Newb Intro - Looking for a Seven

[ukchris]

Good day, it seems proper to introduce myself as I'm new to the forum but not to the world of Sevens.

 

While I'm originally from the UK I have lived in the US for the last 18+ years in the New England area, currently in Southern NH. In the UK many years ago I went to a "driving weekend" which was the first time I found there was such a thing as a Seven and fell in love, not long after I bought a live axle Caterham 7 (red with flared arches) that I owned for several years, mainly pleasure driving although I also took it to Le Mans with the owners club for the race which was a blast, sold it when I moved to the US.

 

In the US I had the itch again and owned a Birkin for a while, I guess I came from a perspective of "Only the Caterham is a real Seven" but soon learned the Birkin was a great car and lots of fun, circumstances at the time however didn't allow me to enjoy it so it moved on to a new home.

 

Now I have a little more freedom and a little more garage space I have that itch again, I have started casually looking around for something fun, probably a Caterham/Birkin, I am tempted to build one but really need to get a better understanding of cost and the amount of work (and technical know-how) necessary to do so. I probably wouldn't track the car, it'll be for pleasure so I don't need anything special, also my other Sevens have been "snug" so some of the longer body options intrigue me.

 

Bottom line - I'd love to hear from folks who have built their own, get an idea of cost and complexity as well as support in the NH/MA area, also interested in options for a car that is ready to go if I hit the right one at the right price int the right place. I haven't set a budget really but would like to aim around $20k, depends a lot on the car obviously and whether how well it would retain its value etc.

 

Anyhoo, hello, glad to have found usa7s.net and look forward to a lot more reading/discussing!

 

Chris.

[JPS Europa]

There is a Caterham dealer in MA. Titling and all the rest could not be easier than it is in NH. I have a Locost 7 which I originally titled in NH as a 1964 Lotus Seven. It is now in Duxbury, MA.

Happy Hunting.

Paul

[ukchris]

There is a Caterham dealer in MA.

 

Are you referring to Sevens and Elans? I spoke to them many years ago, the web site is a little confusing as the map shows the MA location but the address nw shows Florida. I'll drop them a note and see what's what.

[inchoate]

Are you referring to Sevens and Elans? I spoke to them many years ago, the web site is a little confusing as the map shows the MA location but the address nw shows Florida. I'll drop them a note and see what's what.

 

last I checked Sevens and Elans had relocated to Florida.

[xcarguy]

Chris,

 

Welcome to the forum. While it's not a 20K price-ranged Cat, one of the best, and most well sorted, Cats available for sale right now is the 2003 SV Zetec up for grabs by our very own Croc. I can personally vouch for the car; it's turn-key, ready to go. And, if you decide to track the car, it's ready for that as well. Here's the link:

 

2003 Caterham SV Zetec 5spd

 

:cheers:

Edited January 19, 2018 by xcarguy

[Kitcat]

Sevens and Elans IS in Florida now, and is still in business there, I talked to their owner last year. Their website was never especially up to date. I am not sure if either Birkin or Caterham offers a kit for $20K. Maybe Stalker does?

[ukchris]

for sale right now is the 2003 SV Zetec up for grabs by our very own Croc. I can personally vouch for the car; it's turn-key, ready to go.

 

Oh trust me I've read that multiple times and watched the video and deliberated the "no lowball offers" text...!

[ukchris]

I am not sure if either Birkin or Caterham offers a kit for $20K. Maybe Stalker does?

 

I'm still working on how to get an accurate all-in price for building my own, should be talking to someone tomorrow all being well. The benefit is it can be done in stages so while I might not stick to $20k it isn't all at once either. I gather from Tom's site a Birkin SV starts at $5k for groups 1&2 then (I assume) $3-$4k each for groups 3, 4 and 5. I'm assuming I would still need an engine and transmission and no doubt other stuff, seem to be struggling to find a reasonably accurate total.

[Croc]

Oh trust me I've read that multiple times and watched the video and deliberated the "no lowball offers" text...!

 

Lol...I don't bite and by way of explanation my comment was particularly directed at two troublesome forum members. Didn't work sadly...

 

Welcome to the forum. Great time to buy a kit and build given the pathetic state of the Pound. If you want new then have a chat to Bruce Beachman of Beachman Racing - best dealer we have in the USA.

 

Just south of you in suburban western outskirts of Boston MA is Steve (forum name is Blokko) - another expat Pom, past multiple Caterham owner but without a Caterham at present although hoping to remediate that. He is definitely worth a PM to say hi.

 

Of course if you want to debate the quality of English cricket, rugby, etc then I am happy to oblige being Aussie by birth. :jester:

 

And for what is out in the market place then this is the link to monitor with weekly updates.

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?9372-Ebay-and-Craigslist-ads-Lots-of-Sevens-for-sale/page152

[wemtd]

If you're interested in a Birkin talk to Tom Carlin (visiting the factory this week). I expect that with shipping, etc it does not make sense to purchase modules piecemeal. Building is loads of fun: lots of :smash: and :banghead:.

Depending on what Croc's weekly search turns up you can probably purcase used for less than a new build.

If you are uncommitted by summer, drive down to NJ to see the full selection of sevens. With any luck Shane will come with his Storker too.

[MPG]

I'm in MA and finished building a Westfield last year. Here's some posts about that project. The registration process was a bit involved, but my understanding is that NH is quite a bit easier. I've been very happy with the MX5 version because it's really easy to find parts and expertise. The MX5 Stalker might be a better choice in the US. I had a couple of rough spots with the Westfield kit about pretty much anything involving LHD and there are a couple of parts which can be hard to find over here.

 

Building it was an awful lot of fun, and finally driving it this year was even more fun. I did over a thousand miles driving some nice back roads with friends.

[Jesse D]

I'm in Portland Maine and own a Caterham I bought through the for sale section of this group, with the help of Chris Tchorznicki of Sevens and Elans, who was in Ayer MA and is now in Florida. I decided building might take too long and decided to stick with a Caterham as the resale factor seems better, and Chris had built the car I bought. Haven't regretted either decision.

[wsupjs]

Welcome, Chris! If you're interested in options that are outside of the Northeast, I have a RHD Westfield SEi that will be available in the next couple months at your price point.

 

I'm located in Ohio, so shipping should be reasonable.