yellowss7

Michael, when you reply or post, scroll down a bit and you'll see a another screen called additional options, in that box is a manage attachments button, click on that, and then hit the browse button to select your pics and then hit upload. Easy Peasey. Tom

Jerry, then for the good of the country let it snow another 6 feet. :smash: :seeya: Tom

Alright, I know the members on the Left Coast believe in this Global warming myth, while they sit in 72 degree sunshine, but we here on the Right coast have had more of this So called Warming this winter than we care for. Philly average annual snowfall is around 10 inches. So far this year we had 28 inches and that doesn't count the 24 inches we are getting right now. We might dig out in time for Log 30 in October if we are lucky. BTW this is the 9 am pic. Snow is expected to continue thru the day until around midnight. Tom :cuss:

Yeah, that's a lot of money for a race toy. But the upside is that as long as you don't crash it, they are not depreciating. It's sort of like art you can enjoy and play with. Now if I can only convice my wife that it's a great investment.:auto: Tom

Steve, I think that white and Orange one is the one we saw at NJMP. Tom

You won't believe this but after looking at that 11 I found this one for only $165,000.:seeya:

I believe that somewhere in the past there was an attempt at litigation, but if my memory serves me right, I think I recall that Birkin had purchased the rights to produce a 7 from Lotus for South Africa I think? and that it was a carve out of the Caterham rights. Tom

Alright, I'll bite. I have a Caterham so I'll give my view of them. I've seen a Birkin but I've no experience with them and I'll let others describe their experiences with them. I built my Cat and I have very limited mechanical skills. I am not a fabricator like some on this site. The Kit is VERY complete. Other than a couple of Odd Bolts/nuts and a few washers, everything was included. No need to source parts from Donors. Maybe I had to clean out a few threads here and there. But for the most part it was pretty much, Put Bolt A in Slot B. I did have to have two parts fabricated as I went with a LHD Drysumped K Series with a Hydraulic clutch and apparently Mine was the first of that configuration for Caterham at the time. A buddy made the parts and it works fine. Parts are readily available although somewhat pricey if you have to have them shipped across the pond. Dealer support is good. The car is well designed, Handles amazingly, and Knock on wood, has been extremely reliable. Downside is Cost. :ack: Caterhams seem to be a bit more expensive than Birkins. Buying a new one of either type is the most expensive way to do it. Just looking at the price of the one recently sold, you'd have to be crazy to buy a new one, assuming that car was as nice as it looked in pictures. You could by a new Cosworth duratec and drop it in that one and still come out way ahead. That Said, the 1999 CaterhamSuperlight that Craig Chima resently sold seems to have held its value very well. :cheers: As for looks, I think Caterhams and Birkins are the most similar looking of the 7 clones. I bet most Caterham and Birkin owners have to look for a few seconds to be sure of what one is at first glance. The other clones each have their own distinctive looks. I suspect that apples to apples, performance wise that they are equals. So in my estimation it comes down to your budget. No two Caterhams are exactly alike and I am sure that no two Birkins are alike either. Each car seems to be an individual that you have a say in. Color, state of tune, options, etc. Just my Opinion Tom

I worked in Downtown Philly for 20 years. One day while waiting for a friend for lunch I watched a young guy with a baby in a stroller as he asked passerbys for money "since I lost my job and have to feed my baby" My friend was late and during the 15 minutes I watched he raked in a nice haul, I'd say 50% of the people he asked gave him a buck or two. Shortly before my friend arrived I watched him go halfway down the block and into the State Store ( a Liquor store in Pa.) Out he comes with a bottle in a brown paper bag, stuffs it in the stroller and hands it off to his wife or girlfriend and she starts the action all over. Never given to a panhandler since. Tom

You're Right Andrew. There's Nothing like Gobblers Knob on a cold February Morning.:party: Tom

Have you noticed that Al Bore has gone underground lately? Do you think he is hibernating and waiting for it to warm up before he sticks his head up again? :deadhorse: Tom

That's a nice car for that kind of money. Someone is going to get a good deal. Tom

