rcollum

Not what I would call a good turnout in either location this morning, almost certainly due to the rain/very light snow overnight. No accumulation, and the roads were mostly dry this morning, but it was cold and overcast. Not a typical "first day of spring". We will do better next week. --Bob Collum

What time were you there last week? I saw no Lotus there last week, either. I was there with my Caterham, from before 6:00AM to about 8:00AM. I get there early enough that I practically always get the same spot, facing Katie's front door. I am either in my Seven, or in my red Elise. I miss, maybe, 3 or 4 of these Saturday events per year. For future reference, I am the old guy wearing a black Lotus jacket and a red Lotus hat, carrying a Canon camera (not in the pictures). Hope to see you some week soon! --Bob Collum

Officially, today was the last day of winter. It was a cool and overcast morning, but lots of interesting cars were there - not the least of which were the 6 Lotus in attendance - an Evora, 2 Exiges, Duncan's Esprit and Victor's Europa, plus my Elise. Many Katie's regulars were back from Amelia Island. One bought a beautiful Pierce Arrow. We had a nice Ur-Quattro tribute, too. --Bob Collum

The events today were predictably light in attendance, in both locations. It was overcast this morning, with some rain threatening. Also, this was the first day of Daylight Savings, meaning that everybody lost an hour of sleep. Still, even with the smaller turnouts, the interesting cars & people that did show up made it worth the trip! Since rain was predicted, I brought my 'rain car', the Elise! --Bob Collum

An overcast morning meant a beautiful sunrise, but slightly cool temperatures. Lots of Katie's regulars were at Amelia Island for the concours and auction, but there were plenty of cars and people in Great Falls today, just the same. --Bob Collum

A light turnout today, at both Dulles Landing and at Fairfax Corner. I guess people are waiting for warmer weather! --Bob Collum

This morning, somebody brought an Evora, with Mansory front end and GT4 wing. It appears to have just been bought at Gator Motorsports, the Lotus dealer in Indianapolis. I did not have time to catch up to the owner - does anyone know who owns it? It's very nice! --Bob Collum

Thanks, Michael. I will have to have you drive my Seven sometime soon!

What torque do you use on the wheel nuts?

We had a reasonable turnout at both venues, on a cool but clear morning, the last Sunday in February. --Bob Collum

A pretty good turnout on a cold, clear morning - the last Saturday in February. --Bob Collum

We managed a pretty good showing this morning, ahead of some rain. A good portion of those in attendance were a large group of Mustangs, who arrived en masse. --Bob Collum

The first good Saturday in a couple of weeks, it was over 40F when I left the house for Katie's. The good weather (for late February!) brought out a good-sized crowd. I brought my Seven, and I saw a gray Elise, too. A large number of Vipers were gathered there, too. --Bob Collum

Not a big turnout at either location, but some worthwhile vehicles at both venues. --Bob Collum

People have asked, 'Is it worth going to Katie's in the winter?' Take a look at some of what showed up today, and decide for yourself. This includes several we had not seen before - the Tesla Model X, just in to the dealer, a loaded 'Founder' model. Two Bentley Speeds, a coupe and a convertible. --Bob Collum

It sounds great, Michael. I'll have to check our schedule; wife's birthday is around then. Thanks, Bob Collum

All in all, a pretty good day, weather-wise. I have spent far too much time inside, due to the recent snowstorm, so I was anxious to get a car out. I chose the Seven, and the morning was clear but a little cool. Still, no problems getting anywhere on the by-now-cleared roads. Sadly, I did not have a lot of company, at either Dulles Landing or at Fairfax Circle today. The majority of attendees at Dulles Landing were in Jeeps, and it was me and a C7 Corvette by ourselves for quite a while at Fairfax Circle. --Bob Collum

As it turns out, Katie's was closed last weekend due to the snowstorm, so we didn't really miss anything. This week, it was cold (23F), but pretty clear. Plenty of residual snow around, and some salt on the roads. Moderate weather late this week melted the snow down, so there were not the high walls of snow at every intersection, and most road lanes were clear. Still, my working Cars & Coffee theory was again proved right: extreme conditions can keep us away for a week, but anything beyond a week, and people will start showing up again, almost no matter what. As proof, we had 4 modern Mustangs there today. Not what I'd call a winter car, but they were there, along with more-predictable choices like Mike's Cayenne, Glenn's Hummer and Eric Z's Range Rover Sport. A hardy, enthusiastic bunch! One cute feature of a brand-new California Special Mustang GT was the logo it projects from under the outside mirror when the door is open. I did not drive the Seven, because I have dug a single-width lane down my 100ft driveway, and could not get the Seven around it. --Bob Collum

Paul: You might consider, once you get the aluminum polished to your satisfaction, getting it clear-bra'd. It is such a regular shape, it doesn't seem like it would cost that much. Down low like that, it's sure vulnerable (as you said) to all kinds of spray. I have the clear bra on the front of my Elise, and it's still in good shape after almost 9 years. --Bob Collum P.S.: I was interested in your mention of Europas - I had a '72 Twincam for 21 years. Sold it in 2001.

Paul: I have to admit, my car came to me in pretty good shape. I spent some money on having my detailer give it a once-over with the orbital, right after it arrived in mid-August. All I have done since has been to use either waterless car wash or detailing spray. I use Adams' products on my other cars, so I used it on the Seven, as well. I will do a full, nose-to-tail detail on the car in April, and again in late July. So far, the aluminum has been easier to care for than I expected. --Bob Collum

Thanks, Michael. It was a Christmas present. JLumba is right, it's the Soft Bits for Sevens one. I like the less-claustrophobic feel of the half-hood. I can see out the back (even with my inside mirror), and over either shoulder. I am enjoying the unseasonably warm weather! --Bob Collum

This morning's temperature? - cool, but not mid-January cold. It was high-thirties when I left my house at 6:40AM. There was a forecast of flurries, but they did not start until 11:30AM. Not a bad morning at all for the few who came out to these two events. How bad could it have been? Look what I drove! --Bob Collum

It rained last night, so the roads were a bit damp this morning. It was in the low 40's early, so pretty reasonable for mid-January. Not a bad turnout, after all. Because of the wet roads, I brought my Elise. --Bob Collum

Thanks, Sean. I'll give that a try this weekend. I'd like to be sure my wife is available, in case I need to be hauled back out of the car! --Bob Collum

I will second Jim's comment about the ride in the 7 being better than the Elise. My first couple of weeks in the Caterham, when I saw a bump appear in front of me, I swerved to avoid it and/or winced. The ride in the '07 Elise (with Lotus Sport Supension option) isn't all that firm, but really bottoms out sometimes. The 'step-over' on the Elise makes entry a chore - but it's not too bad on exit. I had a '72 Europa Twincam for 21 years, and its slightly-narrower verge prepared me for the Elise. My two biggest problems with the Caterham are - 1.) I have to unbutton two windshield snaps on the half-hood to be able to get in & out. My friends think it's very funny when I struggle to get in, and ask for help 'buttoning up'. I've learned that, when I drive with those two snaps undone, the left-front corner of the half-hood slowly lifts (like a bad toupee). It droops back down at lights, so I still look cool...:svengo: 2.) With the top off, it's easy to drop down into, but my hips are almost exactly the width of the seat opening. Plugging in the seatbelt is purely by feel. My wife even suggested that a racing harness would work better, and look cool. She loves driving the Seven, and I don't think she'd be happy with the ergonomics of a harness. For drives around the area, I take the Seven, unless it's wet. It's a nice option to have the Elise to drive in less-than-perfect weather. --Bob Collum