Croc

I hate to ask this as it may be viewed as insulting but I feel I should check as most people new to these cars are expecting miracles from the car.... All Caterhams will understeer if you stuff it into a corner hard enough - even the very best set up ones. The driver has to control the weight balance manually and put enough weight on the front wheels to get them to bite for crisp cornering. These cars require more driver involvement to get the very best out of them. Even then, high speed understeer is a thing you will run up against on very high speed corners (think 110mph+). Apologies if you know this but I was reacting to what you said.

Lotus 7 on Bringatwailer https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-lotus-seven-7/

I have the admin power to change your signature footer…..mmwaahaaaaa. Be nice to me or I will make you look stupid. oh wait on….

The loom was essentially a crossflow loom with a custom engine harness for the zetec. I bet this is a bad earth somewhere. John's comment on LEDs exposing bad earths is spot on.

Damn right. Do your homework on who you are sending a car to. I have been known to ship projects out west as it is MUCH cheaper than using a specialist on the east coast plus I can tap into a deep network of very knowledgeable people with extensive collections. In the dumb cost awards, did you know Land Rover Brooklyn in NYC area charges $500 per hour for a mechanic to work on your trusty Land Rover or Range Rover? Even the local Ferrari dealer repair shop is not that bad. Fuggeddabutit. It was also good to break down at Tom Carlin's on my road trip in 2021 as there was a convenient specialist nearby in a little town who knew his stuff and even owned a sister car to mine. He also had a large collection of Lotus/Loti which reinforced my faith. For a Caterham or Birkin, I believe a good race mechanic will work wonders as the cars are similar to many space frame race cars they work on. Always make sure you source parts for them - thats an expensive soak of time that you can do yourself. Always provide a copy of the manual or technical bulletin and educate them - simplify their learning curve as that saves substantial time. In an ideal world I would have time to do the work myself but I don't. Between work, work travel that keeps me out of town 7-8 months of the year, family sagas, and my own home saga, I don't have time to come on here and cause mischief to @Vovchandr

Week Beginning April 26, 2026 USA7s Classified Ads of Cars for Sale USA7s classified pages - USA7s club members have the benefit of selling their cars by listing them for free on USA7s forum. https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads This Week Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1CmBJwDu8J/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/18GL8Wx2um/ Repeat Ads from Prior Weeks Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1963-lotus-super-seven-cochranville-pa-2891143 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1998-caterham-super-seven-fort-lauderdale-fl-2914012 and here https://ebay.us/m/Rxbi90 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1B5vueTmK9/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2026-caterham-seven-miami-fl-2916813 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/17KC8BtL1X/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/caterham/super-7/2638345.html Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1999-caterham-all-models-526915 Caterham https://ebay.us/m/N9vevX and here https://www.facebook.com/share/18Z4b5FUXs/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/7vLyH5 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1EkKAka1M5/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1KuHFcaq7j/ Caterham Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4Augp8J1/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9N3MMYbp/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1CNtMqDsX1/ Caterham SP300R https://www.facebook.com/share/1885PkqGWZ/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1BEiA82W5G/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/14bazQ8Xjvb/ Westfield Pre-Lit https://www.facebook.com/share/14V3jfnfxv2/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1CxpkW2fYG/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjRywBcao/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1CFjmuc168/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1Z5giy6i59/ Ultralite https://www.facebook.com/share/18YP1HFMpo/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWztzHanW/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1AzNJceo9w/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ai4UgDYuv/ Diva https://www.facebook.com/share/1Atjq8QwVZ/ Something https://www.facebook.com/share/1JAMLe5zym/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSaGW1a67/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/18beZorei9/ Caterham https://www.beachmanracing.com/inventory Caterham https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ Caterham https://rockymountaincaterham.com/csrtwenty02/ Caterham https://rockymountaincaterham.com/76907-2/ Lotus 7 S3 https://rockymountaincaterham.com/sb2352/ Canada Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/18FYNxyLyg/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1H97EH5XF8/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CcQFsdBBR/

You could use 15 inch wheel stays (yes with 13 inch wheels). Gives a little more clearance given the variability about tire sizes.

Always reminds me of this

Welcome to USA7s! Its not an odd request to ask to try sevens on for size. I think is a smart idea to help you think through what you want in car spec. Reasonably close. I was at Odette's in New Hope last night for dinner. Nice part of the world there. There are 3 Caterham SVs in Millville NJ that you are welcome to try on for size. One S3 in Marlton NJ area. Another S3 just south of Philly. in October we have the annual HPDE scheduled and there are all shapes and sizes of sevens that will be present but I understand you may not want to wait that long.

