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So How Old Is The Average 7 Addict


BusaLoco

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I'll be 70 this month. I got interested about 15 years ago, and never did anything about it, until I dedided to build "something". That something turned out to be a se7en. I started my Ultralite kit is Feb of 2004, and have thoroughly enjoyed the car ever since.

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Seven has been a dream car since the early 70's - finally antied-up a year ago. Kit arrived New Year's Eve - First drive for me in a 7 and the for new Caterham S3 - Memorial Day 2006

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I'll be 64 next week, and I've got my first Seven or order right now from Caterham (a Classic model with 250 hp 2.3 Cosworth Duratec and 6-speed Caterham transmission).

 

 

 

I'll wager that I've lusted after a Seven longer (since first reading the R&T road test of the Lotus Seven America in the summer of 1962) without doing anything about it -- 44 1/2 years -- than anyone else on the list. Any takers?

 

 

 

Tom Meacham

 

Anchorage, Alaska

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I'm 59 retired to build hot rods. My wife keeps saying something about second childhood to which I state "never left the first. I am building a 7 for several reasons. First I can't afford to go out and buy one. Second I can't get the Cobra much above 45 in my driveway. Third and most important I bought a very nice 12" rosewood steering wheel and I need something to put it on.

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60, and still no 7 :(

 

 

 

First got interested when a friend smuggled a R & T magazine into study hall in '61 or so and showed me an article on the Lotus 7 kit (For about $1.2K, as I remember). It was referred to in R & T as a TDRC (thinly disguised race car) back then and the stock sports car drivers (M.G's, TR3's, etc.) hated it because they were so uncompetitive against it on the track.

 

 

 

One favorite memory is walking to law school at the U. of Ill. every morning in the late 60's & seeing a 7 tool down the street, make an abrupt right hand turn into the parking lot, seemingly without slowing, and passing underneath the crossgate without stopping, due to its low stature.

 

 

 

Jeez:cool!

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Kitcat,

 

 

 

I checked on the R&T road test of the Lotus Seven America (where both you and I first learned that the Seven existed), and it was the July 1961 issue -- my earlier post erroneously said 1962. (I've got all of the Road & Track issues to date, since I first subscribed in August of 1958).

 

 

 

So I have been waiting 45 1/2 years to buy a Seven, and finally have one on order. You've accepted my wager, and have me beaten. So when are you going to gt off your duff and buy a Seven?

 

 

 

Best wishes,

 

Tom Meacham

 

Anchorage, Alaska

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BTW, the Lotus Seven America as tested by R&T in July 1961 had a list price in the US of $2987. It had 40 horsepower. a curb weight of 960 lb., and a top speed of 85 mph. Zero to 60 was in 14.3 seconds, and the speed in the 1/4 mile was 67 mph.

 

 

 

The lead paragraph of the test described the car's design as "rather dated," and went on to say, "...from any distance or angle, the Seven looks exactly like what it is: a racing car with a passenger's seat and enough road equipment to be "legal." On an everyday, all-weather basis it is absurdly impractical -- but therein lies its great charm."

 

 

 

The last line of the test said, "To us, the Seven appears to be an almost perfect answer for the man who wants a real racing car that can be taken on an occasional Sunday drive."

 

 

 

Still so true!

 

 

 

Tom Meacham

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locostv8 wrote: "Third and most important I bought a very nice 12" rosewood steering wheel and I need something to put it on."

 

 

 

12 inches!! Why so Big? I think my steering wheel is 280mm and I probably should have gone down to 260mm.      

 

yellowss72007-01-07 10:08:12

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locostv8 wrote: "Third and most important I bought a very nice 12" rosewood steering wheel and I need something to put it on."

 

 

 

12 inches!! Why so Big? I think my steering wheel is 280mm and I probably should have gone down to 260mm.      

 

 

http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/36783-2/19_1.JPG

 

Cost $25, fat tires.

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One favorite memory is walking to law school at the U. of Ill. every morning in the late 60's & seeing a 7 tool down the street, make an abrupt right hand turn into the parking lot, seemingly without slowing, and passing underneath the crossgate without stopping, due to its low stature.

 

 

 

Jeez:cool!

 

 

 

I think our cars will probably be able to cross under an 18 wheeler trailer - not that I really want to find out.

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BTW, the Lotus Seven America as tested by R&T in July 1961 had a list price in the US of $2987. It had 40 horsepower. a curb weight of 960 lb., and a top speed of 85 mph. Zero to 60 was in 14.3 seconds, and the speed in the 1/4 mile was 67 mph.

 

 

 

 

0-60 almost took the quarter mile http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

 

I'd love to see the article.

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HOLY $%^&&*( I feel young http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif

 

 

 

27 currently. I will be starting my build shortly. I hope it to on;y take 3 years to build and put on the street.

 

 

 

Nah. I was 27 when I built my Caterham and I still wish I'd managed to do it earlier.

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