No_6

I wore a helmet on the way up from Portland, and it was definitely the way to go. I'm going to buy a 1/2 shell, as a full face won't fit in the boot. Anyone know if a 3/4 shell will fit?

I'm just curious as to what other people are getting out of their car. So far, my car is getting around 22 MPG on the freeway. When I put the spurs to her, it drops to about 15. Ouch. This is with a 1700cc x-flow with 149.5 peak horsepower on tap (and no, the motor isn't particularly fond of lugging around under 4k, though it does so dutifully).

slomove... you are one inventive fellow. You ever consider making those for other members?

I took the semi-long way home from Portland. It got dark before we made it very far, so we cut through Aberdeen to Olympia and then I-5 the rest of the way up. I can't think of a better way to have become acquainted with the car. Got some great twisty bits, and an exeprienced driver to follow behind, and I must say that this car is incredibly confidence inspiring. The super-sticky Yokohamas on the car help quite a bit, also. This car has more 'personality' than any car I have every owned or driven, so it took less than half an hour of driving to name her. I am going to have to get some SERIOUS ear protection, though. My head is still buzzing.

Just wanted to share a picture of the new addition to my family, a 1997 Caterham Classic. I named her "Gee Bee." I think I will go out and waste some gas, now. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20060910_110709_dscn0859-smalle.jpg

Check out how the motorcycle club I belong to handled things: www.r1-forum.com. The local clubs are called "Squadrons," each of which has it's own home on the larger site. That way local business/gatherings don't clutter up the general discussion areas. Works pretty well. Many of the local chapters have their own dedicated forums as well (ours is www.r1wolfpack.com). Yes, I know the names are a little on the corny side, but it does make for some cool looking logos/patches. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

Never mind. I went out and bought a '84 Rabbit. That is now my official weathergear. Cost me $200 less than a new set of doors+hood and it gets 33MPG. Good enough.

Were any of you in Washington state, I would recommend a really good lawyer. Me and my buddies ride motorcycles and some of us have been known to get tickets. The lawyer(s) the guys use have been known to get nasty speeding tickets thrown out completely. It costs, but its better than having the ticket on the record.

Will the weathergear from a 1990 Cat DeDion fit a 97 Cat Classic SE?

I forgot one very important factor in buying the car... WA state is insane with tax fever, and would tack $2100 to the purchase price, which pretty well blows the car right out of the water. Man, there are things I hate about this state, and that's one of them. BTW, soar, so it doesn't sound like you've had any problems with parts/availability/maintenance. This the case? The car is so simple mechanically, I can't imagine many difficulties. Oh... also, can a Duratec motor be fitted to the Birkin chasis, and if so, how easily/difficult?No_62006-08-30 14:18:32

slomove--I checked out your page a few days ago. I was very impressed by your inventiveness. Thanks for your observations on the Birkin. I haven't driven a Cat before, but I have driven a 99 Birkin and was very, very impressed. I even liked the stock seats (though a bit more lateral support would be nice... without the 4-point harness I would slide around in the seat quite a bit). I imagine the 05 would be identical. At this point, I've pretty much made up my mind that the Birkin is the way to go for me, considering my lack of mechanical aptitude, the newness (and availability) of the motor. Here's a link to the car I am looking at if any of y'all are curious: http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/racoca1.html It's the black/aluminum car about 3/4 the way down the page. Let me know what you think.

I am torn between two cars. Seriously. Bigtime. And I could use some sage advice from people who have 'been there, done that." Choice 1: '97 Caterham Classic. Check it out here: http://forsale.unibrain.org/ A great car in a fairly high state of tune. 1600cc X-flow putting out 150hp, lots of nice extras (Quaif LSD, 5 speed, hydraulic clutch). And it is only 3 hours away from where I live. This car would need to run on super, and as you know will require fairly regular maintenance. It has seen a few track days, but I don't think it has been abused. Choice 2: '5 Birkin S3 Dick Brink is selling this one. It has under 1,000 miles on it. Has the adjustable bucket seats, and '03 Zetec motor. And if I fly down to Texas, he has agreed to sell me parts at his cost. Both these cars will need full weathergear, (which will save me approx $300 right there). However, this car will cost me $2500 more. Plus the flight to Texas and the 3 day drive home. About me: somewhat absent minded. Not particularly inclined to fuss over motorized transport, and I tend to put off maintenance. If this were not the case, my Honda probably would have lived longer than 130,000 miles (I burned the head off of it last week by running it low on oil for 6 months). I am sure that I would pay the 'new' car much more attention, but it will be a daily driver (about 4,500 miles a year total). I wouldn't mind learning how to do a lot of stuff myself, but I would rather not spend a LOT of time in the garage. Besides, I rent, so my garage is shared. Have tools and parts laying around is not a good idea unless I don't want to keep those tools and parts. I like the idea that the Birkin has a much higher performance ceiling, with ample (and inexpensive) aftermarket options. It sounds like Dick won't have problems getting parts for me, and the prices will be comperable, if not a little cheaper than Caterham bits. The fact that it will run just fine on regular and will get higher gas mileage than the Cat means my cost of ownership will probably be lower. Also, the Birkin is a bit heavier, slightly more robust which strikes me as being better suited to the crummy roads I have to deal with here in Seattle. But the car is in freakin' Texas. However, I like the 'collectability' of the Caterham, the fact that it has clamshell wings and the more vintage look of the car in general. Plus, those carbs sticking out of the side does something for me. It has been very well maintained is extremely clean, and only has about 7500 miles on it. *sigh* Decisions, decisions. And I need to come to one by tonight. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the resources! Those videos help a lot.

