Some of my oversights were really obvious head-clutchers (e.g., Trabant, Saab 96, De Tomaso Pantera), while others required making all sorts of crypto-arbitrary judgment calls. In order to prevent the flood of hate mails I got from Land Rover, Jeep, and Toyota FJ freaks with Part I, we're going to make one seemingly obvious point even more obvious:
NO TRUCKS! NO TRUCKS! CARS ONLY!
Got it? And, once again, we're denying the Ford Fox and Panther platforms and the Volvo 140/240 entrance to this list. That doesn't mean we don't love those cars (in fact, I've owned at least one of each), but each underwent a major chassis redesign before it hit the magical 20-year mark. I'm still not convinced that the C2 and C3 Corvettes are the same car, and Ford's nostalgic reissue of a handful of ceremonial Model Ts doesn't add another year of production to the T's scorecard. Feel free to debate the merits of these decisions in your comments, but try to keep the venom level at or below rattlesnake level. OK, here we go, in order of years of seniority:

Morgan 4/4
54 years (1955-present)
When Morgan redesigned the suspension for the 4/4 Series II in 1955, they figured there wouldn't be much need to change anything after that. Engine suppliers come and go, so they've had to change powerplants every so often (the current 4/4 comes with a Ford Duratec four), but otherwise the Morgan remains pretty much the same wood-framed machine our grandparents knew and loved.
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Lotus / Caterham Seven
52 years (1957-present)
You don't see Sevens on the street very often, since the racetrack is this car's natural habitat, but they are road-legal motor vehicles and thus qualify for this series. Lotus built the Seven until 1972, and Caterham (and about 500 million others) have kept the production lines going since then.
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Hongqi CA770
40 years (1958-1998)
Even the Great Helmsman himself needed a car, for those occasions when he had to inspect the progress of the Great Leap Forward, and there was no way that the People's Republic Of China was going to let the running dogs of imperialism outdo them when it came to classy luxury rides for important government officials. Thus was the Hongqi CA770 limousine born. It appears to have ZIS ancestry, but the Bamboo Curtain keeps such sensitive state secrets from our hands.
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Nissan President 150/250
24 years (1965-1989)
Until replaced by a stretched version of the car we know as the Infiniti Q45, Nissan's luxury flagship was the mighty President. The styling appears to have hints of Mercedes-Benz W123 and Plymouth Volaré, and power came courtesy of the President-only Nissan Y OHV V8.
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Trabant
34 years (1957-1991)
There's not much to say about the most famous Warsaw Pact vehicle of all: two pistons, two strokes, plastic body, and more than three million made. Primitive by any standard, but it put East Germany on wheels!
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Bristol Type 603
33 years (1976-present)
The case could be made that the 603 was really just a warmed-over version of the 1946 Bristol line, but we're setting the 1976 body redesign as the cutoff. You could get a 603 with a Chrysler 318 or 360, and some even came with factory turbocharging!
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Lada Niva
32 years (1979-present)
I dismissed the Lada Niva for its truckishness the first time around, but Unicmanest has convinced me that it's no more a truck than was the AMC Eagle or Subaru Outback. And no, there's no possible way to convince me that the Land Rover was really a car.
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Toyota Century
30 years (1967-1997)
The first generation of the Toyota Century limo, which was based on the Crown luxury car, stayed pretty much the same for 30 years. Why tinker with a successful formula? The "Toyota Hemi" V series V8 powered this perennial zaibatsu favorite.
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Lotus Esprit
28 years (1976-2004)
This was a really tough one, but I'm going to say that the endless series of minor mutations in the Esprit kept it essentially the same car for its run.
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Shanghai SC760
27 years (1964-1991)
It's tough to get good information about Chinese cars designed before Nixon's 1972 trip, but it appears that the Shanghai SC760 was an all-Chinese design and remained virtually unchanged throughout its production run.
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Studebaker Avanti / Avanti II
25 years (1962-1987)
I wanted to stay away from the slippery slope of replica cars, if only to avoid the nightmare of dealing with Cobra replicas, but the Avanti II was built using the original Studebaker frames and tooling and thus qualifies. The engines were small-block Chevrolets (proper Studebaker V8s being unavailable), but otherwise we're dealing with genuine Avantis.
