MichaelD Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Comparing our Sevens to normal cars makes as much sense as comparing us to normal people. The weekend I got my seven (after waiting 40 years to get one) I drove it 1,000 miles over the three day July 4th weekend in temps over 100 and lost 10 pounds but no sunburn. Heater? A seven doesn't need a heater. Just remove the pedal cover off and let the warm air blowing by the headers blow right in. Put doors on if you must for wind buffeting from the windscreen or take the windscreen off. Cut the windscreen down to 6.5 inches. it cures the wind issues. But leave the top off unless you are driving to slow in the rain. My Seven is my daily driver 8 months of the year. Living live inside the DC beltway. Most of my miles are on the interstate. So what? Remember, it's the smiles per mile that count. A Seven is always fun. Even a three block ride to pick up some groceries is fun. My dog loves riding in the Seven. Yes, he is snapped into the four point belts. As I write, I am looking out at the start of a blizzard wondering if will be able to take my seven for a ride between piles of snow that are taller than my roll cage on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 You are Hard Core Michael! Stay warm. Don't shovel. Snow has started here in Philly now. Where the hell is that Damn Global Warming we've been hearing about. :troll: . Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBe Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 So - the last national magazine article referred to the Seven as a "...bellowing ox-cart". And now, we have an article that ends with the author saying they'll "never do [it] again." Developing Caterham brand in the USA - Ready. Shoot. Aim. -Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 From the above mentioned Ross Robbins. Some of you have read his Road Trips book about his adventures driving across country in Lotus cars. This was directed to Alaskossie with a copy to me and I post it here with Ross's permission. You have a misplaced sense of overachievers if you think my exploits top yours. My only claim to fame is that I am too stupid to learn from my experiences so I keep going again and again. I just finished in September 4,400 miles with my three British friends from Colorado Springs to Itasca MN, down the Mississippi to New Orleans (Sing it with me…”In 2015 we took a little trip, in two old fashioned Lotus down the Mighty Mississip. We took a little bacon and we took a little beans and took the Bloody British to the town of New OrleansJ) and back to Colorado Springs. We travelled on the Interstate as little as possible but in places like St. Louis it was necessary to get through town. We had heat, humidity, rain, bugs, sun (you should have seen my farmer tan/burn when I got home) and wind. But we had grins that topped all that stuff, and at age 72 I should know better. Right? Thanks for the tip of the hat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Man you guys are old. I wonder what would happen if you opened a driving school for 15-1/2 year olds with only a 7 for teaching. We could link it with boy scouts, make it a merit badge! Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Battle of New Orleans? Here's the same tune with different words. WARNING: If you listen to this, you will never get it out of your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Man you guys are old. I wonder what would happen if you opened a driving school for 15-1/2 year olds with only a 7 for teaching. We could link it with boy scouts, make it a merit badge! Daniel What 15 1/2 year old would listen to anything a bunch of old farts had to say. They already think they know everything and that driving a real Se7en on a track is no different than driving a virtual Se7en on a video game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) oh wow! I have not seen this much excitement on the forum since the infamous Simon Cowell thread! Tom You make a good point with that hardy soul, Ross who is famous for his drives. I would also bring up JLumba's epic drive from NYC to Juneau, Alaska in late March in my ex-yellow SV. Only a half hood to provide cover from the all seasons weather on that trip. Any Alaska Caterham owner deserves a gold medal for their fortitude. BruceBe :iagree: I love your comment! Mopho :chillpill: I have done my fair share of long distance (300m+) drives in sevens and still do them - I don't think you have any grounds to criticize me. And often I do it without doors as I use the Caterham perspex wind wings that I modified so that they actually work. Having owned 6 Caterham/Lotus sevens on and off over 25 years and a current owner of 2 Caterhams I think I have some credibility to make critical observations, although not as much as Ross Robbins' mentioned by Tom above. That does not take away from Al's achievement of his 'drive of insanity' in Bessie which I am hugely impressed with (plus I love how he has lovingly restored that car). Travis You get big kudos for directly coming into the 'lion's den' to face the vocal critics. We have all taken pot shots against you - fair or unfair as the case may be. To balance the equation, can we help you write a follow up article that showcases the other positive attributes of the Caterham? If you want to come to Millville NJ on the July 4th long weekend, I would lend you one of my Caterhams to join the sevens group at the