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The Lotus Owners Gathering (LOG) 28 was held a few weeks ago in and around Indiana so there are loads of photos of exotic cars, including a few Sevens. Looks like a good time was had by all.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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British Columbia to be exact. Caterham's official distributor isSuper 7 Cars Inc. based in Chemainus, BC, Canada and they seem to be producing a fairly stonking Seven called the Super 7 GSX
1300R "Hayabusa". There's plenty of info on their website and there's also a news article in the local community website. Good luck with the expansion plans, guys.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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I generally don't post links to videos of erratically driven Se7ens but as there aren't many RAW Sylva Strikers around, I'll let this one past. Don't get your hopes up, it's fairly ordinary anyway.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Ok, so the review isn't actually a head-to-head between a Caterham 7 and a Pagani Zonda but as the Evo test driver seems to be the main user of a Zonda, comparisons are inevitable. Of couse, there's no real comparison - ones a super car and the other is supercar.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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At the London Motor Show this year, you can step outside to enjoy the Westfield Active Drift Experience. For five pounds you can be driven sideways round a tight circuit by the resident pro driver. Sounds life fun. More info over at Car magazine.
Update: The Express and Star has a second review plus a video.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Evo magazine have in-car footage from Roger Greene's Westfield at Castle Coombe. It's pretty good if you want to see a race from start to finish.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Probably of very dubious legality but there's a video on-line called the Secret Life of Colin Chapman. No, it's not salacious tale of his private life but a documentary on his work at Lotus, his rise and eventual fall.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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IFR Automotive debuted its new car, the Aspid, at the British International Motor Show in London. This is definitely a presitge Se7en, starting at £75,000 with each car customised to the purchaser. The prototypes ran 2.0l engines, developing 270bhp as standard, with a supercharger option taking it to 400bhp in car weighing just 700kg.
Deliveries are expected to start next summer.
There are some pictures of the Aspid at the show. Looks good if you like a roof with your Se7en.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| At the Swansea MC hill climb at Llys y Fran, Simon Rogers piloted his Caterham R400 to take second place behind Henryk Kozlowski in a Jedi single seater, losing out by just under two seconds. Good stuff. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| August's newsletter from Race Technology demos the DL1 data logger, offers training courses on data logging and announces that their technology has been selected for the Powerboat P1 World Championships. Nice. Click on More>>> to read the newsletter. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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In response to the Forrestburn photo, the photographer Giles Guthrie got in touch to say that the driver's name is Craig Nicol and that there's even better picture of him at Doune. And he's right.
As before, photo by Giles Guthrie.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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While I'm catching up on the build sites, an honourable mention has to go to Jam's Tiger Avon build site, which is actually the first Tiger build site that I know about - Jam actually provides some links to a few others.
Anyhow, good selection of text and piccies, with some screenshots of his Megasquirt setup.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Aerosam has been blogging the build of his Locost BMW V8 for a month or two now with around ten posts and pics. If you are interested, head on over for a read. He's a bit stumped at the moment and could do with some help.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| Definitely off-topic, but if you need some relaxation, why not try Lotus 7 Yoga. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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The Birmingham Post has an interetesting article on Westfield adopting lean manufacturing techniques. Apparently this led to changes in the way the assemby area is run and the results have been impressive. Westfield are now rolling the concept out to other areas of the business.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| According to the Nidderdale Herald (http://www.nidderdaleherald.co.uk/sport/Harewood-Hillclimb-to-stage-Montague.4345063.jp) , it's going to be a busy Sunday at Harewood Hillclimb with Montague Burton Trophy meet. This takes in rounds from no less than four championships, including the Lotus 7 Club Speed Championship. Should be a good day's motorsport. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| Caterham is now offering insurance for Sevens and while I haven't read all the fine print, it appears that they are offering three days of trackday cover, which is a nice touch. They'll also cover modifications, too. GB only I should imagine. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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According to reports on the BBC's and The Independent's websites, it looks as though the remake of The Prisoner will finally go ahead. Rumour has it that Patrick McGoohan will make a cameo apprearance but no new yet on what will replace the Lotus 7 as his car of choice.
