The Other Cars of USA7s Members (Non-Se7ens only)

[wdb]

11 hours ago, Marek said:

2013 BMW 128i M-Sport Manual

 

Jealous! I looked and looked for one of those in the same spec. Never found "the one" and now the herd is at maximum. I too have no interest in the turbocharged motor and agree the car doesn't need it. The 1M gets all the press but the 128i is the true sweet spot. It's truly the descendant of the 2002.

[wdb]

In no particular order, here is another member of the flock. 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe in Interlagos Blue. I bought it on Bring A Trailer in 2017 from someone quite local, which was nice because I was able to see and drive the car prior to committing a bid. It has an interesting history, having been in a hailstorm and essentially reskinned. I have done a bunch of drives with it to places with outrageously fun roads such as Dragon this and Back Of that, plus countless roads that have not been named.

 

It's a true BMW M car to my way of thinking; it tolerates being driven sedately but it is always prodding the driver to get cracking. It's powered by what many consider to be peak BMW 6-cylinder, the S54 with its 7K redline and rowdy mechanical noises. I've never been happy with the gearbox and spent some time and effort trying to improve the shifting. A very nicely designed short shift kit plus stiffer motor mounts have helped, but it still is not to be rushed. At least it now does honestly have 'rifle bolt' action. Handling is very good, it likes a bit of manhandling and the front will push if provoked. I also owned a Z4 3.0si coupe, which had the wonderful and oh-so svelte N52 motor which shaved ~200 pounds off the front axle compared to the M. That was a lot more nimble feeling and tossable.

 

Interior is cave-like with all of the black surfaces; even the headliner is black. There is plenty of room however. The layout is very simple inside, very little in the way of distraction; I really like that about the car. The hatch makes it a capable weekender, longer if one packs light. Fuel mileage is pretty abysmal. 

 

Now that I've run out of space I've been thinking about selling this car. But then I look at it and think, maybe not.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by wdb

[Bruce K]

On 1/19/2023 at 4:34 PM, wdb said:

In no particular order, here is another member of the flock. 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe in Interlagos Blue. I bought it on Bring A Trailer in 2017 from someone quite local, which was nice because I was able to see and drive the car prior to committing a bid. It has an interesting history, having been in a hailstorm and essentially reskinned. I have done a bunch of drives with it to places with outrageously fun roads such as Dragon this and Back Of that, plus countless roads that have not been named.

 

It's a true BMW M car to my way of thinking; it tolerates being driven sedately but it is always prodding the driver to get cracking. It's powered by what many consider to be peak BMW 6-cylinder, the S54 with its 7K redline and rowdy mechanical noises. I've never been happy with the gearbox and spent some time and effort trying to improve the shifting. A very nicely designed short shift kit plus stiffer motor mounts have helped, but it still is not to be rushed. At least it now does honestly have 'rifle bolt' action. Handling is very good, it likes a bit of manhandling and the front will push if provoked. I also owned a Z4 3.0si coupe, which had the wonderful and oh-so svelte N52 motor which shaved ~200 pounds off the front axle compared to the M. That was a lot more nimble feeling and tossable.

 

Interior is cave-like with all of the black surfaces; even the headliner is black. There is plenty of room however. The layout is very simple inside, very little in the way of distraction; I really like that about the car. The hatch makes it a capable weekender, longer if one packs light. Fuel mileage is pretty abysmal. 

 

Now that I've run out of space I've been thinking about selling this car. But then I look at it and think, maybe not.

 

 

 

 

What a great color of Blue!  Like the deep ocean, with only a glimmer of sunlight penetrating.  When the Z4 coupes were first  introduced, I regarded their shape as odd, but only because my third eye was still seeing the convertible.  Later, I understood the design lineage, from Delahaye in the '30's to Michelotti's Triumph Spitfire coupe, Sayer's Jaguar XKE coupe, and the Ferrari Lusso coupe - airplane-tarmac hood, seats barely ahead of the rear axle (guaranteeing that you will know the road), and that classic double-bubble profile.  Unlike some vehicles, such as the aforementioned XKE, later iterations of the Z4, like WDB's coupe, exhibited improved profiles and proportions, with only a small penalty in weight and size.  And, like the larger GT coupes, this BMW can tour - as WDB noted, super for long weekend trips, and I'll bet it would be fun to take over the Rockies!