annual HPDE weekend. I think that would put a different perspective on the car in something closer to its natural habitat. I am open to other suggestions you may have that could make a follow up article work for you. Edited January 23, 2016 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) o! Mopho :chillpill: I have done my fair share of long distance (300m+) drives in sevens and still do them - I don't think you have any grounds to criticize me. And often I do it without doors as I use the Caterham perspex wind wings that I modified so that they actually work. Having owned 6 Caterham/Lotus sevens on and off over 25 years and a current owner of 2 Caterhams I think I have some credibility to make critical observations, although not as much as Ross Robbins' mentioned by Tom above. That does not take away from Al's achievement of his 'drive of insanity' in Bessie which I am hugely impressed with (plus I love how he has lovingly restored that car). I rest my case Regardless of what your credibility is, it doesn't mean you should be a dick about it. Travis didn't deserve to be insulted for his story. This place shouldn't be a "lions den" if you want to attract more people to Sevens :chillpill: . . Edited January 23, 2016 by MoPho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Tranquillo! tranquillo, I was attracted here and continue to return, I do not actually belong even though owning a sort of seven and being well over 70. I have driven over 700 miles in a day in it and it would be my favorite road car (although if the xj8 jag could be trusted it would slip ahead for comfort). Some of us here know far more, have more funding, are more fanatic, are more attached to the original brand, and may even be a little more proud, but all contribute and should be accepted for what they are-- just as imperfect as the rest of us. Sorry just had to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) Tokulski, Thanks for the article--it is a very interesting perspective on touring in the Cat! My wife and I have learned that sunblock, hats, noise-cancelling headphones and proper attire for the weather are a must for our Cat, which of course must be an SV for my 6'3" with size twelve shoes. We have several multi-day trips of 250-400 miles per day, although neither of us could actually do ten hours in a day. I can barely do that in the spacious "Tow Vehicle" these days. But we would love to do another tour at any time. Edited January 23, 2016 by Taber10 Accuracy and clarify meaning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Tabor, come on up to NJMP in July and we'll get your wife out on track in the Novice run group. I figure that you've mellowed since Gettysburg and let her take it on track. Novice group is great, no passing, follow the pace car, and Jeff, Croc or I can instruct. Come on up. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 You cannot fault tokulski for having no balls. He proved he had them when he posted as the one who wrote the article. I have to admit that after a couple hundred miles in my seven, my hair hurts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I picked up my first Lotus 7 on the docks of New York on an early Spring day. I'd never driven a Seven until that morning. Drove it straight through back to Illinois. Took the Penn Turnpike through the mountains at night, rainy in the low 30s being passed by semis and hitting potholes that should have swallowed the car. That was the greatest trip of my lifetime. Sorta itching to take my '93 Supersprint on a adventure this summer........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 FWIW I don't think any honest publicity should be derided. It would be far worse for a novice to go out and buy a cat/storker/birkin/etc... with unrealistic expectations. I thought the article adequately conveyed the unique qualities of our cars. I have read accounts of se7en driving experiences far more critical, and still accurate, than the current one. For perspective: I took a 700mi (out and back) drive without weather gear when it was 20°F at night because my daily driver broke down. Then for pleasure I went for a blat around town at my destination. I wouldn't recommend doing this, but would still do it again. I think MikeD summed it up best when he said we've all got the same screw loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) Time for a bit of recap here and there. What a wuss! http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/news/a27755/what-you-learn-driving-a-bare-bones-caterham/ Well, there goes Skip . . . name calling, right out of the gate. Skip, you autocross one of the world's smallest 7's (we're all wussies in comparison). And you make me laugh with your occasional input on the 'joke' thread. And thanks for sharing this article . . . what fun. Comparing our Sevens to normal cars makes as much sense as comparing us to normal people . . . . Michael nails it right off the bat. Michael, because of you, I love clams and tomato red on green. You either get it or you don't. The writer certainly lacks what all Seven owners have: testosterone and masculinity. Now here goes Mike . . . flicking mud at Travis's crotch. Yessir! Then I join in, affirming Mike has applied mud properly, and in the correct area. While I am not a fan of Hillbank's strategic approach towards Caterham in the US, even I give them a break here. Honestly, who would have thought that Road & Track employ a