So, tell us a little about yourselves

[jhenson29]

Hello.  New member from St Louis, MO. I just ordered a 420R SV from Josh at RMC. I drove out to meet Josh and test fit cars and seats yesterday. It was the first time I had seen one of these cars in person. 

[Reiver]

Welcome.... I bought an older model sight unseen.... liked it so much I bought another one...an r400.  Fantastic cars for driving as it should be.

Josh is a straight shooter btw.... we've dealt professionally over a few things.  He set my r400 up for the street.

What kind of time frame is it for a new build? 

[jhenson29]

24 minutes ago, Reiver said:

What kind of time frame is it for a new build? 

Josh thought Oct build slot and maybe delivery by the of year. But I think I’m still waiting for confirmation on the time frame. I’m hoping I can then get it built and registered by the end of spring, but I guess we’ll see. Maybe by mid-summer I have a half-built car I’ve given up on. 🙃

[williamwashere]

Welcome! I ordered in early Dec from Josh and mine is done but sitting waiting on a container. You’re going to have a lot of fun!!

[Austin David]

Josh is a great guy, you're in good hands.  The wait is PAINFUL tho -- but at least you're not getting the COVID edition

[jordway]

Welcome!  I am also in St Louis.  Super excited to hear of one more Seven headed to the Lou!  I believe this will bring us to 4.  Registration was a breeze for me, even though my car is titled as a 2002 Caterham.  Let me know if I can help with anything.  Also, if you're interested, I can recommend an excellent mechanic who specializes in British cars, including Lotus and Caterham.  He has been a great help to me when things have gotten a bit beyond my skill set.  And, I agree with everyone else...  Josh is awesome.  You made a good choice.

[jhenson29]

19 minutes ago, jordway said:

Also, if you're interested, I can recommend an excellent mechanic who specializes in British cars, including Lotus and Caterham. 

Thanks. Yeah, I’ll take any contact info you have. I plan on doing as much as possible on my own, but I’m not really a mechanic, so who knows what I’m in for. I really only started doing any of my own work on my own cars about 2 years ago. But my day job is as a service technician on industrial machinery. I specialize in programming/electrical/controls, but if I’m by myself and a wrench needs turned, I have to turn it. So, I’ve picked up a thing or two over 20+ years of that….but far from expert and always learning. 

[Austin David]

ah, this is a great place to start.  there are a jillion resources and examples of people like me, even more clueless.  As weird as they are, these cars are relatively simple

[Jasper_72]

New member from Atlanta, GA, seeking my first Seven. I tried buying a Westfield last year but after wiring money, the guy never shipped the car. Finally got my money back a few months later after threatening legal action. I’ve been a little slow to pull the trigger since then and seem to have a knack for finding a car listed for 7 or 8 months and within a week of expressing interest it’s gobbled up. So if you’re having a hard time finding a buyer, let me know.
 

I’m not entirely sure the best fit for me. I would prefer a properly sorted Caterham but am open to pretty much anything if the quality and price is right. I’m looking for something I can drive on the road and perhaps an occasional track day. 
 

Thanks for providing such a great resource. 

[sergio brambillasca]

Hello everyone,

my name is Sergio Brambillasca and I’m writing from Milan, Italy. I’m an Italian artist and I have owned my 1997 Caterham Seven for more than thirteen years.

I love this car precisely because it is simple, direct and has very little between the driver and the road. After all these years, it has become much more than just a car to me.

I joined USA7s because next year my Caterham and I are preparing for a rather unusual journey across Europe. It will be connected with my work as an artist, and I think some of you may enjoy the story as it develops.

For now, I’m simply happy to have discovered this community and to meet other people who understand why a Seven is such a special machine.

Greetings from Italy,
Sergio

1997 Caterham Seven

[IamScotticus]

A crossflow?

[sergio brambillasca]

Yes, Crossflow! It's a 1997 Caterham Seven with a 1700 Ford engine. I've owned it for more than thirteen years.

I also have this old photograph from before I bought it, showing the car with two trophies on it. Unfortunately, I don't know anything more about that part of its history. Perhaps someone here might recognize something about the car or its past.

[44 AND COUNTING]

Hello, Sergio!

