So I picked this up today ...

[lgb240]

So, after about 15 years of half a$$ searching, I finally found a Se7en that was fairly close to home, was reasonably priced and had the drive train I wanted.
It's a '76 Caterham, has a 1600 Lotus Twin cam, webers, dry sump, live axel, LSD, magnesium minilites, weather gear and less than 9K miles. My poor pics don't show it, but it is a very bright shade of orange - all the better to be seen in. This thing is very small; I need to sign up for yoga classes
to limber up so I can get in and out of it.
I would have loved to have found an original Lotus 7, but the current prices are just too dear. This car was a very good compromise - it's one of the earliest Caterhams and is faithful to the original 7 intent, without many of the 'modern' updates. A quick couple of blasts around the block went I got it home today (just before it started to snow, of course) confirms that this is truly a unique driving experience.
Can't wait 'till spring ....

[Cletonius]

Sweet! I've always liked those cars. I bet spring is going to take forever to come...

[110stx]

I wondered where all the cars I love were going. You have two MGAs, an e30 Touring, and now this wonderful Caterham 7??!!??

Sweet! :p

d.hitchcock

[Kershaw]

nice go kart.

[harv]

Very nice. I have been thinking about building an 11 when I'm done with the 2002. I have a Midget waiting in the wings.

John

[Joe G]

awesome

[325ix]

Throw an f20c in it!

[lgb240]

Very nice. I have been thinking about building an 11 when I'm done with the 2002. I have a Midget waiting in the wings.

John

11's are very cool - almost practical compared to a 7 with all of the storage nooks and crannies in the body.

If you haven't already, look up Peter Egan's write up (of Road & Track)on building a Westfield 11 then driving it from CA to WI. Great storey and good fun.

[Killacortes]

Haha go kart status for real. But I love the car!

[E30m42cab]

Fuck yeah. Please tell me you're going to bring that out to some Trillium Auto-x's this year? Or hell, bring it out to Mosport for a good romp. Nice ride Lino!

[deutschman]

Super sick! I am going to build one of these when I am done with the 2002. I have been thinking about it for some time.

[Fusion]

I love these.
But taking the pics with a 1960s cam, processing them in a dark room, scanning them to your PC and then taking a picture of what was on the monitor with a cell phone camera seems like a lengthy process.

[lgb240]

I love these.
But taking the pics with a 1960s cam, processing them in a dark room, scanning them to your PC and then taking a picture of what was on the monitor with a cell phone camera seems like a lengthy process.

I prefer cars over cameras!!!
Cheers.

[Bill 84 318i]

without many of the 'modern' updates

Love it!

Can you elaborate on the negative impact of modern updates? I'm honestly curious. I've probably only ever seen the new ones, and they still seem pretty minimalist.

[lgb240]

Love it!

Can you elaborate on the negative impact of modern updates? I'm honestly curious. I've probably only ever seen the new ones, and they still seem pretty minimalist.

Some of the modern changes may or may not be negative, depending on your perspective. I was looking for a 7 as close to what was being produced in the mid 60's.

Newer caterhams have independant rear ends (again, probably better for ride and handling, but a departure from the 60's) They are slightly longer, wider and the interior's are more luxurious - heater, heated windshield, leather bucket seats and trim, map pockets, carpet, some have carbon fibre bits.The dashes have modern looking paddle switches rather than basic toggles. Again, all these can be good things, but to me, they're a departure from '60's era 7 I was after.