The article at the Independent covers the background to both the show and Portmeirion quite well - worth a read.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Autocar have a "first drive" review of the new Caterham 7 Superlight R500. In particular they mention the six speed sequential gearbox and the launch control.
They like it. They like it alot - "The R500 is not just back;
it's better in every respect."
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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In Aintree Sprint last weekend, the Se7ens were out in force with the Westfield class being won by John Loudon and Mark Wallwork's Dax Rush Quadra doing the business in the Over 1700 class. Well done.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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You knew it was going to happen sooner or later. An electric Caterham 7 has been finally put together...and they seem to have done a reasonable job. The electric car, called ThoRR, has been created by Evisol using a 272 hp motor. Allegedly it'll do 0-60 in 3 seconds but no word on top speed or range.
There are good pictures and a video on the ThoRR site.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Auto Express are running a competition to win a Caterham driving weekend up in Scotland. Closing date is 8th May and the competition question is a doddle.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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There's a good picture of a Seven steaming along at Forrestburn. If you are the driver, let us know how you got on.
Photo by Giles Guthrie.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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There's a lightweight review of the 2007 Caterham Roadsport over at
LifeTime Sports . Nothing out of the ordinary. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| Although I can't currently see it in the online store, Caterham have announced a DVD "Fifty Years of the Seven" celebrating all that it is the Seven, from its early days as the Lotus Seven, right through to the modern day incarnations. Bargain at £19.99. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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There's a great picture of a Westfield getting
a bit sideways in a race at Outlon Park over on a Fickr. While you are
there, check out some of the other pictures from the same photographer, Matt
Smith. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Contrary to popular opinion, I haven't been abducted by aliens and I am still alive. The reason that I haven't been blogging is that my wife and I now have a little baby girl and she's been taking up all of my spare time. I will try and return as time permits but babies are just such time sinks.
Keep it between the hedges.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Yet another Seven-esque vehicle which I knew nothing about, comes from Czech manufacturer Kaipan. The current version is the 57 and much like a Caterham Seven, comes in varying kit configurations and uses the VW-Audi 1.8l engine as found in the Skoda Octavia (and several other cars from the VAG group). Looking at the pictures in the photogallery, the cars look pretty good.
There was also a Kaipan 47 of which about 50 cars were produced, though it's now discontinued.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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This isn't a real build, but rather the assembly of 1:43 scale Lotus 7 model. The detail is quite astonishing and you can see the finished model as well. I love the tiny chassis.
I can't find a website for the kit manufacturer, MEA, but here's a picture of the some of the Lotus 7 models.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| Accelerate appears to be a free motoring magazine published out of Weston Super Mare in the UK. It's got two reviews of the Caterham R300 and R400 which generally say great car but somewhat impractical for day-to-day use. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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September's Caterham Life (2.5MB PDF) is now available from Caterham's website. Highlights this month include 50th Anniversary Celebration, editorial from the Managing Director and Bayswatch 2007. All in all, six pages of Seven goodness.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Although I missed this at the time, a bunch of Caterham and Lotus Sevens drove from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise £5000 for Leukaemia Research. The convoy of fifteen cars started on Saturday 18th August from Land's End, reaching John O'Groats on the Monday. In the end, the event raised over £7500 and I'm sure further donations would be welcomed. See the LEJoG website for details.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Not sure of all the details, but it looks like there was a Se7ens run up the Pacific coast from California all the way up to British Columbia. Anyway, couple of good photos.
Yes, I know it's a Lexus-based bulletin board. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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In the Motul Tour Britannia, Joe Twyman and Oliver Bryant were just off the podium after finishing fourth overall in their Lotus 7 S3. This presitigious three day tour for historic cars takes in Brands Hatch, Brooklands, Donington Park and Oulton Park to name but a few and they were up against some stiff competition from Ferraris, Porsches and Alfas.
