Croc

Thumbs up!

Off topic - I did meet him and his son at Lukla Airport in Nepal something like 30 years ago. Our plane to Kathmandu had been cancelled (it had crashed on its previous landing at Kathmandu Airport). Wonderful man. Did so much for charity over the years.

I think we all need to take a step back. I have calmed down. I can see Bruce did not intend to insult me. It was just unfortunate bad luck that he scored a direct hit on one of my triggers about an individual I have had negative close interaction with plus I was at the end of a very rough work day. I could quite happily sit down with Bruce and share a drink or 5 and have a laugh about the whole thing now. No damage is done - to me anyway. While I am known to frequently call a spade a c@#$ and gained viral industry recognition in my field of expertise for the most uses of the word f%$@ in a single email, I even promise to not call him Hillary. So if I can do that, can the rest of you?

Week Beginning January 21, 2024 USA7s Classified Ads for Sale https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads This Week Caterham (but not the type you may be expecting) https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3yQqXO8R/2013-caterham-ct03 Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/910449053640139/ Repeat Ads from Prior Weeks Birkin Project https://www.copart.com/lot/79700493/2010-lotus-coupe-ca-sacramento Lotus 7 S2 https://www.motorclassiccorp.com/used-vehicle-1962-lotus-super-7-c-150/ Caterham - 2 available 420R and 280S https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ and the 280S again here https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/seattle-2014-caterham-280s/7704155195.html Westfield https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/westfield/se/2610959.html and here https://www.ebay.com/itm/355375224476?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fbJmRN0DTES&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Blakely Bantam https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/902002664843721/ Blakely Bantam https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/662254515833751/ Exomotive https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/702917225077444/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/393246519883577/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1482642472549776/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1055371329067179/ Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1006118660678361/ Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/857248466147953/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/897203795271412/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/710742907584046/ Dutton https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1077945503561717/ and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/670676918463658/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1274011583289508/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/358957556860171/ Goblin DF https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1403628396864853/ Westfield Seight https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271475399262057/ Canada Donkervoort https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2482305621952213/ Westfield https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1283424638974966/ Eva Beva Project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1985-eve-beva/1674367159 Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/markham-york-region/caterham-lotus-super-7-concours-condition/1677025176 and here https://www.autotrader.ca/a/caterham/super 7/vaughan/ontario/19_12525939_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_2_2&sprx=-1 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2050719618611304/ Superformance S1 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/superformance/caterham/leaskdale/ontario/19_12679638_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_2_2&sprx=-1 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/832452085194612/ Westfield https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/lethbridge/alberta/19_12680734_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=21_8_23&sprx=-1 Fejer 7 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/edmonton/alberta/19_12690486_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=27_15_47&sprx=-1 Canada https://7cars.ca/cars-for-sale/caterham-s3-360.htm Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/295420320065513/ Eva Beva https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188308534231376/

He's not free to insult me (or anyone else for that matter). That's not in the rules of this forum. There is a political section if people want to debate politics. That is not this section and its definitely not this thread. Back to discussing the se7ens. I had a doctor suggest just last week I would be healthier if I became a vegan. I said I would prefer herpes instead of being a social outcast.

That is a definite insult. Having had a past interaction with that individual 20 years ago, I could say many things. Much nicer. Maybe...ok...I'm definitely not as virtuous but I like and respect this guy. Ok...I see Bruce is running for cover now. Well said! I agree. Well said! You have no disagreement from me.

Its probably data driven. They have enough auctions to separate into something more granular/detailed. Also, the people looking for a Caterham is not the same market as those looking for a Lotus 7. Interestingly they have not gone back to separate the old data to restate it to new categories. So some of the price history charts are messed up by old classifications. Anyway, the smart buyers are looking elsewhere to buy as BAT is a really expensive market place these days. The bargains I have found over the years are no longer present.