Not so much. Just something I bought in anticipation of the car.

Just got my pair in the mail. Haven't had a chance to drive with them yet, but I am already impressed. Nice construction, attractive, very lightweight, and provide a high degree of sensitivity. A cursory examination show that they are nearly 3/4 an inch narrower than my Teva's, and about 1/2-1/3 and inch narrower than my running shoes, and despite this, they are as comfortable as a pair of slippers (they are a size 7.5). What kind of shoes you fellas have to wear to get your feet to fit?

How? Not that I think I'll ever been pushing the car hard enough to warrant this, but I would like to learn the technique "just because."

Thanks!

Perish the thought... I live in Seattle. If it starts raining, I'd be lucky if it lasted one week.

I first became serious about buying a 7 two and a half years ago. Back then, the cars seemed, if not abundant, more available. Which also meant lower prices. I nearly bought a 99 Birkin for 16500. Turns out (for my personal finances at the time) to have been a good decision to pass. But at around the same time, there was also an original '67 S3 with the Lotus twin-cam motor, 95% complete frame-off restoration for-wait for it-$15000. Or was it the white S2 that was 15000? Anyhow, my point is that at any given time, you could find one for under 20K. Nowadays, there seem to be far less around (none in the Seattle area at all), and MUCH more expensive (almost nothing under 20K). In one way, it gives me a greater sense of security, as the car is definitely holding its value, but the lack of availability is a bit frustrating. What gives? Anyone know why this is?

I think its the fact that the car is so small and low to the ground the sensation of speed is greatly enhanced. Sitting on the rear axle is also an experience 99.9% of the people out there are probably not used to; To be honest, I have not been in a 7 with someone steering with the throttle, but I imagine the experience is a real lower-intestinal track clincher. No_62006-08-25 09:03:01

I bought my doors and a spare top from Ted P. and had them shipped to Dennis Hedges to have them fit to my car. Dennis' comment was that he made them. There were some eBay auctions about 4-5 months back for Cat doors and top in the UK. They went for about $500 and $200 respectfully. Rob Mitchell Does he make these things regularly? Do you have some good pics to show build quality?

Anyone selling a complete set of weathergear that will fit a 97 Caterham 7 Classic? I'll need the hood and sideskirts. Just the plain ol' stock ones will be fine. Would be nice to do this on the cheap (under $750 including shipping). I know some people make their own, but I'm not that handy... and I know how much local upholstery shops charge. Not cheap. Thanks a bunch.

A variety of places. Evans Group/Publicis for a very short while. Lately I've been a gun-for-hire and have helped out at Y&R and AvenueA. Being hourly has improved my blood pressure and general outlook on life.

Hi everyone, This feels a little like a 12-step program, but here goes. My name's Terry, and I too work that pimple here in Seattle. Hey, it pays the bills, sort-of. I first noticed the 7 when watching the Prisoner during the PBS fundraisers 13 years ago. I immediately thought it was a squat, ugly little thing. Funny thing is the longer I looked at the thing, the more it grew on me. I finally test drove one two years ago, and it was all over. I passed on that one (a 99 Birkin with low mileage that I could have had for 16,500! grrrr). And I am now this (picture thumb and forefinger 1/4 inch apart) from getting a 97 Caterham 1600 classic. The check is quite literally in the mail. We'll see. I don't want to jinx it. If I get the car, it will be my daily driver.

I believe powderbrake is correct about the use of '7.' In my experience in marketing and advertising, there are just some things you can not copyright. The numeral 7 falls into that category. Microsoft had this problem with "Office." If they were able to copyright Office, they could have sued the makers of the movie "Office Space" and the show, "The Office." BTW, how many Canadians and Mexians on this board? Anyhow, I like the sound of either USA7 or NA7, with a preference towards NA7... sounds less jingoistic. Just .02 from a newbie.