Croc

I recall you went off everywhere at speed that day - warm up laps, cool down laps and everywhere in between. Well thats a new excuse that Xcarguy and I could use in 2015 To add balance to my having fun with Mike above, I will say his Birkin did show the obvious signs of needing a good fettling - more than you would expect of a new car. And he did have some amazingly heavy tank slappers in front of me on track which I have not seen before in a seven - I have the video of one somewhere.

I will swap you! I just got a quote for a replacement engine for my 1975 BMW CSL of $55K for the correct IMSA race spec. :ack: Give me a twink anyday!

For some reason this makes me feel like the Oglaf cartoons where the apprentice is groveling before Mistress. Given the errr....ummm.... 'raunchy' nature of those cartoons there is no way I would ever link those here as they are even more explicit than that Westfield (if such a thing is possible...) as both are NSFW. :nopity: So my peace offering is beer credits when the next one of us is in each others city. :cheers: No feathers please, I have sinus allergies. But I love the smell and feel of high quality leather! :dead horse: I think Shane needs some disciplining too!

And the problem is? Just leave your jealousy at the door! You are welcome to join me - Ask Tom how well my vacations are organized. There are Caterhams free for Magny Cours and Dijon circuit days. Dijon is a superb little circuit for Caterhams. Come on - rent one for a track day with me! :cooldude: Anyway, life is short so pack it full of big experiences.

This is a special posting in honor of our hardworking USA7s administrator JohnCH. This is a Westfield that only he could love. This is a Westfield SE "Stinga" http://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/detail/cars/unique-cars/westfield/se/255935 Only asking Australian $18500 which is a measly $14500 in the United States with real money. I recommend it for blind motorists or those confident in their masculinity. :jester: All joke aside I would like to pay compliments to John who does a sterling unpaid job as an administrator to this website and manages to retain his sense of humor despite have to deal with people like me (and the rest of you!). Thanks John - Happy New Year! :cheers:

Well I will admit my bucket list is something like 12 pages long - painstakingly listed out on a Microsoft Word document. Clearly it shows the anal accuntant/actuary that I am. :blush: I aim to clean about third of a page each year. This year has been on target for achieving my bucket list items: - Demonstrating that I was the worst golfer to have ever ever played Pebble Beach Golf Course (and I am going back there in May 2015). I even smashed a window on the 18th hole when I found a tree ricochet into a clubhouse. :blush: - Transatlantic Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 - Exploring the Maldives - Driving a Caterham at Donnington Circuit - Realizing a 20 year goal to rehab my old Oz garage from its car contents so I can drive them in the US. - continuing to make serious in roads on my family tree project Building the ultimate garage? Well that became a #$%k-it list item in 2013 and 2014. But I have a fighting chance to tick that little puppy off in 2015. :cooldude: 2015 items include in addition to the garage project: - Driving a Caterham at Magny Cours, Dijon Prenois, Zandvoort (on top of Spa Francorchamps in March) - Getting the CSL restoration finished and on track - Getting the Holden Commodore Group A restoration finished and on track - Explore Rhone River wine region and get astoundingly pissed, drink, #$%tfaced, inebriated on some quality red wines during a river cruise. - Explore Vietnam - commence planning for my last Oz car restoration project (for completion in 2016 and import to US late that year

hmmm.....

Reminds me of my Australian Touring car days (now called V8 Supercars) - if you did not come home with panel damage then you were not trying. The local junkyard loved me. I was always buying bumpers, rear panels, noses and fenders from wrecked cars to replace those that could not be beaten out more. There was a reason one of my race cars was nicknamed "Elvis" - it had so many hits! That white car was testing the other drivers' nerves - keep the foot in or be chicken and back out to let him win. It was not gentlemanly but then racing is all about being prepared to drive to win.

I think Lucky Dawg has picked it - he was spinning before impact. Not surprising given my observations of Ariel Atoms on track at speed - they are twitchy little beasts - only for the the experienced drivers please.

Poorichard - I don't know what generated the negative feedback on Ebay. I have also been around enough to know that there are two sides to every story. I have to question the precautions that buyer took if he did not check title and condition before bidding, get a copy of the title or bill of sale before settling the balance after deposit. I usually end up preparing the bill of sale myself for both parties to sign if I am buying or selling to make sure I have the protections I want in it. I verify before I trust when it comes to handing over money no matter who the other party is. Andy has been a decent gentlemen in my dealings with him even though we have not transacted a car. I can attest that he is a passionate car guy.