Week Beginning January 14, 2024 USA7s Classified Ads of Cars for Sale https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New Ads Seen This Week Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/857248466147953/ Repeat Ads From Prior Weeks Birkin Project https://www.copart.com/lot/79700493/2010-lotus-coupe-ca-sacramento Caterham (Two for sale - 280S anf 420R) https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ and here (for the 280S) https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/seattle-2014-caterham-280s/7704155195.html Lotus 7 S2 https://www.motorclassiccorp.com/used-vehicle-1962-lotus-super-7-c-150/ Westfield https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/westfield/se/2610959.html and here https://www.ebay.com/itm/355375224476?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fbJmRN0DTES&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Lotus 7 S2 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1965-lotus-super-seven-carlsbad-ca-2744999 Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/211061115410148/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1482642472549776/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1055371329067179/ Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1006118660678361/ Lotus 7 S4 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/593067882983971/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/897203795271412/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/710742907584046/ Dutton https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/670676918463658/ and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1077945503561717/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1274011583289508/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/358957556860171/ DF Goblin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1403628396864853/ Westfield Seight https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271475399262057/ Blakely Bantam https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/662254515833751/ RCR Razor Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/775551207711804/ Exomotive https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/702917225077444/ Canadian Ads Fejer 7 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/edmonton/alberta/19_12690486_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=27_15_47&sprx=-1 Locost https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/delta/british columbia/19_12681378_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_3_3&sprx=-1 Superformance S1 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/superformance/caterham/leaskdale/ontario/19_12679638_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_3_3&sprx=-1 Caterham https://www.autotrader.ca/a/caterham/super 7/vaughan/ontario/19_12525939_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=3_3_3&sprx=-1 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2050719618611304/ Westfield https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/lethbridge/alberta/19_12680734_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=22_8_23&sprx=-1 Eva Beva https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188308534231376/ Donkervoort https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2482305621952213/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/295420320065513/ Westfield https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1283424638974966/ Caterham https://7cars.ca/cars-for-sale/caterham-s3-360.htm

One month until its 10 year anniversary. 1.3 million views. 3800 posts. Its got the most views and activity of any thread running on USA7s. Never thought that when I started it all those years ago.

This has to win the bargain award - just $12,000 for a Birkin with a lot of potential to add cosmetics fairly easily that adds real value.

Week Beginning January 7, 2024 Happy New Year! USA7s Classified Ads for Sale https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New (since last December 3, 2023 posting) Birkin Project https://www.copart.com/lot/79700493/2010-lotus-coupe-ca-sacramento Westfield https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-westfield-se/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1055371329067179/ RCR Razor https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/775551207711804/ Exocet https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/702917225077444/ Westfield Seight https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/271475399262057/ Mallock Clubman Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1052618969257964/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/897203795271412/ Repeats (from December 3, 2023 posting) Caterham (2 available - 420R and 280S) https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ and here (for the 280S) https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/seattle-2014-caterham-280s/7704155195.html Westfield https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/westfield/se/2610959.html and here https://www.ebay.com/itm/166499458244?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fbJmRN0DTES&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Lotus 7 S2 https://www.motorclassiccorp.com/used-vehicle-1962-lotus-super-7-c-150/ Lotus 7/Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1965-lotus-super-seven-carlsbad-ca-2744999 Caterham https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1482642472549776/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1049772266331221/ Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1006118660678361/ Lotus 7 S4 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/593067882983971/ Dutton https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1077945503561717/ and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/670676918463658/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/710742907584046/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1274011583289508/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/358957556860171/ DF Goblin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1403628396864853/ Canada Westfield https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/lethbridge/alberta/19_12680734_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=22_8_23&sprx=-1 and here https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/lethbridge/2016-westfield-lotus/1671103155 Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/markham-york-region/caterham-lotus-super-7-concours-condition/1677025176 and here https://www.autotrader.ca/a/caterham/super 7/vaughan/ontario/19_12525939_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=3_3_3&sprx=-1 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2050719618611304/ Superformance S1 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/superformance/caterham/leaskdale/ontario/19_12679638_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_3_3&sprx=-1 Locost https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/delta/british columbia/19_12681378_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_3_3&sprx=-1 Fejer 7 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/edmonton/alberta/19_12690486_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=28_15_51&sprx=-1 Eva Beva https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188308534231376/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/295420320065513/ Donkervoort https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2482305621952213/ Westfield https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1283424638974966/ Caterham https://7cars.ca/cars-for-sale/caterham-s3-360.htm

Or you can get one from the maker legally for a cool quarter of a million (or something equally high) - they sell Donkervoorts in the USA now through an official dealer.

What a great post! And I thought I was bad having too many cars!

The pictured car clearly went through Dick Brink at one point. It has the Dunnell sticker and those wheels which he used on a few cars - he was the only one using those visual cues on Birkins. But you may have bought it from him originally?

And that folks sums it up well. The Toyos are notably inferior to the previous Avons.