Suzuki Alto / Maruti 800
25 years (1984-present)
The Maruti 800, still in production in India today, is based on the second-gen Alto. It has a long way to go in order to match the Hillman Hunter/Hindustan Ambassador, but 25 years is a good start!
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Rolls-Royce Corniche
24 years (1971-1995)
There's not much you need to change on a car like this, so Rolls-Royce stuck with a winning formula.
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Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
23 years (1968-1991)
374 were made. The Queen got two of them. Any questions?
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Wartburg 353
23 years (1965-1988)
With only seven moving parts in the engine, there wasn't much to go wrong with this East German machine.
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Audi 100 C3 / FAW Hongqi CA7200/CA7300
(21 years) 1982-2003
FAW (or some copycat) might still be making Audi C3-based cars in China now, but we can't be sure. We are sure, however, that the production run lasted at least 20 years.
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Jaguar XJS
21 years (1975-1996)
Should this car be lumped in with the XJ6, just because the chassis is pretty much the same? Blasphemy!
De Tomaso Pantera
21 years (1970-1991)
Can we write about the Pantera without mentioning Vince Neill and his ill-fated 3-block trip to the liquor store? Apparently not! Anyway, the Ford Cleveland-powered Pantera stayed more or less the same for the entirety of its production run, and we all want one!
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Reliant Regal
21 years (1951-1972)
Yes, three-wheelers with closed bodies count as cars. The Reliant Robin nearly qualified as well, but missed by a couple of years.
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Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
20 years (1955-1975)
I left the Karmann Ghia out the first time because it's just a Beetle pan with a sporty body, but that wasn't fair. The Karmann Ghia was a distinct model! Too bad the Brazilians didn't keep making it for an extra 30 years.
Reliant Scimitar
20 years (1964-1984)
The first few generations of Scimitar were pretty much the same car under the skin.
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Saab 96
20 years (1960-1980)
How did I miss this car the first time around? Its ancestry stretches well beyond 20 years, but a couple of decades as perhaps the best two-stroke car ever made is accomplishment enough.
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Cadillac D Body
20 years (1977-1997)
I was very skeptical about including this car in the list, but Cadillac ice-racer William sold me on it. He also came up with some exhaustingly comprehensive rules for determining eligibility for the All-Time Survivors list, and I'll post them pretty soon, but for now I'll just share what he had to say about the Caddy D:
Of course it's the downsized Cadillac Rear Wheel Drive Fleetwood/de Ville ("D" Body), introduced on Cadillac's 75th anniversary for '77. Built from August 1976 until July 1997, the new "Right-Sized" Caddie (and GM's first full metric car) came in a variety flavors (de Ville sedan and two door, Brougham & Fleetwood) and a litany of engines: The program started with the L33 425, last of the "big iron" Caddie V-8's (down from the glory days 500 CID and nearly the same digits in torque), and soldiered on with the most diverse/bizzare collection of engines ever to grace a motor car: 368 Cadillac "Sleever," LF9 Buick diesel V-8, 253 Buick V-6 (the first non-V-8 for a Cadillac), the "8-6-4" disaster variant of the 363, an Oldsmobile 5.6, and finally the Cadillac "GM Corporate V-8 engine of Tomorrow" (forgotten the next day) the All-Aluminum cam eating 4.1 HT. And that's just the first ten years. Sure the de Ville and Fleetwood nameplates bailed to the dark side going front wheel drive in 1985 but the Brougham soldiered on in venerable "D" body glory for another decade and more.

The engine-of-the-week theme continued with an Oldsmobile 307 LG8, Chevy 5.0L and finally the Chevy 5.7. With the beginning of the Republican power shift, production packed up and moved to Texas to be closer to oil millionaires who would soon rule/ruin the world. The 1994 re-deux took the "D" body into the world of suppository-based styling complete with Corvette-derived LT-1 350, but in reality it was just a re-skin with the same frame and underbody of Grandpa's car. GM corporate greed and America's thirst for pickup trucks finally made the plant more desirable for more profitable mobile gun rack production and the last GM rear wheel drive passenger car was retired, but only after Elvis and 1.7 million examples had left the building for the last time.

