So, tell us a little about yourselves

[slngsht]

I'll start...



Mechanical Engineer by training, but have spent most of my career in programming and developer management. Most of my experience is SQL and .NET. I've had a couple of small businesses - one of which specialized in conversion of cars to Natural Gas and Propane (did about 1000 cars).



I have two boys (7 and 4), who run me to the ground everyday, and a patient wife http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif.



I live near Washington, DC.

[stevet]

I'll bite.



Trained as an artist, spent 22 years in advertising (a trade once
famously descibed as 'a pimple on the arsehole of comerce'), gave it
all up, moved to Virginia and now a working artist. I'm a brit; built
my first Catreham in 1996 - 1700 Supersprint - my second is the second
from the right in the photo banner above. Married with one daughter and
living in Charlottesville, Va.



As I am fond of saying, "happiness is not around the corner, happiness <u>is</u> the corner"

[mr2dux]

<DIV>Sure, why not....</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>In a former life, I was in "professional recreation" in Eugene Oregon, running the bicycle recreation program for City of Eugene.&nbsp; Tough job but somebody had to do it!&nbsp; http://www.usa7s.com/forum/smileys/wink5.gif&nbsp; That introduced me to therapists who introduced me to my current field (for the last 30 years or so).&nbsp; I am a clinical Prosthetist Orthotist (artificial limbs and braces), and still love it every day.&nbsp; I've got people falling all over themselves to see me, even though some of 'em don't have a leg to stand on!</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I got into the 7 bug while watching every episode of "The Prisoner"..several times.. as a kid.&nbsp; I also had a (missed!http://www.usa7s.com/forum/smileys/cuss.gif) opportunity to buy what I think was a series 2 in pieces for $1500 in 1971, with a Lotus twincam...also in pieces, in my last year of High School near Denver.&nbsp; But that yearning never went away, and I never stopped wanting to build and own one.&nbsp; It became obvious that its better to own one while I still had the relative youth to drive the stink out of it.&nbsp; I now have an '05 SV, working on building up my second engine, have a serious case of 'permagrin', and accept that its one of the single best decisions I've ever made! </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Mark</DIV><edited><editID>mr2dux</editID><editDate>2006-08-17 19:18:29</editDate></edited>

[pksurveyor]

I have been an admirer of the Seven since my college days.&nbsp; I saw&nbsp;my first&nbsp;real Seven stuck in traffic in front of the hotel I was staying in Hong Kong.&nbsp; The car was invisible among the double decker buses&nbsp;and the driver was melting in the summer heat.&nbsp; I told myself that this looks like fun and I got to get me one.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately we have a Caterham dealer in Texas, so now I have a Caterham SV to&nbsp;keep&nbsp;my Lotus Esprit V8 company.
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I owns a civil engineering/land surveying consulting firm for more than 20 years.&nbsp; My daily driver is a Hummer H2.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>

[Al Navarro]

Al N. here. I still toil in the "pimple" which Steve T mentions...he and I have laughed in person about it before. After years of working for others, I co-founded a small ad agency in NJ.



I live in Hunterdon County on a very rural property (enough field space to host dozens of Sevens should we ever want to have a Northeast meet!) with my wife and two young daughters (6 and 8), a cat, and a resident herd of deer. My wife is a photographer: www.laurabillingham.com.



My Seven story is recounted on my blog at gardenstatesevens.org.

[slngsht]

I saw my first real <strong>Seven stuck in traffic</strong> in front of the hotel I was staying in Hong Kong. The car was <strong>invisible among the double decker buses and the driver was melting in the summer heat. I told myself that this looks like fun</strong> and I got to get me one. Fortunately we have a Caterham dealer in Texas, so now I have a Caterham SV to keep my Lotus Esprit V8 company.

<div> </div>

<div>I owns a civil engineering/land surveying consulting firm for more than 20 years. My daily driver is a Hummer H2.</div>

<div> </div>



How true http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

[chetcpo]

Hello,
My name is Chet Burdette and I am a Prosthetist by trade. (I design and fit artificial limbs)&nbsp; I'm currently building a Lotus 7 replica from scratch (no kit) with a Miata donor.&nbsp; I'm still a long way from finishing but I've spent the past year planning the build. I found this site when Slngsht posted an invite to your get together next summer over on the locostusa.com forums.&nbsp; This place is really nice, whoever put it together did a nice job.[img]http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

[slngsht]

Chet, I guess you and Mark (mr2dux) are in the same field...

[dimlight65]

<P>I am a forty year old slacker.&nbsp; My job is as "the A/V kid" at the corporate office for the BNSF Railway Company.&nbsp; I'm single with no plans of becoming otherwise.&nbsp; A buddy of mine saw a Seven on the road and called to say I really needed one.&nbsp; I has lusted after a Seven for some time and decided to build a Locost.&nbsp; Well, that plan got sidetracked by an assembled Cobra kit that I bought instead.&nbsp; At the 2004 Southwest Sevens Festival, Bernie Long said to me, "When you are ready to go FAST, get rid of that and buy a Seven."&nbsp; I sold the Cobra the next day and a few months later bought a BIY Birkin kit (a frame and some boxes of parts).&nbsp; With Datsuns being my first love, I built my seven around the engine and transmission from a B-210.&nbsp; I "finished" the car eleven and a half months after bringing it to the shop.&nbsp; Dual SU carburetors replaced the single DCOE over the winter and I have now clocked almost 4,000 miles.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to the LOG in October (?) here in the Metroplex as well as the Tail O' The Dragon event next July.&nbsp; See y'all there!</P>

[solder_guy]

Hi:



I'm an emergency medicine physician.



I had never seen a Lotus 7 until I finally checked out "The Prisoner" TV show in 2004. Google answered my question, "What is that car?" eBay introduced me to the Rotus 7 one of which was auctioned off in Oct'04. I love Toyotas so the Rotus was going to be the car for me.



But I had to do some research and had to convince my wife about this purchase. So I bought a book titled, _Lotus 7 and the Independents_ and photocopied the Rotus 7 section. I left those copied pages on my wife's dresser. Then on the bed and other places where she would see it.



Then the Chris Custer estate offered the two Rotus cars for sale. Well she finally said, "Why don't you go ahead and buy that car." She had no idea that I had already sent a check to the executor, Tim Custer. Now here I wait patiently and hope that the Rotus #14 car will be in my driveway soon.



Rob Mitchell

[powderbrake]

I am a Mechanical Engineer by training, and was a business owner and&nbsp;president of a manufacturing company for many years. The company manufactured magnetic particle clutches and brakes, and tension control systems. I have designed and patented powderbrakes and strain gage load cells, hence my "powderbrake" moniker. ( see >www.magpowr.com (http://www.magpowr.com)) I am&nbsp;retired now, and when I decided to build a car, I knew I wanted a Seven, so I checked out the available kits, and decided on an Ultralite for it's roominess and it's Honda engine. It has been very reliable.
<DIV>I was fortunate to have my car featured on Kit Car Mag's cover last year. See >http://www.kitcarmag.com/featuredvehicles/0509kc_ultralite_s2k_kit_car/ (http://www.kitcarmag.com/featuredvehicles/0509kc_ultralite_s2k_kit_car/)</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I mostly use the car a a semi-daily driver in good weather, and my wife and I take cruises by ourselves and with the local Lotus club. We have a lot of good twisty roads in Missouri, and we recently did 600 miles of twisties over 3 days with three other sevens guys.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I have had it on the track at Run &amp; Gun twice, and once at Motorsports Ranch for the 2005 Southwest Sevens Festival. and I am looking forward to Run&amp;Gun 2006 this October.</DIV>

[No_6]

Hi everyone,

This feels a little like a 12-step program, but here goes. My name's Terry, and I too work that pimple here in Seattle. Hey, it pays the bills, sort-of.&nbsp; I first noticed the 7 when watching the Prisoner during the PBS fundraisers 13 years ago. I immediately thought it was a squat, ugly little thing. Funny thing is the longer I looked at the thing, the more it grew on me. I finally test drove one two years ago, and it was all over. I passed on that one (a 99 Birkin with low mileage that I could have had for 16,500! grrrr). And I am now this (picture thumb and forefinger 1/4 inch apart) from getting a 97 Caterham 1600 classic. The check is quite literally in the mail. We'll see. I don't want to jinx it. If I get the car, it will be my daily driver.

[stevet]

Welcome aboard No 6 - are you at Wieden &amp; Kennedy by any chance? I was an Ogilvy man.



Hope the car comes through, you will not regret it.



Steve T



PS: Middlesbrough just beat Chelsea in the EPL - just had to tell SOMEONE!

[No_6]

Welcome aboard No 6 - are you at Wieden &amp; Kennedy by any chance? I was an Ogilvy man.



Hope the car comes through, you will not regret it.



Steve T



PS: Middlesbrough just beat Chelsea in the EPL - just had to tell SOMEONE!




A variety of places. Evans Group/Publicis for a very short while. Lately I've been a gun-for-hire and have helped out at Y&amp;R and AvenueA. Being hourly has improved my blood pressure and general outlook on life.

[solder_guy]

Ok .. that's three of us who discovered the 7 through "The Prisoner" TV show! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/iagree.gif



Rob Mitchell

[soareyes]

Make that four!

I was in my early teens when I watched the Prisoner series, and of course fell in love with the car. Through the years I would see the occassional review in one of the car magazines and my interest would be renewed. Finally, a couple years ago, Autoweek Magazine on SpeedVision had a burgundy Caterham SV on the show when it was being introduced in the US. I decided it was now or never on getting a Seven (I was nearing 50 years old!) so I seriously started looking for a car to buy. Strangely, I had never seen a Seven in person up till then! I contacted Magnus Feuer, who runs the California Caterham Club web site here in S. California, and asked for a ride in his new SV. He graciously agreed, and proceeded to scare the crap out of me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif but of course I enjoyed every second of the drive and soon had my own Seven, a Birkin http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif

Stan

(I'm an optometrist in private practice in S. Calif.)<edited><editID>soareyes</editID><editDate>2006-08-24 14:53:14</editDate></edited>

[solder_guy]

He graciously agreed, and proceeded to scare the crap out of me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif but of course I enjoyed every second of the drive and soon had my own Seven, a Birkin http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif



Hehe! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif That's kinda what I am wishing Mazda will do to me if I ever get in his Franken7! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif



Actually I got a KAR120C tag off eBay/UK last year and mounted it on the front of my Celica!



I also joined "The Prisoner" Fan Club for one year. Their fanzine is well done .. but too much over the top in detailed analysis of the show for me to continue. I really haven't gotten into reading the issues.



Rob Mitchell

<edited><editID>solder_guy</editID><editDate>2006-08-24 15:00:08</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

FWIW, I think just about any spirited drive in a Seven as a passenger is terrifying, even if you are in the hands of an expert driver....maybe especially so?

[No_6]

FWIW, I think just about any spirited drive in a Seven as a passenger is terrifying, even if you are in the hands of an expert driver....maybe especially so?

I think its the fact that the car is so small and low to the ground the sensation of speed is greatly enhanced. Sitting on the rear axle is also an experience 99.9% of the people out there are probably not used to; To be honest, I have not been in a 7 with someone steering with the throttle, but I imagine the experience is a real lower-intestinal track clincher.
<edited><editID>No_6</editID><editDate>2006-08-25 09:03:01</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

On my test drive (the one time I haven't been at the wheel), I told the guy from Mid-Atlantic that "he didn't have to try and kill me" after the first burst of acceleration into a bend.



I've never driven bonkers with a passenger, btw. I can tell the car balance is different than with just me and don't want to "play" on public roads with that level of uncertainty.

[stevet]

I always do two thing with new passengers; show them how to open the
belts (most have never used race belts), and tell them to put their
hand on the bashboard if they are uncomfortable with my driving. Only
one has bottled it so far. Must not be driving quick enough!

[mr2dux]

Wow!&nbsp; What is the probability of that??!!&nbsp; Chet, where are you in the US?
<DIV>MB</DIV>

[locostv8]

I guess now that I've posted a bit I should probably introduce myself.





I'm Jim Hankins and live in the huge metropolus of Glen Lyn, VA.&nbsp; We
have 2 convenience stores and somewhere around 20 buisnesses, one of
which is me and&nbsp; I've retired.&nbsp; In a former life I did Computer
consulting primaraly in Manufacturing and Military Logistics.&nbsp; Retired
I now spend most of my time in school, I bought and live in the town
school.&nbsp; I could probably host a meet but with only 6 acres around the
house would probably have to limit to not much nore than 150.&nbsp; I do
have some acerage behind me,&nbsp; 180, but an ORV would probably be more
comfortable there.&nbsp; I tell people that I retired to build Hot Rods.&nbsp; My
feeling about HP is that too much is nearly enough.





I started going to the races when I was 12 (early 60s) with Jim Chaffee
who was the west coast SCCA tech director and his wife was the club
secty.&nbsp; He raced a Devin/AH/Chevy special named the Pink Elephant, it
was the car that Pat Boon wrecked in the movie State Fair.&nbsp; At that
time most sports racers were homebuilt.&nbsp; Some of my DDs have been BMW
Isetta, Bugeye, EMPI Sportster, D Gass 55 Chev, Split window Stingray,
Alfa Gulietta Veloche (really messed with) that I was stopped once for
noisy carbs, 66 Charger done at Ak Millers with twins and propane
(drove this durring the first gas chrisis), Mid engined Corsa, 93 Cobra
which I can't get to 60 in my driveway, etc.





I am in the process of building 2 LC7s.&nbsp; Put-Put is basically a rebody
of a 78 V8 Mustang 2.&nbsp; Shagnasty is 392(roller 351) drysumped and EFI,
T5, IFS (MN12), IRS (2000 Cobra R/MN12), 03 Cobra brakes including
Hydroboost and ABS, 17x9s front with 255 40 17 and 17x10.5 rear with
315 35 17, target weight between 1400 to 1600lb, target HP above 500
(this one should top or at least get near 60 in the driveway).



http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/12136-4/overland1.jpg" height="480" width="640

DD



http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/12125-2/DSC02230.jpg" height="480" width="640

Retired DD



http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/33676-2/Re-exposure+of+DSC00025.JPG" height="480" width="640

Jeep/Crawler/Truck Thingy



Album >http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/v/7slotgrille/hssss/ (http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/v/7slotgrille/hssss/)










<edited><editID>locostv8</editID><editDate>2006-08-25 17:43:44</editDate></edited>

[xflow7]

I'm a Mechanical Engineer by background (although I'm playing an EE on the TV show known as<i> Work</i> right now.) [img]http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

I was 13 or so when I first became aware of Sevens.&nbsp; Car and Driver had a feature on kit cars with a Caterham SuperSprint along with an AC Mk IV (V?) a Beck 550 Spyder and I think something else.&nbsp; The Caterham was my instant fave.&nbsp; The fact that it was so cool-looking, so quick, so blessedly simple and the cheapest of the lot to boot was too much for me.&nbsp; I was in love.

Anytime any magazine had an article about a Caterham I'd read it almost daily for a month.&nbsp; At some point in college or shortly thereafter I was home visiting the folks and caught the briefest glimpse of a Caterham or Lotus 7 zipping away from a traffic light.&nbsp; My first spotted!

Right after college and starting work I got in touch with the then-distributor down in Georgia (can't remember the name now) and got them to send me all the information they could.&nbsp; I was going to have one, dammit!&nbsp; Of course I couldn't afford it at the time.&nbsp; I asked a couple of banks about financing one.&nbsp; You can guess the responses.

So I waited 5 or 6 more years and in the meantime moved to Canada for a couple of years for work.&nbsp; I was single, no kids, getting a 5% premium for international assignment and benefitting from a friendly exchange rate and a generous tax adjustment from my employer.&nbsp; Though not a goal at the beginning, towards the end of my 2 years there in 2001 I realized I had put away enough cash to buy a Caterham (a cheap one at least).

I got my first ride (and soiled trousers) when I flew to Nebraska to look at one (funny the things you'll do for these cars), nearly bought a SuperSprint Classic that Dave LeBrun had built, though he sold it before I made a decision, and finally made arrangements to buy a Live Axle kit from Autocourse and a 1700 XFlow from Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering.

Kit was delivered October 22, which was both my mother and g/f at the time's birthday.&nbsp; G/f was understanding about having her b-day dinner a day early so I could focus on figuring out how to transport the boxes through my apartment complex when they arrived the next day among a bunch of cars on a full-size transporter.&nbsp; (Her remark upon seeing the kit partially unpacked in my garage was "You paid money for this?!"&nbsp; Didn't disclose how much [img]http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">)

I built the car over the winter and had my dream car at age 27, 14 years after the beginning of the affair.

I haven't racked up the miles that some have, but my 7200 miles or so have brought me all kinds of fun and excitement (some not requested; read deer).

OT a little, I'm really looking forward to the prospect of a bona fide Sevens club in the US.&nbsp; I have a good friend who's also a car guy and has been with me to the USGP gathering a couple of times and he's said on several occasions how impressed he was by the camaraderie and inclusiveness among the Seven owners there when compared with other owners groups he's come across in the past.

Sorry that went so long!&nbsp; I can also be a loquacious SOB sometimes!

Dave

[slngsht]

xflow... Your story motivated me to repeat how I came to own my Rotus (I'm sure I have posted this somewhere before). Back in '89 I was a junior at University of Maryland. At the time I had started working on the FSAE program, and like all other car nuts here, I loved the idea of the simplest, lightest possible car on the road.



At the time, I saw a kit car article on Rotus. It turns out the company was 30 minutes from where I lived, so I gave them a call and went up to Hagerstown, MD to take a look.



I sat in the car, touched the ground, and knew that I was in love.



After I graduated, JUST LIKE YOU, I tried to finance one, and got the same answer.



Years went by, got married, had 2 kids, etc... Never really gave the Rotus much thought. But magically, through all the moves, kept the brochures.



At some point, I ran across Joe Worsleys (Old Yellow forum member) Yahoo! user group for Rotus and signed up.



For a couple of years, I never posted, but kept receiving occasional messages. Finally, one day I saw a message from Tim Custer - I recognized the last name (Chris Custer was the founder of Rotus).



