JohnCh Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Westfield has sold many thousands of cars over the past 30+ years, and even have (had?) one-marque racings series in two countries, yet very few have made there way here. I think part is down to the distribution model in the early-mid '90's when they had a good opportunity to help shape the market in the US. The distributor wanted to sell turn key cars, and his quality was...well, let's just say it wasn't up to my standards. Manik has done a great job since taking over several years ago, but sales of any new se7ens in this country have been pretty limited since the recession hit. Also, for some reason, very few of the new buyers seem interested in forum participation. As for the Purple People Eater, it sounds like the car is destined to end up in Minnesota -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotus 7 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I've seen a few Westfields in Canada. In fact there was a lovely black one for sale outside of Calgary a few years ago. On another note, I LOVE the look of what I can only imagine is a padded rollbar (and the wheels) on the '73 Caterham. Somewhere on line there's a fabulous black and white picture of an early Caterham with surfboard on top with same rollbar. It looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranky Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 On Fleabay is a repeat appearance of this R500 at Lamborghini Palm Beach. Only a 1000 miles, some price negotiation and this makes more sense than a new Caterham as it has only 1000 miles, has more hp than a new 480, lots of good options and is cheaper. And if you are on the East Coast then it is cheaper to ship than the West Coast and you probably get better customer service since it is a Lamborghini dealership in ritzy Palm Beach. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Lotus-Caterham-R500-Superlight-/151338569591?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 I'm new to this 7 stuff. This looks like a nice car. What would a reasonable price range be for this car? What questions would you ask the seller? From what I've read, it seems like a great track car, but how would it do on the streets driven in a non-insane way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Original? The ID plate has CATERHAM on it. Hmmm Interesting observation. While Graham Nearn bought Seven Cars Limited from Lotus in 1973 they initially produced the S4 before reverting to the more popular S3 in 1974 if I recall correctly. I am thinking this car is pre-acquisition because Seven Cars Limited had not yet been renamed to be Caterham Cars Limited which I thought happened late 1973. I cannot find my Dennis Ortenburger book handy to check - anyone know or have the reference book to hand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 I'm new to this 7 stuff. This looks like a nice car. What would a reasonable price range be for this car? What questions would you ask the seller? From what I've read, it seems like a great track car, but how would it do on the streets driven in a non-insane way? Well....I would get a full list of the options it has and then see what a comparable new one would cost with that option pack. The option list on the Ebay ad looks light. Helps you decide the value of it. My views on value are based on other cars I have seen and know are out there with owners thinking of selling. I think it is way overpriced at the current Buy It Now price of $68k. I would be thinking mid $50k area plus/minus without having the complete spec to evaluate. Others will have different views and they are not wrong - it is a very individual thing. An R500 is wonderfully bonkers and an incredible track weapon. It can be a little active for road use depending on your individual style - some like it and some do not. You will have to try for yourself. I find my CSR a little frustrating on some roads as it is too overpowered to have a very gentle cruise. This car does have a 6 speed H pattern box so that helps. But will you fit comfortably in carbon Tillet seats? Leather/cloth S-type seats are nicer for road use. A road test under varying road conditions will tell you the answer to this. Questions to start with: 1) Who assembled it? Dealer or owner? 2) If dealer then starting asking/researching their reputation for building, setting up and fettling a new Caterham 3) If an owner then start inquiring about the individual's mechanical aptitude or lack there of. 4) What has been the past pattern of use 5) Any problems with the car - hits or mechanical issues 6) Why being sold? 7) Ask to see title and see what it is titled/registered as in FL. Florida can register anything as street vehicles but that does not translate to other states. Then find out if you can register it in your state. Do you need engine and transmission receipts/factory verification letters, etc. Was it dealer assembled? Can be an issue in CA. Do you need an MSO (if it has never been registered)? Do your home work on this first? Each state has its own quirks - research is essential. 8) Usual car inspection stuff. Take the nose cone off - it only takes 2-3 mins (or 5 mins of you have never done it before). 9) check condition of fuel and brake hoses for breathing/weeping. There was a bad batch of these in the 2010-2012 Caterham cars. Its an easy fix but the seller should fix it or price adjust. 10) usual test drive stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotus 7 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I believe that 1973 is several years too late for a Lotus series 3. The register says they were produced by Lotus until January 1970. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimm Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 An original 1973 Lotus Seven in RHD. All original features and options. It still has the original wheels. There is even a twink under the bonnet (I think). Lovely looking car that is still a driver. $27k http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4542053661.html Original? The ID plate has CATERHAM on it. Hmmm I believe that 1973 is several years too late for a Lotus series 3. The register says they were produced by Lotus until January 1970. I have been considering buying a 7 for many years and looking off and on. This car made me think about it again since it is pictured in my city. Anyway, I never consider a sellers statement that a car is a Lotus 7 or a Cobra 427 or a MG TD as meaning that they were built by the original factory. Replicas, or recreations or continuations are so ubiquitous that folks no longer consider it wrong to refer to their car as to what it looks like. In this case, the distinction is even less clear since it is essentially a Lotus 7 built by Seven Cars Ltd. He did clearly picture the data plate so that it is obvious that it has a "Caterham" VIN number so, I doubt any deception is intended. As far as the Caterham England on the data plate, that is the location of manufacture, not the name of the manufacturer, so, he would also be "wrong" to call it a "Caterham", since that is not the name of the manufacturer either. What did the manufacturer call this car in their sales brochures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 What did the manufacturer call this car in their sales brochures? Lotus Super 7 Bill S. PS: Caterham, England was the physical location of the business at that time. To read into anything more than that is a fallacy :svengo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimm Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 What did the manufacturer call this car in their sales brochures? Lotus Super 7 Bill S. Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 Latest update in new ads out sighted there for those with cash to buyers or flippers to flip... Many of the previous weeks ads on Fleabay and Craigslist are still out there. I am always wary of anything for sale in Stratford CT but this does not look to be associated with the establishment I have concerns about. 201 Caterham crossflow asking $27500 buy it now. Been around at that price for quite a few months. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-classic-2001-Lotus-Caterham-Super-7-/141340208095?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20e8886bdf&item=141340208095&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Its red and ali Caterham season - a 1988 Caterham cross flow asking a dealer premium of $31995 buy it now. It is a case of holy perspex side screens Batman- they are the biggest I have ever seen on a seven. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-1988-caterham-Lotus-Caterham-/271538544914?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f38f56112&item=271538544914&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Lotus Seven clone. Some would call this a locost but it seems to be based off a different chassis plan to the usual Locost varieties. Unusual but once color combo of teal and ali. Looks well done. Starting bid on fleabay of $16500: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-base-2-door-1968-lotus-7-replica-clone-/121381561182?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c42e7a35e&item=121381561182&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Lotus 7 race car clone. This is a strange one. Looks like a street rod now but has old photos in the ad showing it racing with other sevens plus a group photo of it on a banked oval with other sevens (Caterham, Birkin and Stalkers). It is yellow for those people on here with that fetish. Asking $3500. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4557358207.html A $5k Locost rolling shell project in Florida. Complete except for an engine. Probably pretty wet since left outside in the rain. It originally ran a 4L straight 6 engine which is unusual. T5 gearbox still in the car. http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4542451512.html Found some 2 sets of Caterham wheels (Panasports and replicas) for sale in Seattle. The tires on them are junked. http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/pts/4560312426.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Latest update in new ads out sighted there for those with cash to buyers or flippers to flip... Many of the previous weeks ads on Fleabay and Craigslist are still out there. Its red and ali Caterham season - a 1988 Caterham cross flow asking a dealer premium of $31995 buy it now. It is a case of holy perspex side screens Batman- they are the biggest I have ever seen on a seven. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-1988-caterham-Lotus-Caterham-/271538544914?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f38f56112&item=271538544914&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Lotus 7 race car clone. This is a strange one. Looks like a street rod now but has old photos in the ad showing it racing with other sevens plus a group photo of it on a banked oval with other sevens (Caterham, Birkin and Stalkers). It is yellow for those people on here with that fetish. Asking $3500. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4557358207.html Name the Cat Dumbo, take it to Disney and make your money back the first day giving rides . . . those really are some big wings. I've seen on-track vids of the street rod 7, but can't find them now. Maybe someone with a better BoobTube search skill set than mine can find them and throw up a link . . . . just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 Ok time for your morning cawffee installment of cars for sale. Leading the pack is this gorgeous Lovely-Bayne Motors Zoomer. This is what the Lotus 7 S4 should look like. I have seen one of these for sale before and it was a basket case but to see this one in this condition is astounding. Located for sale on a famous porn site (for me anyway!): http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1537-Lovely-Bayne%20%20%20%20Motors%20-Zoomer-221%20c.i.V8%20 Where is Klasik? In Cape Coral FL is this really nice looking Stalker in a graphite gray. $26500 http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/4555334154.html Struggled to find a Birkin for sale but then I found one in NJ. The wife (strife?) will love to ride around with this little beauty: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/clo/4564779679.html Advertised on the west coast for a long time is a 1967 Lotus 7 at $25000 that says it was built in 1997-98 by Lotus Racing West. So that makes it a nice Caterham I guess? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4573034545.html A 1960s Lotus Seven clone frame that at least looks like it is rolling: http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4554333624.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 The zoomer sure is good looking. Imagine it with a real interior. But I love the lines on that car. Someone knew just how to enhance the lines of a 7. Of course the price is the 'collector price'... It'd be neat if people building locosts would experiment a little like that more often. Very nice stalker. Whats with the stalkers? They come up for sale a lot in proportion to their production numbers. I wonder if it is because the people that buy them tend to be more of the American hot-rod crowd and there are so many other awesome cars that appeal to them that its less likely a stalker sticks with the same owner for its whole life... Anyhow, the only cars I'd be interested in these days would be the latest Birkin or a Stalker or one of those little Xanthos things. Like I say I love Birkins, but that one is hideous Isn't it funny how the 'woman's purse' industry has bullsh*tted itself into that price range? Beany Babies but made with baby seal nose leather. Bleh. I think that the frame is rather too expensive. I know perhaps its worth that much if one added up the time and materials to build it, but we car guys know that you can never recover what you put in to a hot rod project. Unless you're building a Birkin (hand bag) and can make 19,900% profits on a day's work LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Ok time for your morning cawffee installment of cars for sale. Leading the pack is this gorgeous Lovely-Bayne Motors Zoomer. This is what the Lotus 7 S4 should look like. Where is Klasik? In Cape Coral FL is this really nice looking Stalker in a graphite gray. $26500 I'm not an S4 fan, but THAT car looks great. My Storker took one look at the hood scoop and started to pant; it was love at first sight. :drool: Then I showed it was was under the hood; it dropped a valve and dribbled a puddle of oil on the floor. :jester: I'm really suprised the Storker hasn't sold. Hey, Klasik! You read'n any of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 The 1965 Lovely-Bayne Motors Zoomer is a very interesting car. It looks like it would make a good show car. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Delaware Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 "Some Assembly Required" http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-std-1962-lotus-7-some-assembly-required-/231288374032 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Lots of $$$ required, after purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy7 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 # 9 under running gear is listed as" spare pig complete". What is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rx7locost Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 "Some Assembly Required" http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-...-/231288374032 Lots of $$$ required, after purchase. For an experienced Locost builder, this would be a good project. Building the frame to original specs would be relatively easy. The rest is cleanup and assembly. That is unless you wanted a race-ready engine. That would take $$. I'd be tempted if I had the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 A bunch of cars found out there this week. A nice looking red and ali crossflow in TX I count this as the third time I have seen it on flabby so I guess the price ask is too high for the market asking $29995 BIN http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-1988-model-Lotus-Caterham-/271563356364?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f3a6ff8cc&item=271563356364&pt=US_Cars_Trucks An interesting metallic green Storker in OK asking $24k BIN http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-brunton-super-stalker-RACE-Birkin-Caterham-lotus-7-autocross-supercar-super-seven-/151363913843?forcerrptr=true&hash=item233dfe0873&item=151363913843&pt=US_Cars_Trucks A really nice looking Duratec Birkin at $39992k BIN - starting bid $35k which seems high for the spec? Located at Lotus Greenville in SC. No it is not the Birkin handbag this time - it is the real thing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replica-Kit-Makes-Lotus-Seven-Birkin-S3-IRS-2013-lotus-seven-birkin-s-3-2-0-duratec-irs-/151370327097?forcerrptr=true&hash=item233e5fe439&item=151370327097&pt=US_Cars_Trucks Same old 1997 Caterham black and ali crossflow in SF asking $25k. Been around asking that price for a while now: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4592027587.html 2003 Caterham Superlight R - 210hp zetec asking $48500 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4585851975.html And this is a first for me to see - a 1989 Caterham 7 cross flow in Honolulu Hawaiiiiii asking $30k which while high wins on the rarity factor around the islands. http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/4582246527.html Back again is a 2011 Stalker in Fort Myers FL for $26500 http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/cto/4555334154.html Here is a Locost seven project that in the words of the seller is "damn near finished" I guess I am looking at the wrong photo...but keen pricing will win the day for him $750 http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/4583671070.html 1960s early seven clone project car at $4450 http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4554333624.html What looks to be a Locost seven project asking $1500 in TX. Fortunately the seller includes the books to complete it... http://corpuschristi.craigslist.org/cto/4542792830.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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