20 years? The (separate) frame, main body structure (more steel alone than most complete cars) is the same from the first to the last. Panel for panel all are the same until '93, when the got out the hasp and rounded out the edges. But nothing else built by Detroit comes even close, so I think we have a strong candidate for the something that was truly Big Three built "big iron" and didn't finish out its production life in exile in Argentina (though likely this was the car exiles in Argentina where driving)..

Caterham R500 immortalised – in LEGO
The Caterham Superlight R500 won accolades across the board in 2008, including the prestigious Top Gear Car of the Year.

But you know you've really made it when you're built in LEGO.

LEGOLAND designers were so impressed by the R500's achievement in winning the BBC's top motoring decoration last year that it decided to capture the moment in its famous coloured plastic bricks.
Taking their place within the 40 million-brick MINILAND, one of a number of attractions at LEGOLAND, Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, plus the elusive Stig, can be seen huddled around the famous Caterham Seven in a motorsport-themed area.

As well as gaining the Top Gear award, the £38,000 Caterham Superlight R500 proved its giant-killing potential by outpacing supercars like the £1 million Bugatti Veyron.

LEGOLAND'S chief model maker, Guy Bagley, said: "My colleague remembered that the Stig had put the R500 through its paces and how incredible it was on the track. It's such a timeless and iconic car that it was a ‘no-brainer' as our choice for the motorsport area, having already decided to feature Top Gear. Its design lends itself particularly well to our bricks, too."

In April alone, the tiny English company saw both a Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo traded-in for the Caterham Seven. The company's faster models, such as the Cosworth-powered CSR260 easily out accelerate most supercars. In the US, Caterham's range starts at around $30,000.

Does this mean sales of hair gel and Bluetooth earpieces are slumping as well? [via Pistonheads]

“Every attribute and detail of the new vehicle will be decided by Project Splitwheel members, from the chassis and powerplant to styling, equipment and even the name.”

The project will kick off in the new year, when they’re hoping to receive a huge range of input from around the world, generating ideas and designs that will be channeled and directed by experts. They’re leaving everything totally open-ended; the engine location, type and configuration; the name; the performance level; everything. Caterham could put the results into production as early as 2011.

The whole thing sounds really cool and we’ll be keeping track of progress as it develops. Hopefully this all works out as claimed, with Joe the internet troll and Sally the web-dwelling misanthrope able to offer real input, rather than just being lured into yet another lame marketing tool. [Project Splitwheel]

[via Autofiends]

Whether or not the Type 5 is a bargain depends on how you look at it. In the Australian market, prices should be about that of commonplace Japanese sportscars like the Mazda RX-8. So if performance is your highest priority, the Elfin has plenty of bang for the buck. Obviously though, an RX-8 is going to be much more comfortable, as a hardcore roadster like the Type 5 is...well, hardcore. As is usually the case though, we won't have to worry about this conundrum over here in America, because it won't ever be coming here. Looks like you'll have to just build a Caterham. [via MotorAuthority]

Want comfort? Bring a pillow. The Secma F16's seat, steering wheel, and pedals are all fixed in place. Floormats have been apparently deemed pointless, and there's no compartment for your gloves. But none of that matters to us, because we can't get it over here in the US, no matter how much we want it. [via MotorAuthority]

Caterham Insurance Info

We're all based in the UK
Caterham Insurance advisors are based in Northamptonshire, Claims are in Yorkshire.

In the event of a claim
All repair work is carried out by skilled Caterham mechanics.

Windscreen cover
Windscreens replaced by Caterham or yourself get the £75 excess wavered.

Introductory No Claims Bonus
At Caterham Insurance we understand that your Caterham may be a fun car for sunny days and weekends. If this is the case we can offer up to four years introductory No Claims Bonus.

Agreed value
One of the joys of owning a Caterham is their high re-sale value. If your Caterham is over 10 years old we would be delighted to provide agreed value.