Might as well add in the pair of rear taillights as well Thanks Tom

Craig, I'll buy the windscreen, and the clams. On a previous post you mentioned a set of rear wings as well. If Those are available I'll take them too. What the heck, i'll take the tonneau as well. I'll call you today to complete the transaction, Thanks. Tom

Ditto!!! Saw the Tank engine car on the BJ Auction. Amazing, Although our west coast friends may not think the 2 mpg was a good thing.:smash: Tom

I hope you figure out a way to fix Global Warming quickly, because as soon as it warms up a bit, I'm going to be Burning up a lot of Sunoco 100 octane GT Race fuel. :jester::jester::jester: Tom

Mazda is this the one you're buying? [/url] Tom

MAZDA for PRESIDENT!!!! (or what ever office.) :flag::flag::flag: Tom

Is he trying to drift or he just a crappy driver that applies the power with the wheel still turned and has to fight it to get it under control? Way to much driver input IMO. I think this backs up my point that a lower powered 7 is easier to drive at the limit than a high powered one. Tom

So much for adding lightness. that rear end is an abomanation. I like the nosecone and front aero and that's it. Tom

Yeah, this should get interesting now. Did you hear Barney Franks latest? http://www.breitbart.tv/barney-frank-god-didnt-create-the-filibuster/ Don't underestimate slimey politicians. Tom

Having built my Caterham almost 9 1/2 years ago and still enjoy it everytime I walk by it or drive it, I'll add my 2 cents. 1) Read everything you can get your hands on about the different types of 7s available. I spent 5 years collecting every article I could before I pulled the trigger. 2) Sit in and if possible drive as many of the cars you can to see how you fit and make sure you understand what the driving experience will be like. It's not like driving a normal sports car. 3) Don't get caught up in the power to weight ratio game. Yeah, everyone likes the high HP cars, but what these cars are about is Handling. Other than needing to overcome aerodynamics on tracks with long straightaways, high HP does not equal better. 4) These are fairly simple cars and other than tight clearences, pretty easy to work on, don't be afraid to do some of your own work. 5) These cars are for the most part not everyday type cars. Althought a few people do use them as primary vehicles, most won't, so they tend not to get a lot of mileage on them. When looking a a used one, check the basics. Has it had routine, annual, maintenace? Has it been abused? Oil Leaks, Noisy mechanicals? Does it start, Idle, rev freely? 6) If you decide you want to build your own to your own specification, be aware that you will pay significantly more than buying a used one of the exact same specs. You could always buy a nice use one and Upgrade it you your desired specs at a significant savings. 7) The nice thing about these cars is that no two are exactly alike. You can make your car, YOUR CAR. 8) Building your own Caterham is not that hard. If you stick with the factory specs, it's more like assembling than building. Yeah, you have to drill a few holes, figure out bolt sizes and occassionally use a hammer to make something fit, but for the most part it's like putting together a big model kit. Really. Mine went together in exactly 80 Hours of time spent turning wrenches. That doesn't count having to run out to the store to find a few more bolts, nuts, tools, etc. 9) Engine choices are varied. From Vauxhalls, RoverK's, Ford Crossflows, Ford Zetecs, Ford Duratec, Chevy 6 cylinders, LS1's to LS7's. Some Have Toyota, Mazda or Honda power. It really doesn't make a a whole lot of difference if it done right and matches the particular car. Oh yeah, some even have Motorcycle motors, they have their own upsides and downsides too. Light weight, cheaper, and nice high Revs. Downside may be a bit more difficult in day to day driving, some have no reverse, etc. 10) Finally, a small point, but check your ground clearance. If you have a steep drive you may or may not have an issue that is not easily resolved. Tom

A good buddy of mine is building this. http://www.z-type.net/home.html I keep telling him that a nice V12 is what really belongs there and what he is doing is just not right. A car should make noise!!! Tom

Thanks, that would be great. I'll have to check on Visa issues as I've heard that if we stay with the Ship Tours we don't need one, but that if we want to venture out on our own we do. I believe we start the crusise in Amsterdam on July 27th. and get to St. Petersburg at the beginning of August. I'll check the itenerary again. Tom

Hey, you have to thank Al Gore that atleast they are still alive. If it weren't for his Global Warming, they'd be encased in Ice by now. :smilielol5::smilielol5::smilielol5: Tom