motoring journalist that needs a testosterone enhancement in the form of some balls. That crotch area is really starting to take a pounding . . . Sorry, Mike. No innuendo intended, but Suave is laying in the floor right now and laughing his a$$ off. And he does miss you in the worst way. Does anyone here use FacePlant? Can they post a link on the R&T article back to this thread for the journalist to get a fair rating of his article? Ah . . . and there's that soft underbelly. Enough hazing, let's play nice. Well, I find it refreshingly honest. It is not the usual car-magazine love-fest with the se7en (emphasizing the "purity" and romance of the experience over the incredible discomfort). Spoken like a true lawyer. Skip...I found your presidential running mate. Based on the cast of characters that attend the NJMP 7s gathering, I don't think there are any normal people who drive se7ens. We're all crazy. Tom I've been on track with Tom...he's correct. Of course he is right about the Seven. It's all that and more. He totally missed the idea of a seven . . . . Seven owners say " wow, that trip was awesome, I can't wait to go again" . . . . He should be testing minivans, or 4 door sedans with puny engines and a soft ride. Jerry admits that driving these cars are not for the limp-wristed, bells and whistles sort. I've never seen an anxious driver dashing out to their minivan for a spirited jaunt, nor a minivan with a bumper sticker that read 'Live to Drive and Drive to Live!' Hey everyone, I'm the "wuss" without "balls" who needs a "testosterone injection." Thanks for reading! I honestly loved the car . . . But it was far from the cushiest, which is something that I think you'd all agree with. 10 hours in one day in a Cat is a big ask, . . . . I never said I was expecting a coddled, relaxing experience . . . . I knew this would be interesting with moments that were amazing and other moments that weren't as ideal . . . Anywho, as many have suggested, I'm going to go start a search for my balls. Once I find them I'll do the trip again and walk away relaxed and refreshed, with an article full of clichés about how pure and unadulterated the experience was. Have a great day, Travis Travis, now there is an excellent first post! And welcome to the forum. A good sense of humor (and thick skin) go a long way here. So, wash off the mud and pull up a chair. . . . These cars are clearly for the more "hardcore", willing to sacrifice a LOT in the pursuit of the ultimate driving experience . . . Thanks for the article as well as for making the effort to follow up with us, Travis. You spoke your mind without malicious intent, and I've gotta respect that, sir. Ditto! Well said. Comparing our Sevens to normal cars makes as much sense as comparing us to normal people. Michael, Tom covered this with 'crazy'. But Tom is right about you; you are hardcore. So - the last national magazine article referred to the Seven as a "...bellowing ox-cart" . . . . Bruce Bruce, wonder when and and where the writer test drove an ox-cart? . . . And do they really bellow? Man you guys are old . . . . Daniel Careful, lots of old farts here with lots of mud to sling. You get big kudos for directly coming into the 'lion's den' to face the vocal critics. We have all taken pot shots against you - fair or unfair as the case may be. To balance the equation, can we help you write a follow up article that showcases the other positive attributes of the Caterham? If you want to come to Millville NJ on the July 4th long weekend, I would lend you one of my Caterhams to join the sevens group at the annual HPDE weekend. I think that would put a different perspective on the car in something closer to its natural habitat. I am open to other suggestions you may have that could make a follow up article work for you. I don't know...that just doesn't sound very 'dick'-ish to me. Just very Croc-ish. You cannot fault tokulski for having no balls. He proved he had them when he posted as the one who wrote the article. I have to admit that after a couple hundred miles in my seven, my hair hurts! Well said, Jerry. But you didn't mention how your balls felt after the trip. :jester: To a great bunch of guys who like to drive hardcore and mix it up occasionally. :iamwithstupid: :boxing: :cheers: Edited January 24, 2016 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Time for a bit of recap here and there. Careful, lots of old farts here with lots of mud to sling. To a great bunch of guys who like to drive hardcore and mix it up occasionally. :iamwithstupid: :boxing: :cheers: :grouphug:. Nothin' but love for this group. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 It's to be expected that we bought our cars for several different reasons.... apparently mine is to walk by it in the garage while I take care of the other 4 cars that are daily drivers and pay for two kids in college;) Hopefully this is the year I get it back on the road. But no marathons for me either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Excellent recap Shane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Great recap, My bet is those who own a Seven for what ever reason also own at least one other car to service the needs that their Seven can not. Correct? If that statement is not true for anyone on this list, please speak up, for you are truly hard core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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