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/oakville-halton-region/lotus-caterham-super-7/1454204099 MCC 7 https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/mcc-7/1432118799 Fiberglass wings https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-parts/markham-york-region/lotus-7-replica-fiberglass-parts/1446688879 OTHER Lotus Twin Cam - in case anyone is looking for their seven http://www.race-cars.com/engsales/lotus/1580430068/1580430068ss.htm Westfield Lotus 11 (I know it is not a seven but it is really nice) https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Lotus-Eleven-Westfield-11/303523670582?hash=item46ab6baa36:g:bsUAAOSwd0JeaS3U

LOL- I needed that

My CSR wings are bonded on the same way I B Sevener describes. A variation on I B Sevener's very good suggestion above, that is common in the UK, is to use bigheads and bond the wing to it. Refer post 17 and 19 in the link below http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?12672-CR500-to-ZZS&p=113554#post113554 I B Sevener is too modest but the reason bonding is a better idea than screwing wings on is that: - they are easy to cut off to remove or reposition if you goof up first time - no stress or fracture marks in the fiberglass wing around the bolt heads.

I think those white stripes finish the Caterham off nicely. Looks great! This has been an excellent build thread - thank you for seeing it through.

New York has taken the view that testing allows a determination of additional separation, i.e. you keep the afflected and unafflicted away from each other. So they have been testing like crazy. However, the rest of the country has not really taken that approach so the numbers remain low. What troubles me is that this will ripple across the country. I have been talking with a person in Denver a few times this week. They are in their office working. There is no lockdown like what you get in the NY area. So you just have to expect that their turn is coming as the infection process and level of alarm rolls into the center of the country. There are vast swathes of the US that are several weeks behind NY. Its that type of rolling country wide infection process will keep the whole country under reinfection risk for a very long time. Despite all the boasting, China is still dealing with reinfection breakouts.

Mitsuoka Zero - Japanese seven replica with Miata drivetrain https://www.duncanimports.com/used/Mitsuoka/1994-Mitsuoka-Zero1-cb265bd50a0e08b907465681642548f8.htm

Lotus 7 S2 https://www.fantasyjunction.com/inventory/1964-lotus-super-7-series-2/overview

In my track tag times with non-wing Atoms at NJMP, I have always observed them to have a nervous front end that washes out somewhat in corners. So the weight distribution argument works both ways in terms of advantages and disadvantages. It will depend on the track format. On an open track, 350hp vs 309hp in similar weight cars usually has a predictable outcome. Still, I enjoyed watching the full Fifth Gear episode last night to see what happened to the Xenos and Radical. They should show that more on tv. There are only so many re-runs of Ancient Aliens I can take!

Having observed quite a few people from this club forum on track, I can attest to that euphemism in their cornering styles. However, the end results are more like 15 year old teenage boys! :rofl: Yes, I failed! Thats very well said - exactly how it feels in my CSR.

I am not sure the pressure is there now to hold our own stocks of parts. Its expensive for a start. The pound is not going to recover any time soon relative to the dollar. Plus we now have some good Caterham dealers in the USA - Beachman Racing/Rocky Mountain who carry a good range of spares. The difficult stuff to get for a Caterham is: - half shafts - A frame (treat that as a 2 year consumable if you track it) - any braking component from AP Racing (upgraded Discs/calipers, etc). I have a 2010 Caterham and it has 50% pad life left - never need pads if you drive properly The stuff I regularly go through are: - hoses - fuel and coolant and brakes (with the correct spec) - oil - I have preferences as my engine is fussy - wheel bearings - every year - engine mounts - every 3 years - 6 speed gearbox plastic circlip that locates the gear lever (every year or twice a year) - suspension bushings - although I found a poly supplier in PA for me now - tires - fuel pump plus the seal that matches pump to tank (having the blue hylomar on hand helps too) - cables - throttle/clutch/brake/etc Ususally they fail due to the little end bits fraying from friction. - rivets sometimes I think you have to anticipate whats coming up. For example when pads get to 30% then I will buy a set. I bought a lot for the CSR as once they paused making it, as I had real concerns that parts would dry up rendering it useless. Clearly that risk has receded.