Is you Caterham modified?
A fun part of owning a Caterham is modifying it over a number of years, for the road or track. Caterham Insurance recognises all modifications carried out by Caterham, but can also provide cover if you have completed modifications at a later stage.

Let's be honest, this is not a good looking machine. It's as if someone took a Caterham and restyled it as a ridiculous Chrysler concept car. A Caterham is basic, elemental, and raw form following function. The Aspid is complicated, and has too many useless and overstyled bits. But perhaps that's the point here. After all, with luxuries like touch-screen satellite navigation and WiFi internet capability, the Aspid is more likely catering to those wanting the image of a supercar as well as the performance. That's fitting, since the prices range from about $149,000 up to nearly $300,000. We'd rather get a Se7en and spend the extra cash on a lifetime supply of trackdays.
[via AutoBlog, MotorAuthority]

CDX Limited Edition Seven - Let The Driving Experience Never End To commemorate 15 years of the renowned Caterham Driving Experience (CDX) days, Caterham has released a high-spec, limited edition version of the tyre-smoking cars at an attractive price. Caterham's motto of 'Designed for racing, built for living' is more relevant than ever with the CDX Limited Edition. Thrill-seeking drivers are urged to act fast as the first 20 cars will include over £2000 worth of performance extras - including a tuned 1.6-litre power unit - within the £17,495 asking price. A finance option is also available on this model with a monthly payment as low as £199*. Created to mimic the highly focused abilities and looks of the actual Sevens used on CDX days, the latest Seven boasts a 135bhp version of the distinguished K-Series powerplant, a limited-slip differential and track day roll-over bar. All this creates a serious tool for the track that's equally at home on the road. Finished in gloss black with a decal kit reflecting that of the real CDX cars, this limited run car also includes a push button engine start, Momo leather steering wheel, full weather equipment and sticky Avon tyres fitted to 13" Superlight alloy wheels. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Caterham Driving Experience (CDX) days have been enjoyed by thousands of drivers of all ages and abilities. Hosted at venues in the UK and across Europe, the popular days place licensed drivers behind the wheel of a legendary Seven - be it for the Slalom, Drift or Circuit courses. With experience days starting from £99, participants are taught new driving skills to help push the venerable two-seater to its limits or simply to execute some tyre-smoking frolics. The latest Seven is available in component form from just £17,495, or factory built for £20,495, and can be owned for as little as £199 per month.* Caterham is offering a finance scheme of 9.5% APR on the limited run car, requiring a deposit of £4600 followed by 36 monthly payments and then a final balloon payment. For more information visit www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 (South) or 01455 841616 (Midlands).

With lithium polymer batteries holding enough juice for 124 miles, it's a little on the chunky side for a se7en, tipping the scales at 1,664 lbs. We're betting with all that torque available at zero RPM it will be a hoot on the track — if you can find a class for it. No word on the acceleration figures yet, and also no explaination as to why it seems to prefer hanging out in remote fields of grass. [Carscoop]

THE NEW CATERHAM R500 - HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

* 520bhp-per-tonne
* 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds
* 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine tuned to produce 263bhp
* All-new electronic dashboard including keyless ignition
* Optional upgrade sequential gearbox & launch control

For those really serious about their driving, the famous supercar-slaying R500 moniker is back with the arrival of the all-new Caterham Seven Superlight R500.

The latest model from the British sportscar manufacturer takes the minimalist, lightweight Seven philosophy to a new level with more power, sharper handling and for those venturing on track the option of launch control and the Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential gearbox.

Weighing just 506kg and producing 263bhp, R500 is the most potent race-tuned production Seven yet.

The Series 3 chassis flagship model blasts out 520bhp-per-tonne and is capable of propelling itself from 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds, delivering a pure adrenalin fix for those committed enough to strap themselves into the Kevlar race seats.

The original R500 was legendary, with the old Rover K-series powered machine rewriting performance records for 0-60mph and 0-100-0mph times. This new variant has been equipped to supersede its predecessor by embracing the very latest in lightweight engineering techniques and technology.

