Vovchandr Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 57 minutes ago, rider said: 28k with assist? Very impressive! I'm guessing you're able to get in/out of Miata. At least you still have open-top driving. Keep it going as long as you can safely. To be fair putting on miles is easier if you want to avoid the pain of getting in and out and just keep driving instead.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Skip's Corvette on the picture's right is also good for "top-down" driving, although the C8 HTC doesn't give the same "topless" thrill as my Cat7SV. Good to hear from you Skip! Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 (edited) Love the Anniversary edition Miata Skip. That’s # number 50 or 60 Miatas so far? Lost 10” of height in the last few years! That has to be a record? Not sure about the newer Caterhams being well insulated to resist heat. Is that a option? I have read about individuals adding insulation as they assembled their kit (Didn’t you do it Skip?) but not sure it’s an option and, if it is, whether it is well designed and effective? My X-flow powered Cat measured 115-120 degrees around the driver’s ankles on a85 degree day. It was 15 degrees cooler on the passenger side. Since the Duratec engine sends its exhaust out on the passenger side, that makes the driver’s side more tolerable. Edited April 24 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Fitting a removable steering wheel makes a huge difference in ease of entry and exit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 3 hours ago, Kitcat said: Love the Anniversary edition Miata Skip. That’s # number 50 or 60 Miatas so far? Just 40 Miatas so far. Lost 10” of height in the last few years! That has to be a record? Besides that I cannot stand u straight for much longer that it takes the nurse to measure me. I list about 15 - 20 degrees to starboard. Not sure about the newer Caterhams being well insulated to resist heat. Is that a option? I have read about individuals adding insulation as they assembled their kit (Didn’t you do it Skip?) but not sure it’s an option and, if it is, whether it is well designed and effective? I used scraps of space craft insulation from work, very effective and also very light. I also made a metal stand off shield between the foot box and the turbo. My X-flow powered Cat measured 115-120 degrees around the driver’s ankles on a85 degree day. It was 15 degrees cooler on the passenger side. Since the Duratec engine sends its exhaust out on the passenger side, that makes the driver’s side more tolerable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBuff Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 My 420 has insulation on foot box and down trans tunnel as standard. (orange tape is just protection for install) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted April 24 Author Share Posted April 24 19 hours ago, Vovchandr said: To be fair putting on miles is easier if you want to avoid the pain of getting in and out and just keep driving instead.. Fair point! If you don't get out, you can stay in and keep driving.....! 11 hours ago, Kitcat said: ......... Not sure about the newer Caterhams being well insulated to resist heat. Is that a option? I have read about individuals adding insulation as they assembled their kit (Didn’t you do it Skip?) but not sure it’s an option and, if it is, whether it is well designed and effective? My X-flow powered Cat measured 115-120 degrees around the driver’s ankles on a85 degree day. It was 15 degrees cooler on the passenger side. Since the Duratec engine sends its exhaust out on the passenger side, that makes the driver’s side more tolerable. I really hope insulation exists and works! Hot foot-well, especially for the passenger, will be a big problem! I drove a 420R for about 10 mins in cooler ambient and higher elevation. So, have no idea how it is in more representative driving conditions and situations. 8 hours ago, jbcollier said: Fitting a removable steering wheel makes a huge difference in ease of entry and exit. The reason I wanna avoid removable steering wheel is to eliminate yet another point of failure. Over time, it'll develop a play, simply from usage. I'll be spec'in Trackday Rollcage. I read it helps a lot with ingress/egress. 32 minutes ago, CBuff said: My 420 has insulation on foot box and down trans tunnel as standard. (orange tape is just protection for install) ..... Thanks CBuff. Glad to hear insulation exists. Do your pedal box and passenger foot-well get warm or hot? And, is there space to add additional layer of insulation? Also, do you feel heat from the Transmission Tunnel? If you do, is there space to add insulation in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBuff Posted April 25 Share Posted April 25 Sadly. Mine is still a new work in progress. I have yet to actually sit in it much less drive it. So I can only comment on what’s in the pictures. Hopefully May 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevensonjr Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 I’m 81, I drive my WWII Jeep, 3 speed, my 65 series 2 Lotus 7, 4 speed, my Cobra replica, 5 speed and my Viper, 6 speed. The mix keeps me active mentally. Everyone ages at different rates, adapt and overcome whatever your particular physical problems are. Drive till it’s not worth the trouble. Cheers, Bill 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted April 27 Author Share Posted April 27 That's pretty awesome, @Stevensonjr! Pretty hardcore mix of rides. Totally agree, those vehicles are definitely keeping you sharp! Yes, it's all about ageing well. Fitness and a diverse life style, among other things, are critical. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cueball1 Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Bought my s3 Birkin 6 months ago at 58. The biggest drawback I see to road trips besides the buffeting is the lack of space in the footwell. Your feet are pretty much straight ahead of you and there is no room to change position. I've found it can be painful and wearing on drives more than 20-30 minutes. Body isn't used to the constriction and position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Can’t comment on a Birken but I have several 3 hour+ trips in my Lotus Seven S3 with no problem. I’ve done 5k trips in my Europa S1 with no problem. Most comfortable car I’ve ever driven. The Seven’s not bad but need to change the seat foam over to something more supportive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cueball1 Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Maybe it's just me then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcollier Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 (edited) We’re all built a bit different, true. Edited April 28 by jbcollier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theDreamer Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 18 hours ago, jbcollier said: Can’t comment on a Birken but I have several 3 hour+ trips in my Lotus Seven S3 with no problem. I’ve done 5k trips in my Europa S1 with no problem. Most comfortable car I’ve ever driven. The Seven’s not bad but need to change the seat foam over to something more supportive. My wife is 5’6” and she has always maintained that the Europa was the most comfortable car she has ever been in and I agree 100%. She was most happy for this while she was pregnant with our first daughter. So much so that when she found out she was pregnant with our second she had me look for and buy a Europa seat for her to relax in at home. I lucked out and found a pair from a wreck. We’ve used them ever since for watching TV and Gaming. As far as the Seven goes, not so much. I keep my wallet in my right rear pocket and all my I.D. and cards in my left rear pocket. These happen to hit the seat's sides and so all my weight rest on those two areas. I'm looking for a small pillow to place on the seat cushion to raise me up just enough to take the pressure off my cheeks. I’m getting used to the left knee bent and foot up so as not to ride the clutch pedal. I’ve done one 2 ½ hour stint and three 1 hour or less drives without getting out of the car. Still lots to learn and tweaking to be done. Note the difference in the two photos. Arrow indicate pressure points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoBear Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 … lol @theDreamer I thought my Birkin was comfortable but next to yours mine looks poverty spec haha. On the plus side foot space is not an issue I do have a wide-body chassis. If I’m on the freeway I can kinda set my left foot at rest between the petals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidL Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 (edited) err, take the wallets out of your back pockets and get the Soft-Bits-For-Sevens organizer that drapes over the tunnel, that has mesh pockets for wallets, keys, phones, earplugs. They make them for Caterhams, not sure about other sevens. I wear earplugs if going on the highway. Edited April 29 by DavidL 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted May 1 Author Share Posted May 1 On 4/27/2024 at 1:47 PM, Cueball1 said: Bought my s3 Birkin 6 months ago at 58. The biggest drawback I see to road trips besides the buffeting is the lack of space in the footwell. Your feet are pretty much straight ahead of you and there is no room to change position. I've found it can be painful and wearing on drives more than 20-30 minutes. Body isn't used to the constriction and position. Is the wind buffeting from the back? Guessing you have windshield and side curtains? If you wear a full-brim hat, would help. S3 is narrow. You think you would be comfortable in SV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Flowers Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 I am 62 and just finally am in the next day or two officially owning my first 7, see my other thread about 'advice buying first 7'. And, i plan on driving it 15 years at least, hopefully 20. I stay fit, intermittent fast, walk, lift some and eat healthy, so i plan on having no issues driving this for a long time Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now