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Looking for a seven


sevenseeker

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Thanks guys. The above and some additional research has eased my mind a little about the live axle issue. Have any of you imported fro the US? Did you have trouble registering etc. I'm in Ontario and spoke with the RIV, Customs and MTO and all mentioned that providing the car was over 15yrs that importing was possible. Not sure if that's everyone's understanding so I thought I'd ask for your thoughts to see if any of you successfuly managed this in the past.

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Thanks guys. The above and some additional research has eased my mind a little about the live axle issue. Have any of you imported fro the US? Did you have trouble registering etc. I'm in Ontario and spoke with the RIV, Customs and MTO and all mentioned that providing the car was over 15yrs that importing was possible. Not sure if that's everyone's understanding so I thought I'd ask for your thoughts to see if any of you successfuly managed this in the past.

If you are in TO June 30 come to the monthly meeting. There's a good chance one of our new members will be present. He bought a Seven in the states and kept it there for 2 years until it became 15 years old then imported it.

http://lotusclubcanada.ca/Public/Meetings.html

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We bought a basketcase mid 70s Caterham from Craig Chima in Ohio 2 yrs ago. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way too often and it is still in the same shape as when we brought it home.

We had no issues importing it into Ontario, showed the bill of sale, paid the gst and out the dopr we went. They never even opened the trailer door.

My preliminary leg work suggests the Ontario registration should go as easily due to it being over 15 yrs old.

The car is a very early short cockpit version, rhd, live axle. I have spent quite a few miles behind the wheel of a similarly equipped original '62 S2 version. My initial reservations about rhd quickly disappeared within 100 miles, the smiles and pointing from onlookers, and my own euphoria quickly set my mind at ease.

Hopefully my schedule will ease enough soon to get at it!

At least she-who-must-be-obeyed is as anxious to get it on the road so she is not what holds me back.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for asking Canadian 7,

 

The search is coming along I suppose albeit not as fast as i would prefer as the inventory is so thin in Canada. I would still like to entertain the importing possibility but I keep hearing conflicting opinions on whether this is even possible. I spoke with RIV, Customs and the MTO and all say providing the car is over 15yrs old including proof of build, that I should be able to bring it. Also, that I woudln't have a problem getting it registered and Ontario compliant etc. However, reaearch on different forums etc. seem to say otherwise. Apparently it's like flipping a coin so it doesn't give me a lot of confidence as I fear buying a car that I could never drive legally on the road for one reason or another. There is a really nice Hyabusa powered 7 that I do have my eye on and the chasis is among the nicest 7s I've seen but I'm still on the fence about a BEC vs a CEC for the reasons of being harder to maintain (as I'm not a wrencher) etc. and overall streetability as the car I will buy will be 90% for the street. Would love to hear opnions and as always would appreciate a heads up should anyone have any info on the importing issues or learns of any 7's for sale.

 

 

Cheers Guys,

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BEC consideration: does it have reverse? Many don't.

 

I sold my '98 Xflow here to a resident of Ontario. As I recall we had to find proof of mfg date and with the serial #, got Caterham to confirm mfg date in writing. Altho built and registered as a '98. it was mfd as a '97 and I think that earlier date, was used to satisfy the 15 year rule.I know it was successfully registered in Ontario where it is licensed and driven.

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Thanks again guys,

 

Not sure if the BEC has reverse actually.... Thanks for the info on the importing as well. It seems that I may go this route if I get up enough courage :) In the meantime, there are a couple locally that I'm mulling over etc. but slims pickins it is I'm afraid. My wish list is: Zetec/Duratec, IRS or Dedion and cycle fenders. Preferably a CAT but open to other options as well. It's all I think about these days.... Jeez, I got it real bad :)

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Thanks guys. I've actually just down a deposit on a 94 hpc. Hoping to bring it home soon but I'm currently buried in a home reno that will likely be finished in two weeks and on the market at which point I'll be able to work out the details and tasks to get the car home. I believe the link to the one I bought was sent to me by you guys so for that I'm grateful. Good bunch of chaps in this forum I can see and I'm looking forward to being active in the community.

 

Cheers guys,

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I've got the same motor in my Westfield - nice mill!

 

Good to know as I'm brand new to the car, the motor etc. so I'm sure I'll have tonnes of questions etc. moving forward. I did note that the car wasn't as quick as I would have expected during accel but it seemd to build up nicely after 5k rpm.

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  • 1 month later...

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