I found out that Chris Custer had passed away in 2002, and Tim was about to have an estate auction. I looked up his number in the white pages, and gave him a ring, inquiring about any cars that might still be there.



Amazingly enough, the same car that I sat in back in the late 80's was tucked away in the garage. A short visit later, I paid cash and got her towed away. That was last year.



It's been a great purchase for me.

[xflow7]

Wow.&nbsp; That's a cool story, especially how you ended up buying the very car that first attracted you.&nbsp; I love stories like that.

So, another FSAE grad here, huh.&nbsp; I was Cornell '95 and '96.&nbsp; Can't believe the hours I put in then while managing a full class-load.&nbsp; Embarassingly, I now live in Ann Arbor, but haven't been over to visit the competition since I've lived here.&nbsp; That's on the agenda for next year.

Dave

[slngsht]

I only made it through the suspension design. After that, moved on over the the Natual Gas Vehicle Competition as my primary senior design project, and volunteered on the FSAE. We built a liquid natural gas powered truck... small block, single turbo, 12.5:1 compression. She put out 420 ft.lbs at 2200 RPM... Never could get enough fuel to it to find out how much power.



My favorite memory from FSAE is when we completely assembled the car on the bench in the lab, then realized we couldn't get it through the lab door http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Alot of long nights working on those project.

[slngsht]

TTT



We've had 13 new members in the last week. Time for a bump on this topic http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/bigear.gif

[KENLUDE97]

Cool stories here.



Hello my name is Ken Moyer I'm a 27 year old car nut. I live breath cars and anything related to them.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I enjoy watching racing in just about any form from NASCAR(wile napping) to F1. Saturday mornings/afternoons are "powerblock" time and I watch "car TV." I'm freshly married (2+ years) to a VERY understanding wife.



I'm a Mechanical Designer during the day, and as my wife calls it "He draws metal things" I use 3D software Pro-engineer, and have been for 5 years. In between working on our house I send as much time in my garage tweaking on my 1997 Honda Prelude. I've had this car for 6 years and I love it for what it is, but it is too slow and too heavy and drives the incorrect wheels, to drive any faster. I'm currently the Regional SCCA Solo chairman, and I have lots of fun with this organization.



I have been interested in cars for as long as I can remember, and I owe it to a friend for pushing me over the edge into fully "Car Crazy".&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We worked on his Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo, all the time, often until very late class night in college. After he got frustrated with the unreliability of the Mitsu, he wanted a reliable project so, we brain stormed and came up with the idea of a Honda swap. We landed on 1996 (ek) Civic hatchback, and swapped in a JDM H22a motor. That took a few months to complete, and again took many late nights. Ended up to be a pretty fast little car and was reliable for him. Project accomplished.



I have followed the "Kimini" build for around 3 years now, and always amazed me, the work and theory of light and simple. Until recent I have not thought that I could afford to build a car, until the C&D article about Locosts. Well I'm hooked and I hope to complete the chassis and suspension this winter.



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After completed I hope to autocross the car and attend a few track days at Watkins Glen.



Ken

[Dave W]

My name is Dave Whitt, I'm married with a 13 yr old daugther that is already talking about driving the car to school. I saw my first Seven in college in the early 70's. It was a RHD and very loud. At the time I was into British sport cars, having an MGB, but spent most of my time and money road racing motorcycles up to about the mid-80's. That was when my new wife decided I needed a safer hobby. So we made a deal and I built a mid-engine Kelmark. Now I'm in the process of building a Locost. I'm using a Toyota GTS as a donor and it's about 95% completed. I just finished painting it, and I'm working on finishing up the wiring before final assembly. Since I'm a Quality Engineer for an auto parts supplier, I'm on the road a lot putting out fires. So the build has taken four years. But a lot of the extra time is of my own making because I always have to put my own twist on the design and build. I have actually made hundreds of design changes and improvements, plus I'm making as many of the components that are reasonable to hand fabricate and are cost effective. I should see how well they all work, just about the time we have a foot of snow in Michigan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dave W&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif

[slngsht]

KENLUDE97, something is wrong with your Avatar. I've watched it for an hour, and the car hasn't hit a cone yet. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

[KENLUDE97]

HAHA. It drives like me!





Ok so maybe not. I swear that i have had this happen to me though (see below)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/KENLUDE97/CONE-WALK.gif

[slngsht]

HAHA. It drives like me!





Ok so maybe not. I swear that i have had this happen to me though (see below)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/KENLUDE97/CONE-WALK.gif



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif I'll use that as a future Avatar

[solder_guy]

BTW: What does FSAE stand for??



Rob Mitchell

[slngsht]

FSAE = Formula SAE

SAE = Society of Automotive Engineers



SAE sets many of the automotive industry standards.

FSAE is a competition open to learning institutions. Students design and build a formula car from ground up, and enter it into a competition.

[KENLUDE97]

HAHA. It drives like me!





Ok so maybe not. I swear that i have had this happen to me though (see below)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/KENLUDE97/CONE-WALK.gif



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif I'll use that as a future Avatar



Yea i love that little avatar http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif

[Al Navarro]

Some new members have joined, so I thought I'd post to invite them to introduce themselves/their cars...

[Bonjo2]

I'm new.. I started build of my cmc just prior to 9-11. Since then it's been as close as a couple days to finish. With work (military + finishing masters degree) and my subaru wrx requiring all sorts of attention (blown turbo, then tranny, then front dif etc..) it's been on the back burner. I sold my rx7 drivetrain and purchased an 06 Yamaha R-1 motor. Now I have a solid plan to finish in Spring once it warms up... WY is windy and COLD.



I first caught the seven bug when I was 10 and my old man dragged me to just about every race at Limerock (IMSA) and Watkins Glen. I first saw a polished 7 at a limerock vintage weekend and fell in love. I've since drove a couple and couldn't fit the Birkin or Caterham $, so did the CMC. I got re-motivated with the home built seven article in a major car rag, esp Chris's BEC. I autocrossed for about 6 years in a neon, a subaru and ran about 10 rallycross, a couple autocross schools, and 1 track day. I hope to have a street legal car I can drive to events and have a ball with.



All I need are a prop adapter, drive shaft, and some time with a MIG. I plan on shortening the passenger compartment by 3-4" and dumping the Caterham low back seat in favor of a home-made onepiece seat/tunnel cover like the Ariel Atom. I'm shooting for 1000lbs less driver and about 150Bph, and plan on using the bikes gauges and controls.



This board is just what I need.>http://home.bresnan.net/~bonjo2/Bonjo2%20Locost/Locost%20Lexan.JPG ( )<edited><editID>Bonjo2</editID><editDate>2006-10-27 22:05:27</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

Welcome aboard. Probably the only good thing about a cold long winter is that you know you won't be able to drive the car, so you can work on it. Around here, it could be 30 degrees one day, and 60 the next, so you always have that nagging feeling that if you take too much apart, you might miss a precious driving day.



Good luck, and keep the pics coming as you make progress.

[scannon]

Hi, my name is Skip. I am an addict. I don't remember the first time I saw a Seven, it was a long time ago. I do remember that the first one I tried on for size didn't fit, I couldn't get my right foot (11 1/2 EEE) past the brake pedal to the throttle and I wrote of the Seven as something I would never be able to own.



Then along came this drug (Caterham) dealer, name of Ben, of Rocky Mountain Sport Cars in Denver. I first met him at the annual British Car Conclave where he had a display of several Caterhams. I took home some brochures but the timing was just not right.



My second encounter with Ben was in August of 2005 at a Miata club track day at the Woody Creek track in Aspen, Colorado. He showed up with an SV and gave me my first taste of that drug called Se7en. First a ride as a passenger, then he let me drive. INSTANT addiction! After a session in the SV, my much modified Miata felt like a '59 Buick with bad shocks. In fact, with Ben as a passenger in the Miata, I then had my worst off track agricultural experience ever (other than hitting the outhouse, but that is another story).



Although I wasn't really in a position to buy a Se7en at that time, I thought I would have a look on line and see what used ones were going for. I found a dealer in Cottonwood, AZ with a new '04 SV, assembled but without a motor or transmission. It said call for special pricing. I called, we talked, the price was too good to pass up so a quick second mortgage on the house and I was off to Arizona to pick up my car. Does this sound like an addiction to you?



I was well on the way to getting it up and running with a turbo'd Miata engine and transmission when health problems put me in the hospital last summer. Before I recovered from that, my house, on the market for 7 months finally sold so I had to find a new place, make the move and all that involves. The upside of that is I now have a 1,500 sq ft shop as well as a two car attached garage. The downside is that my health is still a problem and I am on long term disability, on oxygen 24/7.



However, I still have the SV although I haven't worked on it since early July. I am now getting settled in the new home and getting the new shop organized and will start working on the SV in November and have it on the road by spring. I have signed up for the 07/07/07 event at the TOD.



Pictures of the car are here:



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2175152



Documentation of the engine installation progress are here:



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/636168/10



Skip

[slngsht]

Skip, sorry to hear about the health problems :(

[scannon]

Skip, sorry to hear about the health problems :(



Thanks slngsht.



It is mostly under control and as long as I have the supplemental oxygen, I am pretty much back to normal.



I have even driven on the track in the Miata with my portable liquid oxygen tank strapped in the passenger seat. Another track day coming up this weekend at Pueblo. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif



Skip

[slngsht]

I have even driven on the track in the Miata with my portable liquid oxygen tank strapped in the passenger seat. Another track day coming up this weekend at Pueblo. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif



Skip



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif THAT's dedication http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

[solder_guy]

Nice car Skip! Welcome!



Rob Mitchell

[Al Navarro]

Skip-Great to see you here. Since I'm one of Rex's customers too, I think we're officially related or something. Best of luck with your health. Looking forward to meeting you.-Al Navarro

[GailE]

I think you already know that I am a respiratory therapist by trade and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I guess if I don't know by now I never will. I never saw a seven before until the hubby brought one home one day http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/willy_nilly.gif . As you can tell, I am a really understanding wife and he should be really appreciative. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

[slngsht]

I think you already know that I am a respiratory therapist by trade and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I guess if I don't know by now I never will. I never saw a seven before until the hubby brought one home one day http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/willy_nilly.gif . As you can tell, I am a really understanding wife and he should be really appreciative. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif



Mrs. Slngsht has joined the party http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif

[WestTexasS2K]

Just joined the list today. Enjoyed reading the member profiles. I am from Texas I have been a firefighter/paramedic for the last 11 years and run a few small business on the side. I was in the Air Force for 4 years. Then went to work for Ford Aerospace later bought out by Loral Aeropsace for 6 years. I enjoy building cars of all kinds mostly hot rods until I found the 7. Since then, sold all my hot rods and built an Ultrlite S2K. Just started driving on road coarse events in January of 06. Since have competed in Cannonball Run 1 Lap of America, numerous DE weekends, and Run and Gun 2006. We are preparing for 2007 Cannonball, Dragon 7/7/07, Fireball Run from Florida to California.

[slngsht]

Welcome to USA7s. Looking forward to meeting you at the Dragon.

[Al Navarro]

WT2K-Welcome! You joined at a great time (IMHO), there really seems to be momentum here and for our little cars in general. Or maybe I still feel the momentum from my ride by guest driver Mazda. I would highly encourage everyone to check out the TotD Recon thread as well as the TotD thread in the Events section.



There are so many new folks here now...would be great to know a little more about everyone. We don't bite (just ask Marcy and Bill P.)!

[solder_guy]

I think you already know that I am a respiratory therapist by trade ...



Welcome GailE! Well you know that us ER physicians have the greatest respect for RTs! The magic that you do to bring patients with Asthma and COPD back from the brink is amazing!



Rob Mitchell

[powderbrake]

WestTexasS2K:

Welcome to the USA7s forum. It was great being with you at Run & Gun 2006, you should tell these guys how many trophies you won http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif



I will see you at 7/7/07. What the heck is Fireball Run from Florida to California?? Is that another 4,000 mile run in a week? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif

[WestTexasS2K]

Follow the link and check it out. It is more about having a good time with a bunch of nuts than winning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It is like a scavenger hunt on a large scale with race tracks thrown in for bonus points. 4000 miles in 9 days. Not as grueling as the Cannonball. The Cannonball will be 5080 miles with 18 racing events in 7 days for 2007. I am tired just thinking about it.



>http://www.fireballrun.com/event.asp (http://www.fireballrun.com/event.asp)



Edit: Fixed the link<edited><editID>slngsht</editID><editDate>2006-11-05 21:26:17</editDate></edited>

[Locostdude]

* That introduced me to therapists who introduced me to my current field (for the last 30 years or so).* I am a clinical Prosthetist Orthotist (artificial limbs and braces), and still love it every day.* I've got people falling all over themselves to see me, even though some of 'em don't have a leg to stand on

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif Maybe you know my brother, Ivan Long?

Del Long

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif

[JohnCh]

I work in the tech sector on the business development/marketing side of the house. Not very thrilling stuff, but it pays for my blatting addiction.



I’ve been a fan of the Seven since I was a little kid and kind of fell into my Westfield ownership. The consulting firm where I worked had just hired a new Exec VP to start our California office. During an introductory, get-to-know-ya e-mail thread between us, I discovered that he had recently bought the Westfield that had appeared in the March ’96 issue of Road & Track. I was impressed that he owned such a unique car and he was impressed that I actually knew what it was, so a friendship was born. I began managing some of his projects and drove/thrashed the Westfield whenever I was in town for meetings. When it finally came time for him to part ways with the car, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.



After I had the Westfield for about 2 years, someone backed into it in a parking lot which shattered the nosecone. That shouldn’t have been a big deal, but the color formula had changed since my car was manufactured (Cadmium, a key component, had subsequently been deemed a hazardous substance) and so a replacement nose cone would not match. I fought the insurance company for a full rebody and eventually won. I then spent the next 18 months radically transforming the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Virtually every component was replaced with lighter, more performance oriented components. The result was a weight reduction of 165lb. and a power increase of more than 50% (and soon to go up by another 30hp http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif ). Although technically I have only owned one se7en, the difference between the car today and when I first bought it is so dramatic, that I feel that I have been fortunate enough to own two examples of the breed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Last year my wife and I joined about 50-60 other se7en owners on the USA 2005 tour of the Western US. 4000 miles in 2 weeks. What a blast!



For the masochists and truly bored among you, I have a very outdated website >here ( http://home.comcast.net/~cobar/westfield.htm).



-John

<edited><editID>JohnCh</editID><editDate>2006-11-14 19:52:44</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Tons of new forum members but no recent updates to this thread?



Also, a reminder that technically (assuming every registered enthusiast comes to the event) there are only 4 LSiS slots left for the 7-7-7 event next July at Tail of the Dragon (75-1 Elise=74...with a cap at 77.7 cars, rounded up) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif

[drew...]

Recently joined the group due to encouragement from Al N et al from se7ens.net.

After deciding I needed a Se7en in 1973 I finally got to the point in life I could; so I purchased an S3 kit from Chris at Sevens & Elans a year ago (11/05), picked it up in a U-Haul in Boston and hauled it back to Minnesota. Construction began New Year's Day, engine was started and car was driven for the first time on Memorial Day. My first drive (or ride)in a se7en (to that point I had only seen them as race cars and sat in one Chris had in a trailer).

Having been crew chief for Paul Brand's EP National Champ MGB in the early 80's, a lifelong serious motorhead and as an R&D Engineer working on everything from M1 tanks to semiconductor processing equipmnent and plastic disposable medical devices the build was pretty straight forward.

After driving the car around the block 3 times on Memorial Day it was put into a trailer and hauled out to Lime Rock Park for a drivers school. What a surprise to my ride along instructor Gary after encouraging me to take it to 110 on the front straight when afterwards he saw the odometer showed all of 22 miles. First thing out of his mouth was "the car was rock solid".

As soon as I can figure out how to post a picture to share I will pass on a photo of "cool blue" (71 Vega Mediteranian Blue).

[locostv8]

Tons of new forum members but no recent updates to this thread?



Also, a reminder that technically (assuming every registered enthusiast comes to the event) there are only 4 LSiS slots left for the 7-7-7 event next July at Tail of the Dragon (75-1 Elise=74...with a cap at 77.7 cars, rounded up) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif



But now we are working on seven hundred seventy seven, a nice round number.<edited><editID>locostv8</editID><editDate>2006-11-14 21:17:12</editDate></edited>

[Alaskossie]

I'm a new member, and live in Anchorage, Alaska, which has been home since Uncle Sam sent me up here from Colorado in 1967. I am probably one of the very few pre-baby boomer members (born 1943). I've subscribed to Road & Track magazine since August 1958 (and I still have every issue since then!).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I first noticed the Lotus Seven when R&T tested the Seven America in September 1962 (subtitled, "What is it, daddy? It's a kit car, son"). I've wanted one ever since (going on 45 years now) -- but apparently not badly enough to actually do something about it, except to collect nearly every photo and scrap of info on the Seven that I could lay hands on, over the last four decades. I did visit the original Caterham "factory" (if it could be called that) in Caterham-on-the-Hill, UK, in 1985, just before they moved to their current location.



That's all changed, as a result of a year ago September, when my Colorado friends Jeff and Bob (and Bob's Caterham Seven VX Evo) and I joined up with the Brits' "How the West was Driven 2005 Tour," for three days of touring in the high Rockies in the fall colors. (My brief write-up and some of my photos appeared in the May 2006 Low Flying). This week I hope to finalize my order for a Caterham Classic/Duratc 2.3 with Ben at Rocky Mountain in Denver. My plans are to have it assembled and shaken down in time to join the West Coast 2007 Tour. I'm presently coordinating with my two adult sons (who live in Charlottesville, VA and Los Angeles) to join me for parts of the 2007 Tour.



When one gets to be of a certain age, and goes through a number of life experiences (and faces the prospect of mortality through the unexpected departure of friends and relatives who had a lot more living to do), one realizes that if there is something one always wanted to do but just never got around to it, then time's a-wastin'!



The "car culture" in Alaska has never been large, but there are some neat, classic, and well-loved rides up here. Only one other Seven in Anchorage (that I know of), and one outside Fairbanks, Alaska -- both Caterhams.