Week Beginning April 19, 2026 USA7s Classified Ads of Cars for Sale USA7s classified pages - USA7s club members have the benefit of selling their cars by listing them for free on USA7s forum. https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads This Week Westfield Pre-Lit https://www.facebook.com/share/18M3UxUQ1e/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1EZVXsBpSM/ Repeat Ads from Prior Weeks Lotus 7 S2 https://www.facebook.com/share/1S1vEoG7dg/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1999-caterham-all-models-526915 Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1973-lotus-los-angeles-ca-2900891 Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1963-lotus-super-seven-cochranville-pa-2891143 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/caterham/super-7/2638345.html Caterham https://rockymountaincaterham.com/csrtwenty02/ Caterham https://rockymountaincaterham.com/76907-2/ Lotus 7 S3 https://rockymountaincaterham.com/sb2352/ Caterham https://www.beachmanracing.com/inventory Rocky Mountain Caterham also has a Superlight R coming soon https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ Locost https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/north-newton-lotus/7925669194.html Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/17JefjYXLd/ Caterham SP300R https://www.facebook.com/share/1GFMmGzi3C/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/18VSKCmTZy/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/18dCVewJL3/ Caterham Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1CM6ZdtUDT/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1FrANJ8dhm/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1RT6pKjDrW/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/18Dg9o8XRr/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQoH1EhJg/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/18DDu7oVnT/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/14eKAtJ6mFM/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gk59sYwR1/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1NeufRy79J/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/1CzPaGx3ok/ WCM Ultralite https://www.facebook.com/share/1B6mhEfaHo/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1bXDqySJmQ/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1JVWLmbSLK/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1kM8JSw1/ Whatever The F This is? https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gxd67Um7G/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2026-caterham-seven-miami-fl-2916813 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/18D6sjUexR/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/Rxbi90 and here https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1998-caterham-super-seven-fort-lauderdale-fl-2914012 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/17huH1aV3Q/ Canada Ads Locost Project https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/2002/markdale/ontario/19_13264696_/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cu9qYj7yc/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4rATAEXR/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CKhrLWMuu/

This car stands out as having huge hostility from all bidding audiences. I have not really known a car to attract that much sentiment and definitely not sure why. Not even sure it is warranted. But a lot of people voted with their wallets. By the way the numbers you quote exclude auction buyer premium which would otherwise inflate the headline auction bid to higher numbers. Ranges 12.5% to 20% depending on auction company. Experienced bidders will bid after factoring in this additional cost along with shipping cost - that way you do not overpay.

Yes its still in the list under Lotus7/Caterham with listings by Bullet Motorsport in Hemmings and FacePlant. Asking $22K on FB. Odd choice for Barrett Jackson? Not really their market although the alcohol ego infused bidding is a major feature.

You are not the first to get a big bill for work performed. Secondly, you are not the first to see a mechanic cause his own damage which he then will try to explain away with an apology but which he would like you to pay for. Third, you are definitely not the first to see a mechanic reinvent the wheel all because they did not seek out input from the more knowledgeable. However, fabricating a thermostat when I bet the issue was the notoriously unreliable and faulty sender is really irritating. I'm sorry you are going through this but think - you are getting close and the list is down to post-it note size paper now. Have a drink then keep the faith.

@Kitcat Photo above should trigger a memory!