Yes it is about time Westfield owners procreate to get their numbers up! :willy_nilly:

The seller (Andy) is a member of this forum Pinballking. A very passionate guy about his cars - he had amassed quite a collection which it looks like he is unloading sadly.

I have seen the Porker before but no idea as to the driver. Wondering it if it is the one that once left 3 laps of coolant on Thunderbolt once and shut down the day? It was a 930/935 type of thing with a wing too big for itself.

I could not resist that subtle tweak! :rofl:

Yes softly whispering in a voice uncannily like the better half "new kitchen, new kitchen" :jester: Also try http://www.searchtempest.com It searches all of craigslist across the US.

Oh I have the minions as well! Unfortunately I tend to go through them a lot - its hard to find good help that keeps their paws off my cars! :rofl: Well that was interesting. I keyed in 'Stalker' and got three Pintos, a Westfield and two AMG Pacers.

Its 6am on a Saturday and I have actually slept in past my usual 3-4am wake up calls. Must be relaxed due to vacation starting today - off to warmer climates with no snow! :cooldude: Plenty of cars here today for the USA7s coffee club. Westfield are coming out of the woodwork. This one came up for sale a few years back in CT and it looks like it is still there. 1700cc crossflow engine with a T9 and 2000 odd miles. Dark green body and acres of tan pleather (polyester leather...). The owner gets huge bonus points in my eye for a ton of good photos and a reasonable detail of ad text. Registered in CT. He gets Holiday wishes for starting the bidding at $17750 (no bids) and a buy it now of $18995. Looks like he is realistically wanting a sale. There are 123 watchers so most of this forum is probably lurking over there like dog turds on a lawn. http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cars-Trucks-/6001/i.html?_from=R40%7CR40%7CR40&_nkw=westfield&_vxp=mtr Now here is a new seven Manufacturer - a "Berkin" Its always nice to recognize the seller who I know cannot type to save himself but is very good at finding his way around a seven - Hi Andy! :seeya: Looks like a barn find and needs a bit of fettling and work. Andy was always good about finding this stuff from nowhere and this one looks like an interesting case. Series 1 (83-85) Birkin. Toyota 4AGE with 5 speed Ford gearbox. No ignition key. Been stored for 20 years. Starting bid $8000 and buy it now $9000. I think this is a fantastic project for someone as it is all intact to work with. How many series 1 Birkin's come up for sale and the Toyota engine is well suited for the character of a seven. Anyone in Canada looking for a winter project? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-Berkin-Lotus-Super-Seven-Lotus-Super-Seven-Twin-Cam-Berkin-1965-lotus-super-seven-/321621888808?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4ae2288f28&item=321621888808&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Its baaaaack. The 1984 Caterham with 1800cc crossflow all red with RHD at Kampena motors. Still asking $24500. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4804279133.html Brand new Brunton Stalker XL for fat c$%^s like me. Advertised by Brunton Auto for $49000. Lots of nice photos to check out. The Mineharts are wonderful people to chat with. http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/4749957098.html A 1962 Brunton Super Stalker that has a good looking livery. 600 miles 3.8 V6 supercharged. Comes with a Hallmark trailer as part of the deal. Asking $39500. http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1414030674/1414030674ss.htm A "1967" Locost Seven (CMC chassis?) that is close to finished according to the ad. Located in Atlanta it is registered in GA. 1.8L Toyota engine with 4 speed. Seller says he would trade for a Porsche 968 or a 911. Asking $12750. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4812497454.html The 1960s clone roller seven in Huntsville Alabama is still for sale at $5450 here. http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4780064928.html Sevenesque chassis in Sonoma CA for $1200. Obviously a Locost home build but has some interesting features in the one photo shown. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4811286333.html A repeat visitor is this 2012 Seven Locost with 351 Windsor. A bit of extra work and it would look good. Keen pricing at $7499. http://up.craigslist.org/cto/4761400844.html Oh my gosh - another Hawaii seven. That makes a count of 3 in the last year for sale. This one says it is in Maui. This is a serious looking build. Pity the photos are not better as they are definitely not showing off the car's best features. Asking $35000. You do have to ask whether you could build it for this price in Hawaii given the shipping costs to get everything local. I never knew they had SCCA bureaucracy there as well - there goes paradise I suppose! http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/cto/4801165387.html 1964 RM Super Seven in Windsor Ontario at C$12900 http://classiccars.com/listings/view/595614/1964-lotus-super-seven-for-sale-in-windsor-ontario-canada-n9g1y5 2002 CMC Seven in Montgomery Alabama. Presents well in the photos. Asking $13995 http://classiccars.com/listings/view/605738/1982-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-montgomery-alabama-36117 Early Caterham (1980s area I think). Red 1600 crossflow with 4 speed. Asking $31500. http://www.anamera.com/en/detail/car/310488/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=63 This next one got my attention as I saw $20k for a 1969 Lotus 7. Then I looked a little closer. Its one of the original kits put together in Argentina but now in Uruguay. What a survivor! Fiat 125 engine. Despite the low price the shipping and taxes and fees back to the US may likely not be worth it along with the experts report quite possibly needed for US customs since the VIN/chassis plate is not dated with a year (ask me how I know this!). http://www.anamera.com/en/detail/car/54016/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=63 In case you wonder how I find this stuff so easily I have been using Vintage Wheels - a new website that automatically searches all car sale websites globally for your desired models. I log on and it has already found all the ads for all the cars I am dribbling various bodily fluids with desire on. I will caution you that it is extraordinarily dangerous as a website - quite simply the worst I have ever come across as a car enthusiast. You WILL find your dream car somewhere in the world and want it and think seriously about buying it! :willy_nilly: https://www.vintagewheels.com I would like to wish all the Seven friends and enthusiasts on this forum Happy Holidays and a great New Year for 2015! :party:

