supersportsp Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 V-Robb, you can probably fit in an S3 (standard chassis) car. I just got one and I was on the fence for quite some time between an SV and standard car. Length shouldn't be an issue unless you have really long legs. I am 6'2", 33-34 waist and 200 lbs. It is snug for certain in the hips, but not uncomfortable. The biggest difference for me with the SV chassis was the massively larger foot box. I too am a size 12, and a wide size twelve at that. But, I can make my car work with my Vans and quite well with narrower shoes than that. Forget it with running shoes etc. If you are planning on putting some serious miles on it, I think you should probably consider the SV, if only for greater comfort over longer distances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Having ridden in Kevin's car I can attest to his craziness.... now where can I find $7K to get my supercharger;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hey gang, Some of the California Caterham Club memers will be meeting up this coming Sunday to let me look, touch, and try not to drool all over their machines. Much appreciated and will be most enjoyable! I even started to mention my ideas about these crazy cars to the wife, and to her credit she didn't give me an immediate "are you nuts?" but more wanting to know what it is, why I want it, and how much room to put stuff in it there is. More than the bike, I replied...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Once I get a little more padding in my seat I'll be up for multi-hour drives (couple hour freeway drive is borderline for me right now). Should be fun, sorry to miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) V-Robb, you can probably fit in an S3 (standard chassis) car. I just got one and I was on the fence for quite some time between an SV and standard car. Length shouldn't be an issue unless you have really long legs. I am 6'2", 33-34 waist and 200 lbs. It is snug for certain in the hips, but not uncomfortable. The biggest difference for me with the SV chassis was the massively larger foot box. I too am a size 12, and a wide size twelve at that. But, I can make my car work with my Vans and quite well with narrower shoes than that. Forget it with running shoes etc. If you are planning on putting some serious miles on it, I think you should probably consider the SV, if only for greater comfort over longer distances. This is good to hear! I have a 34" inseam which isn't super stretch, and frankly all I wear on my feet when not riding are Vans!! Schweet! This means the 500 is still in the running! Edited August 26, 2009 by V-Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Rob, I find that real driving shoes make a world of difference in these cars. My wife likes the Piloti's http://www.piloti.com/ I prefer the Sparco's http://www.saferacer.com/sparco-top3-racing-shoes.html?productid=746 Not a comfortable walking shoe though..... But we are not talking about walking.... Why walk when you can accelerate through life in a 7..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Rob, Why walk when you can accelerate through life in a 7..... "The front seat of the roller-coaster" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 V-Robb, Curious how it went today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 It was a great day talking 7's with the guys! Once we gassed up and were getting ready to head up Mullholland Doug insisted I get behind the wheel and drive us up to the Rock Store since "that's the only way you're going to really feel the car." Way too much fun, and while we were heading up Doug was gesturing in a way the implied I should step on it and push it more. I was game, to a point - not my wheels and while he knows the limits of grip of his machine I did not and would only push so much. Still, a great time was had by all, and I now KNOW I have to have one of these machines, in one form or another, in my garage as soon as I can get it all together. One to two years I'd guess, especially if I get the kit and build it myself which I'd like to do but if the right deal comes along... A pic of the cars at the Rock Store. I drove the one with the 6 on the side. Had steet legal track tires on it, which I found out after we arrived! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Too Cool.... Your Screwed now though.... 7's owners are kind of like drug pushers..... Once you have tried it you're hooked... Cheers and good luck with the detox.... 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 V-Robb, What are the specs on the car you drove? I want the green one at the front of the queue, badly. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Great to hear you had a good day and at least got to drive one, you now know why we love these cars so much and at least you now know you NEED one :smilielol5: I had the same decision to make as you last year and decided in the end there was too much fun I was missing out on so purchased my Birkin 1600 xflow all ready built, since February I have managed to clock just over 7000 km's on it through winter and even have managed to pull it apart as I have refurbished bits & pieces on it through the short NZ winter. Every time I take it out it reminds me of why I'm glad i purchased a pre-built one rather than having to wait the 2 years while I completed a build. Good luck on finding a deal that can get you on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 So did Morgan give you a ride in Orange. Wish I had know they were getting together yesterday as I would have come out and joined the fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 V-Robb, What are the specs on the car you drove? I want the green one at the front of the queue, badly. Skip Skip, Doug's going to have to chime in on this one. I was a bit overwhelmed during it all and so I'd probably mix and match the different bits and bobs between the cars and get it all wrong! Too Cool.... Your Screwed now though.... 