 

I live down the road a bit, in Modena. I've had my Westfield Seven for five years. It's also a 1700, right hand drive, 1985 factory-built, with 23K miles.

[Croc]

3 hours ago, sergio brambillasca said:

Perhaps someone here might recognize something about the car or its past.

 

 

Not sure if you added the Bookatrack sponsorship sticker after you got it but I sent your photo off to two people who were involved in Bookatrack to see if they remember the car but I suspect it is a series sponsorship - every car ran that sticker.  Looks like your regular racing Caterham from the era.  Background looks like Croft or Oulton Park circuits.

 

 

Welcome to USA7s!

[sergio brambillasca]

3 hours ago, 44 AND COUNTING said:

Ciao Sergio!

 

Abito poco più in là, a Modena. Ho la mia Westfield Seven da cinque anni. È una 1700, con guida a destra, costruita in fabbrica nel 1985, con 23.000 miglia.

44 AND COUNTING wrote:
Hello, Sergio!
I live down the road a bit, in Modena. I've had my Westfield Seven for five years. It's also a 1700, right hand drive, factory built in 1985, with 23,000 miles.

Hello! What a surprise to find another Seven owner here in Italy!

Beautiful Westfield — and another 1700. After five years together, I imagine you know exactly what I mean when I say that these cars become much more than just cars.

Modena is not far from Milan at all. Perhaps one day our two Sevens will have the chance to meet.

Sergio

[Scott_]

Hello Sergio and looking forward to hearing about your journey across Europe next year.

 

Scott

[sergio brambillasca]

2 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Non so se hai aggiunto l'adesivo della sponsorizzazione Bookatrack dopo averla acquistata, ma ho inviato la tua foto a due persone coinvolte nel progetto Bookatrack per vedere se si ricordano dell'auto. Sospetto che si tratti di una sponsorizzazione della serie: tutte le auto avevano quell'adesivo. Sembra una normale Caterham da corsa dell'epoca. Lo sfondo sembra quello dei circuiti di Croft o Oulton Park.

 

 

Benvenuti su USA7s!

Thank you, Coccodrillo.

I really appreciate you sending the photo to people who were involved with Bookatrack.

I bought the car exactly as you see it in the photograph. The Bookatrack sticker was already there, together with the rest of the car's appearance, so I don't know whether it was simply part of a series sponsorship or whether the car had some direct connection with Bookatrack.

I have owned the Caterham for more than thirteen years, but I know very little about its life in the UK before it came to me in Italy. That is exactly why I posted the photograph here — I thought someone in this community might recognise the car or help me reconstruct a small part of its history.

If either of them remembers anything about it, even a small detail, I would be very interested to hear it.

Thank you again for taking the trouble to ask them.

[theDreamer]

I looked up the UK plate number and this is what it was:

Vehicle make

CATERHAM

Date of first registration

March 1997

Year of manufacture

1996

Cylinder capacity

1600 cc

CO₂ emissions

Not available

Fuel type

PETROL

Euro status

Not available

Real Driving Emissions (RDE)

Not available

Export marker

Yes

Vehicle status

Untaxed

Vehicle colour

BLACK

Vehicle type approval

Not available

Wheelplan

2 AXLE RIGID BODY

Revenue weight

Not available

Date of last V5C (logbook) issued

26 October 2009

[wdb]

18 minutes ago, sergio brambillasca said:

Coccodrillo

 

I took a guess, turned out I was right and then some. 

 

"Coccodrillo" is the Italian word for crocodile, but it also refers to several popular brands, places, and historical projects. 

 

Meanings and Uses

• Animal: The large aquatic reptile found in tropical regions.
• Idiom: Lacrime di coccodrillo means "crocodile tears" (insincere sorrow).
• Children's Clothing: Coccodrillo is a well-known European brand providing kids' jackets, sweaters, and denim.
• Italian Restaurant: Coccodrillo Berlin is a popular, vibrant trattoria in Germany run by the Big Mamma Group.
• Military History: The Coccodrillo was an Italian medium support tank project from the 1960s that was ultimately canceled in favor of the Leopard 1. 

[sergio brambillasca]

Now I know much more about crocodiles than I did this morning! 😄
And all I wanted was to discover something about the history of my Caterham.
This forum is already taking me in unexpected directions!