chrenan Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Hi Folks, I've been coming to USA7S on and off as a guest for a few years now. I finally took the leap, sold one of my project cars and freed up a spot in my garage. I intend to eventually fill that spot with a seven. I'm mechanically inclined, have rebuilt engines in the past myself, done all manner of fuel, electrical brake and suspension work, mostly on 80s Porsches and VWs. About the only thing I've never attempted is a transmission rebuild, something about all those cogs having to line up makes me nervous. I've read all the books I could find, Build Your Own Sports Car: On a Budget, How to Build a Cheap Sports Car, The Kit Car Manual: The complete guide to choosing, buying and building British and American Kit Cars. A complete build from scratch is beyond my abilities, and I think it is too much for me to take on frankly. So I've narrowed down my thinking to either building from a kit, or buying a used seven. Which leads me to some questions: I'd really love to build a Caterham, but are the cars available in kit form in Canada? A Flyin Miata Westfield build would also be very interesting, can anyone speak to the experience of building a kit Westfield vs Caterham? Used Caterhams are pretty thin on the ground in Canada (or maybe its my poor search abilities). Has anyone here imported a Japanese one? I currently own a 944 Turbo which I imorted from Japan, the car was in great shape cosmetically but required quite a few (OK, a lot) maintenance items to be addressed before I was comfortable with it mechanically. I could take the same approach with a seven from Japan, bring in a 15+ year old car and bring it up to snuff. I'm just not sure this is what I want to do (again), there would be something nice about building a seven myself, touching every piece, knowing everything on it is new (or at least rebuilt). Has any brought a car in from Japan and refreshed it here? Thanks everyone, any thought are appreciated. Chrenan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Do a search for "Canada". Try your other key terms too. Look in the for sale section too. There has been discussion along these lines before:). Good luck w/your endeavors, Se7en ownership is wonderful! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Hi Chrenan A couple of Caterham websites to check out: http://www.super7cars.com/ http://www.7cars.ca/ No affiliation with these sites but they are 2 I had bookedmarked when I was in my research phase. The problem expressed by quite a few members is the lack of supply of cars and the high cost as seen by looking in the above websites. I am not sure if it is possible or not but maybe consider buying a kit directly from the UK to save some money? I am sure one of the many Canadians who inhabit this website will be along to chime in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrenan Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks for the warm welcome guys! Learned something already, http://www.7cars.ca/ is located in Red Deer, an hour and a half south of me, go figure, I had no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Good to see another 951 owner! There are a few of us on the forum. A Flyin Miata Westfield build would also be very interesting, can anyone speak to the experience of building a kit Westfield vs Caterham? Westfield leaves more up to the builder than Caterham, but it is still straightforward and doesn’t involve any special skills. Most of the problems I ran into were due to non stock items I installed. One caveat though is I built the standard version, not the Miata-based kit. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 (edited) One caveat though is I built the standard version, not the Miata-based kit.[/font] -John Don't you mean 'rebuilt?' As a pretty new owner myself, and someone who spent 18 months looking for a car, I can sympathize with you. Even in the US market, it is tough to find a Caterham for sale. I can only think of a couple available now. I looked at Westfields as well and would have gone that route for the right price. I was looking almost exclusively at used cars though, not kits. I would have considered a kit if I could have gotten a good deal on one. I briefly looked at the FM Westfield kit until I realized I would be into at least as much as buying a used Caterham. Edited October 16, 2009 by supersportsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Don't you mean 'rebuilt?' Hey, I replaced virtually everything but the frame. It’s a lot closer to “built” than “rebuilt” -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenntwincam Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 My ADVICE !! if you decide to buy a assembled car , after a careful inspection and a LONG test drive , try to determine the skill level of the person who assembled the car. bought a caterham last year and didn't follow my own advice . I found an lot of small problems and a few large ones. after about $1500 in additional parts and a lot of my labor, the car is amazing,incredible,fun & RELIABLE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrenan Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 Good to see another 951 owner! There are a few of us on the forum. Nice to know, the 951 is such a great car, I absolutely love mine, I just put it to bed for the winter season. Thanks for all the tips so far, much appreciated. I never thought of the skill level of the person building, that's a very good point if I go the used route. Choices, choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Glenn underscores a KEY thing with our hobby....even new, dealer-built cars may (often) need sorting. If I had spent only $1500 to make my old Superlight R registration-worthy in NJ, that would have been a miracle. My investment post-purchase was several multiples of that...but I really wasn't too upset at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCanuck Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Hi chrenan, and everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster here... Getting a Birkin might be something you should consider, Dick Birk has a Canadian agent: http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/Canada.aspx It's one of the options I'm looking at. Just need more funds... Cheers, -pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBirk Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Richard Wyly, down in Canmore AB, is the Canadian Birkin rep. He's associated with Dick Brink in Texas. http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/Canada.aspx I believe he recently imported a few Duratech based IRC 7's. These would likely be more affordable that the Caterhams in Red Deer or Vancouver Island... Cheers, -Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrenan Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 This is perfect, thanks guys, the info is really coming out, I wouldn't have got the leads figured out by myself, I'm much more handy with a wrench than a keyboard. I guess "sorting out" money is something I should plan for as well, for a complete used car or even for a kit build. I've always had a project car on the go, typically a Porsche, so I certainly understand lighting some cash on fire and throwing it out the window to make a car reliable. However, with Porsches particularly, it is an easy task, the factory manuals are comprehensive, the parts diagrams to help with ordering are Germanically