Croc

Hi Jeff - just sent you a PM!

Yes the folded license plate was Scannon's. He had mounted the CSR nose aero attachment to the base of the nose cone and then mounted the plate to that and folded the excess under.

Must be a Texas thing?

Sorry I should have been clearer. You are correct - CAN does not control the access. If you get Easimap software and the special cable that SBD Developent sell to plug between the connector on the car wiring loom (which connects to the MBE ECU used by Caterham) and your computer you can see what your Caterham is doing electronically real time. However, you cannot change anything like remapping or tweaking the ECU settings. For that you need the Caterham password. There have been many instances where people buy a new unlocked ECU so they can remap their Caterham. However, the CAN output on the plug can be used to get real time data if you wanted to connect it to a data logger. But it is not following OBDII protocols and so will not be read by an OBDII scanner tool. The SBD Development site is a resource if you are a Caterham owner trying to understand this. http://www.sbdev.co.uk/Engine_Management_Systems/ECU/MBE_ECU_Software.htm

Dean - Thats what makes our cars so interesting. It is rare that you find any two alike although the owners of yellow cars all seem to clump together and become annoying....:jester: That said I have serious dribbles going on when I see Steve's gorgeous mirror polished aloominum and british racing green fiberglass cross flow. Its just drop dead gorgeous. :cool dude:

There is a J1952 (or whatever it is called I am having a senior moment) plug under the dash which looks exactly like an OBDII plug. However, if you were to plug in an OBDII reader I guarantee you will not get any readings. This is because the ECU used by Caterham does not support OBDII. It is CAN output so you can read it using a proper cable, mapping software AND the secret code from Caterham (which is so secret that I don't know it!). Some early zetecs which used the Ford Focus ECU did have OBDII but they were rare. My front license plate accidentally fell off on purpose when I was not looking once and now it resides between the transmission tunnel and seats when the nice orificer asks where it is. You could always try velcro or some low profile license plate mount like this: http://skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml or the ones here http://www.licenseplatebracketcentral.com/license-plate-bracket-front/

I thought I posted this link then could not find it so here it is.... Mike Woeller, the pro photographer from Windshadow and official track photographer who I asked to come in and take some photos has a site with 580 photos from over the 2 days available to purchase. There are some stunning photos in here (why does Steve's green/ali Caterham always look so immaculate?). If you wanted a good photo of yourself to put on the garage or trophy wall then you will probably find one here. http://www.windshadowstudios.net/njmp-drivers-club-07-04-05-2014 Of course if you just wanted to browse a ton of pictures of sevens then this link is a good one to waste time on! Roll on 2015!

Mike - I would not want to test that waiver in a court of law if there was an incident - you could be wearing the costs. You want to talk with your insurance agent about an "excess liability" policy. Make sure there is no exclusion for HPDE or driving a non-registered auto off-road on private property. At least this would kick in to defend you should there be a problem.

Race car or not - have you got excess liability insurance? What happens if you run over someone in the pits or hit someone on track. You may not care about the car damage but the liability will bankrupt you. I usually buy track insurance for the CSR with Lockton and get my discount from being a BMW club member. Covers the cost of the car but not the liability. I self insure my other track cars as I do not drive hard on track - just out for a nice quiet Sunday drive.

Nice garage Dave - when can we all move in and call it the USA7s clubhouse? :cheers:

A couple of things about insurance - from someone who operates one. The first thing to remember is that insurance is state based regulation. So the policy terms and conditions and what is underwritten does vary substantially state to state because thats what the states want. Secondly there is a very big difference between an insurance company and a managing general agency (MGA). An insurance company like State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Farmers, USAA, Liberty, Chubb, Nationwide, etc for the most part will try to treat our cars like regular daily drivers - insured value depreciates at a defined rate. Sevens values are not like that. Also you may be signing up to have repairs done that are substandard for the specialist nature of the vehicle. While State Farm does have some states where you can get agreed value suitable for a seven it is less than half the states in the Union. Chubb Insurance under their masterpiece program will do agreed value consistently provided you have more than one collector car. Lastly, the insurance premium rate filing with the state is designed deliberately to never give you a competitive premium on a classic car compared with a classic car program from an MGA. A managing general agency is an agent who has "branded" a program with a variety of insurance carriers/companies who will insure your cars based on that program. An MGA is NOT an insurance company - their interests may diverge from the insurance carrier. An MGA includes Hagerty, Grundy, Heacock, American Collectors, etc. Always ask who the carrier is behind the program and their credit rating - you want the insurance carrier to be around to pay. Always read the policy very carefully - they have some quirky exclusions that will not be raised in Q&A over the phone. For example - did you know that two of the MGA's above have policies in 10 states that exclude coverage if you drive onto a motor racing or drag racing facility - not to compete but just to park in the grounds and then climb a grand stand to watch or even just to attend a static car show. That said these MGA programs will give best bang for buck for seven insurance. Lastly, there are a number of insurers included in the list above who monitor youtube and certain internet forums for license plates of cars behaving inappropriately outside their policy conditions. If found your policy may not be cancelled but you will certainly get into an awkward discussion when you have to make a claim that may result in a claim denial situation. The odds are low given the volume of cars out there being stupid but why give anyone a reason.