7's owners are kind of like drug pushers..... Once you have tried it you're hooked... Cheers and good luck with the detox.... 7evin Yeah, I figured you're all just a bunch of enablers!! ... Every time I take it out it reminds me of why I'm glad i purchased a pre-built one rather than having to wait the 2 years while I completed a build. Good luck on finding a deal that can get you on the road. Something to consider, even though I want to do the build and think I'd really enjoy it, the time required might push me towards a pre-owned model! So did Morgan give you a ride in Orange. Wish I had know they were getting together yesterday as I would have come out and joined the fun. I was able to sit in it and see how it fits, but unfortunately Morgan's got a gremlin living in his 400 that need to be exorcised badly so a ride was not in the cards that day. In fact I told him next time there's a get together I'm bringing a couple live chickens and we'll perform a sacrifice right on the hood of his car!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) V-robb, I built my Caterham in 2000, and I can assure you, that other being able to read the build manual, and maybe bleeding brakes, I have no specific mechanical ability. The actual build time was a grand total of 80 hours. The Caterham kits come with the gas tank and plumbing done, the dash installed and wired and the pedals and master cylinders installed. The skins are on, and Mine was even painted at the factory. The real build includes, assembling the front and rear suspensions, brakes, installing the diff, propshaft, gearbox and engine. Installing the seats, rollbar, front and rear wings, and lights. Oh, and the steering rack and column, and the windscreen. Other than that I had two minor issues with the Drysumped K Series motor being installed into a LHD car with the Hydraulic clutch. I had a bracket made to mount the altenator, and a clevis was needed to connect the hydraulic slave cylinder to the 6 speed clucth arm. Thats it! Other than spending a fair amount of time buying some extra bolts, nuts and washers, the kit is really pretty complete and easy to assemble. It's NOTHING like what Martin, did, He has talent. He BUILT his car, I asssembled mine. Huge difference. Now that being said, It will cost you WAAAY more to order and build one, than to buy a nice, well speced used one. So Chose your poison. Tom Edited August 31, 2009 by yellowss7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Morgan gave me a ride in Orange. Sweet deal there. Take him up on it when everything is worked out. I only lasted about 10-12 minutes before I had to ask him to pull over before I barfed [hangs head in shame]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig chima Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 v robb, I have not yet posted the car for sale here but I am going to be selling my 2001 Superlight + in the near future. Bought this car from Chris at Sevens & Elans 2.5 years ago and have put about 700 miles on it since that time. Here is the link to the original ad for the car. http://www.sevenselans.com/cars_for_sale/2001_caterham/index.htm The car is now spot-on perfect in every regard and is road reigstered in Ohio (it actually wasn't "finished" when I bought it -- had run only a couple of track days at Lime Rock). The Vauxhall motor is now 2.3L and makes just shy of 300bhp and is dry-sumped with the oil tank integrated into the Caterham bellhousing. This is a legitimate sub 3 second car to 60mph, and I can actually lap faster at Nelson Ledges in this car on street tires than my current E Production lap record (over 100 mph AVERAGE speed). Faster than a CSR and lighter too. Expensive at $50K, but the car cost nearly $80K to build and it has about 1300 miles on it now. For anyone else who might be interested, I'll try to get some pix taken and posted in the For Sale section sometime soon. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Awww, who would want the "fastest Caterham in the country" anyhow? What is your lap time at N Ledges in this car Craig? I have been there in my Crossflow a few times and love the track. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 (edited) Oh, Craig, you're killing me!!! How dare you plop right in front of my eyes the kind of machine I've been dreaming about!! And then tell me it's for sale at a price point that is excellent value and within my means. Argggghhh!!! Quite the setup you gots there! :drool: I suspect someone else might be able to jump on it before I'm ready, but if you're not selling immediately I could be in the running. I'm certainly interested! Edited September 1, 2009 by V-Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig chima Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Mike, I ran 1:11.1 with the car (using Stack lap timer, so it's a 100% legit time). Did 5 or 6 laps in a row in the low 1:11's and I was really trying to get into the 1:10's but couldn't find the last tenth. But that was on 7 year old Avon street tires (same tires I got with the car, and Chris at 7's and Elans told me that they needed to be replaced when I bought it!). I've recently purchased a 2nd set of wheels and have mounted up some low-time Formula Ford slicks (exactly the same size as the Avons) and think that the car will do 1:05's or 1:06's. Those are competitive National S2000 or FF2000 times by the way. Saw 141mph on the Stack display before I lifted at the kink. The car would easily do 145+ at a place like Road America. Yes, the car is scary fast... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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