detailed. I'm slightly nervous stepping into very low production (or home built) vehicles that take parts from a variety of sources, how on earth do you guys keep everything straight in terms of where to source parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I agree with the others. When I bought mine, it had done 1500 miles in 4 years, built by a well respected race shop and Caterham dealer and it looked like it was still running the original fluids :ack: . Some fettling was clearly need to make it top shape (corner weight, painting of rusted suspension pieces, fluids, alignment, exhaust, hoses, etc). This should not be underestimated. But it is fun since it is making the car yours. As for the parts sourcing, I will admit I was nervous too. But having access to at least 3 good experienced mechanical shops locally and the very friendly guys on this forum providing guidance (Hi guys :seeya: ), the learning curve has been very steep but manageable. I also have the Caterham build manual, which, while not entirely logical or accurate. helps me think through problems (it is also available for free download on their UK website). I have seen a Birkin build manual once waved around by Dick Brinks of Birkin America so I know they have them. Westfield is similar as I have a copy of their build manual for the Miata kit from Manik Tech when I was making my purchase decision. So there is literature out there to support you for the major choices of Seven kit manufacturer. For parts I have found the following to be my primary sources over time: - my local Napa Shop (for example, hoses for a Ford Focus Zetec) - Caterham UK http://www.caterham.co.uk/ (its easy to buy from UK direct on the internet plus I bought a new nose cone and grille and carried it home) - Caterham US http://www.uscaterham.com/ (they may not be as quick delivery or as cheap as the UK but I will support them as they help me think through the problem so I learn for next time. Also, I find they are a bunch of great guys to chat with). - Rock Auto http://www.rockauto.com/ - Morgan Spares http://www.morgan-spares.com/ Saved me on a Friday afternoon with a brake light switch - McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ This place is brilliant for finding solutions to problems you did not know you had. Plus there are any number of UK based specialist shops selling Seven related goodies for those infected with upgradeitis - Carbonmods, Soft bits, etc. You will always have an answer when you wife asks what Christmas present do you need There are also the Seven Specialists who sell parts like Catracer (a member on this site), Sevens & Elans or MidAtlantic Caterham with George Alderman, or Dick Brinks for Birkin America. Manik probably does the same for Westfield. At first glance it appears there is no support but once you get in deeper I found there is a lot of support from areas you just dont expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenntwincam Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 my parts sources, for caterham - ben at caterham usa has been very helpful and has gotten parts I have needed. for ford svt parts I use local ford dealer,local NAPA store and even ebay a few times. other misc. bits, I have had good luck with summit racing & pegasus racing. I have also got some parts from UK . only problem is shipping sometimes costs more than parts . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I'll echo Croc's remarks about buying a "lightly used" Seven. Mine only had 13K in 10 years, but needed a new___________(fill in the blank-tires, plugs, windshield, seat,tune up, engine mounts, fluids, etc., waaay too much to list here). It was a bit shocking and drove the price closer to what a new car wld have been-in large part because I paid someone else to do the work. On the other hand, a heavily used car that has been maintained might actually be in better shape (and cost less). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Chrenan, Welcome to the forum! I too own a Porsche Type 951 ('86 944 Turbo, 1 owner, 50k miles) -- the best long-distance, over-the-road car I've ever owned. Did your 944T from Japan come with right-hand steering? i bought a 2007 Caterham kit, had it delivered to Colorado, and have spent the past two years shuttling between Alaska and Colorado to try to finish it. I got it mostly finished (nothing too complicated as long as it's found in the assembly manual), but the mechanical side hung me up, since I was putting a Duratec engine in a Series 3 car before the factory had done it. After less and less progress, more and more frustration, and mounting airfare costs, in July I turned the car over to a fellow in Boulder, Colorado at a vintage race car restoration shop; he used to be an engineer at Caterham in UK, so obviously I have found the right guy. He's making some progress on it; should be on the road fairly soon. Alaskossie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrenan Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 I too own a Porsche Type 951 ('86 944 Turbo, 1 owner, 50k miles) -- the best long-distance, over-the-road car I've ever owned. Did your 944T from Japan come with right-hand steering? Couldn't agree more! Funny the seven and the 951 attract the same crowd. It is actually left hand drive steering, apparently most Porsches sold in Japan are left hand drive. Go figure. It is definitely a Japanese market car, not a Euro one moved there, as it has the Japanese only catalytic convertor temperature warning light on the dash, along with a sensor plugged into the cat. I read about your seven story on another thread here. I remember thinking, wow, that is dedication! Sometimes I can barely drag myself to the garage at the end of my lawn to work on something, never mind getting on a plane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennyrayandersen Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Couldn't agree more! Funny the seven and the 951 attract the same crowd. It is actually left hand drive steering, apparently most Porsches sold in Japan are left hand drive. Go figure. It is definitely a Japanese market car, not a Euro one moved there, as it has the Japanese only catalytic convertor temperature warning light on the dash, along with a sensor plugged into the cat. I read about your seven story on another thread here. I remember thinking, wow, that is dedication! Sometimes I can barely drag myself to the garage at the end of my lawn to work on something, never mind getting on a plane! WOW, I owned a 951 as well – 86 and a real garage queen, so I’m thinking, since it only ever sees the sun (and covered there if parked) maybe what I need is an even higher performing fair-weather car lol. I sold the 951 some time ago since I needed something more practical at the time and just couldn’t bear driving it in the rain etc. Now, I’ll have space, time, $, for a dedicated ‘hobby’ car, so now it will be OK just to drive on nice days, which in TX is about 10 month out of the year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrenan Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 I had no idea the 951 was so popular, go figure, in Porsche circles its the red headed step child, just like anything without a 911 badge on the back. Thanks again for the leads everyone, I did some reading on the Birkin, not sure why I didn't consider it before, seems like a really nice option as well. 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