Chariots of Palm Beach is a Morgan and Rolls Royce dealership primarily. They would not know how to count that high with gears! :jester: Seriously, I have found them very good to deal with and would happily deal with them again. I have had reason to use them 5 times in the past. My old yellow SV was found at CofPB after it had sat there for 12 months. I found them very willing to move down a long way on price in negotiation when a car has been in stock for a while. This R300 has been there at least 8 months so it may be an opportunity to serious haggle.

The value of the leather over the cloth is that it ages better. The black cloth tends to fade rather quickly so that after 5-10 years it starts to look gray not black. The leather wears to a nice patina over time and retains its color better. Of course you are in Texas so I guess leather is really not that practical as it nicely fries the thighs after bring in the sun? Heater in Texas? :rofl: I think you have to try people in the SV chassis to see if they fit before you assume they do not - it is roomier than you may think. I have had a 6'4" 350 pound guy in my car as my passenger on track. The quip from one of the other USA7s members there at the time was "muffin top". It was not pretty but he fit once we tucked his spare tires in. It did put a substantial dent on performance though! :ack: Just check the floor rivets afterwards....

Ok time for your morning cawffee installment of cars for sale. Leading the pack is this gorgeous Lovely-Bayne Motors Zoomer. This is what the Lotus 7 S4 should look like. I have seen one of these for sale before and it was a basket case but to see this one in this condition is astounding. Located for sale on a famous porn site (for me anyway!): http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1537-Lovely-Bayne%20%20%20%20Motors%20-Zoomer-221%20c.i.V8%20 Where is Klasik? In Cape Coral FL is this really nice looking Stalker in a graphite gray. $26500 http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/4555334154.html Struggled to find a Birkin for sale but then I found one in NJ. The wife (strife?) will love to ride around with this little beauty: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/clo/4564779679.html Advertised on the west coast for a long time is a 1967 Lotus 7 at $25000 that says it was built in 1997-98 by Lotus Racing West. So that makes it a nice Caterham I guess? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4573034545.html A 1960s Lotus Seven clone frame that at least looks like it is rolling: http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4554333624.html

This will be like getting 20 different answers for each question! 1) Wheel size does make a substantial difference in a small light car like a seven. Less unsprung weight plus less wheel mass to get rolling means that a Caterham spins up quicker with 13 inch wheels compared to the quite heavy 15 inch Caterham wheels. For the reduction in wheel size you upsize the tire profile so that rolloing diameter remains approximately the same and you have not compromised ground clearance. A Caterham responds well to having a taller profile as it flexes more under load and makes the handling more progressive on the limit. It also improves the ride. If you try the same car back to back between 15 inch wheels and 13 inch wheels with the same rolling tire diamater most people will say they prefer the 13 inch wheel version. Someone will then say its harder to get tires for 13 inch wheels. I explored this recently as I converted both my Caterhams to 13 inch wheels and I dont see the problem. It is much easier now to get wheels for the CSR than it was in 15 inch Avons. I did contemplate 14 inch wheels for the CSR but I found the tire choice was even more limited than the 13 inch option for performance tires - it was ok if you wanted $69 economy POS but not performance. Roger Krause on the west coast has a good range of 13 inch rubber. 2) When I bought the CSR I saw the same thing. Ask them to put in a 6 pointer (it comes to a 5th point for the buckle) - they will do it for minimal cost - best it done now. A 6 pointer provides a gap for your crown jewels to pass through should you have the worst case stop. If you dont believe me then google testicle "degloving" 3) LSD is really only needed for track or monster hp. 4) There is a youtube video out there of the plumbed in fire extinguisher in a Caterham being set off. It is really underwhelming and about as useful as tits on a bull. Dont bother and instead buy a portable one to strap/bolt in somewhere. 5) Battery switch - good for security and stopping parasitic load on the battery when the car is not used for the period. 6) Aerofoil wishbones look pretty but make no difference to lap times around the block. 7) For road I would go for 5 speed. The 5th speed overdrive makes for a nice cruising gear at higher speeds. 8) I think Randy has addressed this one above. 9) No impact on resale value - its a kit car anyway. I had mine built as I was just too busy with work to get free time. Ideally I would have built it as then I know the car better. 10) Polishing ali is a massively time consuming exercise - ask bball7754 on here if you really want to know. It looks sensational once polished. Paint is an easy wash and dry and it looks pretty good. Cover the paint in 3M if you worry about stone chips which are unavoidable. So are you a polisher or a washer? Have fun in this process - it really is fun considering the options! Best part of buying a car. :seeya:

And here was me thinking it was just because the poodle was behind the wheel and could not push the throttle down further?

