CJFusco Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Hello all, I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am an U.S. east coast Se7en fan - I've been drooling over these things in evo, Car, and Top Gear for awhile now (the American magazines still seem to ignore their existence). I have lurked here for a little while, but now am considering beginning a Locost project sometime down the road. I have been a Porsche guy for a long time, though I think that one of the top "fun" cars I would want (along with a Porsche RSR) is a Lotus/Caterham 7 or the closest approximation. I currently drive a mildly modified Porsche 944 Turbo and a Volvo 740GLE. the Volvo has 250K miles and runs like a champ; I am slightly frustrated with the Porsche lately, though - although it is a blast to drive, I spent a good chunk of the spring performing a head gasket replacement (a time-consuming job on the 944 Turbo), and just a couple months later its clutch went. Oh well, now I have something to keep me busy throughout the winter, I guess... I have long considered attempting to track down a used Caterham in the states, but they are rare (and expensive) in these parts. I was recently turned on to the fact that there is a fairly large community of people that build replicas in their own garages, often using Miatas as donor cars. I think I might have found my next project... I have ordered the two obligatory books on the subject and look forward to studying them. What I want to know is: is it possible to actually register and insure the home-built Locost cars? If I were to take on this project, it would only be on a car that I could feasibly drive on the street as well as the track. Thanks in advance! -CJFusco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 CJ, welcome aboard. In addition to checking here, be sure to look at locostusa.com. The registration issue is a state by state thing, so it's best to specify which state you're in and see what others have experienced. BEFORE you start your build, get together with some locals, look the cars over, get rides in them, see what you like and don't like. The 3rd best thing about a seven (behind the performance, and the fellow owners) is how easy they are to work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 What I want to know is: is it possible to actually register and insure the home-built Locost cars? If I were to take on this project, it would only be on a car that I could feasibly drive on the street as well as the track. -CJFusco Hello CJFusco, Glad to hear that your have found this group. Yes it is very dueable. I have built my car from scratch and did not know about either group until after I had finished my car. Here is a link to some photos of my build that you might find amusing. http://picasaweb.google.com/MHKflyer52/ALotus7ReplicaLocost Hope you enjoy and ask questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Welcome CJ! I also have a 944 turbo and can empathize with the upcoming clutch job. For those that don't know, Porsche decided that clutch replacement would also be a good time to take most of the car apart for a thorough inspection. Depending on the year, the book rate is either 16 or 20 hours. :banghead: If you have the skill and equipment, then I think the Locust is a great project. People are doing some very interesting things out there, and you'll find a lot of support on the USA Locust forum that Mazda mentioned as well as LocustBuilders in the UK. Regarding registration, where in New England are you located? Odds are someone here is also from your state and can weigh in with their experiences. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Welcome CJ, The one area you may choose to go is with ppl selling cars in various stages of assembly (i.e uncompleted projects), these seem to pop up almost as often as completed cars;I guess sometimes a builder underestimates the amount of time, skill and money that can go into completion; in any event it's an avenue worth following.Try Craigslist for example, (it can take time working area by area) but there are quite a few out there,check ebay too. Good Luck David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudson Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 CJ, Glad to see you made it over from Pelican. Good luck on your hunt. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 CJ, Welcome aboard! (I posted this once last night, but it didn't show up on the forum, for some unexplained reason). I also own a Porsche 944 Turbo (1986 variety), a one-owner car with less than 50k on the clock. It's the best and most economical long-distance, high-speed touring car I've ever owned, even 20+ years on. Looks like there are at least three USA7s posters who own this particular water-cooled Porsche product.... I'm facing the timing belt replacement (precautionary, second time) next week, and a water pump replacement while they're in there. That will take a bite out of my 2007 Caterham 7 budget.... Still thinking of turning the Porsche over to Lindsey Racing in Oklahoma, for some serious power upgrades... Alaskossie Anchorage, Alaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJFusco Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Thanks for the tips, guys. Buying a kit that is still in the assembly stages might be a good way for me to go; I am fairly mechanically-proficient, but the