In real life I've been a natural resources and land use attorney since 1971, and am still working for a living. My daily driver is a 2004 Audi S4 Avant (4-wheel-drive, of course!). My summer driver (stored winters) is a low-mileage 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo. My "Alaskossie" handle comes from my 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 4WD rally car, which I had modified before importing it new in 1998 (through Sun International in California). It is one of about 15 street-registered examples in the US. It was enlarged to 2.4 liters and tuned to 378 hp and 435 lb/ft. of torque by Eggenberger in Switzerland, before it came over here. With studded tires, it is the perfect winter performance car for Alaska!



Sorry for the length of this post -- my turn to sit down, shut up, and listen....

<edited><editID>Alaskossie</editID><editDate>2006-11-18 23:27:19</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

I'm presently coordinating with my two adult sons (who live in Charlottesville, VA and Los Angeles) to join me for parts of the 2007 Tour.





Great writeup!



If you ever drop by the east cost, look us up. I'm about 2.5 hrs from Charlottesville, and several other members are closer to, or live there.



Welcome aboard.

[fnmag58]

Let’s see—I was working for the local Datsun dealership when my Dad said he would send me to college. Thought it was a waste of money but decided to try it anyway. Graduated with a degree in both mechanical and industrial engineering--spent a lot of time thanking my father for his wisdom. Most of my classes were automotive and aerospace related. Currently working for the Marine Corps in the area of Infantry Weapons.

Had the car bug since high school and upon graduation(1978) bought a 1966 Shelby Mustang that needed a lot of attention. Spent about two years on it and kept it for 10. I was restoring a “Mustang” when the rest of my friends were building Corvettes—they said I was wasting my money—little did they know what the Mustang market would do. I’ve completed restorations on a variety of cars to include Porsche(2), Triumph(2), Military Jeeps(3), and Camaro(2). Besides the Seven, I'm currently working on my wifes' horse cart(got to keep her happy)!!

While I was finishing a Triumph Spitfire a friend of mine recommended that I look at a Seven. My first response was “ What’s a Seven?”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A few months later, a retired USMC Colonel mentioned to me that he had one and was starting to restore it. I followed that car for 5 years before he offered to sell it to me. I bought the car in the spring of 2003 and brought it home. Decided not to start on it right away as I need to finish the restoration on the latest Jeep project. Great plan until a crazed 17 year old driving a BMW ran over me while I was trying to help victims of a car accident. Lost a full year but spent the time researching the car, parts, etc. Probably the most amazing thing it that I have traced the car all the way back to it’s beginnings when the Colonel mentioned above, wrote to Caterham when he was a newly promoted captain as an embassy guard. I have all the correspondence from that day. Really neat to see how it all came about. He had it shipped to the US in two pieces into two different entry ports—and now I know why.

The car is coming along nicely and should be ready with time to spare for 7-7-7. There are a few folks on this board who have helped me a lot and got me going in the right direction. Thanks to all of them. Most of the cars mentioned above were sold so I could buy something else. This is not the case with the Seven—it will be part of the family for a long time and I plan on giving it to my daughter when I know she can handle it.

My daily driver is a Subi WRX STi and occasionally the 1952 M38 Jeep(originally delivered to the Army but “liberated” by the USMC at some point in its life).



Looking forward to meeting everyone at next years event.

Sal

[stevet]

Alaskossie,



If you come to Charlottesville to visit your son, let me know. I have my Caterham here (my second), and used to own an Escort RS 4X4 (production model). Prior to that owner a series of Sierra Cosworth's which between them were stolen 12 times. Yes, 12 - the 'cossie' was the car du jour for bank robbers in the UK in the 80's. Plus, I' lived in a dodgey part of South London. Prior to that had a Mk 2 Escort RS 2000. What does your son do here?



Best, Steve.

[Alaskossie]

SteveT,



My son Scott is an attorney with a national legal research firm in Charlottesville. His wife is a history professor at VA Commonwealth University, and commutes to Richmond. Scott is planning to join me for a part of the 2007 West Coast Tour, but we have yet to learn whether he comfortably fits in a Tillett seat, which is what my Seven will be equipped with... Hope he does!



BTW, my mother's maiden name was Taylor.....



All the best,



Tom

[stevet]

Thanks Tom,



I'm happy to Scott him a ride - see if he's comfortable in my standard seats if that helps.



Steve.

[Alaskossie]

Steve,

I'm sure Scott will fit in the standard Caterham seats, but the Tillets have an iron grip on some people... Hate to arrive in California, to find tht he doesn't fit!



Send me your e-mail address and I'll follow up on this with you.



Tom

[sparecr]

Guess I will finally get in on this. Been interested in Sevens for I don't know how long, 1st memory is of a Doctor driving one when I was in high school around 1988 or so. I did start a Locost project back in 1998 the frame is rusting in a side yard right now. A few months after taking a job in Virgina (I work in auto restoration and work with an auto appraisal company) I said to my wife I want a Lotus 7 (or Caterham)lets go buy one, this was in 2000. We drove to GT Classics and spoke with Chip Bond, wife after her drive told me to figure out to pay for one. Things got busy and I shopped around thinking $40K was a little expensive for a toy and ended up buying a Stalker. Got the rolling chassis built until life did it agian and I got busy, moved, home projects. Got back to the Stalker earlier this year and had it updated to SuperStalker specs, when it returned from Florida I was not interested in building choose to sell the car (traded for a 73 Twin Cam Europa to go along with my 91 Elan) and then by accident found a 78 Caterham Twin Cam which is now in my driveway. That is my long story.



I was one of the earliest registered for the 7.7.7 event and maybe have seen some of you at the USGP events.



Be seeing you

John V

73 Europa Twin Cam (with AC)

78 Caterham Twin Cam

91 Elan M100

[slngsht]

Guess I will finally get in on this. Been interested in Sevens for I don't know how long, 1st memory is of a Doctor driving one when I was in high school around 1988 or so. I did start a Locost project back in 1998 the frame is rusting in a side yard right now. A few months after taking a job in Virgina (I work in auto restoration and work with an auto appraisal company) I said to my wife I want a Lotus 7 (or Caterham)lets go buy one, this was in 2000. We drove to GT Classics and spoke with Chip Bond, wife after her drive told me to figure out to pay for one. Things got busy and I shopped around thinking $40K was a little expensive for a toy and ended up buying a Stalker. Got the rolling chassis built until life did it agian and I got busy, moved, home projects. Got back to the Stalker earlier this year and had it updated to SuperStalker specs, when it returned from Florida I was not interested in building choose to sell the car (traded for a 73 Twin Cam Europa to go along with my 91 Elan) and then by accident found a 78 Caterham Twin Cam which is now in my driveway. That is my long story.



I was one of the earliest registered for the 7.7.7 event and maybe have seen some of you at the USGP events.



Be seeing you

John V

73 Europa Twin Cam (with AC)

78 Caterham Twin Cam

91 Elan M100



John, that was freaky... I was reading your post, thinking this guy's jaw is gonna drop when I post back and tell him I know a guy in VA who had a stalker, upgraded to super stalker, AND has a Europa AND an Elan... Then I got to the last line, and it says John V. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

[11Budlite]

Ok, with a little help from Al, I guess it's my turn....

I'm married with 3 kids ages 20, 22, and 24. I'm a QC inspector/engine technician at PWA in Cheshire, CT. I've been a sports car nut for as long as I can remember. Every drive in the back of the family station wagon growing up, was spent with my head hanging out of the window trying to catch a glimpse of ANY sports car buzzing around the local roads. My dentist had a Porsche 356 that I used to drool over, a friends boyfriend had an MG TC that I could just stare at and lust for, for hours. Waiting at the bus stop, occasionally a red Fiat Abarth "Double-Bubble" with a white racing stripe would drive by and I'd be speechless!! I could never understand why nobody else had the same reaction as me!! So I started reading SCG, C&D, and R&T and dreaming of the day I could have my own sports car. That car would be a $275 1961 Bugeye Sprite that I dragged home to my parents house, and proceeded to learn all about brakes and cylinder heads and sanding and painting. Spent about four months getting it road legal and what a blast I had buzzing around in that thing for the summer!! But a lady ran a stop sign, and my Bugeye was totalled...

So, I replaced the Bugeye with a 1972 MG Midget which was a little faster and a much better daily driver. It was in that car on one of my first trips to Lime Rock, that my new wife and I saw our first Lotus 7 and original Mini Cooper in person. My wife was immediately drawn to the Mini Cooper, and I was mesmerized by the Lotus 7's and 11's. The polished aluminum bodies with the intricate space frame, wire wheels, Raydot mirrors, and red dash boards with Smiths gauges, to me, were just the pure essence of a sports car. I was hooked, and I knew that some day I would own one....

Well, that day came a few years ago when, with my very understanding wife's blessing, I picked up a 2001 Birkin that was a dealers demo. I'm sure her blessing had nothing to do with her needing a new daily driver that arrived in the form of a 2003 MINI Cooper!! Well she got her dream car and I got mine! So I drove my new toy that summer and after many years of driving more mundane Brit sports cars, what can I say but what a rush!!! The acceleration, the handling, the ride (ouch)! The looks from other drivers on the road were priceless!! Every drive was an adventure. You could drive that car at 30 mph and watch the suspension move up and down, the reflections off the chrome headlights, and the heat waves coming out of the louvered bonnet. And then you could come to a highway entrance ramp or a set of curves and it would just blow you away!! Maybe the actual speed wasn't THAT fast, but it sure felt fast sitting a few inches off the ground and being blasted by the wind!! There was nothing like it!

So that fall I started taking my Birkin apart to fix the wipers that didn't work and a few other niggling little problems and pretty soon I had it "almost" stripped to the frame. So I redid the wiring harness, installed stainless steel/braided fuel lines, Fuel Safe fuel cell, Jenvey throttle bodies with an Emerald ECU, rebuilt the tranny with the help of Cherik and a close-ratio BGH gearset, and many other little jobs too numerous to mention. I've pretty much left the ZX1 motor alone other than ARP rod bolts, Esslinger cam gears and under drive crank pulley, and a Raceline water rail. My plan from here is to have it all back together for the springtime so I can celebrate my 50th birthday driving my toy again, the same year that the Lotus 7 celebrates it's 50th birthday!!

Well, sorry for the long rant! I hope to meet up with some of the local crazies at some point and would love to make it to the TotD if a spot opens up!!

It's somebody else's turn now....

Bruce "Budlite" Wiser

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<edited><editID>11Budlite</editID><editDate>2006-11-26 07:18:24</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Bruce-



Thanks for that. I have to say that I really appreciate finding out more about the forum participants and their cars. Still catching up on email and posts after a few days away from the computer.



-Al

[Birkinpilot]

Hi there,



I'm new to the forum and don't have a Seven yet, but I keep asking Santa Claus to bring me one. I've always wanted a Seven, but the closest I've ever been was when I parked next to one at the All British Car Day in Dallas.



http://www.ntahc.org/pastevents/2000/AllBrit2000/04300019.jpg



I do Procurement QA at a military aircraft manufactory. Basically, I write hate mail to other companies when they send us bad parts. I usually start out with "Jesus loves you, but Lockheed doesn't...". I know it doesn't sound like much, but my creditors are thrilled about it.



My daily driver is an old Porsche 968, and my little blue car has been gone for several years now. I still miss it, but who knows, maybe this year I'll find a Birkin under the tree (in the yard).



<edited><editID>Birkinpilot</editID><editDate>2006-11-27 18:01:05</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

That "little blue car" is a beauty



http://www.ntahc.org/pastevents/2000/AllBrit2000/04300019.jpg

[11Budlite]

Birkinpilot - Beautiful car!! Was that a Westfield 11? Back when we were saving for/building our house,

I wanted one of those in the worst way. One of my all time favorite magazine articles is Peter Egan's "Northeast by Westfield",&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://members.toast.net/joerger/north.html&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hope you get your Christmas wish to replace it!!

PS: Hope none of those "bad" parts are Pratt & Whitney parts!



Al - You're welcome!



I can't seem to get the link to work. Sorry, I'm computer illiterate... <edited><editID>11Budlite</editID><editDate>2006-11-28 04:34:53</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Thought it was time to ping this up to the top again.



New folks...who are you? What are you driving? How'd you find USA7s?

[Birkin42]

I live in Southern Ontario, Canada.

I am 1/2 owner of a company supplying mechanical engineering services, primarily for industrial automation, but some product development as well. One of more interesting customers is Sean Hyland Motorsports were we have helped Sean with the design of some of his products. My companies web address is http://www.appliedkinetics.ca/ for those curious types.



Had spent a number of years racing motorcycles in Canada and the US and managed to win the Ontario and Canadian national battle of the twins class back in 1993. Moved on to racing Superbikes in Canada and FUSA in the states, but only managed a 2nd as my best result. Enjoyed my time racing but gave it up to start my business.



My current hobbies include mountain biking, trail riding dirt bikes, and snowmobiles, but am still missing the track. To rectify this, I've started a project to build up my dream Lotus 7. I've had an infactuation with them ever since high school. As times changed, so have my dreams, but I have settled on putting a Honda S2000 drivetrain into a Birkin. Everyone I've talked to said it can't be done, but by my measurements it should be possible, but will require a lot of work. The engine itself doesn't fit too bad once the right side engine bay diagonal brace is removed. It will need to be dry sumped and the valve cover cut down a bit to get it to fit with no hood bulge. The transmission is a bit more challenging, but with redoing the tunnel, it is possible. Drivers side foot well width is the biggest challenge. I've currently got the chassis stripped down and most of the design work and FEA analysis done. Wanted to engineer the solution before I start cutting metal so I'd know that it would work in the end. Hopefully the fab work can start over the winter. I'm anxious to get the car on the road, but I'd rather take the time to do it right.



I guess the route I'm taking is a lot more involved then most who go with the Birkin factory recommended drivetrain, but I figure half the fun of these cars is building it and making it your own. Could have started from scratch, but that looked like a lot more work still. Also talked to Dan at Deman quite a bit, but in the end decided to take on the project myself. I guess in time we will see how I make out.

[Al Navarro]

Thanks B42!



It's pretty amazing to see how this forum has grown over the past year. And even though it's called USA7S, we're getting all international on ourselves.



Other newcomers, please chime in. We don't bite.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And don't forget to say how you found out about USA7s.com (can you tell I'm in advertising?).

[Robert O. Urfer]

My turn to have a go at this. I am a 29 year old sales rep in the professional beauty industry. Yes I sell shampoo.... I have been in love with 7's for about 15 years. I can't remember where I saw my first one but when I did I said to myself I will own one of those one day. When I graduated from Highschool my parents took me to England for a month. we rented a car and drove the country. At the time I was really into Merkur XR4TI's and Ford Sierras. We went to some junk yards and some chop shops and bought some parts and then the highlight of the trip. We went to the Caterham factory. It was by no means the most impressive place I have ever been. It was like a 5000 square foot warehouse. But all the cars and the race cars they had simply made me want a 7 even more. While there the guy who gave us the tour told me to stand on top of a work bench and look over the wall to the other part of the facility. I looked at him and said "what's over there?" he said "just take a look." I looked over the wall and there was the very first Caterham 21. After this whole trip I came back and I wanted a 7 so bad but I 18 and poor. I plugged away with my Merkur for another 10 years building the greatest XR4TI ever as far as I am concerned. I then saw Alec Lichtmans car for sale and went out to Maryland to visit a client and looked at the car. I came home and called Alec and we made the deal. I will be picking up my 7 in 10 days and believe me I can't wait. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to drive it until spring because it is so cold here. But at least I have finally got my 7. The downfall is my wife said I have to sell the XR4TI if I am buying a new toy. I have completely dismantled and sold for parts the car I just spent 12 years building. I wanted a 7 that bad.



Happy Holidays to all,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert O. Urfer II

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Toledo, Ohio

[Birkin42]

I found this forum from a post on the Birkinowners Yahoo group. Can't recall who that was though.

[stevet]

Good for you, Robert. And welcome aboard



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif

[slngsht]

I have completely dismantled and sold for parts the car I just spent 12 years building. I wanted a 7 that bad.



Happy Holidays to all,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert O. Urfer II

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Toledo, Ohio



Yup, you got the bug bad.



I could've sold my other baby to buy a nicer Seven, but didn't have the heart to do it.

[Alaskossie]

Robert,



Sorry you had to sacrifice your built XR4ti to your Seven dream. I own a 1995 Ford Escort RS Coswoth 4X4, and I imagine that your XR4ti had some engine and mechanical parts in common. What modifications had you made to your XR4ti?

[jfgw]

Welcome Robert,



Fellow 7 owner in Ohio here. You will enjoy your 7 every time you drive it, every time you look at it, every time you work on it, and pretty much every time you even think about it!!



There are some great roads for 7-ing in SE Ohio so let me know when you fancy a spin and we can arrange something - i know there are a few other 7 owners in Ohio as well who may well want to join in.



James

(Powell, Ohio)

[Robert O. Urfer]

I just finished a new motor last spring that was worth 348 hp to the wheels. All the body parts were the rarest of the rare. But on to new bigger and better things.

Here is a link to my XR4TI:

http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l256/robertourfer/87%20XR4TI/

[Alaskossie]

Robert,



A good selection of photos. I imagine that 348 hp through the front wheels was a real handful -- or was the XR4ti four-wheel-drive? I can't recall.



My Escort Cosworth 4X4 was tuned by Eggenberger in Switzerland before I got it -- stroked to 2.3 litres, new engine management; showed 378 hp and 435 ft./lb. of torque on their dyno. It is currently down with a burst fuel line, though (I'm lucky it didn't catch fire!). The line is a bear to unfasten and fix, since the space in the engine compartment is so cramped.



Here is our website on the car -- though it needs updating:

http://www.meachams.com/cossies/



Tom

[stevet]

XR4 was rear wheel drive. Later there was an XR4X4, and later still, a Cosworth 4X4 (which was my last Cossie in the UK - very fine motor).

[Al Navarro]

Thought this might need a bump to the top...welcome all new forum members. Please take a minutes to share a little bit about yourselves here.