Edited February 5, 2023 by Bruce K

[Marek]

Now my turn to be jealous.  The Z4 Coupe has been taunting me for years.  The lines, proportions, and scale are all just right - and together in an original way that isn't trying to be a better version of something else.  These are one of those cars which are more striking in person than pictures can seem to capture.  On the street, to me they are art among appliances.  By comparison, the convertible does nothing for me.

 

And the blue is perfect.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Marek

[Bruce K]

On 1/19/2023 at 9:15 PM, Marek said:

Now my turn to be jealous.  The Z4 Coupe has been taunting me for years.  The lines, proportions, and scale are all just right - and together in an original way that isn't trying to be a better version of something else.  These are one of those cars which are more striking in person than pictures can seem to capture.  On the street, to me they are art among appliances.  By comparison, the convertible does nothing for me.

 

And the blue is perfect.

@Marek- My friend, I have to disagree, but only in part.  There are many, many beautiful cars available to us, none of which can be fairly described as "appliances".  My current three sports cars are examples, as are the silver Targa Porsche, the classic Cadillacs, the gorgeous BMW M1 sedan and many others featured on these pages.  And I don't believe the Z4 is original at all - instead, it is an apex form of the long-nose, short wheelbase sports coupe, with many precedents and antecedents.  I agree that it has developed into an elevated form of the breed - but it is a breed, including the Triumph Spitfire, the Jag XKE and the Ferrari Lusso coupes that I referenced earlier.  And that's a VERY short list.

 

I otherwise agree with your opinions.

Edited February 5, 2023 by Bruce K

[Marek]

Oh, the appliances we pass on the road each day.  I've seen nothing close to an appliance on these pages!

 

If not original, then certainly fresh to my eye - especially in the current century with only one exception coming to mind.  The Fisker Karma is its own statement of the same long-nose coupe and just as difficult to capture in a photograph.  This formula is one of my favorites; with, as you point out, the 1960s being a rich source of great examples.  Most of my own time with long-nose coupes is with Porsche 944s.  But I'll save that for its own post.

[Bruce K]

On 1/20/2023 at 12:11 AM, Marek said:

Oh, the appliances we pass on the road each day.  I've seen nothing close to an appliance on these pages!

 

If not original, then certainly fresh to my eye - especially in the current century with only one exception coming to mind.  The Fisker Karma is its own statement of the same long-nose coupe and just as difficult to capture in a photograph.  This formula is one of my favorites; with, as you point out, the 1960s being a rich source of great examples.  Most of my own time with long-nose coupes is with Porsche 944s.  But I'll save that for its own post.

And, of course, the brother from another mother, the Toyota Supra.  I agree with you - as more sports car designs revert to the '60's architecture of rear mid-engine, the supply of new long-nose, short-wheelbase coupes is dwindling.  Too bad - think of the beauty of a Ferrari 250 GTO or 275 GTB, the Corvette split-window coupe, the Michelotti-designed '70's TR6, and all the other wonderful front-mid-engined Ferraris like the GTB 599.  But, functionally and at the limit, the rear mid-engined architecture provides superior vehicle performance including acceleration, which is why Corvette abandoned decades of heritage and gave us the C8, and why Eric Broadley designed my Lola the way he did.  Something lost, something gained!

Edited February 5, 2023 by Bruce K

[SENC]

While we're on the topic of long noses, my most recent addition to the project list.  More like the recent Cadillacs than my Lotus - heavy and with a big engine - but a fun ride.  I wasn't looking for it and generally don't go for black cars, but it was offered to me twice over a couple months time and I thought it might just satisfy my bride's wishes for an older convertible sportscar.

 

 

It's an 80k mile 560sl that has been driven less than 10k miles in the last 15ish years.  It was well maintained, but as you'd expect for a car driven so little it is in need of a fairly complete refresh.  To date, all major system fluids and filters have been flushed/changed, timing chain guides replaced (chain itself exhibited next to no stretch), cam oilers replaced, and plugs replaced.  The plan now is to work on some minor and/cosmetic stuff and to take advantage of nice days to get some miles on it to see what it might need.

[slowdude]

10 hours ago, Bruce K said:

And, of course, the brother from a different mother, the Toyota Supra.  I agree with you - as more sports car designs revert to the '60's architecture of rear mid-engine, the supply of new long-nose, short-wheelbase coupes is dwindling.  Too bad - think of the beauty of a Ferrari 250 GTO or 275 GTB or the Corvette split-window coupe or the Michelotti-designed '70's TR6.  But, functionally and at the limit, the rear mid-engined architecture provides superior vehicle performance including acceleration, which is why Corvette abandoned decades of heritage and gave us the C8, and why Eric Broadley designed my Lola the way he did.  Something lost, something gained!

