yellowss7

Just remember that the "Superlight" was a level of options. All Seven's have the same basic chassis. The Superlight spec had carbon dash, wings, etc. Check out the standard items list on Caterham's website. It lists the standard and optional items. The original UK superlight was a 133 horsepowered version. The Superlight R was a 190. The R500 was 242 hp. They later rebadged them as R300, R400, R500. My 2000 superlight did come with a numbered badge for the dash that shows it as Superlight #123. Other than that, you could spec or buy the options to get to that level of trim. If you look at mine, you'll see that I added the clamshell front wings, and I also have the widetrack front suspension, which, from what I was told, I was the first to do that. Normally, widetrack is just for the cycle wing setup. Even then, some of the options are probably unnecessary, like the upgraded ventilated front discs and big brakes. Again IMO.

Ian, is right on. I'm glad I speced my car the way I did, But I paid top dollar to do it. You can buy a very nice car like Al's old one,(sorry, Mopho's) and get a great deal compared to specing a new one at the same level. An I know it's contra to the party line, but 150 hp is plenty for a street going/autoxing seven. Even though I like the power level of mine, I've driven 135-150hp cars that seemed to handle better because I couldn't overdrive them. IMO. If you're into the build process, you could alway disasemble the used one,clean it up and put it back together. You get the same experience and you're sure that you have all the parts. (that's not a given with a new kit btw) As I've said before, the Caterhams are like a toy model kit. If you have all the pieces, it's just putting them together. It's not like the projects that some of the really talented people on this board have completed. The one that's listed in Hemmings looks like a nice car for $28K and It's Yellow too,so what's not to like. Tom Plus you can always upgrade as the urge hits.

And depending on engine spec and gearbox choice, I think your $8K is way light. I tried to price one last night. and I came in around $62K+ for a superlight with 200 hp. (Guessing on the engine, but the Cosworth site has that engine at over 10K alone) Oh, and BTW that doesn't inclued State tax and shipping (where applicable, and I had to pay Custom duties when I picked mine up. Just noticed you're in Texas so State tax doesn't apply to you. For reference, in 2000, all in my Superlight with 6 speed and approx 200 horsepower, was about $55k. Tom

Yellow with Clams. Perfect! The owner has excellent taste. 150hp should make it nice and easy to handle as well. Looks like a nice clean car too. Tom

Ajustable spring platforms too. :thumbs: Best of luck with it. Tom

Martin, Can't be 100% sure but that looks like an F 14. Is That what you drove? Tom

MHKflyer52 wrote: Martin, I think I found a photo of your combat days. Looking good! Tom http://usa7s.net/aspnetforum/upload/354012721_Stearman biplane.jpg

Bob Drye wrote: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :thumbs::flag: I'd love to participate in this discussion but I'm a little right of Rush and my wife said that I'm not allowed to speak to anyone until after the election. Although it seems that those not living in Kalifornia have a good conservative bent. (although Dave's statement about socialism has me worried about Montana. :cheers: God Bless America. :flag: :flag: :flag: Tom

They actually do have a parts catalogue for the K series, so I'd assume that they have one for the Vauxhall as well. (it's a PDF). Tom Here's the link for the Vauxhall parts catalogue. http://www.qednet.demon.co.uk/xe/vxe_0808.pdf

James, I'm in a similar situation. QED built my RoverK series and Nobody around here has even heard of K series. I just ordered some parts from QED last week. Easy to deal with and very prompt response from Simon. I just emailed them in the evening here and I had a response first thing the next morning. They even found the paperwork on my build from June of 2000. Exchange rate is finally moving a little back in our favor. Tom

:d Martin, I believe it. The first problem I had with that car was that it would accelarate all by itself. I'd be driving around and sometimes when I was in 2nd gear, the car would start accelerating. I'd shift to 3rd as the revs rose, but it would keep accelarating. Couldn't shift into neutral as it would red line. I'd have to turn it off and pullover. Sometimes it would do it again, other times it wouldn't do it for weeks. I gave it to my mechanic for weeks at a time and it wouldn't do it. Went to a British Leyland dealer, told them about it and they guys says, "yeah they have a problem with the electronic Distributor. You need to replace it." Had my mechanic put in a different electronic pick up and presto, problem fixed. Tom

My first car was a 68 spitfire, great little car. Then I bought a 77 TR7. :ack: Looked great, way more problems than I could handle. In fact mine was White just like this one, but had real minilite wheels. Sold it and saw it on a flat bed at least 3 times afterwards. This says it all. http://usa7s.net/aspnetforum/upload/355750823_tr7.gif

Really nice! Enjoy it, or is this one the wife's? Tom

Get lost Glenn. Let her post herself. :d Tom

Great color!!! What motor, and state of tune?

Now that was amazing!!!:hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Some people have real talent, as I am sure that was not a kit. Tom

Nice classic looking 7. Best of luck with it. Think about keeping the red wings for autoxing and a newly painted set for the road. Tom

It does have some toe out, but that lens must have amplified it a touch. Those tires are only 175/55/13's too. Tom

Hi, Martin.:seeya: No those are my old ones. The photo just hides the quicky fiberglass job. The right one is real ratty. No lights on them either. As for how I did, I watched my videos and I can't figure out where I can pick up the 5 Seconds that I would need to be FTD!!! So I stink!!! :willy: I am running my 3rd season on these slicks, but that's not 5 seconds. I'll download the video tonight and post it here later. Tom

At Sunday's Autox, a photographer took this shot of my car. It's a neat Wide Angle shot in HDR. Enjoy! Tom http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/338359292_warminster wide angle.jpg

Roman, check the phillyScca site. This coming Sunday we will be at Citizen's Bank Park. New site, with a nice sized lot. Limited to 100 participants. Current registration is at 75 right now. Long range weather forecast is favorable right now. Tom

I remember ballast resitors. My wife had a 74 Dodge Dart with a slant six. Ballast resistor failure was common on those. Damn I'm old. :cuss: Sorry for the hijack Ian. I seem to recall that it did look something like this. Tom http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=400304+309776+115&autoview=sku

Actually, mine IS a full sized Caterham. It's those of you with the SUMO Versions that have gone outside of the standard. It looks like it will be a nice weekend for autoxing. Are you going? Tom

No Al, it wasn't Jon. I met this guy (Len) a few years ago. I was having lunch with some guys from a local Jaguar club, when Len pulls in to the parking lot with his 7. I went out and introduced myself, and I had a photo of my car so we talked for quite a bit. 2003 SV Zetec, BRG, 6 speed. He built it himself and he sourced his own zetec so had to build his own wiring loom as well. He uses it like Jon and Michael D. as an everyday driver. Nice guy, a toy inventor. His lastest is the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro. http://www.rcmania.com/air-hogs-zero-gravity-micro/ I've tried to get him on the site as he's pretty knowledgable about the zetec 7. Tom

I met a friend for lunch today who has a Caterham SV. I made the mistake of sitting in it after lunch. It's way too comfortable!!!:ack: I had on big wide sneakers and could move my feet around in the pedal box!!! I like the way mine fits, like a glove. But WOW!!! the SV was REALLY Comfortable. Got to remember not to do that again. To all you Sumo Version owners... :cheers: Tom