[rv-4mike]

OK. I just joined this forum a couple of days ago, specifically to learn more about the various 7 choices. I grew up with a series of oddball hot rods. A turbocharged 67 Camaro, turbocharged buick V6 in a 73 Vega burning LPG, etc... My last project car was a 73 Datsun 260Z with a 450HP 383 Chevy. Living in California I got tired of the hassles with smog and registration, and at the same time earned my private pilot license. That led to an infatuation with homebuilt airplanes. I started building my RV-4 in summer of 95. After on again off again construction I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope to fly it this spring.



So now I'm looking at my options for a next project. My daily driver for the past 15 years has been an MR2 Turbo. And frankly it is more fun to drive than any of my project cars were although all of them had more HP than this car. I've also ridden sport motorcycles all my life. My current ride is a Honda VTR1000. So I've learned to appreciate that nimbleness is far more important than pure HP. What I want in my next project car is something light and nimble, but still with a high power to weight ratio.



So what to build? My friend just finished an FFR Cobra. Nice car, but in a lot of respects its like the old hot rods - big, clunky, noisy, etc...



Two months ago I stumbled on the Ariel Atom. Thats it! Instant love affair. It is the coolest car I've ever seen. Unfortunately, you cant get it as a kit, it only comes factory built. This means its expensive, and in California hard to register because it technically cant be registered via SB100. And insurance is an issue as well (which brings a a question I need to ask, how much effort is insurance with a 7?). Anyway I figured I was so infatuated with an Atom I could deal with all of those issues. But in just the 2 months I've been reading about it, the manufacturer has jacked the price up twice for a total of 20%. That means that by the time its in my hands and registered I'll have about $60K in it. Thats twice what I have in my airplane. So I've reluctantly concluded that I wont ever own an Atom.



Which took me to other alternatives. I briefly considered a 550 replica. Good looking car, small and light, and Thunder Ranch, one of the manufacturers is about 10 miles from my house. Ultimately I couldnt get past the fact that its just a pretty VW.



I've seen a few 7 variants over the years. I've always liked the concept of small, light cars. The looks a quirky (some would say ugly) but I like it. A friend has a really tricked out Caterham that he runs at Pro Solo events. I found the WCM Ultralight on the web a couple of years ago and really admired it, but at the time I thought it was pretty pricey. The Atom has put that in perspective for me. I'd have to say that of all the 7 variants I've seen the Ultralight is the one that interests me the most. I dont care that it doesnt copy the original. I like the fact that it's a little roomier and from what I've seen of the engineering it looks to be almost as well designed as the Atom. In terms of performance I'm not sure its quite up to the Atom's level, but since I'm looking for a street driver, that isnt all that important. I really want something well executed from an engineering standpoint.



So that's where I am, considering my options. Whatever I decide on, it will probably happen this spring after my airplane leaves the garage and takes up residence at the airport. Meanwhile I will continue to look around. Anyone in SoCal who wouldnt mind showing off your car, drop me a line. I'd love to see it.



Should have mentioned, I'm in San Diego.

[solder_guy]

how much effort is insurance with a 7?



Welcome rv-4mike! Most people go with >Hagerty Insurance (http://www.hagerty.com/).



Al and Mazda: Should this thread be sticky? Can this be done?



Rob Mitchell

<edited><editID>solder_guy</editID><editDate>2006-12-21 15:03:24</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Thanks Mike! There have been so many new folks over the past few months, it's nice to know just a bit more about everyone. A handful of us on the East Coast have met up, and then there's the West Coast contingent (californiacaterhamclub.com) who meet somewhat regularly. We hope eventually to have a centrally located meet where the twain can meet (although we're getting plenty of signups for 7-7-7 from far and wide).



This site (which was set up by Mazda E., initially as a Rotus group, I think) has become a great hub with appeal to owners of all LSiS marques (except for the uber purists) and future owners alike. I think a lot of the folks from the various marque-specific forums as well as the usa@se7ens.net list come here — including quite a few manufacturers/distribs.



I'm pretty sure Brian Anderson of WCM is going to be at the 777 Event next July. A bit far for you, but then again, you'd be a lock (or a tie) for the longest drive prize!



-Al



<edited><editID>Al Navarro</editID><editDate>2006-12-21 15:02:21</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

Al and Mazda: Should this thread be sticky? Can this be done?



Rob Mitchell





Done http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif

[westfield]

Im Robert 26 Originally from Australia where i grew up.Moved to New York bout 3 years ago got married and here to stay. HVAC mechanic with a big interest in cars. Have a westfield Clubman in Australia which i built before coming here, was running but not complete. Has a 4AGZE in it which i plan on turboing but havent seen it in awhile. Buying a house in jersey soon so hopefully will get it shipped over to complete my toy. Found USA'7s though a australian site called OZCLUBBIES.COM

[slngsht]

Found USA'7s though a australian site called OZCLUBBIES.COM



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif



Looks like NY/NJ members have a new playmate http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

[redbaron]

I am a retired Engineering Design Manager having spent some 36 years with what I fear is about to become the defunct Ford Motor Company. After spending most of my career being involved in the build of many concept and prototype vehicles I found I couldn't go "Cold Turkey" so I decided to build a Rotus for myself and have been enjoying it for some 12 years now. More recently I built a replica of a Jaguar XJ13.(http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1070075826) For pictures of my Rotus go to page 7 and see my 01/06/06 posting entitled "Photos of the Red Baron."

[redbaron]

Oops, a bad link for pictur4es of my Jag. Try >http://www.jcna.com/gallery/main.php?Vref=nc19&Vfnum=900&Vthread=184 (http://www.jcna.com/gallery/main.php?Vref=nc19&Vfnum=900&Vthread=184)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Red Baron<edited><editID>slngsht</editID><editDate>2007-01-01 11:16:51</editDate></edited>

[Boxologist]

^^^

that looks awesome!

[Birkinpilot]

No kidding! That XJ13 is sweet. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yesnod.gif

[roll a 7]

As a college freshman in 1967 I found the other gearheads on my dorm floor pretty quick. One was a guy from a northern Chicago suburb who mentioned the Lotus super 7 one day. Proving my ignorance I replied with a small town boys "what's that?". He proceeded to explain the kit car concept to me. About two years later I finally saw one entered in a Denver autocross. It stomped everything including the fast local 911s and a Ferrari Dino. I was duly impressed and made the mental note to get one some day. Truly a unique car!



Over the subsequent too many years whenever I saw one it rekindled the latent/dormant desire.



One friday afternoon in about 1987 I looked out my La Jolla office window to see three 7s parking across the street. The drivers emerged and dragged out their female talent and walked off, likely heading for a saloon. I spent about twenty minutes admiring the cars without ever seeing the owners again. I concluded that this would be a fun way to spend an automotive weekend. Still wondering, "Who were those guys?"



For many years my married brother raved about what Caterhams were doing to other sports cars in the UK mags. But, alas, it wasn't in his family budget. However, he did yeomans work in keeping the subject alive in my mind.



In early 2000 he was scheduled to visit me in CA. So, as a surprise I made an appointment for us to visit the Caterham dealer in Orange County that I had managed to locate in Hemmings. The car we drove was a DeDion with a base zetec. Plenty of fun and very vintage. It seemed expensive with impressive quality.



A few weeks later the dealer brought the car to a San Diego autocross. I met him there and also a couple of local 7 racers. One of those gents told me that he was going to dump his crossflow and replace it with a 700 mile zetec he'd bought from a wrecker for $800. This had the effect of deluding me into thinking that a car could be assembled for quite a bit less if one did not buy the motor at the "package price" offered by the distributors. Now I was actively dreaming...



About six months later the distributor offered kits with a $4000 discount, claiming a container load shipment would provide enough transport savings to cover him. I figured that a few more years might pass by before I got another chance at a discount on a new Caterham. And I was armed with the secret info about stuffing a barely used $800 zetec under the bonnet to get a modern 4 valve motor at a really low cost.



So, I bit on the deal and ordered a superlight R. The dealer assured me that my late July order could not possibly be consructed as a zetec kit in the UK before december. That morphed into september with an end of year US delivery date. When a guy has time to think about what he "really" wants, and the internet to find websites like the Lotus 7 Club of GB (blatchat, specifically), the perceived needs can change dramaticly. The blatchat guys gave me wonderful advice and I steadily learned about upgradeitis with things like Jenvey throttlebodies, Kent cams, headwork, Raceline dry sumps, ITG, six speed Caterhams trans, etc. Every couple of weeks I added another wish list item to my order, using the logic that it would be cheaper to do it that way from the build rather than later. And it only cost another grand or two each time, rather than a whopping and terminal total in one fell swoop!



By the time I got the car I realized that I never would have bought if I'd known the real cost. Fortunately, it was too late and I didn't have a wife to stop me! Upon arrival I began sweating out how I would ever get it registered in CA, without exposing myself to a possible prison sentence. Then, a CA state senator named Johanesson managed to get SB 100 by Gov. Gray Davis, after a few previous vetoes, which finally enabled the Sen to register his kit Cobra. It also made my 7 legal and I jumped through the necessary hoops lickety split! I still think this may have contributed to the ascent of Arnold...



Thank God I did this! I've met a great bunch of like minded lunatic fringe car

[stevet]

Welcome Robert.



A guy from the ozclubbies site contacted me a couple of years ago - he makes frequent biz trips to North Carolina. He came to stay for a weekend and we had a couple of blats in my 7. Now he's threatening to arrange a visit for July next year so he can pop over to the Tail of the Dragon do. Good man.



Fyi; I did the 'Outback Car Trek' in 2005 - Esperence to Alice Springs - huge fun. My old mate in Sydney (and fellow pom - do not mention the criket!) does it every year. I'm thinking of doing it again next year.

[SR27.Seth]

Hello, my name is Seth and I am a Car-o-holic.

(everyone in unison "Helloo Seth")

I'm from upstate NY, but currently live a 'cross border' life between Montreal and NY.

I am a Mechanic, or to be P.C. an Automotive Technician, started when I was 14 with an MGC barn find, 15 years later and I am still restoring and modifying MG's and anything else either British or old (in car terms I consider the 1980's to be 'old').

I was a die-hard Rally fanatic, I still love rally, but that year the SCCA cut off it's Rally program I got miffed and started building a GT series race car for somebody, that led to a love of road racing.

I saw my first Caterham (the real McCoy) ironically enough in Montreal when I was just a young tourist there. I can still see that 20 sec. video clip in my head: I was on the sidewalk, warm, perfect summer day and it was the sound that caught my attention- I am sure like most of you we only catch 50% of what our wives are saying to us, but put a great sounding motor a mile away and our head tilts, ears perk up and our only focus of that point on is to see where that symphony is coming from- anyway, In retrospect it must have been a carbed Ford x-flow, with barely any muffling- my eyes tryed to focus on it as it takes off from a light, but the car was back lit by the sun, it reflected off the polished aluminum body and I could just make out the yellow nose and fenders- a striking first impression!

That moment has carried me to where I am now- just finishing the first SR27 prototype with my limey business partner Len and Daniel Man (owner of Deman Motorsport).

Nice to meet you all and I look forward to our chats.

[R1 Seven]

Howdy,



Brand new memeber here. I have been checking on this forum for a while and it is good to see it growing. It is also nice to see a place where all types of sevens are welcome and discussed. We all know who the originals are, but overall the individual groups are relatively small. Coming together like this is good for all seven enthusists IMO.



Since this thread is supposed to be about talking about oneself, I will give it a go. My name is Jeff Underwood. I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade and live in Roanoke, VA. Currently I am getting near completion of my seven project car. It is based on the Locost design and uses a fuel injected Yamaha R1 bike engine. It will not be street legal, as it's primary purpose will be for track driving, time trials, and autocross (on occasion). I started this build at the end of 2001. It is now a little over five years later and I am just now getting it done. The actual build should have taken more like two years, but life and priorities have a way of being a roadblock from time to time. Needless to say, I am pretty excited about driving this thing in the next couple of months. There is a link in my sig with my build diary if you are interested in the project.



A little more background on me...I have been a car nut for as long as I can remeber and have an appreciation for most all makes. I have been actively involved with autocrossing and track driving since 1998. Through the years I have shifted away from autocross and spend much more time doing track days and time trials. Currently I do in-car instruction with several clubs in the VA/NC area and consider VIR to be my home track.



Anyway, just thought I would say "hi" and say thanks again for providing a place where ALL seven lovers can come together and chat. If there is still "room" I hope to be able to attend the sevens event at TOD in July.



Take care,

[Al Navarro]

Jeff-



Welcome! Mazda E. (slngsht) is the founder and admin of this site, and thanks to his efforts and those of countless others...word has spread to the various marque-specific communities.



Mazda brought a few of us together in person last June on VA's Skyline Drive and that mixed-marque group (2 Roti and 3 Cats) had such a blast (or should that be blat?). Glad to see you've picked up on the inclusive nature of the forum...there is a national marque-inclusive club in the works too. Stay posted.



-Al

[slngsht]

Jeff and I have been introduced over on the locostusa forum http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif Welcome aboard

[zetec7]

Okay, I'll join in. I seem to be in esteemed company here, what with mechanical engineers, physicians and the like, but I suppose with the current addiction we apparently share, I guess we're all brothers of a sort now... After getting a couple of degrees back in the '70's, I became a police officer for 27 years. I was well aware of the Sevens (also saw the one on The Prisoner, don't you know...), and my buddy and I started making vague plans to build a couple. Actually came to fruition back a couple of years ago, and we started cutting steel and making sparks about 1 1/2 years ago, almost immediately after visiting a dealer hereabouts and getting a ride in a new bike-engined Caterham, driven by an ex-CanAm race driver. Scared the pants off me and convinced me that I could not live out my life without having one of these 4-wheeled tornadoes. Wanted to do it all myself, though, rather than buy one, and wanted it to look as original as possible, while being contemporary in operation (thus, the Zetec engine). It's gonna be great!



Check my website for a few pics of he progress so far....<edited><editID>zetec7</editID><editDate>2007-01-05 15:59:03</editDate></edited>

[R1 Seven]

Jeff and I have been introduced over on the locostusa forum http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif Welcome aboard



Yep, we have been having some good discussion. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif Thanks for being responsible for this little place on the web. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif

[Crazy_Canuck]

Ok, took me long enough but here is my schpiel. I was 10 years old (1966) and at the British Car Show in vancouver (my home town). I saw a seven then and wanted one ever since. Almost bought one many times in younger years but it wasn't until 2 years ago the opportunity REALLY presented itself. I am in Pennsylvania now, where I found my car, a 1997 40th Anniversary edition in red metalic. I have enjoyed it as much as I can and drive it when I feelthe urge, raining or not. Hell, it's a car, deserves to be driven. maintenace has been minimal and other than when I dropped a bag of lawn clippings on the fender, cracking it, I have had no problems, (I know, a real Einstein!) Luckily a fender is not too terrible expensive, even factory painted - $450.00 - this coming year will see some upgrades, ignition, battery, tires, rev limiter. I am a Store Team Leader at a National Natural Foods Market in PA, I have been in the retail business for about 20 years and really enjoy the company I work for and what it stands for. It has allowed me to fulfill this part of my dream in owning the only car I have ever really wanted. Just wish the wife didn't think it was "ugly" - LOL.

[shotgunslade]

My name is Dan Nall. I live in Princeton, NJ and work for a large consulting engineering firm in NYC designing mechanical systems for buildings.



Been a car nut my entire life. First sports car mag was Nov. 1961 issue of Sports Car Graphic. Loved Bill Dixon's Maserati 300S-Chevy. Have had a BMW 2002tii, an Alfa Berlina, a 911, and a Fiat Spider. For the last 10 years have had 2 Subaru SVX's, the second of which has been modified for the track: 2004 WRX 5 spd, coil-overs, Koni's, hi-lift intake camshaft, chip, Frozenrotors, wheels, exhaust, etc. Now that I am post-tuition, am planning to give in to the go-faster bug. Intend to purchase a Se7en in this upcoming year to go in my new post-tuition garage with lift. Probably will buy turnkey, rather than build it, because I don't want to wait to hit the track with it. The Subaru is fun and surprisingly fast, but I want more. Looking seriously at WCM. Will be in Dallas in May, so will drop by Brian's shop, look, sit, and hopefully, drive.



I usually drive with PDA and Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team, and will probably hit the Triregion SCCA PDX at Pocono again this June. Haven't seen many Se7ens at these events in the past. Hope to see some of you at future track events.

[locost7018]

I too, am hooked. My name is Russ Amos and I live in Shawnee, Ks (a burb of Kansas City). I was a Commercial Sales Engineer for Carrier Air Conditioning and other A/C companies for 25 years when I said to myself you need to get out of the rat race and live. So I quit the corporate world and started a custom woodworking business out of my home. That way I'm home when my high school jr. and middle school 7th grader get home. For my Seven I cheated. I was getting ready to start cutting tubes for my build when BAM up popped this beautiful British made RHD Locost on ebay. It's buy-it-now price was well below what I could build it for so I bought it. I have made several changes to it sence I got it and will never be finished. It is my daily driver and I am not interested in racing it. I worked too hard to get it. I have entered it in two car shows and got a 1st and a 2nd place (the 2nd place was against a full race prep'ed factory made REAL Lotus.I love driving it around and watching peoples expressions when they see it. Sevens in the KC area are rare. My other hobbies are bow hunting deer and riding observed trials motorcycles. If you are ever in the KC area contact my and we can go for a ride.

[solder_guy]

Welcome ! Do take pics and post in the members rides section!



Rob Mitchell

[locost7018]

I will when I can figure out how too, Russ

[Al Navarro]

Thanks to all the folks who have shared their "backstories". Keep 'em coming!

[lowflyer]

New guy here... started autocrossing back in the '60's with a Porsche S90 GT coupe and my main antagonist was a fellow with a Lotus S7 (1340 cc). Later raced a Lotus Cortina sedan and made good friends with a fellow that had another S7 which I had the good fortune to drive a couple of times.



Spent many years in the automobile business, selling and service depts, worked for Penske Racing for one year in 1967, ahd had the opportunity to spend time with Mark Donahue and Bill Mayberry (Murph).



Got back into Solo events in 1999 with a Zink Formula Ford which I ran for two years. Discovered the Brunton Stalker on a website and bought a kit, finished it in about 10 months.



Presently enjoying the Stalker as a sunny day driver and occasional autocrosser.



Glad to be here...