Dates for 2008 will be announced shortly.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Seven, Classic and Sports Car magazine have carried out road tests on original Lotus 7 models, S1 through S4. You'll have to get your copy from the newstands or order a back issue from the website. It's the October issue you want.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Most of the Lotus 7-type vehicles hail from the Northern Hemisphere, e.g Dax, Caterham, Westfield. But there's a good showing in the Southern side of the planet with the likes of Elfin, Birkin and now the Millennium 7, built in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, RSA. Instantly recognisable as a se7en, it's product of a two-man team and can use either the Toyota 4A-GE or Ford Zetec engines.
You might need to consult the internet regarding "lekker"...
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| KTM is to establish a new assembly plant near Graz, Austria, for the production of its first car – the KTM X-Bow lightweight sports car. The decision to create its own assembly facility, instead of out-sourcing production as originally anticipated, was prompted by the success of the highly-renowned motorcycle manufacturer’s growth into the four-wheel market. |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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If weren't able to make it to the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Lotus 7 (and even if you did), you can capture the spirit of the event through these photographs taken by Dr John.
Be warned...there are hundreds of photos and you'll spend hours scrolling through them.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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For some reason, I thought I'd covered this bunch already, but a quick search on the site reveals nothing. Anyway, if you're wanting to hire a Seven for a blat through the Scottish mountains, take a look at Open Road Hire. They're based in Perth and seem to be using the Roadsport SVs as their vehicle of choice.
At the moment, they're running a competition for a day's hire - you simply have to send them an email saying where you heard about Open Road Hire, so don't forget to mention Radio Se7en.
[Disclaimer - I've no connection with Open Road Hire Ltd.]
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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If you are into racing games, take a look at GTR2 (and report back please). It seems to be building quite a following online and there's a good selection of Caterham 7 models to choose from - just do a search on Caterham over at NoGrip.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Depending on your point of view, you'll either be disappointed or breathing a sigh of relief, but The Prisoner is not to be re-made after all. In a conversation with Digital Spy, Richard Wolfe, the Head of Sky One, revealed the it was too British and there would be serious creative difficulties re-doing it for the US market.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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| The prices and equipment for the first sports cars from KTM have now been set: The standard model of the KTM X-Bow, with its avant-garde carbon fibre monocoque, will cost EUR 45,850/GBP
31,650 (excl. VAT and delivery charges). This price reflects the increased levels of standard equipment compared with the initial tentative plans on equipment and price. Now, even the standard model
will have a higher-performance engine than originally planned: instead of 162 kW (220 PS), the 2.0 TFSI engine by Audi will achieve 176 kW (240 PS). In addition, the chassis with damper elements that
are adjustable for tension and pressure, will be standard equipment. ... |
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Came across a build site called the Bodger Locost Build, which appears to be anything but. Couple of good entries with photos and even a YouTube video.
I also like the post "Describing a Crash", which I have shamelessly lifted....
UNDERSTEER is when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
OVERSTEER is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car.
HORSEPOWER is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE is how far you take the wall with you.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Not entirely coincidently, The Prisoner also celebrates 40 years and to commemorate there's an anniversary DVD set out from 1st October, with 7 disks and all 17 episodes.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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On 23rd September, Lotus will celebrate 40 years of manufacturing at Hethel, Norfolk, UK with an Open Day at the factory. During the day, the assembly halls will be open and visitors can experience the test track in one of the current Lotus cars. Examples of cars from the past will also be on show including the Lotus 7.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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Just like buses, there's nothing about Elfin and then two articles appear on the same day. Evo have a head-to-head shootout between the Elfin MS8 Clubman and the Lotus 2-Eleven. The MS8 still comes in for some fairly critical stick on the handling. Hmm.
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| Posted by AndrewP at | | | |
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