Montana Birkin

[Davemk1]

Hello Folks,

My name is Dave and I'm a Birkin owner from Bozeman MT. I autocross the car a good bit and I'm lucky to be able to drive some of the most fun, completely empty road one can imagine.

I've really enjoyed looking at your wonderful Sevens and thought I'd share a few shots of mine.

All the best,

Dave






http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1522655336_DSC_3839.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1178867918_DSC_4183.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1919874711_IMG_0026.jpg

[slngsht]

Lookin' good... empty roads? what are those? :D

[locost7018]

All I can say is WOW! Oh and nice scenery too. Russ

[yellowss7]

Hey Dave. I saw one of your bikes at my friend Len J. recently. Nice work. Please stop posting scenic pictures like that. It's not nice to tease us easterners. :lol: Tom

[Davemk1]

Hey Dave. I saw one of your bikes at my friend Len J. recently. Nice work. Please stop posting scenic pictures like that. It's not nice to tease us easterners. :lol: Tom

Hey Tom,

Len is a good customer and his bike was fun to build. Thanks for your kind words.

Sorry about the tease photos :) Come out for a visit and we'll go for a blat in the hills!


Dave

[11Budlite]

Hi Dave,

Beautiful car and countryside!! Glad to see some more Birkinowners showing up here!!

Bruce - Birkin BIY1899

[Al Navarro]

Dave-I really loved Montana when I went out to fish a few years back. One day was a drift boat run on the Madison, we encountered rain, snow, bald eagles, and of course, HUGE fish.

Take a minute to introduce yourself on the thread entitled "Tell us about yourself" and also..how'd you find this site?

[stevet]

Love that second shot - great light. Welcome aboard.

[Alaskossie]

Dave,

Nice-looking car, and wide-open scenery besides! Are you a friend of Russ Kaiser of Bozeman? He and I are fellow Ford Escort RS Cosworth owners -- he bought his Escort Cossie from a friend of mine in Boulder, Colorado.

But i guess Russ wanted more comfort than Seven motoring provides, and went out and also bought an Elise for his summer driver...!

Best wishes,

Tom Meacham

[Davemk1]

Hi Tom,

Yes I do know Russ. He and I autocrossed together yesterday and and a great time. He's a skilled driver and owns some very cool cars.

Later,

Dave

[Kitcat]

Lovely. Altho I am a fan of all 7 clones, to my eye, the most graceful & delicate versions are those by Caterham and Birkin. I notice in the 2nd photo yours has what I call the "Birkin bend", a slight kink in the aluminum at the very bottom of the side panel, just below the passenger "door". In some Birkins, including those on their own website, its much more pronounced, but it almost always exists. Why?

[Davemk1]

I know what you are talking about on the "Birkin Bend". There is a spot right in front of the seat where the chassis has a sharp corner and when the aluminum sheet is pulled over it it leaves a spot that kind of sticks out to the eye. When the light is right, like in my second photo it is easy to see. At other times you can't see it at all.

I autocrossed this past weekend in Helena MT and man that was fun. Almost a 1 1/2 minute lap with about 80% of that with my foot to the floor in 3rd. Good fun.

Hey....thanks for reading.

Dave

[Kitcat]

1 & 1/2 minute lap , 80% flat out in 3rd? Back east we call that a race track, not an auto-X:).

[slngsht]

1 & 1/2 minute lap , 80% flat out in 3rd? Back east we call that a race track, not an auto-X:).

:iagree:

[Davemk1]

1 & 1/2 minute lap , 80% flat out in 3rd? Back east we call that a race track, not an auto-X:).

Everything's bigger in Montana.

Dave

[Kitcat]

Dave:

Texas Motor Works has a barely used Birken for sale that looks just like yours. It seems to be pretty basic, Zetec, no upgrades. At $22.5K its tempting to me as a prospective 7 owner. Have you had any issues with yours? What hp engine go you have? Is it adequate? What upgrades do you wish you had? They also have a 220 hp Dunell powered Birkin with many upgrades for sale at $32K. Also tempting but not sure its worth $10K more. Thots?

Mike

[Davemk1]

Hi Mike,

I bought my car used from Texas Motor Work (Dick Brink) and he treated me well and fairly. I'd do it again.

My car has what I believe to be a stock Zetec and it dynos at about 145hp. That is more than enough power to have lots of fun with. Would I like more? Yes. Do I need more? No,not at all.

I had one issue with my car. For some reason whoever converted the Zetec removed the windage tray. God knows why but it wasn't there. I found out because every time the car was spun up toward redline it would puke oil out the breather into the catch can. I tried everything to fix it to no avail. I finally dropped the sump and found out the windage tray just wasn't there. $25 later it had a tray and no works perfectly. I don't know who did the original work but I do know it wasn't Dick Brink.

I've seen both cars in question on the website and it money was no object I'd buy the green one. I think it's worth the $31K. But both cars look good.

I feel the Birkin is a well thought out car and I enjoy it very much. I put about 6k miles on mine last summer and loved every mile.

let me know if you have other questions.

Dave

[Kitcat]

Thanks Dave.

Yes , the Dunnell powered Birkin is a dream and should be an auto-X terror! But $ is all too relevant.

I am also discussing buying Keith Barretts's Caterham, listed under cars-for-sale at this Forum. It seems to be about equivalent to your Birkin but has the cachet of the Caterham name, which may make it a bit easier to sell if I ever need to.

If it fals thru, I will probably go w/the $22K Birkin , tho the '97 Crossflow Caterham also listed on the for-sale section here is awfully pretty (tho some what slower). Hmmm: speed vs beauty? Close call.

Mike