Was that the day I had your Dad in the passenger seat in my Caterham and I was waiting for you to catch up so we could play tag? If it was, then the best bit was Larry shaking his head and saying to me "Thats my boy!" after watching you do your earth moving escapades in the passenger side rear view mirror. :rofl:

I am not sure the Atom is always the better track toy - for me anyway. It depends on your preferences. Using the video Atom, I hate aero on track cars as I find it psychologically difficult to rely on something I cannot see at 130mph. I tried an F3 car when I was in my early 20s after being reasonably successful in Formula Ford and Formula Vee but I could not wrap my head around how much you can push an aero car - I could not judge it. Its not just me - a forum member with a Radical (lets call him Jeff for examples sake) had similar issues trying to get how much faster you can push with downforce and assessing when you are at the limit. I prefer the Caterham on track as it is more tactile - I can feel the mechanical grip vary through my butt. I know exactly where I am in the middle of the cornering process and can compensate accordingly with throttle or wheel. If you have ever grabbed air then you know how it is not tactile.

Yes

I suspect there was some acting in the video. Think back to Top Gear when they first tested the yellow R500. That was similarly wayward - rather spectacularly. The later 620R test was exciting but tidier. You and I both know (well at least I do) that smooth and tidy is usually the fastest way around a track. Shane? Really?

A couple of things to keep in mind: The Atom 3.5R has 350hp versus the 620R at 309hp The Atom is about the same weight as the Caterham despite being larger tarmac footprint - the skeleton frame helps here The Atom has 60%+ over its rear wheels from its rear (not mid) engined layout so it will always give good traction relative to the Caterham The Atom is longer so that helps reduce twitchiness on limit The Atom is wider than the Caterham plus has roughly 1 inch extra width on each of its wheels that helps The Atom has an aero package with front and rear spoiler and its less of a brick than the Caterham - one with front end downforce and one with nothing The Atom has IRS as standard The Caterham has size compromises built in by its heritage legacy. Its short wheel base makes the car quite quick to rotate when it snaps at the limit. It will understeer if you stick it into the corner without respect for weight transfer. So will the Atom. Both have light front ends I find but I drive around that by modifying my normal driving style to accentuate weight transfer to the front before turn in and also trail brake to control the rear end in the first third to half of a corner. My first day with the 620R was at Estoril circuit. You can see 2/3rds of the way through the lap, the car snaps on me at a slow corner - its hindered by its tire footprint. Give me some break re my relative driving prowess, I am not an ex-F1 driver, I am brand new to the 620R and Estoril track but the speed on the speedo shows how quickly it spools up. The problem of the S3 Caterham is that it is too narrow. The SV being 4 inches wider helps that. There was an old test at Donington I participated in. A bunch of us drove three cars on track each - an S3, an SV and a CSR, each with the same Duratec engine with about 210hp. The fastest lap times were in order - the CSR, the SV and the S3 pretty much irrespective of who was driving. So that shows: 1) Width of chassis contributes meaningfully to the cornering ability 2) IRS is an advantage over a de dion semi live rear end The CSR chassis with its SV proportions and IRS would be a better comparison than the 620R if the same drivetrain were installed. The Atom does not have those constraints being a more modern chassis design unencumbered by tradition. Add the aero package and the downforce this brings plus the wider rubber, then it will always look more composed than the Caterham on the limit on the track. With its big hp advantage then it could blast past on the straight. The good thing about that comparison is they used 2 very good drivers - Jason Plato and Karun Chandhok. I would have been interested in the cars being swapped between the drivers. Plato is a touring car chap and used to having less aero and more driving compromises than Chandhok who is more used to a high aero open wheeler style of car. It may be of marginal effect and it certainly would not have changed the end result but I suspect Plato would be happier at the limit with the Caterham. The Atom's performance advantage comes at a cost. Using the US dealer website then the Atom 3.5R as shown in the video is around $95-100k. The 620R in that video probably is around $75k all in, may even be less with the pound where it is today. Anyway, I like Caterhams (and sevens generally) because I prefer the look of them and appreciate their family tree.