aspect of this project that makes me nervous is the prospect of welding my own frame. I've never even held a welder before. It is rather strange that at least three of us in this fairly esoteric little group own Porsche 951s - I'm not sure if that says something about us or about the cars (Seven and 951). Perhaps it means that people like us are attracted to fast, relatively cheap cars that are renowned as "driver's cars"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 BTW, Scott Lentz also has a 944 Turbo....don't know if he was in the count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJFusco Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 ... and, I'm guessing since he came from Pelican Parts, Ed probably has some variation of Porsche as well. Very strange, but I guess it doesn't surprise me too much - the 951 is a pretty great car (except for the maintanence) and offers great bang-for-your-buck in today's market. To answer the question posed earlier, I am located in Connecticut; the only time I've ever seen a Se7en here is at Lime Rock Park... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 CJ- Scott L. is one of the charter members of the USA7s club....though he's not on the forum much. BTW, here's a link to a 914-6 for sale (plus an eclat) if any Porschephiles are interested...place is in long island. Scroll down the inventory list to find the 914-6: cannillomotorsports.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparecr Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Al are you checking to see if I read all these things? It is a fairly rough Eclat for that kind of money. Holding out hope on that Elite (if I can ever get a price). And did have someone seriously offer his good condition 308 in trade this weekend for the Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 John...you're on to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Back on topic: I believe 11Budlite lives in Wolcott. If you are nearby, then it might worth a PM to see if you can get together and see his car in the flesh. Back off topic : I didn't realize Scott also has a 951. I must admit that I am a bit surprised there are 4 of us on the forum. Are any others going to crawl out of the woodwork? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Here is a frame plus on ebay: Item number: 280262543826 and another : Item number: 280260041961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Welcome CJ. John is correct, I just recently registered my Birkin in Ct and would be glad to help you in any way I can. Let me know. Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJFusco Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Thanks for the offer, Bruce... you might not know what you just got yourself into In all seriousness, I'd like to check out the car sometime, maybe ride along with you around the block. I live in West Hartford (grew up in Bristol), so I'm not very far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 CJ: Welcome and good luck with the hunt. I also came to a Seven after owning Porsches for many years, the latest a 964 Turbo. I just got frustrated with the repairs and decided to get something that was unique and well suited for the track. I can tell you the Seven makes for an excellent track car - I was astounded at well it handles. I knew at that moment, I made the right decision. The Porsche is now gone and I don't look back (well...that 914-6 at Cannillo Motorsport is pretty nice). There may be some that disagree, but I do not think these cars are well-suited for regular driving, especially not as a daily driver. They are safer than a motorcycle, but no where near the protection of your Porsche. For that reason, I stick to sunny days on back roads. I can usually get most places in Raleigh without getting on a 4 lane road for long. If you take the plunge, I suggest you think about driving the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJFusco Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 JBH, thanks for the info. Yeah, I understand completely the purposes of a Seven... I wouldn't even plan on getting a roof for mine, to tell you the truth. I would probably use it in much the same way that I would use a Cafe Racer - very nice days and nights in the summer and fall where there is 0% chance of rain in the forecast. I would, most likely, keep the Porsche and the Volvo, each car serving a different purpose. My other future projects - and this would be further down the road (a few years, probably) - are a 73 Carrera RSR replica, and something like a Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer. But I plan on building a Seven before either of these projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 CJ - I'll PM my contact info and we can set something up. :7fume: "My other future projects - and this would be further down the road (a few years, probably) - are a 73 Carrera RSR replica, and something like a Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer." - Very interesting projects as well. I'm another one that just recently sold my Porsche. I'm having so much fun with my Birkin that I just sold a '89 911. I might get another some day, but for now I like the lower operating costs of the Zetec motor, simple drivetrain, and 15" wheels/tires. Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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