Damn right! It must have been brake dust! :troll:

Soaking in gasoline? Great balls of fire!

Its been listed here before - see post #319. I think it may be forum member "Joshesh" car but no one confirmed my speculation. You may get a better response to your inquiry on California Caterham Club as it is local to most of that membership.

Ouch! Not a good find although well done on being vigilant and awake to the possibility of this.

He is not the only one! :cooldude:

Interesting - I did not realize it also went through European Collectibles in CA. I know it was sold by Chequered Flag in late 2012 as I have it on my handwritten list of Birkin/Caterham sales that I write down to keep track of values over time. Just a note - while the ad listing kindly posted by Bill is still live it is listed under the "sold" page on the website.

I was monitoring this case as it worked up to this final point. For the last 3 years I have been working to bring some cars I collected in my previous life into the US. While they are all over 25 years old the regs for import are nowhere near as simple as you would expect. They are ill defined rules where you are totally at the mercy of some official who is defining things as they go. That is no way to run things but yet thats what I have had to deal with. Cases like this mini helped me learn what the real import rules as they are prosecuted and litigated. If you make a mistake you rack up huge fees, fine, storage, etc while you try to unravel it and if you do not sort it out then your options are immediate export or Federal destruction like this mini. This mini was not worth the money to re-export it. The reason this mini was singled out is that there have been a number of people buying up late-production original body shell minis (say 1990-1996) and importing them as over 25 year old cars (when they are not) to avoid the prohibitively expensive NHTSA/EPA compliance regs for under 25 year old cars. It is fairly common to see this late model car for sale as a 1967 or 1971 car - EBay had 2 on last week and MiniMania had 1 car for sale all wrongly described. Bringing in a complete second hand car like this mini is a very different import process to bringing in a incomplete kit car or a roller on an MSO like Caterhams, Westfields or Birkins. I am acutely conscious during the import process for my cars that you do not make false statements as these are a Federal criminal offense. Given so many of these leaked into the US, the public display was clearly intended to send a warning to stop people. Earlier this year it was 40 something Land Rovers that were targeted and seized. Now import Minis are the target. If you buy one of these grey market cars, no matter how innocent or uninformed you are, no matter how misled you were by the nice salesman, you are at risk that the Feds will one day discover the car and have it seized, likely when you go try to sell it. The owner is out of pocket at that point and good luck to them trying to recover their money out of the importer who will have long disappeared. This red tape bureaucracy is just another illustration why the car import regs need to be simplified and clarified. A 1990-era mini with better seat belts, crash protection reinforcement, air bags, anti lock brakes, etc is far safer than a 1970 era Mini with none of that. Yet the US Government says you can import the 1970 mini, register it and drive it around on US roads but that it is not safe to legally do the same with a 1990-era mini. Absurd! :bs: :rant: Ok rant over! ...back in my box! :seeya:

Yes Bill's memory is spot on - it was complete Miata drivetrain in a yellow Birkin. Was sold by Chequered Flag in Sth CA and went to FL and I last heard of it being in Tampa.