I daresay that one Caterham owner was so impressed with the Storker and desiring more speed he is buying his own...:leaving:

No Shane, I cannot see them either - they are not linking for some reason.

And in the seven in front, I see the mess unfold in the rear vision mirror and I am doing a thumb jerk back behind us to his dear Dad, Larry, who was riding shotgun with me. Larry takes one look in the passenger side mirror and makes the universal sign of resignation..."Thats my boy!" :cooldude:

I think he is just itching to blast past me on track in a top speed demonstration of superiority for the first time! :jester: His second plan will be to work out how to stop sliding around in the gigantic cockpit that the SV has :svengo: I think his new profile name should be "Gingerly" as it describes the blended colors of orange and yellow and also describes how he uses the throttle now.

Latest update in new ads out sighted there for those with cash to buyers or flippers to flip... Many of the previous weeks ads on Fleabay and Craigslist are still out there. I am always wary of anything for sale in Stratford CT but this does not look to be associated with the establishment I have concerns about. 201 Caterham crossflow asking $27500 buy it now. Been around at that price for quite a few months. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-classic-2001-Lotus-Caterham-Super-7-/141340208095?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20e8886bdf&item=141340208095&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Its red and ali Caterham season - a 1988 Caterham cross flow asking a dealer premium of $31995 buy it now. It is a case of holy perspex side screens Batman- they are the biggest I have ever seen on a seven. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-1988-caterham-Lotus-Caterham-/271538544914?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f38f56112&item=271538544914&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Lotus Seven clone. Some would call this a locost but it seems to be based off a different chassis plan to the usual Locost varieties. Unusual but once color combo of teal and ali. Looks well done. Starting bid on fleabay of $16500: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-base-2-door-1968-lotus-7-replica-clone-/121381561182?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c42e7a35e&item=121381561182&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Lotus 7 race car clone. This is a strange one. Looks like a street rod now but has old photos in the ad showing it racing with other sevens plus a group photo of it on a banked oval with other sevens (Caterham, Birkin and Stalkers). It is yellow for those people on here with that fetish. Asking $3500. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4557358207.html A $5k Locost rolling shell project in Florida. Complete except for an engine. Probably pretty wet since left outside in the rain. It originally ran a 4L straight 6 engine which is unusual. T5 gearbox still in the car. http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4542451512.html Found some 2 sets of Caterham wheels (Panasports and replicas) for sale in Seattle. The tires on them are junked. http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/pts/4560312426.html

What about buying a V6 used and then giving it to Brunton Auto or someone local to transplant a V8 and other selected modifications (obviously no IRS) that updates the car at a modest cost without the new car depreciation slug?

Well actually, I think I adopted him from Ebay, coached him on the strange habits and idiotsyncracies of those from the "Deep South" and gave him remedial training in how to point by before we let Shane take him home. It was pure coincidence that he was sponsored by Suave Baby Care Diapers, however appropriate it may be! :jester:

As they say, there is no substitute for cubic inches!

Let me clarify the confusion I caused. Corner weighting is a process by which you can adjust the suspension so that it applies even weight on each wheel when the car has all 4 wheels on a scale. When you do this process it is customary to load the car with the weight of the driver and sometimes also the weight of the passenger. Some sevens cannot be all 4 wheel corner weighted in the true sense as they do not have adjustable suspension perches on the rear suspension but you can at least set the front up to be evenly weighted across the front. I have found the CSR's handling to be very sensitive to correct corner weighting probably because it has independent rear suspension. When a seven is corner weighted for 2 people versus 1 person and I am driving it on track by myself I find it is unsettled in behavior as I get closer to the limit. Up until November last year (when I reset the suspension) my fastest track times in the CSR were always set with a passenger beside me because the car felt that much better in its handling. The car will perform equally well in the corners if set up for the correct number of passengers who are on board. If you think the car feels better with on track with 2 people in it rather than just 1 person then I bet that your car was originally corner weighted and set up for 2 people. Our cars are so light that removing 175 pounds (or more) from the passenger seat is a 15-20% change in overall weight and how that weight is transmitted through the 4 wheels. Did I clarify or just confuse more? :svengo: