The Regular Summary of Classified Ads of Se7ens Found For Sale

[xcarguy]

Thanks, Bob. Glad to chime in.

[Bruce K]

Xcarguy - thanks for the prompt response. I presume that the street tires are mounted on the standard 9" wide x 17" diameter wheels - correct?

 

Thanks!

 

Street:

Front-225/45ZR-17 TOYO PROXES R1R

Rear-255/40ZR-17 TOYO PROXES R1R

Track:

Rear-11x23.5x16 (A11 Compound) 12x16 wheel

Front-10x23.5x16 (A11 Compound)10x16 wheel

[Bruce K]

That weight makes sense Shane since you did a ton (pun intended :jester:) of work to lighten the car...although it left the runway and got airborne just fine at its old heavier weight. :seeya:

 

Croc - your work on this site is amazing - thanks for all your contributions.

 

I looked at the Caterham SV with the professionally-installed Hayabusa that you listed among Sevens for sale. I once owned an OMS D Sports racer with a Yamaha R1 bike motor and sequential trans, but that was only 1000 cc's producing around 150 hp - nothing like the power claimed for this Hayabusa car (around 270 hp). The D Sporter was a momentum car - modest acceleration, forcing you to keep up speed using aero around turns. Will this Caterham be the same - all revs and no grunt? The claimed weight of the Caterham is 1,100 lbs, so lightening, or lying, must have occurred. What is your opinion concerning this car? The owner claims it is one-of-one professionally engineered-and-built Hayabusa Caterhams in the USA, which I think implies that all the rest are in Canada, as I have heard of a shop up there in the polite provinces that puts out cars like this. Hayabusas appear to be reasonably inexpensive to replace, even higher-spec turbo models with over 300 hp. And the Suzuki trans supplies sequential flat-shifting. But is the engine/trans up to hustling this 1,100 lb load around on the street? Will it roll for a dependable 30K to 50K miles before major rebuild? Would it be a fun car to drive, both track and street?

 

Based on experience, I prefer the arrow (lightweight Caterhams and Birkins) over the spear (Brunton, Draken) - but is it time for a new weapon of war?

Edited August 31, 2019 by Bruce K
error

[Croc]

That Hayabusa Caterham SV is actually a pretty special car. The late David Savile-Peck was a Caterham dealer in the Greater Vancouver area. His offering was a line of fully constructed Hayabusa Caterham SVs for which the tally was 25-30 built (depends who you talk to). David was a former Can-Am racer knew how to build a performance car. I saw one in Vancouver and it presented beautifully - very well put together. Nice use of the bike dash in the center and by all accounts went very well.

 

The Hayabusa bike engine is around 200lbs complete with transmission and all liquids. The 2L Zetec is around 220lbs dry and no transmission. The 2L Duratec is around 205-210lbs dry with no transmission. A T-9 transmission is another 30lbs plus the weight of the bellhousing on top of that. The Hayabusa in its standard state produced 195hp while the Duratec and Zetec were 175hp and 145hp respectively in their standard states. So you can see there was a significant weight reduction (and all the handling and braking benefits that come with that) plus there was more power in a 1340cc bike engine. The Hayabusa is a third larger than the old Honda blackbird 1000cc or Yamaha R1 1000cc engines that found their way into various race cars and Caterhams over the years - that gives incremental torque benefits.

 

By their nature bike engines are more stressed. A Hayabusa bike fully wet will weight around 570lbs. A fully wet Caterham with Duratec is say 1250lbs. So that is a lot more heifer to get rolling from standstill with a bike that is less torque and more power in nature on a gearbox that is not going to be as robust as a T-9 or other car gearbox.

 

The car you identified as for sale is somehow in the USA. I expect the paperwork would show it was imported as a kit roller. No idea if it was complete and registered in Canada prior to import or if it left David's workshop as a kit. Likely does not matter now but there should be paperwork to show by the owner and that come with the purchase. Its the only one I know of in the US - all others are in Canada.

 

It has been turbo'ed so now at a lot more hp - 260hp from memory? 1100lbs feels light - maybe rounded down - but not far off my expectation of 1150lbs fully wet. I followed a turbo Hayabusa Caterham in the UK at a track day....briefly....he disappeared very rapidly in the distance. It was a very quick beast. I expect the package would be quicker than my CSR.

 

It will be a highly strung package. I expect engine and gearbox refreshes like every couple of thousand track miles. Jeff on this forum has a Radical and in between him taking out front splitters at every session he told me there was a 30 hour refresh cycle on the race engine. So that gets you 1 year of track time or about 1000-2000 miles on a race spec engine. A dialled back package should get you 3-5 times that. Maybe it is really dialled back to sleepy state but 10,000 mile refresh cycle is the absolute max I could envisage - happy to be proven wrong by someone else if they know better. A turbo is just another option to stress out a bike engine over manufacturer design limits.

 

30-50,000 miles is the refresh cycle on my Cosworth engine in the CSR. Its a really unstressed package and provided you are up on its maintenance it will be reliable. For contrast, a race spec one of these puts out another 100hp over mine and is refreshed every 1-2 years (2000 to 5000 miles).

 

It likely does not have reverse or may have electric motor reverse. Bikes do not have reverse so you need to check that. It will be slower off the line than an equivalent car engine spec Caterham but that will reverse once rolling. I would be concerned about that stress on the transmission longevity. Indeed, in everything I read on Blatchat or other forums, the transmission is the first to break every time.

 

Will be it fun? Duh! Of course! Does it meet all of your driving needs for road and track? Should do. Will it be turn key? Thats the question you need to work out.

[xcarguy]

Xcarguy - thanks for the prompt response. I presume that the street tires are mounted on the standard 9" wide x 17" diameter wheels - correct?

 

Thanks!

 

9.5x17. I’m running Ultralite fenders (or what’s left of them:)). Any wider on rim width and I either start rubbing the inside of the body panel or the tire/wheel combo begins to protrude outside of the fender. With the slicks, I don’t mind the protrusion. But for the street, the 9.5 keeps the aesthetics kosher.

[Bruce K]

9.5x17. I’m running Ultralite fenders (or what’s left of them:)). Any wider on rim width and I either start rubbing the inside of the body panel or the tire/wheel combo begins to protrude outside of the fender. With the slicks, I don’t mind the protrusion. But for the street, the 9.5 keeps the aesthetics kosher.

 

Thanks for the prompt reply, Xcarguy. Your experience prevents my mistakes.

[Bruce K]

That Hayabusa Caterham SV is actually a pretty special car. The late David Savile-Peck was a Caterham dealer in the Greater Vancouver area. His offering was a line of fully constructed Hayabusa Caterham SVs for which the tally was 25-30 built (depends who you talk to). David was a former Can-Am racer knew how to build a performance car. I saw one in Vancouver and it presented beautifully - very well put together. Nice use of the bike dash in the center and by all accounts went very well.

 

The Hayabusa bike engine is around 200lbs complete with transmission and all liquids. The 2L Zetec is around 220lbs dry and no transmission. The 2L Duratec is around 205-210lbs dry with no transmission. A T-9 transmission is another 30lbs plus the weight of the bellhousing on top of that. The Hayabusa in its standard state produced 195hp while the Duratec and Zetec were 175hp and 145hp respectively in their standard states. So you can see there was a significant weight reduction (and all the handling and braking benefits that come with that) plus there was more power in a 1340cc bike engine. The Hayabusa is a third larger than the old Honda blackbird 1000cc or Yamaha R1 1000cc engines that found their way into various race cars and Caterhams over the years - that gives incremental torque benefits.

 

By their nature bike engines are more stressed. A Hayabusa bike fully wet will weight around 570lbs. A fully wet Caterham with Duratec is say 1250lbs. So that is a lot more heifer to get rolling from standstill with a bike that is less torque and more power in nature on a gearbox that is not going to be as robust as a T-9 or other car gearbox.

 

The car you identified as for sale is somehow in the USA. I expect the paperwork would show it was imported as a kit roller. No idea if it was complete and registered in Canada prior to import or if it left David's workshop as a kit. Likely does not matter now but there should be paperwork to show by the owner and that come with the purchase. Its the only one I know of in the US - all others are in Canada.

 

It has been turbo'ed so now at a lot more hp - 260hp from memory? 1100lbs feels light - maybe rounded down - but not far off my expectation of 1150lbs fully wet. I followed a turbo Hayabusa Caterham in the UK at a track day....briefly....he disappeared very rapidly in the distance. It was a very quick beast. I expect the package would be quicker than my CSR.

 

It will be a highly strung package. I expect engine and gearbox refreshes like every couple of thousand track miles. Jeff on this forum has a Radical and in between him taking out front splitters at every session he told me there was a 30 hour refresh cycle on the race engine. So that gets you 1 year of track time or about 1000-2000 miles on a race spec engine. A dialled back package should get you 3-5 times that. Maybe it is really dialled back to sleepy state but 10,000 mile refresh cycle is the absolute max I could envisage - happy to be proven wrong by someone else if they know better. A turbo is just another option to stress out a bike engine over manufacturer design limits.

 

30-50,000 miles is the refresh cycle on my Cosworth engine in the CSR. Its a really unstressed package and provided you are up on its maintenance it will be reliable. For contrast, a race spec one of these puts out another 100hp over mine and is refreshed every 1-2 years (2000 to 5000 miles).

 

It likely does not have reverse or may have electric motor reverse. Bikes do not have reverse so you need to check that. It will be slower off the line than an equivalent car engine spec Caterham but that will reverse once rolling. I would be concerned about that stress on the transmission longevity. Indeed, in everything I read on Blatchat or other forums, the transmission is the first to break every time.

 

Will be it fun? Duh! Of course! Does it meet all of your driving needs for road and track? Should do. Will it be turn key? Thats the question you need to work out.

 

Terrific insights, Croc. Though it sounds like a blast, and the size of the package (SV) is great, I want more durability and longevity. I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road $500 away by flatbed. My Caterhams have only had to be towed twice and the Porsche once - that's an estimable record for a lifetime of beautiful blatting. I want to keep it that way. Your advice prevents my mistakes - thanks!

[Bruce K]

9.5x17. I’m running Ultralite fenders (or what’s left of them:)). Any wider on rim width and I either start rubbing the inside of the body panel or the tire/wheel combo begins to protrude outside of the fender. With the slicks, I don’t mind the protrusion. But for the street, the 9.5 keeps the aesthetics kosher.

 

Xcarguy - I don't mean to be a pest, but do you know the offsets on your 11' rears and your 9.5 fronts? Or is there a supplier that I should talk to about that? Thanks!

[Anaximander]

Croc - your work on this site is amazing - thanks for all your contributions.

 

Based on experience, I prefer the arrow (lightweight Caterhams and Birkins) over the spear (Brunton, Draken) - but is it time for a new weapon of war?

 

Bruce +1000000000000 on your sentiments about Croc's contributions.

 

Having briefly owned a Caterham r300 Superlight with r400 engine specs, and now on my fourth Brunton Stalker, I fully agree with your analogy of arrows vs spears in contrasting a Caterham with a Brunton. The older Brunton Classics were more "arrow" like but the newer Brunton's are definitely more "spear" like and generally run in E Mod for SCCA Solo events. OTOH, one of Scott Minehart's brothers is thinking seriously about having Scott build him a car that is 2.0 litres and can run in the D Mod class which has lighter car weight requirements.

 

However, since I am a simple-minded spear chucker, having a 495 hp LS3/480 Stalker XL is one hell of a lot of fun! As someone opined, these LS engines pull like diesels.

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15862&stc=1

Edited August 31, 2019 by Astro Bob

[Bruce K]

Bruce +1000000000000 on your sentiments about Croc's contributions.

 

Having briefly owned a Caterham r300 Superlight with r400 engine specs, and now on my fourth Brunton Stalker, I fully agree with your analogy of arrows vs spears in contrasting a Caterham with a Brunton. The older Brunton Classics were more "arrow" like but the newer Brunton's are definitely more "spear" like and generally run in E Mod for SCCA Solo events. OTOH, one of Scott Minehart's brothers is thinking seriously about having Scott build him a car that is 2.0 litres and can run in the D Mod class which has lighter car weight requirements.

 

However, since I am a simple-minded spear chucker, having a 495 hp LS3/480 Stalker XL is one hell of a lot of fun! As someone opined, these LS engines pull like diesels.

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15862&stc=1

 

What a beautiful car! This is the way to option a Brunton Classic: Specify the XL chassis and add the M-Spec rear. Then specify trim, windshield surround and rollbar in satin black, against silver paint and anthracite rims, with just a touch of old-school chrome in the old-school headlamps. Those M-Spec curved rear fenders make the buffeting disappear, but still retain the classic Seven proportions.

 

Does Scott make an M-Spec rear that would cover 11" wide wheels?

[Bruce K]

Bruce +1000000000000 on your sentiments about Croc's contributions.

 

Having briefly owned a Caterham r300 Superlight with r400 engine specs, and now on my fourth Brunton Stalker, I fully agree with your analogy of arrows vs spears in contrasting a Caterham with a Brunton. The older Brunton Classics were more "arrow" like but the newer Brunton's are definitely more "spear" like and generally run in E Mod for SCCA Solo events. OTOH, one of Scott Minehart's brothers is thinking seriously about having Scott build him a car that is 2.0 litres and can run in the D Mod class which has lighter car weight requirements.

 

However, since I am a simple-minded spear chucker, having a 495 hp LS3/480 Stalker XL is one hell of a lot of fun! As someone opined, these LS engines pull like diesels.

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15862&stc=1

 

Astro Bob - Your car reminds me of the Donkervort GTO. The Brunton is more minimal in the interior, but the exterior impression is similar, with that long wheelbase, wide track, cycle fenders, Formula 1-style pushrod suspension, and enormous Lurch's-coffin hood! The weights are very close, with both the Brunton and Donkervort coming in at over 1,600 pounds. And I suspect our venerable LS3 will blow away that high-tech Audi 5-cylinder in the Dutch car, which tops out at about 400 hp. The Audi motor in the Donkervort is narrower, which permits enclosure of the engine compartment, but I kind of like that old American hot-rod tradition of V8 headers coiling out the side - plus, the engine runs cooler.

Edited September 1, 2019 by Bruce K
error

[Anaximander]

What a beautiful car! This is the way to option a Brunton Classic: Specify the XL chassis and add the M-Spec rear. Then specify trim, windshield surround and rollbar in satin black, against silver paint and anthracite rims, with just a touch of old-school chrome in the old-school headlamps. Those M-Spec curved rear fenders make the buffeting disappear, but still retain the classic Seven proportions.

 

Does Scott make an M-Spec rear that would cover 11" wide wheels?

 

Thanks for the kinds words on the Storker. A friend, Bob Berube built the car and this was his third Stalker that he built. He used to sell and build kit airplanes so he is quite experienced at expert fabrication. This car has 315/30/18's on the rear and are over 12" wide. You can spec these cars with slightly smaller rotors/calipers and they are then set up to have smaller wheels/tires for the track. I will include a picture of what the 315's looks like. The rears are pretty wide but sit inside the wheel wells. The fronts are 255/45/18's with 6 piston Wilwoods on the front and 4 piston Wilwoods on the back with a proportioner.

 

I removed the "STALKER" lettering on the tail of the car because of the multiple interpretations of what that word conjures up these days. I didn't want the local fathers/mothers hiding their beautiful daughters thinking there was a "Stalker" on the road.

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15863&stc=1

Edited September 1, 2019 by Astro Bob

[Croc]

This week's updates.

 

 

 

NEW

Stalker

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-Replica-Kit-Makes-Lotus-Super-Seven-Super-Stalker/283595851185?hash=item4207a145b1:g:-gIAAOSwyJVdZJBT

 

 

Replica (Is it a Stalker?)

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/super-seven/2289894.html

 

 

RM8 Project

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/raleigh-lotus-7-rm8-project-nearly/6964988150.html

 

 

 

REPEATS

 

MK Indy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Caterham-Lotus-7-MK-Indy-R-Kit-Car/153594574919?hash=item23c2f33847:g:xcIAAOSwRwddG5CQ

 

 

Lotus 7 S1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-Other-Makes-early-LOTUS-7-with-IRS-Series-1-Seven/153621713864?hash=item23c49153c8:g:f24AAOSwvEddaVAK

 

 

Caterham SCCA

https://www.wirewheel.com/2001-Caterham-race-car-for-sale.html

 

 

Caterham SV Hayabusa

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1458694360/1458694360ss.htm

 

 

Stalker

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1437589044/1437589044ss.htm

 

 

Lotus 7 S2

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/lotus/1557321710/1557321710ss.htm

 

 

Lotus 7 S1

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2099394.html

 

 

Stalker

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html

 

 

Caterham (advertized as a Lotus 7)

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1234047/1965-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-north-andover-massachusetts-01845

 

 

Caterham SV

https://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/

 

 

Caterham SV

http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/

 

 

Caterham

http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/

 

 

Birkin

http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1991-birkin-seven/

and here

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/d/seattle-1991-birkin-super-7-sprint/6961453660.html

 

 

Fejer 7

http://sodo-moto.com/listings/super-seven-2tg/

 

 

Birkin

http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1990-birkin-seven-so-cal/

 

 

Lotus 7 S2 and Lotus 7 S4 Project

http://taylormadeclassiccars.com/vehiclesforsale.html

 

 

Caterham

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/sonoma-lotus-caterham-super-7/6949706342.html

 

 

Blakely 7

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/miami-blakely-lotus-antique/6953297920.html

 

 

 

CANADA

 

MCC 7 (Motor Carriage Concept, previously known as Fejer)

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/markham-york-region/lotus-caterham-seven/1455899528?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

Caterham

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/oakville-halton-region/lotus-caterham-super-7/1454204099?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