You have seen a numbered SLR in the US with a plaque on the dash. Look at the register site and go to #123. Its yellow, left hand drive, with clams and while the driver is slightly obscured you should be able to guess it is Tom. Martin is excellent in what he does but he is working with Caterham records that are not always complete or logical or deal with the quirks of US cars being ordered.

I am going to assume you are referring to a 2L Cosworth YB engine. Pinto bottom end and a trick Cosworth 4 valve head which was done for the FIA Group A homologation of the Sierra Cosworth RS/RS500. Where it gets important is which variety of YB engine do you have? They had the naturally aspirated plus monster turbo varieties. Color of cam cover (i.e. red for you) is not always indicative as it was a dress up part from the Sierra homologation engines that could be bought separately. The head could be standard or heavily opened out for better breathing. A naturally aspirated YB could still be using the Group A gasket as it was heavily ported to breathe better. These were a brilliant engine to exploring better breathing and it is amazing to think that at their peak in the late 80s Group A turbo era they were pumping out 650hp in a 2L 4 cylinder. I fully agree with @MV8 and @Dave W above on initial steps to eliminate timing/spark/combustion as a cause here as this is the easiest to rule out first. Assuming you resolve that timing is not the issue then you are likely removing the head. The YB weak point is always the head gasket. These engines are normally pretty robust in the valve train. I admit my initial reaction to your post was a breach of the head gasket between two of the cylinders. These engines are notorious for eating head gaskets in high HP mode. I keep spare ones of my engine for my YB Turbo WRC Escort. Otherwise internally they are very strong engines. I would start my parts shopping with Burton Power UK here - give them a call as they are helpful to me on the phone: https://www.burtonpower.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=cosworth+YB+head+gasket Once you have your head off, as MV8 notes, try to match your old gasket to a new one in the Burton catalog. Consider sending a photo of it to Burton during your initial parts sourcing with measurements of the openings. I would definitely go for the best quality gasket you can get for this engine as cheaper is usually economy on an engine which treats gaskets as a consumable. When reassembling pay extra attention to the levelness of the aluminum head. They are really susceptible to warping from even a minor overheat.

If you focus on the UK market then yes there is a premium for the HPC - maybe 5%. Any BDR gets major attention as that is a bit of a Holy Grail cars for a lot of people. 10%+ is my best guess - not enough come up for sale to be scientific on this. In the USA market? No idea. Clearly the BDR Holy Grail effect carries over but not possible to say how much that is. Maybe more given the rarity here for an LHD car. Right car, right buyers, on the right day and it could be a substantial premium. But thats not particularly scientific which is the right type of answer to give you.

I'm in Auckland and it is not warm for what is supposedly summer! At least it has stopped raining for the first time since I got here. Nice looking Fraser.

Week Beginning December 3, 2023 This thread will take a break from updates until the new year as I am traveling off grid for the next two weeks. Wishing all USA7s members and their families, Happy Holidays and a great New Year! USA7s Cars For Sale Ads https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/ New None Repeats Replica Project https://www.copart.com/lot/65679333/clean-title-1961-lotus-7-mi-flint Caterham - 310S and 420R https://rockymountaincaterham.com/inventory/ Westfield https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/westfield/se/2610959.html and here https://www.ebay.com/itm/355178532691?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fbJmRN0DTES&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Early Caterham/Lotus 7 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1965-lotus-super-seven-carlsbad-ca-2744999 Lotus 7 S2 https://www.motorclassiccorp.com/used-vehicle-1962-lotus-super-7-c-150/ Birkin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1006118660678361/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/710742907584046/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3480746318841233/ Blakely Bantam https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/662254515833751/ Locost https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/306843002249419/ Caterham https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1482642472549776/ Lotus 7 S4 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/593067882983971/ Locost Project https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/332734189394175/ Replica https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2489308687914926/ DF Goblin https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1403628396864853/ Specter https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3529681310648852/ Canada MNR https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/7of9lfcr/bear-vppm2y0d/5b29f62c-9eee-4c04-a31c-6a40de28534a Superformance S1 https://www.autotrader.ca/a/superformance/caterham/leaskdale/ontario/19_12679638_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_3_3&sprx=-1 Caterham https://www.autotrader.ca/a/caterham/super 7/vaughan/ontario/19_12525939_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=3_3_3&sprx=-1 and here https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/markham-york-region/caterham-lotus-super-7-concours-condition/1677025176 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2050719618611304/ Westfield https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/lethbridge/alberta/19_12680734_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=16_4_19&sprx=-1 and here https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/lethbridge/2016-westfield-lotus/1671103155 Replica https://www.autotrader.ca/a/lotus/seven/delta/british columbia/19_12681378_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_3_3&sprx=-1 Caterham https://7cars.ca/cars-for-sale/caterham-s3-360.htm Replica Project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/vancouver/lotus-super-7/1676891793 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/295420320065513/ Eva Beva https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1985-eve-beva/1674367159 Eva Beva https://www.kijiji.ca/v-voiture-collection/granby/eva-beva-lotus-super-7/1667803489 and here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188308534231376/ Westfield https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1283424638974966/ Donkervoort https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2482305621952213/

