rcollum

In the end, because I REALLY wanted the Orcus wheels, which are 15", I went with the Nankangs - 195/50 on the front, 205/50 on the rear. A good friend had them on his Birkin, which (like my car) has the Ford Focus SVT engine. He loves the tires, and they fit very well! The guy that mounted and balanced the tires was confused, when I told him the pressures I used were 20PSI all around. He was leaning toward over 30PSI, but I am currently trying 22PSI - we'll see how that works. I'll probably do the chalk line across the tread and sidewalls, to see if I have any unwanted tire flex. (So far, seems fine!) Thanks for the input! --Bob Collum

Me, signing the paperwork to ship my '72 Twincam off to the new owner in Detroit, back in 2001. I was the second owner, when I bought it in St. Louis, back in 1980. Drove it over 100,000 miles (it was my only car for several years, in St. Louis!). I owned the Europa for 21 years, through moves from STL to Houston, to Seattle, to Virginia, NJ, and back to VA. In 2001, I needed to sell the Europa, as we had a two-car garage - and two new cars, that needed to be garaged. We bided our time, and bought our Elise in 2007. 10 years ago, we were in a position to replace our beloved Europa with what I think is the PERFECT replacement - the Elise, and our Seven! --Bob Collum

I just got new wheels & tires on my Seven. I went from 14" wheels, and 185/60R14 tires, using 20lbs pressure, all around. I now have 15" wheels (picture below), with Nankang Sportnex CR-S tires, in 195-50R15 front, 205/50R15 rear. (Thanks to Greg Kuter from Time Machines, for the wheels!) Any suggestions on tire pressures? My Seven has the Focus SVT engine, so not crazy powerful, but it's 1323 lbs, with a full tank. Thanks, Bob Collum (Edit: I am trying 22lbs, all around. I will draw a chalk line across the tread, onto the edge of the sidewall, to see if there is excessive flex, over the next week or so.)

BTW, I am having the new wheels & tires installed tomorrow morning (7/27/26). Speak now, and I can have them leave the four x Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec Tires mounted. The tires are date coded 4115, but still sound, since they are always garaged.

I just got a new set of 15" wheels. I have 4 x 14" Minator wheels, available for pickup. Decent condition. Northern Virginia, outside Fairfax, VA. --Bob Collum

COOL JPS!! I loved how Lotus had the nerve to charge ~$100 for the black paint, and admit that they had to do extra sanding of the top, so the waves in the 'glas didn't show! Here's a couple of pics of my old Europa TC - (now living in Holland!) --Bob

I see in your signature, that you & I have a lot in common - I had a '72 Europa Twincam for 21 years. Sold it in 2001, due to lack of garage space. Replaced it in 2007 with an Elise. Added a Seven in 2015. Enjoying both now, immensely! --Bob Collum

A few pictures from our East Coast Lotus Meet - we had FOUR Sevens at Summit Point Raceway... We did several 'touring' laps, during a break in the racing action. A GREAT TIME! --Bob Collum

A couple of pics of some of the FOUR Sevens that showed up at our event at Summit Point on Saturday! --Bob Collum, NoVA Lotus Car Club P.S.: More pictures of Lotus, including Sevens, here - https://novalotusclub.freeforums.net/thread/1582/nova-lotus-east-coast-meet

Good news! I contacted Greg Kuter from Time Machines Motorsports, the NY Caterham dealer, and I'm working through him... He's great to work with! --Bob Collum

At a local cars & coffee, in Fairfax, VA.

Found one! THANKS!!!

My club, NoVA Lotus, is holding an event in Northern Virginia. All 7's are welcome! The event will be from Friday, May 15th, thru Sunday, May 17th. There will be a reception at the hotel in Fairfax, VA the evening of May 15th, and a drive out to a site in Purcellville, VA, for breakfast and a casual concours on Saturday. We will drive from there, to Summit Point Raceway, just over the border in WV. We will have parade laps, and will spectate at the vintage races Saturday. A friend's Esprit 180R is competing that day. On Sunday, we will have a choice of activities, including a drive, and a guided tour of the Smithsonian Air & Spare Museum. Thanks! Bob Collum, NoVA Lotus Car Club Here is a link with more info, and the ability to sign up for the event - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-coast-lotus-meet-eclm-tickets-1983839987807?irclickid=WYCTo4SjwxycRdi0yhQwAxeEUkuzF40NUwUfV80&sharedid=&irpid=2605817&utm_source=impact&utm_medium=ebaf&utm_term=2605817&utm_content=1818731__&irgwc=1&afsrc=1&utm_campaign=afsp_ceal_pmk_fpp_0_us_0_0_bau_0

I am driving my 2006 Seven on 11-year-old tires. It's kept inside, so they're not TOO dangerous... Also, I am on 14" wheel, so tire choice is practically nil. My issue is, I could switch to 13" or 15" wheels, for better tire availability, but... My ground clearance under the Focus SVT engine is pretty minimal - that makes me leery of going to 13" wheels. For 15", I'd get better tire availability, but I worry about how they'd fit in my front cycle fenders. (My calculations say that I should not lose any height, going from 185/60 14 to a 195/50 R15.) One big plus - I LOVE the Orcus wheels! I've decided to see if I can get a single Orcus 15" wheel, so I can buy 1 tire for it, and try it on the front of my car. If it works; great. I can buy three more wheels, and 3 more tires- Bob's your uncle! (I have no reason to believe the tire/wheel combination will be any problem on the rear. If it doesn't fit, I'll be back on this forum, selling a wheel and new tire! I currently have 14" Minator (Minilite-style) wheels. Thanks! --Bob Collum

Yeah, my friend has a Birkin, but his front fenders are significantly different than my Caterham's. I think I'm gonna try the Yoko's - I loved the Yokohama tires I originally got on my Elise! Thank you! --Bob Collum