yellowss7

I gained some room, and better visability thru the windscreen by removing the bottom seat cushion and replacing it with a thinner piece of high density foam. Tom

The sacrafices we have to make. Tom

Exlondonder, to respond to a couple of your questions. Twin Webbers are the side draft carbs. 0-100 times in that spec 7 should be in the mid to high 9 second range, maybe more with the windscreen on. 0-60 probably around 4.2-4.5 seconds. DB6, I like my Porsche, It's a nice comfortable car with good performance. It's just not in the 7's class except for top end and I never use that on either. ExLondoner points out that the Porker weighs in at 2900+ pounds. The 7 weighs in at 1164 pounds. Huge difference that results in quicker acceleration, handling and stopping and ride. I just said that the difference in going from the 7 to the Porsche is like going from the Porsche to the Olds. I like the ride of the Olds too when i need to carry the golf clubs and a couple of budddies around but it's no Porsche. Tom

Like what? A radio? AC? My Olds has those too.

Based on how the 996's perform at the autoxes, I'd say yeah it's about right

Welcome! Figure the 996 0-60 time is around 5.3 seconds or so. The 7 should be in the low 4 second range. As for handling, the difference from the 996 to the 7 is about the difference between the 996 and say a big old american sedan. At least that's what the difference seems like to me, and I have one of each of the above, except my 7 has 200 hp so is a little quicker. Tom

Yeah, I saw the interview. When asked about John McCain making the same statement during the campaign and Obozo taking exception to it. She wouldn't answer the question. Give it a couple of days, it will change again. Tom

You guys that are watching your cycle wings go up and down are either not looking far enough ahead or you are driving waaay too slow. ;>) Tom

I have the carbon ones. They don't dimple but over the past 8 eight years they have dulled slightly. And I second KitCat's comment on the road rash where they don't cover. It's pretty bad. On my new rear wings, I had a local guy do the 3M clear coat thing. I had him apply it to the front half of the wing up to the midway point on top. He even put it on the new carbon protector. So far it looks great. If you're worried about road rash then I think this is the way to go. Tom

We are arriving on Thursday. I'm leaning toward: The Thursday R&T reception The Friday evening reception or the British Car Club BBQ Saturday ??? do we have enough interest in a 7's table??? or other dining options. Sunday Winging it. Monday Winging it after the track day. Tom

So go with the size 64? with all that extra material, I hope I still fit in the 7.

I'm thinking of doing some track days and have been looking at purchasing a driving suit. I can't find anywhere local to try one on. Anyone here have any experience that they can share? I've seen a few suits on Ebay that look good but I'm not sure what size I need and they don't take returns. I'm 6'1" 225 with a 46 chest. I would think it's either a 62 or 64 on the Sparco size chart, but I'm not sure. Tom

I guess it's time I get off my butt and send in my registration form for LOG29. I'd rather spend more time with you guys so I'm curious as to what the dinner plans are for most nights. John V. said that there are lots of local restaurant options. So what's everyone doing for meals? Who signed up for the LOG dinners? How many are winging it? Tom

Under the bonnet is bare aluminium on my painted Caterham. Tom

When I ordered my car in 2000, I wanted the clams, but I also wanted the Wide Track front suspension which at the time was only available with cycle wings. Althought they said they had never done one that way they compiled. I understand that in 2000 or 2001 that they only made a very limited number of cars (less than 5 I think) with clams. But I haven't heard that they no longer offer them. Tom