Optare Buses came out of the collapse of British Leyland in the 1980s. Your car is definitely not related. Its not ringing any recognition bells to me on the basis of just one photo. I assume it came with no documentation from previous owners? You have a few options to dig into its history: 1) Post up some more photos like MV8 says and see if we can crack the solution. 2) Buy or borrow the Dennis Ortenburger book on the various Lotus 7 replicas as see if you can back into a short list of possible makers and then try to do the match from there based on the suspension components identified in the photos. If I was at home I would look at my copy of the book and give you the short list to work with. Both of these will probably get you close to a decent guess on the history. My initial reaction is a Stuart Taylor by looks but I would want to try to get a better match on component usage in the early 1990s. The Stuart Taylor replica business was taken over by Aries Motorsport which still produces Locosts today. Do not be confused with the Stuart Taylor Motorsport doing business today - completely different.

not announced but likely going to Toyos

Correct - use tax is assessed when something otherwise avoids CA sales tax e.g. out of state purchases. 7.25% rate plus any local taxes based on your CA location - usual all-in rate for most people is 7.5%. The CA DMV website never talks about a CA sales tax on vehicles - they always reference use tax. Look at Chapter 4 of the California Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual. Whatever you pay in use tax to the CDTFA is interchangeable with use tax paid to the DMV. If you did not pay the use tax in time at the DMV then you are supposed to pay use tax via CDTFA. In the past I recall some CA owners noting on USA7s they paid use tax penalties when went to CA DMV to start the registration process. I could not find the old post to surface it for you but I will keep looking. The penalty was for the delay between kit import to CA and rocking up at the DMV to pay the bill. Given owners have to present receipts of items purchased as part of this process, its easy for the tax authorities to go back and calculate penalties. The lack of consistency in application to CA owners is likely based on inconsistency of DMV personnel knowledge of the CA special vehicle process. I suspect your "import" paperwork to CA had something that triggered in the CDTFA systems routing you to use tax to be done through CDTFA instead of DMV. The guide I used for my purchase and exemption claim (non-seven vehicle) was here: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/vehicles-vessels-aircraft-guide.htm#Overview There is no use tax exemption for an unassembled kit or an assembled kit vehicle. An unassembled kit vehicle is defined as a vehicle in CA. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/use-tax/transactions-not-subject-to-use-tax/ Your original post is ambiguous as you state you paid use tax but then say you would prefer to pay it at the DMV - apologies if I misread it. If you paid use tax at the DMV then you present evidence of payment to the CDTFA folks and claim a use tax credit. If you have not paid it at the DMV then you will be paying via CDTFA direct. Why? You are getting 10% penalty interest on your use tax debt so you need to stop the clock with a payment now otherwise it gets awfully expensive real quick. If you pay CDTFA direct then you keep your evidence of use tax paid so that when you go to the DMV later the DMV do not charge you twice. If you paid sales or use tax in another state then you are entitled to also get a credit for this when determining CA use tax. The CA taxes are draconian in their application but I have always found the CA tax people to be reasonable to work with if you are trying to understand a process - maybe give them a call to confirm that you will get full credit for use tax so you only pay once?

Not my garage - my floor is severely marked with lots of stains. Needs to be re-epoxyied. I saw that on Bringatrailer and had a dribble. Quality stuff in the photo.

Hi Taber - Hope you are doing well? SDKLD5NS7xxxxxxx SDK = Caterham L = Left Hand Drive D = De Dion ? = I think you missed a character here for build type? Probably "K" for Kit Built 5 = This is for chassis type. 5 = SV. You will see Caterham talk about S3 and S5 chassis types as that is the production code. NS = Engine Not Supplied. Makes sense as US Customs regs prevent kits from being shipped with drivetrains. 7 = 2007 was the year the kit was produced Rest is chassis number