This is probably not the right time to buy or sell as sellers are yet to readjust to the new reality and buyers are probably still assessing their cash position after some monumental falls on the investment markets. However, a month from now will likely be different. This is a buyers market going forward - those who have cash will find some screaming deals. If sellers don't have to sell then I would store a car for a year and try again then. 2020 is a write off for selling cars and trying to avoid losses. NEW Lotus 7 S4 https://www.carcaveusa.com/inventory/lotus/super%207/1212tc/ Lotus 7A (S1) https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7a/2388210.html and original source website is here https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20/the-elkhart-collection/lots/r0054-1957-lotus-7a-series-1-roadster/820361 That RM Sothebys link above has some great cars to browse for future auction if you need inspiration or mood elevation today. The Elkhart Collection for auction May 1 is extraordinary for its diversity. Westfield pre-lit https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/la-center-lotus-super-seven/7094746112.html REPEATS Diva https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Lotus-SUPER-7-ROADSTER-REPLICA/264649506404?hash=item3d9e56fe64:g:CWwAAOSwxOleZvyv and here https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ctd/d/scottsdale-15300a-lotus-super-7/7096325338.html Lotus 7 S2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Lotus-Super-Seven/223653636043?hash=item3412cba7cb:g:IRUAAOSwbzpdcqDW and here https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/lotus/super-seven/2315081.html and here https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1256976/1964-lotus-super-seven-for-sale-in-beverly-hills-california-90210 Lotus 7 S2 http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1583269377/1583269377ss.htm Lotus 7 S2 http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1557321710/1557321710ss.htm Stalker http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1437589044/1437589044ss.htm Caterham https://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/ Stalker https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Replica-Kit-Makes-Brunton-Stalker/303509475825?hash=item46aa9311f1:g:FwsAAOSw4dxeD8lq Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/unspecified/2320672.html Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/caterham/super-7/2348148.html Stalker https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html Wharton 7 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1299993/1978-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-cadillac-michigan-49601 Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/ Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/ Lotus 7 S3 (third listing down) http://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ Westfield https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/d/pompano-beach-1992-westfield-sei-lotus-7/7085104268.html Stalker https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/frisco-brunton-stalker-street-legal/7082589294.html Maxton https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longmont-1992-maxton-rollerskate-for/7089762838.html Westfield https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/phoenix-lotus-seven-westfield-sei/7088703749.html CANADA Seven fiberglass parts https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-parts/markham-york-region/lotus-7-replica-fiberglass-parts/1446688879 MCC 7 replica project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/mcc-7/1432118799 Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/oakville-halton-region/lotus-caterham-super-7/1454204099 And lastly, since many of you will be bored today locked at home, think of what automobile treasure you could buy for $1.5M. Personally, I would buy a Lamborghini Muira and keep the change. However, others march to the beat of a different drum... https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz/300e/2349184.html

I really just look like a young at heart Abercrombie & Fitch beefcake male model. :seeya:

A group of us last night were doing Zoom for about 1.5 hours, including Tom, Jeff and Simon from this forum. I was looking around my various photos for backgrounds. I had the Bora Bora background up at one point, then Eau Rouge (as I should be driving there right now), then I just turned myself around to have the real time night NYC skyline behind me. Tom was giving us real time updates on his 9lb brisket smoking effort. Family and dogs wandered in and out of webcam. Another couple were cooking dinner and we joined in the preparation and made executive chef recommendations. We all had drinks in hand. It was chaotic, hysterically funny and really good for improving the mindset. We made a date for next Saturday to do the same. If you have not done a group Facetime, Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, etc then try it with family. Have a drink in hand. Let it be freeform. Let the pets join in. It is a fun way to pass the time and good for you.

Yes been doing it a bit lately here. Hopefully, a social version of it will also kick off Saturday with the NJMP gang. We were experimenting yesterday with various technologies.