Week Beginning April 12, 2026 USA7s Classified Ads of Cars for Sale USA7s classified pages - USA7s club members have the benefit of selling their cars by listing them for free on USA7s forum. https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads This Week Caterham (note: Not in USA despite being noted as PA) https://www.facebook.com/share/17GMwh2j9V/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1ExbUUhjcj/ WCM Ultralite https://www.facebook.com/share/1FQe8QsMwY/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1ABNxkmY9v/ Something sevenesque - make your own mind up if you think it should be here https://www.facebook.com/share/1AyfCsYvg5/ Repeat Ads From Prior Week Caterham https://ebay.us/m/jTT3sq and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cr3BRgfhW/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/3GY9xK and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bb1XS1V9k/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/3GY9xK and here https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1998-caterham-super-seven-fort-lauderdale-fl-2914012 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/18U1Sp9rPE/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1999-caterham-all-models-526915 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2026-caterham-seven-miami-fl-2916813 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqMsRNt89/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/caterham/super-7/2638345.html Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1962-lotus-super-seven-roanoke-il-2930237 Lotus 7/Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-lotus-dania-beach-fl-2905845 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1BtQZ8LVSo/ Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1963-lotus-super-seven-cochranville-pa-2891143 Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1973-lotus-los-angeles-ca-2900891 Locost https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/north-newton-lotus/7925669194.html Caterham SP300R https://www.facebook.com/share/1NLH2Pxd5s/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAh6kZcyM/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/18m6uDywxV/ Caterham Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1AfqCB56A3/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1J4q8i8PKq/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1DyJaAism3/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1D2MHEMemj/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/18JUqdWwVK/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1CcSTj2Xkj/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1GjFo7tRcq/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2YmWc9Rx/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ho7RaSVTC/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/17pdvfrRSN/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/18KGMcB4Ma/ Canada Ads Locost Project https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/2002/markdale/ontario/19_13264696_/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1GmVxUhqSp/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1B9Hr39ykv/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/14YgvAb8jGE/

Yes I got one of the original batch spherical bearings and put it in a 620. I also installed powerflex poly bushings all round as I like their excellent durability more than the usual rubber plus suspension just feels tighter with better feel when using poly bushes. Just trundling around on roads there is zero difference in feel. Will see what it does when I get on track. My experience is the rubber bushes tear readily with a lot of track driving (think 2000 miles level) but I have never seen the nylon washers wear out first or at the same time. 4 days at Spa-Francorchamps is circa 1000 miles for me to give perspective. Anyway, I replace the washers when I replace the bushings. My disappointing experience with the rubber bushings is why I have converted solely to poly bushes all round the suspension - far more durable and a slightly tighter feel to the car. Just to be clear, I don't think bushes or bearings will change anything on the original reason I had for starting this thread. A frames can break suddenly in a high stress track environment (or lots of bumpy rutted roads) and you should check them regularly and think of them as a consumable if you track Caterhams a lot. Edited to add: I will probably order a second set of the spherical bearing to put on my UK 420R since it lives on track and gave rise to this thread. Probably upgraditis but hey!

I bet with pass configuration. It will be like a new toy and getting used constantly. It will be a vote on the day by those participating.

Yes it is a much quicker circuit now that you cut out the octopus head. I bet he did cut off 10 seconds with that track modification. Well yes...

I am surprised that the new left corner is so slow. This is a well prepared fast C8 with an experienced driver. Its 52mph - slower than turn 5 - although it looks like he may have early apexed which could be a contributor and I think the data is slightly lagging the video based on throttle noises. A Caterham will be slightly quicker as the corner looks trickier than expected. The transition from old track to connector new surface and then again regaining the old surface was jarring - car jolted. The video comments are very instructive: I get to try this out in May. Too much going on this month.

Week Beginning April 5, 2026 USA7s Classified Ads of Cars for Sale USA7s classified pages - USA7s club members have the benefit of selling their cars by listing them for free on USA7s forum. https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads This Week Locost https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/north-newton-lotus/7925669194.html Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3cezpHLR/ Lotus 7 S2 https://www.facebook.com/share/18U7zidhu8/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/18FiXWyjsp/ Stalker https://www.facebook.com/share/1DoWk1s28G/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1HrnoPLBdm/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1BEbQxBe5y/ Repeat Ads From Prior Week Caterham https://ebay.us/m/jTT3sq and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1E9fzUngGP/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/3GY9xK and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCJYdnLkF/ Caterham https://ebay.us/m/Rxbi90 and here https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1998-caterham-super-seven-fort-lauderdale-fl-2914012 Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1962-lotus-super-seven-roanoke-il-2930237 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/2026-caterham-seven-miami-fl-2916813 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZZML5X7p/ Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/listing/2025-caterham-super-7-399750 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1999-caterham-all-models-526915 Lotus 7 S2 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1963-lotus-super-seven-cochranville-pa-2891143 Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1973-lotus-los-angeles-ca-2900891 Lotus 7/Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-lotus-dania-beach-fl-2905845 and here https://www.facebook.com/share/17JZskBMBa/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1LQnAb2GkV/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/18UFjAAPCU/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZJkjUPmiG/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMjXZRrwf/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1DfuuV4Eoc/ Caterham SP300 https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ga9pxvksm/ Caterham Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1L1AF7XcYk/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/17i7ky1cnb/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/share/14crQZ8rapy/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/share/1CMf6FcMTb/ Canada Ads Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1977-lotus-seven-montreal-quebec-2916639 Locost Project https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/2002/markdale/ontario/19_13264696_/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1GkMFYMQ8g/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/share/1b2kN71EiU/ Lotus 7 https://www.facebook.com/share/1A1e12T2hV/