[sb427f-car]

I'm Jim Hankins and live in the huge metropolus of Glen Lyn, VA. We have 2 convenience stores and somewhere around 20 buisnesses, one of which is me and I've retired. In a former life I did Computer consulting primaraly in Manufacturing and Military Logistics. Retired I now spend most of my time in school, I bought and live in the town school. I could probably host a meet but with only 6 acres around the house would probably have to limit to not much nore than 150. I do have some acerage behind me, 180, but an ORV would probably be more comfortable there. I tell people that I retired to build Hot Rods. My feeling about HP is that too much is nearly enough.





Well now...that's really interesting. Is that in Tazwell county? Cause I've got the same last name and that's where my dad's side of the family came from. Small world.





Anyways, I'm a 24 (going quickly on 25) y/o accountant for Northern Maryland. I work for a consumer lending company that's owned by one of the big MD banks and is located in Baltimore. 2 Years removed from my U of Delaware experience where I originally started out Mech E and said, I don't need this.



Fast forward, I'm a car guy, have been since before college, and have been waiting for the day to buy/build/race something I can call my own. I do drive to and from work an 05 WRX sedan, and I have auto-xed it some. I plan on getting out to more events in the Maryland area this year, at least to spectate, and maybe drive in D stock.



As far as my contributions/idiotic posts here and on locostusa.com, I'm trying to learn how, what, why, I want to build one of these cars. The first auto-x I attended I saw one, and watched it cut up the course pretty well. The last auto-x I was at, I talked with the owner of a ztech powered Caterham and took gas at how much it would hit my wallet (or wouldn't because it was out of my price range). So here I am, trying to read and learn so I can attempt to build from scatch.



Happy motoring.

[slngsht]

The last auto-x I was at, I talked with the owner of a ztech powered Caterham and took gas at how much it would hit my wallet (or wouldn't because it was out of my price range). So here I am, trying to read and learn so I can attempt to build from scatch.



Happy motoring.



If that was a green Caterham on slicks at Ripkin, it was probably Michael D

[locostv8]

I'm in Giles co. My dad's family for the last few generations were from Cali by way of CO.

[sb427f-car]

It was indeed green and has a MD SF plate. As far as Caterhams...beautiful...but definately out of the price range of a 20 something trying to save for a house, http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif <edited><editID>sb427f-car</editID><editDate>2007-01-31 06:45:13</editDate></edited>

[sb427f-car]

Yeah, I know there are some "Hankins" in Cali and Colorado. It's really weird, since it's not "that" common of a name, but it's not unique either.

[slngsht]

It was indeed green and has a MD SF plate. As far as Caterhams...beautiful...but definately out of the price range of a 20 something trying to save for a house, http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif



That's him.

[Al Navarro]

This is my semi-regular reminder/suggestion to any new folks (and there are quite a few), to please take a few minutes to write a little about yourself here.



As you can see by reading the thread, we don't bite.

[SørenBM]

Hi,



My name is Søren, I'm 28 y.o. and from Denmark in Scandinavia.



My interests for the Seven started last summer, when I was searching for an alternative to my summer-season car (a 1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth - a few pictures can be seen here at the bottom links "Billeder" - >http://www.birkholm-madsen.dk/Tilsalg/Cossie.htm ( )).



At the moment I'm searching the Internet for as much information as possible about the Seven http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif



I would like to go for an unassembled kit, as the build in it self would be a great way to learn how the Seven is put together.



I have been looking at the UK Dax Rush as I like the looks of it. Perhaps with a V8 or a 2.0 turbo Cosworth engine.



If anybody got any other Seven suggestions’ I’m all ears. This Seven business is a whole new territory for me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif



Because of some very strict rules in Denmark a kit car can not become road legal - but hopefully this will change in a year, as there should be a change on its way. When this issue is solved there is the tax issue. To get a car road legal you have to pay 180% tax of the retail price of the car = a very expensive car.



Or perhaps I should go for a +25 year old Seven as the rules/tax are less strict for old/vintage cars. Nonetheless I would prefer a more up-to-date Seven – I thinking modern brakes, suspension, drivetrain, engine etc.



That was just a bit about me and my thoughts about how to become a Seven owner.



Cheers,

Søren<edited><editID>SørenBM</editID><editDate>2007-02-02 03:11:29</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

Or perhaps I should go for a +25 year old Seven as the rules/tax are less strict for old/vintage cars. Nonetheless I would prefer a more up-to-date Seven – I thinking modern brakes, suspension, drivetrain, engine etc.





Welcome!



This is the path I chose. I bought a 25+ year old seven, and I'm slowly modernizing it to have the best of both worlds.

[SørenBM]

Welcome!



This is the path I chose. I bought a 25+ year old seven, and I'm slowly modernizing it to have the best of both worlds.



Thank you very much, Mazda. And thanks for introducing me to this website via www.youtube.com



How do you go by modernizing your Seven? Have you done anything to the chassice?



Details please. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif



I think your LS1 engine upgrade is a great choice http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif - is this legal in the states? It would not be legal in Denmark.



And your computer instrumentation are sooo cool - (I'm an IT tech, so I love that stuff)



What possibilities do I have if looking for a +25 year Seven?



Cheers

Søren<edited><editID>SørenBM</editID><editDate>2007-02-02 05:21:07</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Lots of new forum members...anyone care to share your story?

[MX5/7]

Hi,

My name is Abid, live in Whitby, Canada. Marine engineer in a previous life, 15 years worth. Now working at a nuclear plant.

I have known about 7's for more than 25 years, but my job prevented me from doing anything about it. Now that I have settled for being on terra firma, I decided to start my build.

It is currently in the procurement stage, using a RX7 engine and tranny and Miata diff and suspension parts.

Hope to start on the chassis this spring.

[Birkin42]

Nice to see another Canuck into sevens. Turns out we're not far from each other as I live just outside of Cambridge.



Building your own chassis or starting with a kit of some sort?<edited><editID>Birkin42</editID><editDate>2007-02-21 14:09:50</editDate></edited>

[Al Navarro]

Anyone? Anyone?



Would love to hear about new forum members...who are you, where are you, and what are you driving/building/repairing/restoring?

[SkinnyG]

I'm Greg. Just registered today.



Highschool shop teacher, former auto mechanic. Too cheap to buy a real 7, too chicken to drive one. I finished my Locost in 2006.



I'm planning out my next 7, to use "real" plans to more closely replicate an original.



Goal in life: to be eccentric.



G

[Storz]

Hey all, newbie to the forums. I am a long time sports car nut and have always been intrigued with lightweight minimalist cars. I've had a few noteworthy cars from several Mk1 MR2s to a C4 Corvette and now a Subaru Impreza that I regularly rallycross. I honestly don't even remember when I first saw the 7, its just sort of always been there.



I got my first taste of real car mechanics during college when my senior year I took an engine rebuilding class and rebuilt the 4AGE from my 87 MR2, that experience totally opened my eyes to both my ability and my desire for an all out performance car.



I recently graduated from CMU (2004)with a degree in Geographic Information Sciences and currently work as a GIS Analyst. Getting married this summer and as of July 1st moving to the great state of NC. I plan to start my build within the next couple years. Seems like a great forum here and I'm sure I'll be lurking around getting ideas and information.<edited><editID>Storz</editID><editDate>2007-04-11 18:38:37</editDate></edited>

[slngsht]

Hey all, newbie to the forums. I am a long time sports car nut and have always been intrigued with lightweight minimalist cars. I've had a few noteworthy cars from several Mk1 MR2s to a C4 Corvette and now a Subaru Impreza that I regularly rallycross. I honestly don't even remember when I first saw the 7, its just sort of always been there.



I got my first taste of real car mechanics during college when my senior year I took an engine rebuilding class and rebuilt the 4AGE from my 87 MR2, that experience totally opened my eyes to both my ability and my desire for an all out performance car.



I recently graduated from CMU (2004)with a degree in Geographic Information Sciences and currently work as a GIS Analyst. Getting married this summer and as of July 1st moving to the great state of NC. I plan to start my build within the next couple years. Seems like a great forum here and I'm sure I'll be lurking around getting ideas and information.



Another Vette owner http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif You're at least the 3rd here.



Alot of us will be getting together this July 7th in Robinsville, NC. There will be sixty something Sevens there. There is a thread in the National Events section if you're interested. Welcome aboard.

[locostv8]

Another Vette owner http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif You're at least the 3rd here.

Yeah but we wouldn't hold that against them. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

Way back I had a 63 FI split window.

[slngsht]

Yeah but we wouldn't hold that against them. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/toetap05.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif



Way back I had a 63 FI split window.

What happened? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

[locostv8]

Ex wife just had to have it in setelment. I found out years later that a week later she knocked the nose off and sold it for $150.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif

[slngsht]

Ex wife just had to have it in setelment. I found out years later that a week later she knocked the nose off and sold it for $150.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/mad5.gif



Ouch man! THAT hurts http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/angel_anim.gif

[Storz]

Alot of us will be getting together this July 7th in Robinsville, NC. There will be sixty something Sevens there. There is a thread in the National Events section if you're interested. Welcome aboard.



Thanks for the welcome, I may just have to try to come down on the 7th. I've still yet to have a ride in a 7 http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif

[solder_guy]

I may just have to try to come down on the 7th. I've still yet to have a ride in a 7 http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif



All you have to do is sit in one .. touch the ground and you might be in love!



Rob

[Storz]

I may just have to try to come down on the 7th. I've still yet to have a ride in a 7 http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif



All you have to do is sit in one .. touch the ground and you might be in love!



Rob





There is no might about it http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif As stated I've never even been in one but in my opinion the 7 is pretty much the perfect sports car, lightweight, affordable, awesome handling...what more could you want.

[slngsht]

All you have to do is sit in one .. touch the ground and you might be in love!



Rob





That's how I got hooked.

[scannon]

Another Vette owner http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif You're at least the 3rd here.

Yeah but we wouldn't hold that against them. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif

Way back I had a 63 FI split window.



I've owned three Corvettes, '57, '58 and '63 Split Window.



Skip

[slngsht]

I've owned three Corvettes, '57, '58 and '63 Split Window.



Skip



That would've made a decent collection today http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

[TonyI]

Hello, i've had bought my seven in 1990 its a 73ish(complicated). My father and I always wanted one but never could make the time to do it then in 90' found out he had cancer so went out and found one and we managed to enjoy it for two years. Either the two of us would go out or just mom and dad would disapear for most of the day. So aside from a fun car its good memories also. Now I get to take the wife or grand kid out(great bribery and more fun than a video game)



If I ever get so I can't get in it I think it will make a nice coffe table http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif



Tony

[Storz]

^^ great story, I'd love to see pictures of the car

[solder_guy]

All you have to do is sit in one .. touch the ground and you might be in love!







That's how I got hooked.



Actually that's your line .. I stole it! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/leaving.gif





Welcome Tony .. Great story about sharing the experience with your father.



Rob Mitchell

<edited><editID>solder_guy</editID><editDate>2007-04-13 11:48:12</editDate></edited>

[kar120c]

Hello to my fellow Low and Light followers. Let me start at the beginning, when i was 16 i was helping a friend of mine do a tear down of his 67' Pontiac Firebird ( at this time i had no car but was thrilled to be invovled in a rebuild). One late night a buddy of my friend showed up to lend a hand, his ride was a 75' AUSTIN MINI 1000, i thought it was very cool, we did a beer run and i was hooked, i mean this little light car when't around corners like i had never done before, and we where still only doing 50mph, he just never really used the brakes.

Well that started my love afair with the REAL MINI, when't through 4 of them as my $ got better and could move onto better and better MINI'S, joined a club (this is pre internet), met guy's with similar interests etc.....

Finally got fed up of always having to attend to the rust problems ( i live in Canada) and bit the bullet and bought a Mini that had never seen winter/salt or for that matter very much rain.

I could go on for a while about the "GREEN MONSTER" but this not the forum for that, let's just say 125hp of old 8 valve, silly cam, LSD diff, NO RUBBER on the susp. leads to the an "LIVELY" ride........It was fun but you could not live with it.

During this time i started to get into/look at other small British cars ie: MG Miget, bugeye sprite, open top and all.

Then in July i drove to Ohio for a Mini meet ( an a 11hr drive in a Mini) met some guy's from S. Carolina who were in the bizzynes of importing cars from England to the USA (grey market) along with two mini's thay had a Caterham 7, took a test drive and the mini was forgotten(this is '84 before these little gems were offered to us on the other side of the pond.


From then to now i have grown up, sold the "GREEN MONSTER" ( to a guy who bought his mini based on seeing mine years ago, he now owns the only two mini's where i live).
I am a aircraft structures AME (i fix the cigar tube from falling apart) I work with alluminum everyday, and have learned it's goods points and it's BAD points (you would be amazed at the amount of CRACKED attatchment points on EVERY plane in flight today). The Alli in a plane get's the sh*t kicked out of it daily at 30,000 ft your 7 does not

Can't make 7-7-7 sure hope the guy's that go will post pics and vids (passing the bikes)

:cheers:

[Davemk1]

Hello Folks,

My name is Dave and I drive a Seven.

I live in Bozeman MT and after posting a few shots of my car in the owners gallery section I was told I should say hello officially and introduce myself. Like I said I live in Bozeman and I run my own very small business of building custom, made to measure bicycle frames. I've been a frame builder and a cyclist for a very long time now and as much as I love it my passion outside of work is cars and driving. I live here with my lovely wife Karin who is a geologist and a full time ski instructor. No kids, lots of cats.

When I was a kid my Dad was a race car mechanic and I was always be dragged around to different races. I guess it gets into your blood as they say. He passed away when I was young but his love of machines and making them better stuck with me.

I've owned and autocrossed a few cars over that last 6 or 8 years. I started with a Lotus Cortina. A wonderful car that was too original and clean to go flogging on the weekends. I then found a very solid 1976 Mazda RX 3 that made for a kick arse race car. Simple design and easy to modify. Lots of fun to drive. It go me thinking about a truly light weight car like a Seven. I sold both the LoCort and the RX 3 and started shopping for a Seven. I found a 1999 Birkin S3 and had it shipped to me here in MT.

I've owned the Birkin for just over a year now and I've got it running and racing well with many FTD's late last season. My first real race of this season is this coming Sunday and I'm very much looking forward to mounting up the slicks and letting it rip. The weather doesn't even call for snow!

Well thanks for reading and I look forward to spending some time with you all here and better yet on the road.

Dave

[slngsht]

welcome aboard Dave :seeya:

[Al Navarro]

Welcome aboard Kar and Dave.

I do appreciate your introductions here, as it gives people a picture of you beyond your car. Dave, I take it you are the former Serotta custom guy? Very cool.

[powderbrake]

" My Name is Dave and I drive a Seven"

It sounds like an AA meeting. I guess we are addicted to the sevens, so..... I suppose I have to come clean as well

My name is Jerry , and I drive a seven.

This could become the official greeting of USA7s members.

[Al Navarro]

Any other new members care to chime in here?

[slngsht]

" My Name is Dave and I drive a Seven"

It sounds like an AA meeting. I guess we are addicted to the sevens, so..... I suppose I have to come clean as well

My name is Jerry , and I drive a seven.

This could become the official greeting of USA7s members.

My name is Mazda and I mod a Seven :leaving:

[scannon]

My name is Mazda and I mod a Seven :leaving:

My name is Skip and I put a Mazda in a Seven.;)

[slngsht]

My name is Skip and I put a Mazda in a Seven.;)

Thanks :thumbs:

[Al Navarro]

Over 375 members now and still no recent updates here? :cry:

[Kitcat]

OK:

60 y/o lawyer. Not the type that sues people. Instead, the type that helps disabled people, including veterans, obtain their disability benefits from the government. I have a lifetime love for all things automotive but especially 7's.

I started reading Road and Track in '62 and soon saw an article on the Lotus 7 (thinly disguised race car or, TDRC). Back then the kit ran about $1.2K, so there has been a slight upward adjustment in cost over the years.

I always liked its giant-killer reputation. I also thought it was the coolest thing I ever saw, especially with the top (aka "hood") up.

When I was in law school in Champagne-Urbana in the late '60's there was one tooling around & I thought: "some day!" every time I saw it. It never seemed to slow up going around 90 degree turns and it drove right under the parking lot arm without stopping.

Research showed it to be incredibly fun/unreliable, perhaps not in that order.

So I have been on the sidelines for 45years or so. I have read everything I could about it , including books, car mag articles and various build diaries. Although slightly partial to Caterhams, I love all LISS's.

I was very attracted to the Ultralite for its amazing level of power & reliability combined with very high content for a mid-to high 30's price. I have avidly followed the build progress of the FM Miata powered Westfied. My ardor cooled a bit when they announced the 15% price increase due to the sagging dollar. The 'Busa powered Damaen cars were also tempting but I never really figured out their website and decided that while I was willing to live with primitive, a reverse gear was a necessity

I stumbled onto this forum about a year ago and it really is responsible for my now having a 7. I asked many questions and always got friendly, helpful answers.

I ended up buying a '97 Caterham (wh/I learned from this site is pronounced Kate-trum) for $22.5K. What a deal! It may actually gain value over the ensuing years, or at least not depreciate the way my other sports cars have. And, as my nom 'du forum (Kitcat) suggests, I had always hoped to have a kit Caterham.

So here I am: In 2 weeks I have put 1K miles on it, met tons of people who just flip out when they see it, have signed up to do a track day this Monday with the Lotus club at Putnam Park and am headed to the Dragon in a few short weeks to chill w/the rest of you Seven lovers.

Pretty neat.

Mike

[locostv8]

You have way more nerve than I being wiling to drive a LISS in Cincinnati traffic the way THOSE people drive. I've been debating the legality or lack thereof of mounting an anti collision strobe like used on the top of a lot of busses to improve visability a bit. A noisy exhaust would certianly not hurt.

[Kitcat]

It's mostly a weekend/track car. Heavy traffic is a bit unnerving because the car is hard to spot. I am always one gear low so the engine is blating away, and I have the lights on.

[Al Navarro]

Thanks for sharing your story Mike. It's been great to see someone go from "future owner" to "current owner" right before our very eyes. What the forum's all about, IMHO.

