JBH Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I spent an hour or so talking to the guy that maintains the car. I was impressed by the details and honesty of his answers. Based on those, it's my impression that this is a competent and reliable race car. The car has already had the sh&t kicked out of it, so I wouldn't expect anything about it to be shiny or tidy. For the price, it is probably a good deal, but not for conversion to street use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pe7e Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Wow! Thanks for all the generous advice, guys. Taking it all into consideration, I like The Stig's idea of an NJMP syndicate. Is anyone else interested? Ed was going to show me the car tomorrow afternoon, but I may wait and take Mike up on his offer of a visit on Saturday. I'll call you Thursday, Mike. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stig Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 If you go Saturday, give me a shout as I will be passing through Hopewell (I assume the car is there?) on Saturday and always need an excuse to stop and gawp at those Astons I cannot afford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pe7e Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Ah, but do you really an Aston? I suppose they do make more sense as a daily driver, but then I find the Bentley GT to be so much more practical, don't you? :-D I'm really sorry I can't make Saturday work, because I'd like to meet up. I hope to see you at NJMP in March. Mike and I are going to stop by This a.m. to have a look at the car. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stig Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Shame that, Let me know what you think of the car. I will probably call in tomorrow anyway for a browse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 Martin - the seven is at the back up facility a few miles south of town so you will need to make an appointment to see it. However, the main street showroom is definitely worth a look see. There is a lovely lightweight E type replica that is torturing my conscience amongst other gorgeous equipment. I will let Pete post his views on the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pe7e Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Martin - Oh, sorts of Aston Martins... now I see what you mean. So, having driven an untitled and totally uninspectible 7 cleverly disguised as a racecar, on the street today, the petrol vapors are still wafting out of my brain. Rational thought has yet to regain it's precariously maintained, perhaps merely fabled, throne. However, in addition to the incidentals (front-end skin replacement which looks as if it was fabbed during a pitstop by a crew armed soley with a chisel and a pair of Channel Locs, various other cosmetic issues, indications that the steering column clamp fitting had impacted the firewall, and a few oil leaks) it has no detectable 3rd or 4th syncros and the clutch is probably nearing end of life. Word (from Mike) has it that the Zetec is good for hours and hours of fun as long as it is not revved too far past 7k, but the trans issue raises the specter that, as a rental racer, there is a significant chance that this excellent advice may have been ignored some at some point. The steering is tight, it seems to have a quick-rack and a new quick-release wheel and splines, no diff whine or tappet noises, Bilstiens, 13" wheels, two and a half fingers of ground clearance in racing stance, the grunge troughs on either side of the front frame were clean, original plywood in trunk :-), fire supression system in place, when sitting on the floor I fit with helmet clearance (according to Mike) ECU form factor appears to be about 8" square x 1.25 thick mounted in right footwell and protruding vertically slightly through the firewall shelf. It is, as my wife says, a lot of money for a car I can't drive. (On the street.) On the other hand, I could drive it at very high speed. This may not be a convincing line of reasoning for the skeptic. But... what are trailers going for these days? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edxdoc Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Thanks for that info....to the casual observer it seems that trans, clutch and even engine would need to be redone. What brakes were on the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 A new Zetec crate motor (135 hp) is cheap, like under $500. A Caterham with a Zetec requires a long imput shaft. I have an axtra one $1,000. If you are lucky the crate motor will come with a new flywheel and clutch to boot. It looks like a great little track day car. Especially at that price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pe7e Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Thanks, Mike. edxdoc, I'm embarrased to say I did not look at the brakes. What should I have looked for? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Thanks for that info....to the casual observer it seems that trans, clutch and even engine would need to be redone. What brakes were on the car? I looked - just the standard Caterham discs and callipers which are perfect for this car. Pads were about 50% worn. No evidence of warping rotors or leaking of fluid. Engine was fine from what I could hear and see and feel and as Michael notes it is a cheap replacement. Gearbox is dead but I would drive it until it broke and then replace the clutch at the same time. Engine bay was well set up. The old gearbox will have the long input shaft to remove and switch over. if it were me I would consider getting a set of good BGH ratios to make the gearing suit the car better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edxdoc Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well just wondered what set up they were running? We're they adequate? I am assuming fourvwheel discs? Berm no, AP or wildwood? Thanks for your highly detailed commentary about the car. It's appreciated.....thanks, don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edxdoc Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Croc I didn't see your comment about the brakes..sorry....so my take is that you feel it's a decent track day car or scca racer but it will need gearbox soon. So seemingly low price of admission may end up not being so low after all. Thanks again for your detailed review of this car. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edxdoc Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 So it seems that after the test ride and input that there are no takers on the scca cat racer? Still for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) S&S have been closed since Friday when Pete and I saw the car so no one could buy it even if they wanted to! Pete is first in line at this competition! :jester: The car is a track day car. It has to be registered in another state that does not follow the EPA letter of law. Aesthetically she is a bit a of a mongrel - star chips, cracks, dents, chips and evidence of a 5 five year old being let loose with couple of hand tools. The prior impact damage is evident but did not trouble me as it looked reasonably well done. Mechanically it is good except for the gearbox and possibly the clutch (although I would replace that anyway if I had the gearbox out). So figure on $1000 for a reconditioned replacement, add a couple of hundred for incidentals/service items (rewire lights, indicators, high level brake light, reversing light, add a seat, etc), throw on a good set of tires ($800?) to replace the spec set of rubber currently there and without labor charges that is $2k. So at asking $15.5 plus $2k for total $17.5k...feels steep. There have been Birkins come up for sale on here in very low $20s or even high teens for a well sorted crossflow Birkin that look good, mechnically seem good, probably less thrashed, never been crashed, and have a decent chance of being registered on road in NJ. I even remember a decent looking Caterham crossflow being down in the low $20s at one point. A little extra money would seem to be a better value result in this situation. If you want a pure spec racer then buy this ready prepared with cage, suspension set up, and "craggy good looks". Edited February 19, 2013 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edxdoc Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Looks like this old cat sold today according to Ed ...... Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Do we know the buyer? Potential new Sevens member at NJMP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 all will be revealed at: http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?p=71942&posted=1#post71942 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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