Thats just the hp evolution curve. When I started racing in the 80s, high hp out of a road going v8 (Corvette) was 250hp or so. Fast forward to say 2005 and your average Corvette was say 350hp. Continue the fast forward to today and a Corvette is 700-800hp. The VW Bee.....sorry I mean Porker 911 has had a similar hp evolution over time. Weight has gone the same way. A Corvette was 3000lbs in the mid 80s but today is 3500lbs (or dammit 4000lbs in the ZR1X). The 911 was 2600lbs in 1985 and is 3500lbs today (plus gained thighs like Hillary Clinton did). What this means is the race crowd and the separate track day crowd are manhandling big heavy cars with lots of hp. That begs for a power circuit with point and shoot capability - fast on the straights and then slooooooowly wobble through the corners. All this track modification is doing is converting the track to more of a power circuit with less emphasis on cornering ability. Ultimately that makes it boring for me. Sure it will be "better" (aka faster) in my Mustang or CSL but that does not equate to fun. To me, I think Lightning is a better track for a se7en since it is a momentum track. Its faster than Thunderbolt (pre-mods) since its average speed is higher. You are thinking of turn 5. Your car would not make from the front gate to the Lightning pits so I think we are safe. Anyway, lots of others have done that trick so think of something new.

@CBuff Walked it but not driven it. I think its only been used for the first time this week as they had weather delays laying the asphalt. It makes it easier for a big heavy car but its a bit of a 'meh' corner otherwise. It was reputedly done to keep the NASCAR/ARCA crowd happy.

Your average Caterham 420 will be faster around pretty much most tracks and an MX5 Cup car. Power to weight makes that so. It will be a better driving experience on track too. Lighter. More nimble. Less need for braking. Greater momentum. Consumables will be better too. 15000 miles and I am still on original pads and disks. Probably another 5000 miles to go on fronts bbefore I replace them. At least 30K on the rear pads before they need replacing. Fluids change once a year. Set of slicks every 1-2 years. Cheap you say. During the year, I give the car a quick 1 hour once over then head out on track. At winter break it gets a thorough spanner check and full fluids, filters, etc. replacement. Where the maintenance equation starts to invert compared to the MX5 is on the heavier items - gearbox and diff. I've been through two Caterham 6 speed boxes in the CSR in 15K miles. On the 420R I have broken one MX5 gearbox (selector forks) in about 20K. For the 620S it is 5K mileage and is now one wheel drive as the Titan/BMW diff has broken its plates (notorious issue covered in other threads). The Caterham borrows pieces from other cars and they just do not perform to the design life as in their original cars as the installation design is flawed as it is adapted to a Caterham. The MX5 gearbox tail shaft bearing as adapted for the Caterham is another example of a maintenance issue just waiting to happen in higher hp Caterhams. But these are as you hit higher mileages and should be less frequent (if you exclude the inexcusable low mileage Titan/BMW diff issues). Anticipate these and you will have a cheaper maintenance experience in a Caterham with not much down time. If you do not anticipate, then your downtime will be much longer than it takes to get an MX5 back up and running. Fortunately, we have access to a good dealer network in the USA but even so it takes time to get a suitable durable replacement bit state-side (e.g. 4 months for a trick bullet proof BMW LSD replacement). So its a mixed story. There are people on here who do drive to track days. 10+ years ago I used to do the 2 hour trip up and down I-95 to have a track day. But that got old in a hurry plus I-95 was a high risk endeavor. There are other @CBuff who is currently doing it but I expect he will be worn down eventually. A Caterham is just not as nice on its shuttle runs to a track. Then you have to ask, what if you break something at a track and cannot drive home? cough cough Simon, Vlad, etc.... (solution - have a nice friend with a garage at the track! )

Yes @slowdude we’re thinking that works for you.

I think we need more short people involved @CBuff He’s inadequate, I mean short. PS - never let @slowdude and me loose when alcohol is involved. 😁