I do appreciate when people post a bit about their backgrounds...makes the community feel more like, well, a community. See you all in just a few weeks. Sounds like Mrs. Rowe's is going to have a very interesting parking lot July 5th!

[BruceBowker]

Just signed up. I have had a Seven for 7 years now. I live in Bonaire - scuba resort owner/operator for the last 34 years. My cars are kept in NJ though, less than 10 minutes from member Al N. . The first Seven I ever saw was in 1964 in the parking lot of the King of Prussia shopping center at what was then called a gymkana. I was driving an Alfa. I saw the car and said "what the heck is that?" I have wanted one ever since and finally got one.

Nice to be here.

Bruce

[stevet]

Welcome aboard Bruce :thumbs:

[EburgE]

Hello all! Thanks again to those who have welcomed me into this quirky fold. After spending four hours following three sevens (oh, and yeah sixty some odd Porsche) around western Maryland last weekend I feel compelled to scribe an introduction.

As many of you know, I do not have a seven...yet.

I'm a 41 yo software developer in Maryland with a passion for cars, and Lotus in particular. Having spent several weekends as a kid at Sebring and Daytona (IMSA 24 hours and Nascar), I come from a racing background. A spectator's, that is. But I love cars so much that my folks swear my first word was "CAR".

After discovering the Lotus Elise in 2005, I figured I had reached the height of open-top sportscar ownership excitement, at least as far as my budget would take me. Then something hit me...

My current "life goal" is to place an order in 2007 for a Seven and build it in 2008. Thanks again to those who have allowed me to sit in a ride in your car. Look in your mirror, I'm right behind you.

--Harold

:flag:

[Alaskossie]

Harold,

I guess I'm at your stage of "Seven-ness," but just one year ahead of you. I have wanted a Seven (of course originally a Lotus, so now only a Caterham will do) since I first read a road test of the Super Seven in Road & Track Magazine in the summer of 1961. Now some 46 years later, I ordered a narrow-chassis kit from Caterham (through Rocky Mountain Sports Cars in Denver) in late 2006, and I begin assembly next Monday at an experienced Seven-owning friend's garage in Greeley, Colorado.

So look at the mind-boggling CC options list, design your own bespoke iteration of the classic Seven, and get your wallet out! Best of luck -- and we'll be looking for an update next year at about this time.

Tom Meacham
Alaskossie

[slngsht]

Hello all! Thanks again to those who have welcomed me into this quirky fold. After spending four hours following three sevens (oh, and yeah sixty some odd Porsche) around western Maryland last weekend I feel compelled to scribe an introduction.

As many of you know, I do not have a seven...yet.

I'm a 41 yo software developer in Maryland with a passion for cars, and Lotus in particular. Having spent several weekends as a kid at Sebring and Daytona (IMSA 24 hours and Nascar), I come from a racing background. A spectator's, that is. But I love cars so much that my folks swear my first word was "CAR".

After discovering the Lotus Elise in 2005, I figured I had reached the height of open-top sportscar ownership excitement, at least as far as my budget would take me. Then something hit me...

My current "life goal" is to place an order in 2007 for a Seven and build it in 2008. Thanks again to those who have allowed me to sit in a ride in your car. Look in your mirror, I'm right behind you.

--Harold

:flag:

It'll be nice to have another seven around here for a blat.
If you can join us for a september trip to the mountains, it'd be great.
No stop signs! I promise :lol:

[C_ME_SPEED]

Just finally signed up:

Im Mike i met some of the members on here at 7/7/07 and i think it was a blast but i was driving my grandfathers ultra-lite s2k his is the one with the flames on it... it turns out he makes us leave before the autocross because i was driving to fast for his comfort on the trail... but as soon as we get home i take the car for a ride and get a ticket while hes in the car for going 17 over... so that ruined the purpose of leaving but i think that 7/7/07 went very well and just wanted to say that al and mazda did a great job and that i hope to see some of yall soon.


mike

[slngsht]

Ah, I remember... My 7 year old son voted for your car as best in show :thumbs:

[C_ME_SPEED]

yea its a good looking car it runs well to... but the goal is to get it to run like kevins....

just just a supercharger on there ;)

[solder_guy]

Just finally signed up ..

Welcome Mike!

I was the driver without my car at 777. But my Rotus 7 is resting comfortably at home in my carport here in Atlanta. If you ever want to get together and drive .. PM me.

Rob in Atlanta near Emory Univ.

[Ned the Red]

Just registered so this is my first post.

My small car history: In high school (back in the late sixties) when everyone else was into the "big iron" from Detroit, I drove around in a 1960 Austin Healey Srpite. 948ccs of screaming horse power! Sold the car, grew up, and finally got back to sports cars by buying a Miata and getting back into autocrossing. I'd always known about sevens but really fell in love with them at the autoXs. I still don't have one but have been watching this list for a while and hope to have one in the not too distant future. My goal is to build my own Caterham, and try to make it a daily driver. That might not be the most practical thing in the heat of Dallas (has anyone ever seen one with air conditioning?) but, that's what I'd like to do.

So, in the middle of a job search and as soon as I'm working again I'll get started on the finances for a SEVEN!

[slngsht]

(has anyone ever seen one with air conditioning?)

Welcome aboard!

A/C in a seven may be a solution for solving global warming :jester: It certainly won't do much for the cabin.

Good luck with the hunt. Keep an eye on the for-sale section.

[Ned the Red]

Thanks. I wonder, though, if I trade in the Miata and build a Seven - am I moving UP or moving DOWN?

[slngsht]

Thanks. I wonder, though, if I trade in the Miata and build a Seven - am I moving UP or moving DOWN?

Well, you'll be sitting lower to the ground... we consider that moving up :D

Honestly there is no comparison. Most of us here have other sports cars. There are several Miata owners, several vette owners. We love our other cars, but none of them have the pure, raw feel of a Seven.

Before you buy, hitch a ride with someone or drive a car. I'm sure you will find a member here willing to help with that.

Worst thing is to decide you don't like it after you buy one.

[scannon]

Thanks. I wonder, though, if I trade in the Miata and build a Seven - am I moving UP or moving DOWN?
Keep the Miata and build the Caterham. That's what I did and I don't regret it at all.

Since I just got the Caterham road legal, I haven't been driving the Miata much but when I do, it seems like a different car than it was before the Caterham came along. Now the Miata feels large and luxurious and after owning it for about 8 years, it seems new and fresh again.

Another approach would be to buy a Westfield kit and use your Miata as a donor car: http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/

Welcome aboard!

Skip

[slngsht]

Since I just got the Caterham road legal, I haven't been driving the Miata much but when I do, it seems like a different car than it was before the Caterham came along. Now the Miata feels large and luxurious and after owning it for about 8 years, it seems new and fresh again.


That is SO true... before getting my Seven, the vette had a rumble, and a bad azz feel to it. Now when I drive it, it feels so smoooooth - like a caddy, even though it still has a Z06 setup.

[Pat Kelly]

Brand new forum member. Have owned my SII Lotus 7A since 1965 competed in autocrosses (with a short time out to try racing). Still have the car, which has never been a road car, always raced. I'ts a 948cc twin SUs. Never changed into a Super 7.
The last time this car was driven on a road was in 1965... :)
I'm a retired school teacher, now share with my husband the duties f publishing two monthly newsprint paper, North American Pylon (about autocrossing nationally, and a West Coast racing paper, MotoRacing.
--Pat Kelly

[Ned the Red]

I've looked at the Flyin Miata site, and done a little research on Westfields. A couple of things bother me, though. First is that, although I like my Miata, I'd rather end up with something a little closer to the original Seven. That means no Miata dash, no Miata engine, etc. Also, I noticed that the Westfield distributor for the US is here in Dallas. At first I thought that would help. But, I'm not impressed at all by their website. I thought I'd actually get some information about Westfields, but all they have is a picture of the car. No pricing, no real info at all. What kind of build support can I get from a company that doesn't even bother to put pricing on their website? It doesn't look to me as though they're all that interested in selling the car.

Nope, the plan is to get a new job and get to work building a Caterham. I know they're more expensive but, at my age, I want what I want!

I have ridden in a couple of sevens but never driven one. I know I'll need to do that before taking the plunge.

[Kitcat]

As a former Miata owner (10 years) going from a Miata to a Seven is like going from a Cadillac to a Miata. The Seven is a wonderful toy and you will make new friends wherever you go. It certainly is more fun to drive and better at the track. Since I have several practical cars (Accord/Prius/T-Bird), the 7 is a wonderful luxury for occasional driving on nice days (like today).

But it is completely impractical-very small, hard to get in/out of, loud, invisible to other cars, little crash protection, little carrying space, and hot-hot-hot-like sitting right in the engine bay. Air conditioning? Won't you need a roof? Try getting in a 7 with the top on. If there are no 7's around , sit in a small folding chair and lift your left leg over your head to approximate the experience:).

For a daily driver, keep the Miata-put in stiffer springs & add a supercharger. That will bring you closer to the 7 experience but keep the practicality of a mass-produced car. IMHO

[Ned the Red]

Welllllll, Kitcat, maybe you've convinced me to hang on to the Miata. We'll just have to see how it goes after I've lived with a Caterham for a while! First things first - get the car. Oh, I guess that's the second thing. Get a job first. I'm outta here to hit the networking/job boards circuit for a while.

[Cherik]

Got my EE & ME degree in the Netherlands where Lia and I both grew up. My 7 intro was by means of the Prisoner series. I wanted one since I was 15. I used to build "experimental" motorcycles back then from scrap. One even had two engines (front and and rear) but was confiscated by the Dutch police and subsequently crushed. Rode a bicycle for the next two years. Got heavily into two stroke tuning. A major pass time in the Netherlands at that time. I got back into that in the late 80's. I keep a very good Suzuki T500 and a nice Yamaha RD250.

Came to the US in '80 and went to work as an Electrical development engineeer for a large engine control company (Cooper) - fuel / ignition control for the big 50,000hp machines. They were 300..600rpm hot-rods at the time, two stroke 8..16 cylinder, 20..30" diameter pistons :-)

We moved to Wisconsin to work for GE Medical. MRI was just starting. Spent 22 years there.
Left in '05 to with three others form a wireless bio-implant company.

Got the "7" finally in '99 - see my website. After 70k miles it's still as exciting to drive and work on as when I first got it. I also have come to appreciate the people associated with this hobby. A very special crowd, typically humble enthousiasts and with great energy.

Other interests: High end audio, RC helicopters (crashed many), hiking

Cherik

[slngsht]

now that I have regained access... (thanks Mazda)

I'm from 1955 and are married to Lia and have two kids 20 Nyssa and 22 Adric. Both now in college. Got my EE & ME degree in the Netherlands where Lia and I both grew up. My 7 intro was by means of the Prisoner series. I wanted one since I was 15. I used to build "experimental" motorcycles back then from scrap. One even had two engines (front and and rear) but was confiscated by the Dutch police and subsequently crushed. Rode a bicycle for the next two years. Got heavily into two stroke tuning. A major pass time in the Netherlands at that time. I got back into that in the late 80's. I keep a very good Suzuki T500 and a nice Yamaha RD250.

Early years (in the Netherlands) were with the Telephone lab on solar and wind power and then Sperry Marine systems working on Radar.
Came to the US in '80 and went to work as an Electricla development engineeer for a large engine control company (Cooper) - fuel / ignition control for the big 50,000hp machines. They were 300..600rpm hot-rods at the time, two stroke 8..16 cylinder, 20..30" diameter pistons :-)

We got bored with Ohio and we moved to Wisconsin to work for GE Medical. MRI was just starting. Spent 22 years there. Became chief eng. for MRI and the last 6 years as their science director for MRI, CT and Xray imaging development.

Left in '05 to with three others form a wireless bio-implant (cardiac & neuro) company. We have about 50 patents at this time.

Got the "7" finally in '99 - see my website. After 70k miles it's still as exciting to drive and work on as when I first got it. I also very have come to appreciate the people associated with this hobby. It's a very special crowd, typically humble enthousiasts and with great energy.

Other interests: High end audio, RC helicopters (crashed many), hiking

Cherik

:cool: sounds like you've been "around the block" a few times

[powderbrake]

I thought I'd actually get some information about Westfields, but all they have is a picture of the car. No pricing, no real info at all. Nope, the plan is to get a new job and get to work building a Caterham. I know they're more expensive but, at my age, I want what I want!
I have ridden in a couple of sevens but never driven one. I know I'll need to do that before taking the plunge.

Ned the Red;
If you click on the "Configurator" on the www.flyinmiata.com/westfield website. It gives pricing.

The Sevens community is a small one, and you may find that the USA7s members and other seven websites will give you more info than the manufacturers, no matter which brand that you choose. If you are already committed to a Caterham, that is certainly the marque with the provenance.

[Al Navarro]

Also, I noticed that the Westfield distributor for the US is here in Dallas. At first I thought that would help. But, I'm not impressed at all by their website. I thought I'd actually get some information about Westfields, but all they have is a picture of the car. No pricing, no real info at all. What kind of build support can I get from a company that doesn't even bother to put pricing on their website? It doesn't look to me as though they're all that interested in selling the car.

Ned, I'm in the advertising/marketing biz, and I actually think Manik's (and autopro's) IMAGE is a lot more robust than other manufacturers/distribs. It feels quality, upscale. I've already mentioned this to them (and the others)...they'll get a more functional site going soon. Keep in mind that none of the outfits are all that big, and perhaps they are focusing on building cars than building a website. I know a bunch of Caterham owners who wouldn't mind parking a Westfield XI next to their Se7en — INCLUDING ME!!!

[locostv8]

Just registered so this is my first post.

My small car history: In high school (back in the late sixties) when everyone else was into the "big iron" from Detroit, I drove around in a 1960 Austin Healey Srpite. 948ccs of screaming horse power! Sold the car, grew up, and finally got back to sports cars by buying a Miata and getting back into autocrossing. I'd always known about sevens but really fell in love with them at the autoXs. I still don't have one but have been watching this list for a while and hope to have one in the not too distant future. My goal is to build my own Caterham, and try to make it a daily driver. That might not be the most practical thing in the heat of Dallas (has anyone ever seen one with air conditioning?) but, that's what I'd like to do.

So, in the middle of a job search and as soon as I'm working again I'll get started on the finances for a SEVEN!

Ned
Welcome. There are many roads to a 7. I'm frugal/cheap and am building one from scratch, with caution this can be done for little $. I have a bad habit of breaking small engines so am using a V8. The first car is being built from pieces of a Mustang @ and Lincoln MK VII with a budget of about $500, it helps that I have most parts on the shelf.

Advertisement for the other US 7 forum. You might want to look over http://locostusa.com/forums/index.php

[Kitcat]

Ned: Type "Flyin Miata" into Google & go to their Westfield site-loads of info. They sell them as kits & as turnkeys cars w/Miata powertrain-v reliable.

Type "Autopro Motorsports Westfield" into Google for the Miata engine Westfield distributor in Raleigh, NC. He advertises a turnkey car for $28K.

[Ned the Red]

Ned: Type "Flyin Miata" into Google & go to their Westfield site-loads of info. They sell them as kits & as turnkeys cars w/Miata powertrain-v reliable.

Type "Autopro Motorsports Westfield" into Google for the Miata engine Westfield distributor in Raleigh, NC. He advertises a turnkey car for $28K.

I'll confess that I do like the look of the Westfields. I don't believe I've seen one "live" though so I'll have to do that before I take the leap. It will be a while before I get to that point, though. So, meanwhile, if there's anyone in the Dallas area building a car who needs some help - let me know. And, if you hear of any purchasing or contract management jobs around here, let me know that, too.

Thanks,

Ned

[solder_guy]

Have owned my SII Lotus 7A since 1965 competed in autocrosses

Welcome Pat:

Show us some pics when you get a chance.

Rob

[Kitcat]

I subscribed to Pat's publication, North American Pylon, at the peak of my auto-x period. She and her family are great supporters of the sport. As I recall, she has a daughter who was (is?) quite competitive in a Miata on the national auto-x level, competing in the "open" class (against the guys).

Also, has anyone on the Forum owned a Seven longer, continuously, than Pat?

[Mondo]

Hi,
Well lets see... I used to have a Lotus Europa in the early 80s and knew of the 7s. After looking at the performance of these current models I decided on a WCM Ultralite S2K and hope to have it in December.
I end my career with the Fire Department here in Bakersfield, California at the end of the year and this will hopefully keep the adrenaline flowing.
Actually, as I enter my 50s, I'm stepping off a sportbike since my speeds keep increasing and I anticipate an unhappy ending. I live near Willowsprings and Buttonwillow raceways (both a little over an hour away). Having done some track days on a bike, my goal is to drive to these type events (and drive home..). Maybe do a little autox and a lot of Sunday morning drives in the foothills.
It gets very hot here but from the advice I hear on this board an A/C (which they offer) is really futile. Looks like early morning drives... which is pretty much what I do now with the bike.
Well, glad I found this site and any advice on the build would be appreciated.

[solder_guy]

Welcome Kirk!

It gets very hot here but from the advice I hear on this board an A/C (which they offer) is really futile. Looks like early morning drives... which is pretty much what I do now with the bike.

They do?? I thought that was a joke .. when someone posted about A/C in a Seven a while back! That kinda luxury seems contrary to the experience of a Seven.

Rob

[slomove]

Hey Kirk, good to have another Seveneer in the neighborhood soon. Don't forget to check in with www.californiacaterhamclub.com (in spite of the name mostly brand neutral) where the conspiration for most of the local drives and track events takes place. Another place for more race oriented activities is the http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/nasa-sevens-challenge/ mailing list, certainly with a focus on NorCal.

I would agree with A/C being borderline silly but in Bakersfield you still have a choice to drive up higher and cooler in short distance (see Stan's thread (http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=901))

Hope to meet you soon!

Gert

[locostv8]

Put-put is intended to be much more street friendly with probably a Targa style top and possibly A/C, with the top and doors driving in FL will get realy toasty. A good start would be one from a Jeep YJ.
http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/43847-1/CJ7+ac.JPG

[SR27.Seth]

But it is completely impractical-very small, hard to get in/out of, loud, invisible to other cars, little crash protection, little carrying space, and hot-hot-hot-like sitting right in the engine bay. Air conditioning? Won't you need a roof? Try getting in a 7 with the top on. If there are no 7's around , sit in a small folding chair and lift your left leg over your head to approximate the experience:).


