MarPar
Meat Man with a Hat
Ill just leave this here...
MY CATERHAM 7 BUILD
- Thread starter 78Brougham
- Start date
78Brougham
"Chump"
They're on the back burner for now. I have them in my storage shed next to my Imperial and NYB. I'm hoping some good looks will rub off on them but somehow I doubt it.
They are project cars, fairly rough but complete.
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78Brougham
"Chump"
These actually have quite a following in England.
There were two other variants made following and along with the Elite, the Eclat and the Excel. The "Gremlin" look wasn't quite as pronounced as in the Elite.
This is and '87 Excel in the JPS (John Player Special) Colors. Lotus made very few limited editions in these colors celebrating Mario Andretti's World Championship livery.
Here's an '88 in Monaco White.
Here is an Eclat in race trim.
'79 Eclat. They really grow on you after a while....
There were two other variants made following and along with the Elite, the Eclat and the Excel. The "Gremlin" look wasn't quite as pronounced as in the Elite.
This is and '87 Excel in the JPS (John Player Special) Colors. Lotus made very few limited editions in these colors celebrating Mario Andretti's World Championship livery.
Here's an '88 in Monaco White.
Here is an Eclat in race trim.
'79 Eclat. They really grow on you after a while....
Kinda like a fungus??
78Brougham
"Chump"
I managed to find some pics of one of the '77 Elite project cars. The other is a '74 also in red.
This car was literally a Barn Find. I know the previous owner and it was stashed in someone's barn for probably 15 years. We had to winch it out with the flatbed's winch and steer it around mountains of junk. The rear drum brake on the one side was set up completely and the tire practically flat.
I nicknamed it "Stinky" because something was living in there at one time or another. And it REAKS!
The car had an engine fire that burned up and melted the engine wiring harness, alternator and the carbs... That's why I got the other one from him.
Back to "Little Boy Blue" Took this out in front of the country club that's across from us.
It takes some getting used to driving it. Because most of these were right hand drive, the damned turn signal stalk is on the wrong side. Every time I go to use the blinkers I turn on the wipers! Thank God the clutch and brake pedals are in the same spots!
This car was literally a Barn Find. I know the previous owner and it was stashed in someone's barn for probably 15 years. We had to winch it out with the flatbed's winch and steer it around mountains of junk. The rear drum brake on the one side was set up completely and the tire practically flat.
I nicknamed it "Stinky" because something was living in there at one time or another. And it REAKS!
The car had an engine fire that burned up and melted the engine wiring harness, alternator and the carbs... That's why I got the other one from him.
Back to "Little Boy Blue" Took this out in front of the country club that's across from us.
It takes some getting used to driving it. Because most of these were right hand drive, the damned turn signal stalk is on the wrong side. Every time I go to use the blinkers I turn on the wipers!
Thank God the clutch and brake pedals are in the same spots!
78Brougham
"Chump"
This one gives you a bit of perspective on how small these cars really are...
78Brougham
"Chump"
Told you these were chick magnets...
Here is a race car that someone put a 350 Chevy into... That things has got to fly! This one is owned by a guy from Los Angeles
78Brougham
"Chump"
78Brougham
"Chump"
Stumann
New Member
I fell in love with the Lotus 7 when I as a kid from the TV show The Prisoner. In the early 2000's, I built one from scratch; there was a group called Locost 7 that provide a wealth of information. I built the frame, hammered out the sides from aluminum sheets, used a Toyota Celica as a donor car for the drive train and front suspension. Made my own windshield frame and dash. I purchased a fiberglass hose, fenders and cowl piece. I got lucky and found some good Caterham seats. I sold it a few years later. My wife hated riding in it, it sat too low to the ground. Urban traffic can be quite intimidating in such a small car.
78Brougham
"Chump"
WOW!!!! That is beautiful! Great Job!
Locost is a very popular group and way to build from scratch. Congratulations on an awesome car. Too bad you sold it.
I live out in the woods in northern PA so traffic is not an issue. I certainly wouldn't want to drive one on NYC or LA for sure!
Locost is a very popular group and way to build from scratch. Congratulations on an awesome car. Too bad you sold it.
I live out in the woods in northern PA so traffic is not an issue. I certainly wouldn't want to drive one on NYC or LA for sure!
78Brougham
"Chump"
Cool article on the influence of Lotus founder Colin Chapman...
For the Caterham Seven, Miata, and Tesla Roadster, we have Colin Chapman to thank
This infamous one-of-two Lotus 88 is one of racing’s great “what-ifs”
For the Caterham Seven, Miata, and Tesla Roadster, we have Colin Chapman to thank
This infamous one-of-two Lotus 88 is one of racing’s great “what-ifs”
78Brougham
"Chump"
The owner of the dealership (Time Machines) in Buffalo, where I ordered my Caterham through, just got back from England. He went to visit the Caterham factory and showroom and sent me some pics. Pretty cool... Show Room
Factory....
They wouldn't share exactly how many of my car (280 S) they produced in 2018-19 but he did say total car production was around 500.
Factory....
They wouldn't share exactly how many of my car (280 S) they produced in 2018-19 but he did say total car production was around 500.
78Brougham
"Chump"
While my dealer was in England visiting the factory he brought me back some stripes!