Sorry, I forgot to figure in the shipping cost of the gearbox from England. Thats really going to break the bank!!!! I'm guessing well over 62K and that's for a Roadsport SV. And that assumes you're going to asssemble the kit yourself, otherwise, what are they charging now to assemble it for you? $2-3K??? I ordered my Superlight with an R speced engine (=to the R400) back in 2000 and prices don't seem too different. Tom

jlumba81 Wrote: Roadsport SV 210 $47,602.00 Black Pack 506.00 Momo steering wheel w. Q.R. 452.00 4-Point road harnesses 92.00 Spare wheel and tire 586.00 Push button start 64.00 Limited slip differential 1,353.00 Kit Total (less domestic delivery) $50,655.00 That sounds about right. You're at $50k+ then add engine core and gearbox, and if you can't assemble the engine yourself you need to add in their competitively priced "Engine Dressing" service. Oh plus delivery charge, And unless you are into polishing aluminum, paint is another $$1300++ and of course you're going to want to add the Widetrack front end, and then adjustable spring perches. Then how about the FIA roll bar. Of course you're going to want the '7" grille. And you haven't even talked about any carbon... Come on you can do better and get that price up there much higher, you're just not trying hard enough. ;>) Tom

Thanks Sean. A 130hp engine for a grand is a good deal. I'm sure it could be loaded up with new Thottlebodies, hotter cams some porting, etc. for several additional grand. You know the answer to the old question. "How much Horsepower can I get out of this engine?" Answer "How much money do you have to spend?" Tom

Nicely optioned car! Looks like you got a nice one. Only problem I see is that it's never been Autoxed, or on a track, spent most of its time in a nice garage, and probably never saw more than 4000 rpm on a nice Sunday drive around town. Make sure that you correct those problems ASAP!!!! Good luck with it!! Tom

I'm curious... Could you explain Cheap? I've seen the prices on the Cosworth site for a 2.0. at 10K plus. Where do you get them for $3500? What level of Hp? What other ancillaries are needed and at what cost? ECU,Mapping, TB's etc. Tom

Pksurveyor wrote: ???? Which seven? the Birkin next to the ultralight has cycle fenders not clams. However, if you mean the ones on the offroad seven... then I stand corrected. Tom

Easy answer is "it depends on the year, condition, spec" Some models are highly optioned, some have big Horsepower, some are in pristine condition, some aren't. I think you have to determine what you want, and what your price range is. If you can find a nice car, specced in the manner you want, in your price range, that's your car! In my experience, no two Cars are exactly alike. I've been to the Stoneliegh show in the UK, and with over 225 Caterhams parked next to each other, I didn't find any two exactly alike. What are you going to do with the car? Track days, street only, autox? All three? That will also have an impact on the spec you want. Bottom line, wait for the best car that best fits your needs. Otherwise, you can order a new one and pay upwards of $20-30K more to get exactly what you want. Carbon, Magnesium, and Big Horsepower are sexy, but costs big money. Do you need it? Personally, I think $25-35K for a nice well maintained car is a bargain. :yesnod: Tom

Jeff C wrote: You will fit a standard Caterham just fine. Just pull the bottom seat cushion out and put a thin piece of foam in. You will fit in perfectly and be able to see right thru the center of the windscreen. Tom

Jeff, I built my Caterham in 2000. I spent 5 years reading everything about them and finally ordered the car speced the way I wanted it. You are correct, the Caterhams are more expensive than some other makes. I love my car and wouldn't change anything. That said If I were to do it over, I would probably buy a nicely speced USED Caterham and then take it apart and rebuild it to make sure that it's done right, and to learn it inside and out. You would save at least 20 grand that way. IMHO. Just for clarification, you don't really "build a Caterham" you assemble it. It's nothing like what the Locost guys do. No welding, mostly just putting bolt A into slot B, type stuff. I logged 80 hours to build mine, and I have No real experience or skills. As for the other makes, I'm sure the others here who own, Birkin's, Westfields, Stalkers, and Ultralights will chime in shortly about their cars. Check out the Used market vs building from New. It will be hard to justify buying new, if the used market has some nice examples available. IMO Tom PS, if you Autox, then the 7 is the only car for you!!!!

Al, How about, " my Lotus handles better than your Lotus" as a logo? Or "My Lotus is lighter than your Lotus" Or of course the old standard "too fast to race" Either of these with a 7 on it would work. Tom