The new Supra / Z4 platform is truly underrated. I loved mine.

 

Rumor is the Z4 was designed as the last non M-BMW vert to be the pinnacle of handling/power. I think they were targeting mid 7s on the ring for the car. Apparently it was an outgoing board members swan song.. I'm glad he did it as it channels a lot of the older BMW spirit without being too much in your face.

[Bruce K]

On 1/20/2023 at 10:29 AM, SENC said:

While we're on the topic of long noses, my most recent addition to the project list.  More like the recent Cadillacs than my Lotus - heavy and with a big engine - but a fun ride.  I wasn't looking for it and generally don't go for black cars, but it was offered to me twice over a couple months time and I thought it might just satisfy my bride's wishes for an older convertible sportscar.

 

 

It's an 80k mile 560sl that has been driven less than 10k miles in the last 15ish years.  It was well maintained, but as you'd expect for a car driven so little it is in need of a fairly complete refresh.  To date, all major system fluids and filters have been flushed/changed, timing chain guides replaced (chain itself exhibited next to no stretch), cam oilers replaced, and plugs replaced.  The plan now is to work on some minor and/cosmetic stuff and to take advantage of nice days to get some miles on it to see what it might need.

And it's a pagoda!  Maybe not the SL styling pinnacle, but very pretty still, and your example looks very straight. A wonderful GT for racking up those highway miles.  Reminds me of our domestic Thunderbirds, and a bit like the original Lincoln Continental.

 

My Lola was manufactured in 2003 and after 2012 experienced only occasional engine restarts.  Thus, I felt most comfortable replacing nearly ever rubber part.  These included every tire, all the flex brake lines, the master and slave cylinders, the flexible fuel lines, the valve cover gaskets, ignition wires and lots more.  I also replaced all the stainless-mesh reinforced lines, several of which were bulging or collapsing (all were the old-style rubber-cored lines, which I replaced with longer-lasting teflon-cored varieties).  I also sent the brake calipers and shocks in to be rebuilt,.  Replacing aged-out tires can be important - I've had blowouts in passenger vehicles from aged-out rubber.  One stuck me just over the crown of an overpass, just under the line of sight of approaching traffic until they were right on my bumper - DURING AN ICE STORM!  That was an exciting hour!

Edited February 5, 2023 by Bruce K

[SENC]

13 minutes ago, Bruce K said:

And it's a pagoda!  Maybe not the SL styling pinnacle, but very pretty still, and your example looks very straight. A wonderful GT for racking up those highway miles.  Reminds me of our domestic Thunderbirds, and a bit like the original Lincoln Continental.

 

In the case of my Lola, which was manufactured in 2003 and after 2012 experienced only occasional engine restarts, I felt it best to replace nearly ever rubber part.  These included every tire, all the flex brake lines, the master and slave cylinders, the flexible fuel lines, the valve cover gaskets, ignition wries and lots more.  This includes all the stainless-mesh reinforced lines, several of which were bulging or collapsing (all of these old-style rubber-cored lines were replaced with longer-lasting teflon-cored versions).  I also sent the brake calipers and shocks in to be rebuilt,.  The aged-out tires can be important - I've had blowouts in passenger vehicles from aged-out rubber.  One stuck me just over the crown of an overpass, just under the line of sight of approaching traffic until they were right on my bumper - DURING AN ICE STORM!  That was an exciting hour!

The 560sl was the last of the R107 class Mercedes, whose hardtop retained that pagoda look from the prior class of Mercs. I really prefer the look to the later SLs.

 

You're right, and she already has new shoes (that and brake fluid flush were first!) and, for that matter, new feet.  The original wheels had been chromed by the dealer, as was frequently done in California at the time, but the chrome was peeling.  Refurbished factory wheels were cheaper than I suspected I could have the chrome ones redone, even if possible to do well.

[wdb]

9 hours ago, slowdude said:

The new Supra / Z4 platform is truly underrated. I loved mine.

As a driving experience I agree. Sadly both a saddled with the high front haunches mandated for the 12 pedestrians/decade any one of them will ever actually hit. I look at the front half of the S2000 and long for that time. 

[Croc]

 

Ok time for another car.  