Let me start from the beginning. When I ordered the car, I figured I would be able to get a stripe kit here in the states and save myself a few bucks. Well after I ordered it, I searched for some stripe kits that I would like or some type of vinyl wrap. That search was a waste of time and the more I saw the factory ones the more I liked them.
I wrote to the dealer and told him to add on the stripe kit. He tried to get it on the order but when the car got here there were no stripes on it.
When he delivered it he realized it and said he would get a kit coming. When the stripe kit it was only for the sides of the car and no hood stripes.
As disappointed as I was, I soldiered on and kept going on with the build. I asked him to get me the hood stripes once again and he said they would be in a shipment that he was receiving back in Dec. of '19. I contacted him once again and he told me in January that they weren't in the container.
He replied that he was going to England in early March and he would personally pick them and get them to me.
SURE HE WILL!!!!
Well, much to my surprise when he sent me the pics that I posted here of the factory and showroom he said my stripes were in the mail!!! Just like the check is in the mail???
That was on a Saturday and Monday I got them! FINALLY!!!!!
Here is the best part..... I wrote to him to tell him that I received them and to thank him, I asked "What do I owe you for the stripes?". He replied, "I screwed up on them from the beginning so they're on me." I was floored, never expected that! Its almost a $300 option! To thank him, I'm going to send him some stuff I bought from Snap On for my customers and give it to him for his showroom.
Today I had a chance to install the ones on the hood. I still have to do the ones on the back, but take a look and let me know what you think...
Thanks everyone!
Let me start from the beginning. When I ordered the car, I figured I would be able to get a stripe kit here in the states and save myself a few bucks. Well after I ordered it, I searched for some stripe kits that I would like or some type of vinyl wrap. That search was a waste of time and the more I saw the factory ones the more I liked them.
I wrote to the dealer and told him to add on the stripe kit. He tried to get it on the order but when the car got here there were no stripes on it.
When he delivered it he realized it and said he would get a kit coming. When the stripe kit it was only for the sides of the car and no hood stripes.
As disappointed as I was, I soldiered on and kept going on with the build. I asked him to get me the hood stripes once again and he said they would be in a shipment that he was receiving back in Dec. of '19. I contacted him once again and he told me in January that they weren't in the container.
He replied that he was going to England in early March and he would personally pick them and get them to me.
SURE HE WILL!!!!Well, much to my surprise when he sent me the pics that I posted here of the factory and showroom he said my stripes were in the mail!!! Just like the check is in the mail???
That was on a Saturday and Monday I got them! FINALLY!!!!!
Here is the best part..... I wrote to him to tell him that I received them and to thank him, I asked "What do I owe you for the stripes?". He replied, "I screwed up on them from the beginning so they're on me." I was floored, never expected that! Its almost a $300 option! To thank him, I'm going to send him some stuff I bought from Snap On for my customers and give it to him for his showroom.
Today I had a chance to install the ones on the hood. I still have to do the ones on the back, but take a look and let me know what you think...
Thanks everyone!
They really make the car "pop" in my opinion. Wise addition for sure and worth the wait.
Have fun you two................!
Have fun you two................!
LeBaron1973
Old Man with a Hat
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Just brilliant, those stripes are perfect, they really improve the look of the car.While my dealer was in England visiting the factory he brought me back some stripes!
Let me start from the beginning. When I ordered the car, I figured I would be able to get a stripe kit here in the states and save myself a few bucks. Well after I ordered it, I searched for some stripe kits that I would like or some type of vinyl wrap. That search was a waste of time and the more I saw the factory ones the more I liked them.
I wrote to the dealer and told him to add on the stripe kit. He tried to get it on the order but when the car got here there were no stripes on it.
When he delivered it he realized it and said he would get a kit coming. When the stripe kit it was only for the sides of the car and no hood stripes.
As disappointed as I was, I soldiered on and kept going on with the build. I asked him to get me the hood stripes once again and he said they would be in a shipment that he was receiving back in Dec. of '19. I contacted him once again and he told me in January that they weren't in the container.
He replied that he was going to England in early March and he would personally pick them and get them to me.
Well, much to my surprise when he sent me the pics that I posted here of the factory and showroom he said my stripes were in the mail!!! Just like the check is in the mail???
That was on a Saturday and Monday I got them! FINALLY!!!!!
Here is the best part..... I wrote to him to tell him that I received them and to thank him, I asked "What do I owe you for the stripes?". He replied, "I screwed up on them from the beginning so they're on me." I was floored, never expected that! Its almost a $300 option! To thank him, I'm going to send him some stuff I bought from Snap On for my customers and give it to him for his showroom.
Today I had a chance to install the ones on the hood. I still have to do the ones on the back, but take a look and let me know what you think...
View attachment 363877
View attachment 363878
View attachment 363879
Thanks everyone!
Happy motoring.
MarPar
Meat Man with a Hat
That was just the finishing touch she needed, Kenny. Looks great!!
live4theking
Old Man with a Hat
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Looks great!!!
78Brougham
"Chump"
Finally put the stripes on the back of the car.
Here's a link to a youtube I shot back in Sept. '19 at Watkins Glen
Here's a link to a youtube I shot back in Sept. '19 at Watkins Glen
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