What in God's name are you driving?! :confused: A 1958 Lotus with a plywood bench seat?! Granted, our 7 or to be more precise, our 27 is not as comfortable as my Volvo, but it's a lot more comfortable than 90% of the classic british sports cars I work on and test drive every day (and that other 10% belongs to the Jag MKII and MKX)
And - If you drive with your lights on (which you should) the Seven is 4x more visible than a Bike- plus being loud and blatty is a safety bonus!

[Kitcat]

I have a '97 Caterham classic, with standard cloth seats (not adjustable for rake) wh/I drive with the lights on and in a lower gear than necessary around town to make sure everyone knows where I am. I have the air horn option and a 3rd brake light on the upper part of the standard roll-over bar (I have the FIA bar on order). So, I am trying to be safety conscious, especially since the left side-impact bar is my arm! I drive the 7 like I drove my motorcycle: carefully/defensively/avoiding blind spots, etc.

I'd say my car is as comfortable (or as uncomfortable:)) as my old A-H Sprite, but hotter and harder to get in and out of. Also tons more fun to drive, which is the whole point of this car,

Compared to a modern sport scar like the previous poster's Miata, which I also owned for 10 years, it is much less comfortable and convenient to use. I am not complaining, I love my car! But it would be tough to live with as a daily driver.

[Boxologist]

i was able to get into a local autoXer's new Exige. barely get into. much easier getting in and out of a se7en IMO. with a fixed steering wheel.

[Kitcat]

I should add that my comments about putting the left leg over the head etc., referred to getting in and out with the top up. I have been in Exiges and getting in & out is an adventure, not to mention v limited rear view vision.

[Donnie]

OK. Here goes. I started out as a child. Born in Washington DC, raised in nearby Maryland suburbs and moved to Northern Va. in the early 70's. Got my first Brit car in 1965 (a '57 Morris Minor) since then I've had 3 Sprites, an MG Midget, 2 Spitfires, a TR4, a Ford Cortina GT (my first Kent engine) and several other cars not worthy of mention. Participated in SCCA production car racing in the DC Region pit crewing for various people/cars. I found that to be the cheapest way to get see the races up close. Autocrossed my Cortina and a '69 Sprite in the early '70s (I sucked). Married (again) in 1992, retired from the DC Metro (subway) in 2001. Convinced Corky to quit cleaning teeth in '03 and moved everything to Loudon, Tennessee. 45 minutes from Tail Of The Dragon. Have wanted a Lotus 7 ever since I saw my first one race at Marlboro Raceway about 1959. Cheers Don Freeman

[slngsht]

OK. Here goes. I started out as a child. Born in Washington DC, raised in nearby Maryland suburbs and moved to Northern Va. in the early 70's. Got my first Brit car in 1965 (a '57 Morris Minor) since then I've had 3 Sprites, an MG Midget, 2 Spitfires, a TR4, a Ford Cortina GT (my first Kent engine) and several other cars not worthy of mention. Participated in SCCA production car racing in the DC Region pit crewing for various people/cars. I found that to be the cheapest way to get see the races up close. Autocrossed my Cortina and a '69 Sprite in the early '70s (I sucked). Married (again) in 1992, retired from the DC Metro (subway) in 2001. Convinced Corky to quit cleaning teeth in '03 and moved everything to Loudon, Tennessee. 45 minutes from Tail Of The Dragon. Have wanted a Lotus 7 ever since I saw my first one race at Marlboro Raceway about 1959. Cheers Don Freeman

I'll be following in your footsteps as soon as the kids are off to college.

Unfortunately, the younger one will be starting K this year :leaving:

[Donnie]

We have schools down here.

[slngsht]

We have schools down here.

Wife and I have talked about that. We have a good school system here, and kinda settled into the community with the kids. It would be a big move for sure.

[locostv8]

http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery/d/12057-2/DSC01160.jpg
Sure do. :rofl:

[solder_guy]

Wife and I have talked about that. We have a good school system here, and kinda settled into the community with the kids. It would be a big move for sure.

You could get a job with the TVA .. they have a huge office in Chattanooga. Excellent private schools there too.

Rob

[sporqster]

Yet another vanity post, all about ME:

I'm a 20-something mechanical engineer by training, working in product design for Great Dane Trailers. I have always been a bit of a gearhead, but didn't really start getting my hands dirty much until I decided I wanted to build a Formula SAE car as my senior project in school. That got me hooked up with the local SCCA and autocrossing. About the same time I met my now wife, who too became involved in the SCCA and loves autox. After a few years I got the opportunity to be 'tire warmer' for a friend who had built a CB1000-powered Locost - I was hooked, as this was as close to a Formula SAE car as I had driven since college.

I thought about building my own Locost, but given the amount of time and garage space (We moved to Savannah forcing us to go from a 3 car garage + large workshop to a 2 car garage with no workshop) I didn't think I would ever get the chance to build one myself. I had also just parted out my Opel GT race car project to pay for repairs on my wife's '79 Porsche 911 (which caught fire - now has megasquirt EFI, yeah!). That did leave an empty garage space (the sedans got parked in the driveway) and my wife with a hot convertible, and me with none. (She doesn't really let me drive the Porsche either!) I saw an ad for a complete, tagged and titled Locost, and something clicked inside that said I MUST buy this car. It was a great deal, and for the last 5 days I've owned it, I have had more fun than with any car I have ever driven in my life!

My better half seems to think that 4 cars for 2 people is a bit excessive, but I can't imagine getting rid of any of them at this point. They're like our children (we have no actual kids... yet.)

Winnie: 1979 Porsche 911 Targa: Brown. Her baby. Not a show car, but decent looking, fun and fast, and keeps us in the Porsche Club - they're nice people and we love going to the meetings. She has a very personal attachment to her 'Winnie'.
Jackson: 2001 VW Jetta: Blue. Long distance highway cruiser and her daily driver- comfortable and good on gas.
Sue: 2002 Subaru WRX: Custom metalic gunmetal grey. Bought new and still plays a dual role as daily driver and weekend racer. My daily driver. No A/C.
Odie: 2003 Locost - newest addition - thoroughly impractical, but I LOVE it! My baby.

[Donnie]

School system wise, you are making the proper decision. I atended the Montgomery Co. public school system K thru 12 and, from what I see and read down here, the Md. schools are far superior. Get the kids through school and come on down. Don

[locostv8]

I had to listen to my EX brother in law go on and on and on... about his poor kids having to go to these awful backward WV schools. Then they moved back to Cincinatti and guess what the poor kids were 6 mo ahead of the Cincy classes. :rofl:

[solder_guy]

They're like our children (we have no actual kids... yet.)

Nice family you have there! How do you and your wife like the megasquirt setup?

Rob

[Hudson]

Yet another vanity post, all about ME:

Winnie: 1979 Porsche 911 Targa: Brown. Her baby. Not a show car, but decent looking, fun and fast, and keeps us in the Porsche Club - they're nice people and we love going to the meetings. She has a very personal attachment to her 'Winnie'.
.

If you are up for a trip to Charlotte this weekend, Winnie would enjoy meeting a few other Porsches :)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=359071

and it makes more sense with these two threads (just go to the last pages unless you have a lot of time)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=260064

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=341921

Ed

[jmanz6]

My name is Jason, I work in Industrial Equipment sales and "stuff". I have worked on many cars/trucks over the years and read the article in GRM last year and became interested in building my own Locost. That car is underway now with a McSorley +442 frame, Ford 2.3L engine, Ranger transmission, T-bird IRS, etc. I have the frame about 1/3 finished and am not in a huge hurry to finish the car. I also have a 1972 Datsun 240z that is in the process of being helped along. I've been a member at the locostusa website for about 8 months or so. I stumbled across this site and find it very helpful as well. I hope to be able to make some usefull posts here as well.

[Al Navarro]

Jason-Welcome aboard! While all the other marque-specific forums and listservs are great (especially for specific info on a particular kind of car), I find the USA7s site to be a a great hub for all types of owners and enthusisasts...

We have a few Locost owners/builders here, including a few Bike engined cars. Very interested in what you do to the Duratec...

[solder_guy]

My name is Jason, I work in Industrial Equipment sales and "stuff". I have worked on many cars/trucks over the years and read the article in GRM last year and became interested in building my own Locost. That car is underway now with a McSorley +442 frame, Ford 2.3L engine, Ranger transmission, T-bird IRS, etc. I have the frame about 1/3 finished and am not in a huge hurry to finish the car. I also have a 1972 Datsun 240z that is in the process of being helped along. I've been a member at the locostusa website for about 8 months or so. I stumbled across this site and find it very helpful as well. I hope to be able to make some usefull posts here as well.

Welcome! Do you have some pics??? Put some pics in the members rides section!

Rob

[sporqster]

Nice family you have there! How do you and your wife like the megasquirt setup?

Rob


Works great - starts and runs great right from the turn of the key - unlike the CIS that was a bit cranky in cold weather (like we get much of that). But to my the Megasquirt (Tony Bitz kit) is more intuitive and easier to troubleshoot than the CIS - which was basically voodoo Carrie & me.

-Chris

[EburgE]

Elise owner in Maryland. Age 41. I blame the Elise for getting me into this Seven thing. Already met a handful of folks from the board, and everyone has been helpful. Ordered a Seven from Caterham this week. She'll be a weekend road car, not primarily for tracking. Hope to keep this car for a number of years. Still undecided on a couple of features. Will post again when I have a build date. Plan to assemble the car myself in my garage, shooting for 4th of July 2008. Not much of a mechanic, but I have been studying the manual. Wish me luck. Sevens rock. Cheers!

--Harold

:flag:

[slngsht]

Elise owner in Maryland. Age 41. I blame the Elise for getting me into this Seven thing. Already met a handful of folks from the board, and everyone has been helpful. Ordered a Seven from Caterham this week. She'll be a weekend road car, not primarily for tracking. Hope to keep this car for a number of years. Still undecided on a couple of features. Will post again when I have a build date. Plan to assemble the car myself in my garage, shooting for 4th of July 2008. Not much of a mechanic, but I have been studying the manual. Wish me luck. Sevens rock. Cheers!

--Harold

:flag:

:hurray::hurray:

So you coming to snowshoe? :bigears:

[breezy7]

Elise owner in Maryland. Age 41. I blame the Elise for getting me into this Seven thing. Already met a handful of folks from the board, and everyone has been helpful. Ordered a Seven from Caterham this week. She'll be a weekend road car, not primarily for tracking. Hope to keep this car for a number of years. Still undecided on a couple of features. Will post again when I have a build date. Plan to assemble the car myself in my garage, shooting for 4th of July 2008. Not much of a mechanic, but I have been studying the manual. Wish me luck. Sevens rock. Cheers!

--Harold

:flag: Harold : If you haven't found it already check out www.thecaterhamproject.com, best thing I found showing a Caterham build. It got me through the winter of 2005-2006 waiting for my Caterham, and was helpful a few times during the build(spacers under the steering rack that are not mentioned in the assembly guide,set up of the parking brake adjuster, using saw horses to build on etc). I met the guy at Road America this past July, we had the only 2 Caterhams there and ended up parking within 100 feet of each other. We shared a few stories and I stole an idea he has for mounting motorcycle mirrors on his car. The Caterham kit is top notch, I was very impressed with the quality and completeness of the kit. Assembly is pretty straight forward, I did mine with basic tools, only needed to borrow a 200ft./lb torque wrench and an inch and five eights socket for the nuts that hold the half shafts to the uprights. Breezy 7

[Cherik]

Breezy 7,

where are you located? There's a few of us in IL / WI.
BTW nice site!

Cherik

[breezy7]

Cherik, am located in Breese, IL, about 50 miles east of St. Louis,MO. Not the best sporstcar country,lots of flat straight roads with lovely corn vistas. There are a couple guys in St. Louis that have Caterhams, one is about 10 years old with 1700cc Ford and the other is a brand new SV with 220hp and 6 speed. I have a 200hp SVT Zetec with 5 speed. Needed you at Elkhart Lake for the vintage race, only 2 Caterhams and very few Lotus cars in general. Our car is pictured on partypics.com. Did the touring of Road America on Sunday of the SVRA evand they take pictures of everyone driving. Punch in Elkart for code to get to the pictures, I think we are on page 8 for SVRA Sunday Touring, the other Caterham that weekend toured on Friday but I haven't looked to see if he is pictured. Where are you located? I saw from the Frapper map a Caterham in Burlington,WI, we stayed there on the way to Road America. Breezy 7

[EburgE]

Thanks for the link. Had not found it.

[Cherik]

Sounds like some nice cars!

I'm in Sussex (WI). It's about an hour South from Elkhart. Did not have the time earlier this year to join.
I think there are other track events later this year organized by CAROC (Alfa Romeo club) or the Lakeshore club.

Cherik

[esheffield]

This seems like a good place for a first post. :) I'm Eddie, in Christiansburg VA. I'm currently working on a Brunton Stalker V6 which I hope to have on the road in a couple of months. I'm planning for it to be a daily driver with the 3.4L Camaro V6. My personal tweak to the "stock" is that I'm planning to run it with the Megasquirt EFI driving a TBI from a 4.3L V6. A lot of the S-10 guys like running that TBI on the 3.4L. Eventually I may switch it to MPFI if I can work out the intake.

And just a few days ago (7/3 I think) I saw a 7 (green / yellow) going through an intersection in Blacksburg - anybody on here know who that might be? First time I've seen one around here in the 5 years I've been here.

Eddie

[stevet]

Welcome aboard, Eddie :hurray:

Post some pics, of the Midget too...

[rv-4mike]

I'm Back! I had a computer crash a couple of months ago and lost all email right after USA7s moved to a new server. Everyone had to log in and change passwords. Mine got lost in the email/computer crash. Had nothing to post so have just monitored from time to time as a guest.

Anyway, finally got around to getting my password back.

Still dont have a 7 yet, but my Ultralight kit is coming along in the WCM shop. Hope to scrape together the remaining $ to get it soon.

[Mondo]

RV,
Brian is starting my ultralite and hope to have it in November/December so I can register it Jan 1st as SB100. Have you thought about getting it registered? Hope to see you next year...

[slngsht]

I'm Back! I had a computer crash a couple of months ago and lost all email right after USA7s moved to a new server. Everyone had to log in and change passwords. Mine got lost in the email/computer crash. Had nothing to post so have just monitored from time to time as a guest.

Anyway, finally got around to getting my password back.

Still dont have a 7 yet, but my Ultralight kit is coming along in the WCM shop. Hope to scrape together the remaining $ to get it soon.

Glad we didn't loose ya :cheers:

[Flibbie]

OK I try to be brief. Name is Jim Dorsey. After a visit to SEA with my uncle Sam I made some motors to help some guys when they went to the moon then ran a rocket for the Star Wars program for USAF. While working for my Uncle I learned to fly then started teaching flying then aerobatics. Then for 19 years I flew airshows. Old age caught me so I worked at a nursery for the last 12 years. Just retired. My 27 yo son Jeff bought an Elise and while scanning the Elise Talk site saw a mention of 7-7-7. We had just returned from ToTD (Had to go get a Jack-in-the-Box). I signed up for the event and we met a lot of really nice people. Just placed an order for a Super Stalker for 10-14 delivery (my 62nd BD present to myself). My son and I hope to assemble it over the winter and cruise together next summer. Just today I picked up my S/C engine. I can't wait!!! Really enjoy this site. Thanks AL and Mazda. Jim

[rv-4mike]

Mondo,

Quick answer is I hope to register in Arizona. I PM'd you with details.

Been sending Brian money in spurts since december. Last I heard from him my chassis was in powdercoat. Should be back at his place by now. Probably time to send him more money to keep progressing. Although everyone tells me Brian is always slower than planned. Not a problem for me since I still have an airplane in the garage space the Ultralite will go in.

[BobDrye]

OK I try to be brief. Name is Jim Dorsey. After a visit to SEA with my uncle Sam I made some motors to help some guys when they went to the moon then ran a rocket for the Star Wars program for USAF. While working for my Uncle I learned to fly then started teaching flying then aerobatics. Then for 19 years I flew airshows. Old age caught me so I worked at a nursery for the last 12 years. Just retired. My 27 yo son Jeff bought an Elise and while scanning the Elise Talk site saw a mention of 7-7-7. We had just returned from ToTD (Had to go get a Jack-in-the-Box). I signed up for the event and we met a lot of really nice people. Just placed an order for a Super Stalker for 10-14 delivery (my 62nd BD present to myself). My son and I hope to assemble it over the winter and cruise together next summer. Just today I picked up my S/C engine. I can't wait!!! Really enjoy this site. Thanks AL and Mazda. Jim


We stopped by a Jack-in-the-Box and filled 4 coolers up. Now my freezer is full of tacos.

[Al Navarro]

Can we get some of the new folks to share their stories here? I mean, if I can fess up to being off course and slow for my first 4 auto-x runs, some of you new folks can let us know what you drive, do - how you found us, etc.

-Al

[Bill Klingelsmith]

Saw my first 7 as a teen in the early 70's @ Nelson Ledges, OH. A good friend of my Dads was running SCCA in a Saab Sonett and they let me tag along to torgue the wheels and clean the windshield. There were some gorgeous cars in those days but for me the 7 just stood out. I owned a couple Mini's and MGs and for no good reason even a Fiat in the years to come but promised myself one day I'd have a 7.
All of a sudden I'm looking at the big five oh and I realized there was a Volvo in my garage, a wagon no less, I decided it was time. I searched for two years for a suitable 7 when one night while surfing E-Bay I noticed a X-flow engine for sale. I e-mailed the owner and told him I wasn't interested in the motor but was curious if by chance the engine was for a 7 and if so if he might know where I might find one. Turned out he owned an S2 and was in the process of buying an S1, he also told me he might be willing to sell the S2 to the right person. That's how I became the proud owner of a 1962 Super Seven 1500 Cosworth.
The "twisty-turny" roads of the Mountain State (WV) form a wonderful playground for the car and I and if it weren't raining chances are that's where you'd find us now.
Bill

[slngsht]

Saw my first 7 as a teen in the early 70's @ Nelson Ledges, OH. A good friend of my Dads was running SCCA in a Saab Sonett and they let me tag along to torgue the wheels and clean the windshield. There were some gorgeous cars in those days but for me the 7 just stood out. I owned a couple Mini's and MGs and for no good reason even a Fiat in the years to come but promised myself one day I'd have a 7.
All of a sudden I'm looking at the big five oh and I realized there was a Volvo in my garage, a wagon no less, I decided it was time. I searched for two years for a suitable 7 when one night while surfing E-Bay I noticed a X-flow engine for sale. I e-mailed the owner and told him I wasn't interested in the motor but was curious if by chance the engine was for a 7 and if so if he might know where I might find one. Turned out he owned an S2 and was in the process of buying an S1, he also told me he might be willing to sell the S2 to the right person. That's how I became the proud owner of a 1962 Super Seven 1500 Cosworth.
The "twisty-turny" roads of the Mountain State (WV) form a wonderful playground for the car and I and if it weren't raining chances are that's where you'd find us now.
Bill


Cool way to find a Seven!