 

One theme that comes across from my car owning history is that I like things that should not be fast but are.  The Caterham is clearly an exception to that.  But that theme does explain why I have enjoyed touring car racing over say open wheelers or other classes.  

 

I loved my time racing 1980s (and early 90s) Holden Commodores.   I have two of them.  This one is a 1985 Holden Commodore Group A SS.  One of the 500 (actually 502) homologation cars required to qualify under FIA rules for Group A Touring Cars.  5L V8.  Rear wheel drive.  Live Axle.  Usual saloon production car handling compromises on the front end.  They all came in Formula Blue.  Bit rough and ready when released - its sole role was to win races.  Engine gave about 450hp in race trim.  

 

 

 

 

Mine has had a hard life.  Was raced at one point. 

 

 

 

Interior has the usual 1980s hard brittle plastics in Cerulean Blue.  

 

 

Those boy racer pedals are going.  The T10 shifter is going.  Back to original.  

 

When I first had it out on track after it hit the East Coast, I thought I would take it easy.  But then some complete wanker in a newish BMW M3 came up to me before my session to say "Keep an eye in your mirrors please as I don't want to be held up getting through slower traffic."   That steamed me up pretty well.  It was also a practice session for older Ferrari Challenge Cup cars - a bunch of 355/360 and the like.  

 

So I went out.  No idea if it would all work or not or if it would handle.  But I proceeded to drive the doors off the thing.  Came out on track just in front of a yellow Ferrari 360, who lined up behind me expecting to be pointed by, before I just drove away from it.  Found Mr M3 man on the 5th lap and passed him. 

 

A friend was instructing a newbie in a Lotus Elise.  The newbie drove off track in shock as seeing me three wheel through a high speed corner.  The only car that got past me was a Porsche Cup car. 

 

A bunch of people were watching in the pits and just dying with laughter as I passed the Ferraris' again and again.   One Ferrari driver came in to the pits to complain about my aggressive driving only to be told by the Pit Boss that he was driving like a pussy.

 

 

 

 

It was in this corner below that the infamous radio call at NJMP happened.  Second lap out, the turn 5 flag marshal radios in "There is a car out here lapping without a driver".  Needless to say the guy controlling things in the pits understand life a little better but it caused a ton of laughs.  

 

 

 

 

Arrived back in the pits at the end of session, leaking oil, red fluid (transmission), green fluid (coolant) and blue shit (no idea?).  Tear down of the engine shows 4 broken pistons.  I never noticed the engine had problems.  No smoke or roughness.  None of the broken bits in the sump or anywhere to be found - guess the bits went through the exhaust valves?

 

Back together as original but is under slow restoration as I get around to pieces.  Now has an original spec gearbox (T5) and Salisbruy diff back in it.  Engine rebuilt.  Need to rebuild the Rochester carburettor.  Time to look at fixing body and interior and a lot of the details that make a good restoration.  Its been authenticated as an original car.  

 

The homologation cars have turned extremely valuable in the last 10 years so no more track days for it.  That is the role of the other Holden Commodore.

[Croc]

 

The other Holden Commodore.  

 

Not a valuable car as it is not one of the homologation cars.  Built up out of a road car.   Has sat for a bit so there is a bit of fettling going on.  Its running a tribute livery as I think the colors suit the car well.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The car brakes and handles fine now.  Ride height sorted. I have sourced a set of remanufactured Momo wheels to replace what is on the car in the photos.  Still trying to solve oil blow by from crankcase pressure.  It creates a pretty big smokescreen.  Engine is nice and strong.  

 

TJ the mechanic looking that Holden below and thinking not good thoughts.

 

 

These are unusual cars to drive.  They do not feel fast on track.  Something about the lazy revving engine just always makes me think I am very slow in it.  But they are surprisingly quick once dialed in.  Nicely taily and controllable on the throttle.  The problem with the chassis is that the front end is badly compromised.  Need to max out the castor.  A good dose of negative camber.  Stick some 700pound springs on the front end to make the thing rotate in corners off the front.  Control the rear end with right foot.  Great fun.  Faster than a Corvette of the same period.

 

Yes that is a Garfield stick on plush toy on the window. 

 

 

[MV8]

I like them.

With roller rockers and flat tappets (solid lifters), top end restrictors can greatly reduce the volume in the heads. The restrictors screw into the back of the block replacing the small plugs, reducing flow to the lifters and push rods. I assume you are scavenging from the back of each head and the valley (through the intake) with a total of three scavenge stages.