Caterham

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/sherbrooke-qc/caterham-super-7-sylver-jubilee-1982/1410777802?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

MCC 7 project

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/the-last-mcc-7/1432118799?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

Fejer 7

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/lotus-7-replica-for-sale/1448981191?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

Wolf 7

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1992-wolf-racing-lotus-super-7/1436702029?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

 

Replica

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1449826562

Edited September 1, 2019 by Croc

[Anaximander]

Bruce K,

I hadn't looked at the Donkervoort website in some time but you are completely correct. Some of their models look strikingly similar to the XL Stalkers. I hadn't ever thought of the hood as a "Lurch-coffin" but it kind of fits the billing. It is really fun to look down that long nose at the big shiny headlights and the cycle front fenders with air slots for those inclined to test the upper limits of the car's speed performance. The nice thing about the semi-open engine compartment is that this Stalker runs amazingly cool in our hot/humid Florida weather and the inside tunnel next to my legs remain moderately warm but not smokin' hot. In fact, at times, it runs a bit on the cool side for an LS engine which reportedly likes to run in the 210-215 f range.

 

The brakes on this car even though they do not have an anti-lock feature on them stop me on a dime and can give me about 7 cents change. Very confidence inspiring. The electric power assist incorporated into the design does not make it as "arrow-like" as the Caterham but does reduce the steering wheel forces when I run the car through a slalom on a autox course. Very little body roll as the suspension is extremely well thought out and very effective in keeping things in shape.

 

One of the very fun things about these Storkers is that if you step the rear end out a bit more than desired, a slight lift on the throttle and the car stabilizes rapidly and tracks very true. Makes average drivers like myself look better than I actually am which is a bonus.

Edited September 1, 2019 by Astro Bob

[xcarguy]

Replica (Is it a Stalker?)

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...n/2289894.html

 

No photo, but I’d say no. The 383 is most likely a SBC iron block. Probably someone’s own version.

[chynatoto]

383 is a stroker motor--350 block--modded 400 crank

[Croc]

Precisely. A 350 stroker will not fit in a Caterham, Birkin, Westfield, Ultralite, or Locost (e.g. Champion) chassis. Either it is some bastardized chassis love child of a hippo or its a Storker?

[xcarguy]

Precisely. A 350 stroker will not fit in a Caterham, Birkin, Westfield, Ultralite, or Locost (e.g. Champion) chassis. Either it is some bastardized chassis love child of a hippo or its a Storker?

 

If it we’re in a Storker, it would have to be called a Storoker. :jester:

[Bruce K]

This week's updates.

 

NEW

Replica (Is it a Stalker?)

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/super-seven/2289894.html

 

 

I called the owner - nice guy, not too car-savvy, feels he's too old for the car now at 83 years old. According to him, the car is a completely buck-built one-off, and not a copy of anything except that it has a general Super Seven appearance. No photos yet. The owner confided that he did not know exactly why he bought it, and I, for one, cannot hazard a guess. It seems to be exactly the wrong kind of investment in every way: No builder's reputation, no race history, not a tribute to anything (except hubris), exactly ZERO spare parts, unknown engineering and setup. It reminds me of a project car recently featured in the WSJ. The builder had no experience, and no defined objective, and combined the chassis of a powerful Jag XK140 with a buck-built, Alfa-inspired aluminum body. If you look at the images in the article (link below), the Alfaguar's steering wheel is mounted on a non-collapsible column, in NASCAR-proximity to the driver's chest, on a flat plane pointed directly at his heart. That, plus no crush zones, lap belts only, no professional chassis setup, antiquated brakes, skinny tires, high center of gravity, no roll hoops AND big power = death on wheels. I think this replica displays some of the same possibilities. Regarding the WSJ car, I applaud the builder's energy and inventiveness, and the beauty of his finished product. However, the owner should drain the fluids and mount it sideways on a wall. It is auto art, not a performance vehicle. An old Alfa P2 Grand Prix race car from 100 years ago was safer. Here's the article:

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-not-an-alfa-romeo-or-a-jaguarits-a-tribute-to-both-11566914306?shareToken=stecfa0eea90af4452a91525ff653599aa&reflink=article_email_share

Edited September 2, 2019 by Bruce K

[panamericano]

"That, plus no crush zones, lap belts only, no professional chassis setup, antiquated brakes, skinny tires, high center of gravity, no roll hoops AND big power = death on wheels. "

 

Well, to each his own. That's a bit like what I hear about the Birkin from non-enthusiasts. That thing is beautiful.