What part of WV? I'm putting together a drive from the DC area to Snowshoe this Sept.

[Mandurath]

Truck driver here. A few years at college when i made the discovery that I hated working on other peoples cars. An interesting insight when training to do exactly that. So, hopped in a truck and been rolling ever since. Figure i am between the 2.0 and 2.5 million mile mark. Didn't know that much about 7's until i read the article in MT about Locosts. Got me interested, enough so that it became my new hobby, project etc. Wife calls it my obsession. Currently have a Ford f150, Dodge D100 (leaving ot make room for the 7 ), Toyota Corolla, T Bird, and Sea Ray 180sv. Only other toys had been straight line, but the autox and rally races I had seen looked fun. And lasted alot longer. So I found LocostUSA forum (which led me here) and lurked for a bit while I researched. My Tbird went on the back burner while i searched and saved. Bought a partially completed project off of another member (Randidly) which i have begun work on. Currently just finish welding and figuring out what is the next step to take. Hope to have it as a running roller this coming spring. After which i am looking forward to my own first autox and driving tests that summer.

[athens7]

Car nut since a toddler, in the car business for 24 years (46 now). Saw my first Seven 20 years ago, when a guy drove one to the dealership where I worked. Didn't start owning my own cars until about 10 years ago (demonstrators are nice!), but since then I've had a 1971 240Z, 1987 MR2, 1993 Miata, 1987 Alfa Spider Quad, and a 2003 Beck 550 Spyder. The Spyder and the Caterham were the two cars I had always coveted, and, thanks to an understanding wife, I've had a chance to own both. Northeast Georgia is a great place to drive fun cars, with lots of nearby, quiet, twisty roads, plus, Road Atlanta is 45 minutes away. The Spyder was neither safe enough, nor strong enough to track, so now I have the car for the job, it just needs a more skilled driver. Any thoughts on driving school choices (expensive!) or other opportunities to gain experience would be welcome; I know just enough to know I don't know much.

[EviLRome0]

after reading many replys here i feel wayyyyyy to young to even be posting, but here goes.

I crave attention, thrills, and tight corners. ive fallen for the car bug about 5-6 years ago when i bought a vw corrado sight unseen from FL. that car was a complete mess and i had to learn how to work on it myself in order to keep it on the road. i turned from nerdy computer geek to corrado freak. my first corrado turned heads, won shows, and was featured in magazines and calendars. now 24 years old having finished business school in Penn State i own/run a warehouse and distribution center for a company in germany. We offer all sorts of euro spec and aftermarket items for vw's and audi's. I fell in love with the caterham after watching some videos on youtube years ago. now that i can aford such a toy i am eager to get one. currently i drive my wonderful 2003 jetta tdi wagon which has its share of power mods. im currently selling off my 5 year collection of corrado parts in order to purchase a se7en.

here is a pic of my old corrado in case anyone is interested.


http://www.hostdub.com/albums/GotEuroCorrado/steve_shots1.sized.jpg (http://www.hostdub.com/GotEuroCorrado/steve_shots1)

[Al Navarro]

after reading many replys here i feel wayyyyyy to young to even be posting, but here goes.

You haven't met Paul, Dino, and Seth yet...have you? :d

The best part is that I bet some of our owners/forum members in their 60s and 70s can SPANK many of us when it comes to driving.

If you can stand hanging around with some of "old" 30, 40, and 50 somethings, there are quite a few of us in the PA/NJ area, stay posted for group drive announcements, etc.

BTW, what is the name of your company? I used to have an MTM Stage 2 Avant (as well as a VR6 GTI) and my bro had the g60 Corrado back in the day.

[EviLRome0]

The company i hold the warehouse for is TmTuning.com. as for driving skills i am very limited. my experiance extends to back roads and the auto x i do is usually avoiding deer at dusk :)

[slngsht]

EvilRomeo, welcome aboard. You'll find hanging out with us old farts ain't that bad :D

[WestTexasS2K]

EvilRomeo welcome aboard no matter what your age is. We could use some young blood to keep the 7 spirit alive and growing.

I always thought the VR6 engine would be a good choice for a 7. It is narrow and makes very good power and torque. It would just have to be converted to RWD. I also like the GTI 2.0 turbo motor it is a smooth as silk motor that makes some very good power and gobs of torque. The Donkervort use that motor in thier car.

[Al Navarro]

We actually have a few Se7en enthusiasts who are younger than you Roman...

Here's one:

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1406273792_Se7ens at LRP Vintage - 02.jpg

[sporqster]

There are a few 20-somethings in mix (me).... well at least for a few more months ;-)

[EviLRome0]

if im not mistaken the gti motor your talking about is actually a 1.8T not a 2.0L turbo unless they pulled it out of a mk5 (current generation) gti.

as for the vr6 motor... i was in schimmel performance yesterday asking about doing this. he would be the guy to make it happen and he shot me down after seeing locost chassy pics. this was comming from guy who put a 24v vr6 biturbo rear engine corrado together as well a as having his own porsche 1987 with 1993 911 rear end.

a few months ago we had a corrado roll through the shop to get tuned that had a rear wheel drive conversion and it was fairly complex. here is its buildup http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2583054

[Al Navarro]

If Mazda can make an LS1 work, I don't see why a VR6 won't....

[EviLRome0]

everything can be made to work, but the cost and performance may not be worth it.

[eVox]

My name is Andrew, some of you may know me from the LocostUSA forum. In march of this year, I hit the ground running on a Locost build. I was an avid reader of Kurt's Kimini blog, and ended up purchasing a lot of the books on his recommended reading page (Carrol smith books, Locost bible, etc). About the time I was half way through most of the books, I was donated a 1984 Celica GT-S (3rd gen, rear wheel drive, 22RE 2.4 I4). I really couldn't find a good reason not to build a 7. I now have a frame, and am probably about 40% into the build. 4 months into my build, while back at home, a friend of mine had previously stalked a 7-owner to his house. We took a drive by, and I ended up getting a ride in it. I want to drive one (especially mine) quite badly now.

A little about me. I am 20 years old (supposedly there are some other youngins around here...), and a 3rd year ME at Georgia Tech. Gatech is fun, but I just had a lab last week in which we got to dissect an electric toothbrush to learn how it works. Maybe I can get extra credit if I explain suspension dynamics or intake runner length... I am natively from a town out side of New Haven, Connecticut, but I enjoy the weather down here more. I competed in US First Robotics in high school, and am getting into Gatech's Wreck racing club (for GRM Challenge).

Some of my previous experiences in no special order- I've restored a Benelli Moped to running condition, rode it around for a summer, then later killed (accidentally) it by dropping a washer into the cylinder and trying to start it. I've build a pulse-jet engine (reed-valve). I've built a pulse-jet (lockwood-hiller) powered gocart. My only track experience is on little talladega gran prix in Alabama, in my classic Saab 900.

I really like the 7 community. Vette guys may be sensical about sports cars but seem to be narrow minded. Classic Saab people tend to have no clue about the cars they are driving. VW guys (from my experience) don't quite get it (I need a 1.8T Jetta with 350 hp and no lsd, I need 3k in new shocks but I've never been on a track). Ferrari guys (Im guessing) have too much money and probably wouldn't talk to me anyways. Import guys...well Colin Chapman would probably cry if he saw some of their body kits. The current crop of muscle car owners (baby boomers) just pay people to work on their cars. Lambo owners are crazy, just crazy. Lotus 7 owners know how to do things- lightweight, low cost, and fun to drive. I think I will fit in here. I look forward to getting to know some of you guys (and ladies).

[slngsht]

My name is Andrew, some of you may know me from the LocostUSA forum. In march of this year, I hit the ground running on a Locost build. I was an avid reader of Kurt's Kimini blog, and ended up purchasing a lot of the books on his recommended reading page (Carrol smith books, Locost bible, etc). About the time I was half way through most of the books, I was donated a 1984 Celica GT-S (3rd gen, rear wheel drive, 22RE 2.4 I4). I really couldn't find a good reason not to build a 7. I now have a frame, and am probably about 40% into the build. 4 months into my build, while back at home, a friend of mine had previously stalked a 7-owner to his house. We took a drive by, and I ended up getting a ride in it. I want to drive one (especially mine) quite badly now.

A little about me. I am 20 years old (supposedly there are some other youngins around here...), and a 3rd year ME at Georgia Tech. Gatech is fun, but I just had a lab last week in which we got to dissect an electric toothbrush to learn how it works. Maybe I can get extra credit if I explain suspension dynamics or intake runner length... I am natively from a town out side of New Haven, Connecticut, but I enjoy the weather down here more. I competed in US First Robotics in high school, and am getting into Gatech's Wreck racing club (for GRM Challenge).

Some of my previous experiences in no special order- I've restored a Benelli Moped to running condition, rode it around for a summer, then later killed (accidentally) it by dropping a washer into the cylinder and trying to start it. I've build a pulse-jet engine (reed-valve). I've built a pulse-jet (lockwood-hiller) powered gocart. My only track experience is on little talladega gran prix in Alabama, in my classic Saab 900.

I really like the 7 community. Vette guys may be sensical about sports cars but seem to be narrow minded. Classic Saab people tend to have no clue about the cars they are driving. VW guys (from my experience) don't quite get it (I need a 1.8T Jetta with 350 hp and no lsd, I need 3k in new shocks but I've never been on a track). Ferrari guys (Im guessing) have too much money and probably wouldn't talk to me anyways. Import guys...well Colin Chapman would probably cry if he saw some of their body kits. The current crop of muscle car owners (baby boomers) just pay people to work on their cars. Lambo owners are crazy, just crazy. Lotus 7 owners know how to do things- lightweight, low cost, and fun to drive. I think I will fit in here. I look forward to getting to know some of you guys (and ladies).

Agree with everything you said except the Vette guys :skep: :jester:

[BobDrye]

Welcome! My math shows over 150 points. Post some pictures of your build.

[xflow7]

I really like the 7 community. Vette guys may be sensical about sports cars but seem to be narrow minded. Classic Saab people tend to have no clue about the cars they are driving. VW guys (from my experience) don't quite get it (I need a 1.8T Jetta with 350 hp and no lsd, I need 3k in new shocks but I've never been on a track). Ferrari guys (Im guessing) have too much money and probably wouldn't talk to me anyways. Import guys...well Colin Chapman would probably cry if he saw some of their body kits. The current crop of muscle car owners (baby boomers) just pay people to work on their cars. Lambo owners are crazy, just crazy. Lotus 7 owners know how to do things- lightweight, low cost, and fun to drive. I think I will fit in here. I look forward to getting to know some of you guys (and ladies).

Welcome eVox. :cheers:

The 7 community is great. Pretty much without exception all the 7 folks I've met or interacted with have been really good, down-to-earth, fun people. I have a good friend who's a long-time car guy and hung out with muscle-car guys, 'vette guys, Porsche guys, etc and he's commented to me on a couple of occasions that the 7-ers he's met hanging out with me are easily among the most fun and most down-to-earth.

[solder_guy]

Andrew:

I was at Ga Tech briefly in EE .. then transferred and went into medicine. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow .. after my daughter's soccer game .. for a ride in the Rotus!

Rob

[EviLRome0]

My name is Andrew, some of you may know me from the LocostUSA forum. In march of this year, I hit the ground running on a Locost build. I was an avid reader of Kurt's Kimini blog, and ended up purchasing a lot of the books on his recommended reading page (Carrol smith books, Locost bible, etc). About the time I was half way through most of the books, I was donated a 1984 Celica GT-S (3rd gen, rear wheel drive, 22RE 2.4 I4). I really couldn't find a good reason not to build a 7. I now have a frame, and am probably about 40% into the build. 4 months into my build, while back at home, a friend of mine had previously stalked a 7-owner to his house. We took a drive by, and I ended up getting a ride in it. I want to drive one (especially mine) quite badly now.

A little about me. I am 20 years old (supposedly there are some other youngins around here...), and a 3rd year ME at Georgia Tech. Gatech is fun, but I just had a lab last week in which we got to dissect an electric toothbrush to learn how it works. Maybe I can get extra credit if I explain suspension dynamics or intake runner length... I am natively from a town out side of New Haven, Connecticut, but I enjoy the weather down here more. I competed in US First Robotics in high school, and am getting into Gatech's Wreck racing club (for GRM Challenge).

Some of my previous experiences in no special order- I've restored a Benelli Moped to running condition, rode it around for a summer, then later killed (accidentally) it by dropping a washer into the cylinder and trying to start it. I've build a pulse-jet engine (reed-valve). I've built a pulse-jet (lockwood-hiller) powered gocart. My only track experience is on little talladega gran prix in Alabama, in my classic Saab 900.

I really like the 7 community. Vette guys may be sensical about sports cars but seem to be narrow minded. Classic Saab people tend to have no clue about the cars they are driving. VW guys (from my experience) don't quite get it (I need a 1.8T Jetta with 350 hp and no lsd, I need 3k in new shocks but I've never been on a track). Ferrari guys (Im guessing) have too much money and probably wouldn't talk to me anyways. Import guys...well Colin Chapman would probably cry if he saw some of their body kits. The current crop of muscle car owners (baby boomers) just pay people to work on their cars. Lambo owners are crazy, just crazy. Lotus 7 owners know how to do things- lightweight, low cost, and fun to drive. I think I will fit in here. I look forward to getting to know some of you guys (and ladies).

sounds good to me! im new here and a youngin as well (24). comming from the vw side of things i know what you mean. my vw backround is with the old school, mk2/mk3/corrado vr6 and vr6turbo. we know how to build up our cars by hand.

good luck with your locost

[solder_guy]

My name is Andrew, some of you may know me from the LocostUSA forum. ... I look forward to getting to know some of you guys (and ladies).

Mr eVox:

It was a pleasure meeting you when you came to visit me at home yesterday! Great blat over to the Tashtanov's Automotive shop too! I like seeing the pics of your Locost build .. You should post those pics over at the Members Ride section .. as a build-in-progress! I know everyone here would love to see your work as you continue!

Rob Mitchell

[eVox]

Agree with everything you said except the Vette guys :skep: :jester:


Prove me wrong- let me borrow your car for a week :leaving:




Rob- it was great to meet you and your family. I will definitely need to spend some more time with you and your car...for build research. Also, Im going to have to get some muffins for the preserves :thumbs:

[Jammer]

Hello,
I've been interested in Se7ens since I was a kid. Followed Keiths build over on the Miata list and have been surfin the web and lurkin around the various forums for quite a while. Recently went and looked at a Caterham S3 that was for sale here locally (WA) and came away with a fresh itch.
The Cat was just a little too narrow for my "normal" 38" American butt, I though my Miata was tight..! I'm 6'2"~ 250lbs (I know I know-way more info than you needed!!!)
So I've purchased all 3 books, the original, the revised and Keiths and am going to get serious. I love them all so trying to decide between a BEC, a 442, or something new style like the guys in Texas are building is going to be fun. This forum seems like a good bunch of guys and I reconize several names from the Miata board and others.
Maybe I can get together with some of the Washington guys and talk Se7ens and go for a blat...
David

[slngsht]

Hello,
I've been interested in Se7ens since I was a kid. Followed Keiths build over on the Miata list and have been surfin the web and lurkin around the various forums for quite a while. Recently went and looked at a Caterham S3 that was for sale here locally (WA) and came away with a fresh itch.
The Cat was just a little too narrow for my "normal" 38" American butt, I though my Miata was tight..! I'm 6'2"~ 250lbs (I know I know-way more info than you needed!!!)
So I've purchased all 3 books, the original, the revised and Keiths and am going to get serious. I love them all so trying to decide between a BEC, a 442, or something new style like the guys in Texas are building is going to be fun. This forum seems like a good bunch of guys and I reconize several names from the Miata board and others.
Maybe I can get together with some of the Washington guys and talk Se7ens and go for a blat...
David

Welcome aboard... do you have a pic of your 67 E Type?

[JohnCh]

Welcome David!

I live in Sammamish, so not that far from you. Westfields are quite a bit roomier than a narrow body Caterham, but smaller than the SV. Unfortunately it sounds like you won't fit in my car though thanks to the Mog seats, which are pretty unforgiving. However, if you would like to see a Westfield up close, then feel free to send me a PM. Oh, and I second Mazda's request for pics of the E-type.

-John

[Jammer]

The Jag has been in the family since 1967 and has only accumulated about 23000 miles. Dad only drove it on special ocassions. I don't think it had ever seen rain until I brought it to Washington. I grew up in Montana in the days when the speed limit was "reasonable and prudent" and have many fond memories of spirited rides with Dad in this car.


http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1104229861_right side.JPGhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/699126353_engine right forward.JPGhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1582960484_interior.JPGhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/419226295_right front above.JPG

[Sean]

Name's Sean. Don't have a Seven yet, but I hope to some day.

edit - Nice XKE there, Jammer. My brother had one just like it in silver many years ago.

edit 2 -- Okay, I've got a Seven now, so please disregard that second sentence above (name's still Sean though :) ).

[Al Navarro]

We've got a bazillion new forum members. Please introduce yourself here...and your car in the "members rides" section.

[Al Navarro]

See previous post.

(bump)