Edited January 30, 2023 by MV8
I meant mechanical versus hydraulic lifter.

[slowdude]

Are the commodores similar to the Lotus Carlton via the GM connection in the 80s?

 

Ever since I had an M340i w/ a straight six I've been drawn to the Australian Holdens and Fords. I love the idea of something that is RWD, a super stout straight six and a fairly boring lookong sedan. Add to that the bizarro world that is the domestic Australian auto industry and I am patiently waiting for 2005+ commodores or falcons to be eligible. I'm absolutely fascinated by the Barra engine.

 

Very cool car to see stateside, let alone in NJ!

[Bruce K]

That nose is reminiscent of an early Foxbat Mustang.

 

Funny story about the impact of your RHD car on the uninitiated corner worker.  Someone should rage by him in that Lemons car with the body installed backwards.

 

Loved your word choice regarding the interior color of the SS Holden:  Cerulean blue.  It is one of my favorite colors and phrases.  In order to match A J Foyt's car # 83, my Lola is being painted a version of cerulean blue right now.

 

I liked your karma story regarding the smartass BMW driver.  Who do these guys think they are, and why tempt fate?  I was driving a hot Seven at my favorite local short track in Waterford MI when a Porsche joker said something similar to me:  "You'll know what to do when I fill up your rear view mirror, won't you?"  I told him, yeah, drive faster and fill up yours.  Which that little Seven did.

 

 

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Bruce K

[scannon]

13 hours ago, Bruce K said:

I liked your karma story regarding the smartass BMW driver.  Who do these guys think they are, and why tempt fate?  I was driving a hot Seven at my favorite local short track in Waterford MI when a Porsche joker said something similar to me:  "You'll know what to do when I fill up your rear view mirror, won't you?"  I told him, yeah, drive faster and fill up yours.  Which that little Seven did.

I had a similar experience my first time at a local kart track which allowed cars and motorcycles.  When I checked in I noticed a group of motorcycles on the track,  I  asked the fellow at the desk how that worked.  He said they were there for a birthday party and to work it out with them.

 

When I was unloading my Caterham from the trailer a couple of the guys not running at that time came over to check it out.  I asked how we were going to share the track.  He said you can run with us, just keep your eye on your mirrors and give us room to pass.  I said that's not going to be a problem as I will be passing you so give me room when I come up behind you. 

 

About then the desk guy came out and said no mixing of cars and bikes on track.  So we decided on 20 minutes sessions. 

 

I had a lap timer and was doing quite well.  When I came in I asked what lap times they were getting.  I was a little over 4 seconds quicker.  I offered rides and two of them took me up on them.  The little Caterham made believers of them.  One admitted that I scared the sh!t out of him.

 

I have run on track with motorcycles at a larger local track with my 1992 Miata which was dyno'd at 286 RWHP and had the brakes and suspension to go with it.  I was lapping then consistently.  They gave me room to safely pass.  Near the end of the day the bikers asked if we could run the other direction because they were faster that way and could be faster than me.  I said OK, I like that direction too.  I was still lapping them.

[Bruce K]

3 hours ago, scannon said:

I had a similar experience my first time at a local kart track which allowed cars and motorcycles.  When I checked in I noticed a group of motorcycles on the track,  I  asked the fellow at the desk how that worked.  He said they were there for a birthday party and to work it out with them.

 

When I was unloading my Caterham from the trailer a couple of the guys not running at that time came over to check it out.  I asked how we were going to share the track.  He said you can run with us, just keep your eye on your mirrors and give us room to pass.  I said that's not going to be a problem as I will be passing you so give me room when I come up behind you. 

 

About then the desk guy came out and said no mixing of cars and bikes on track.  So we decided on 20 minutes sessions. 

 

I had a lap timer and was doing quite well.  When I came in I asked what lap times they were getting.  I was a little over 4 seconds quicker.  I offered rides and two of them took me up on them.  The little Caterham made believers of them.  One admitted that I scared the sh!t out of him.

 

I have run on track with motorcycles at a larger local track with my 1992 Miata which was dyno'd at 286 RWHP and had the brakes and suspension to go with it.  I was lapping then consistently.  They gave me room to safely pass.  Near the end of the day the bikers asked if we could run the other direction because they were faster that way and could be faster than me.  I said OK, I like that direction too.  I was still lapping them.

Your Karma is stronger than mine.

[wdb]

I always thought the "raging sedans" series in England, Europe and Australia were just the bees knees. Especially compared to what passes for same in the US.