Lurking under the lightened bonnet is the all-alloy 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine. Fed by its roller barrel throttle bodies, the normally aspirated, four-cylinder mill is tuned by Caterham Powertrain (CPT) to unleash a monster; 263bhp with a heaving 177 lb-ft of torque transmitted to the rear wheels. The relentless acceleration is transmitted through each ratio by either the standard 6-speed gearbox or the optional Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential transmission.

To help reign in such extreme performance are race-developed Avon CR500 tyres and a suspension set-up that includes weight saving aero wishbones and fully adjustable dampers. Bringing things ferociously to a halt are four-piston calipers clamping on vented discs at the front and lightweight twin piston rear calipers.

Performance upgrades for the R500 aimed squarely at the track day market include a sequential transmission, launch control, a gulping Carbon Induction Airbox and Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the Caterham C400 race series.

The R500 isn't just about big performance statistics though; refinements and Seven firsts feature throughout and help distinguish it from its stablemates.

In true Colin Chapman spirit, engineers sought to add lightness to the chassis in order to improve the overall performance.

To shed a massive 9kg from the already featherlight chassis utilised by the R400, Caterham left no bolt unscrewed - more carbon and Kevlar feature than previously, thinner body panels have been utilised right through to aluminium rear light housings.

Discreet exterior styling tweaks carried over from the flagship CSR models offer both form and function - the carbon winglets increasing downforce and the cat's tongue grill aiding cooling and aerodynamics. A carbon leather boot cover and clear rear lights are also new.

Housed within the revised chassis is keyless ignition, a quick-release Momo steering wheel with integrated indicator switches and an innovative dashboard featuring flush fitted switchgear, ACES sequential gear change lights and a new Stack display with scrolling text. The carbon dash is also finished with a detailed engraved plaque to show each car's number.

On sale immediately, the factory built Superlight R500 starts at £36,995,

For more information visit www.caterham.co.uk or call 01883 333 700 (South) or 01455 841616 (Midlands).

Caterham Superlight R500 Technical Specification

Engine 2.0-litre Caterham Powertrain (CPT) Ford Duratec
Max Power 263bhp @ 8500rpm
Max Torque 177 lbsft @ 7200rpm
0-60mph (claimed) 2.88 seconds
Top Speed 150mph
Wheelbase 2225mm
Overall length 3100mm
Overall width 1575mm
Height 800mm
Ground clearance 80mm
Kerb Weight 506kg (516kg sequential gearbox)

Standard Equipment

* 2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
* 6 Speed Caterham Gearbox
* Limited Slip Differential
* Superlight Suspension (wide track front and de Dion rear with Watts linkages)
* Carbon dash, nose cone, rear and front cycle wings
* ACES change-up lights
* Ventilated front brake discs with 4 pot calipers
* 13" Anthracite eight-spoke alloy wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
* Carbon interchangeable wind deflector
* 4 point Road Harnesses
* Quick-release Momo Steering Wheel with integrated indicator switches
* Carbon Kevlar seats

Optional Performance Upgrades

* Sequential Gearbox - £2950
* Launch Control - £350
* Carbon Induction Airbox - £450
* Suspension package consisting Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the C400 race series - £1250

According to PistonHeads, the R500 Superlight is supposed to weigh less than 1080lbs. The power-to-weight ratio is said to be about 500 HP/ton, but who knows for sure what kind of "tons" those are, still word is we should expect 0-60 time of under 3.6 seconds. So will this be another uncontrollable beast, or a divine driving dream? We'll just have to stay tuned and find out. [via PistonHeads]

Caterham announces official performance arm: powerhouse V8 engine delivers 1,000 plus bhp-per-tonne

For those wanting an expression of British sportscar exclusivity, Caterham Cars has joined forces with RS Performance to offer the ultimate in bespoke Seven coachbuilding. Caterham has long been the epitome of personalised motoring with almost every version of the 12,000 Sevens on the road differing from one another. The joint venture takes that famous philosophy to an altogether new level.

RS Performance is an exclusive, niche engineering house. Born out of the passion and pedigree of its founder, Russell Savory, it will offer an 'everything is possible' service to Caterham customers wanting cars truly 'built to order'.

Using the motorsport-honed Caterham chassis and benchmark technology as a cosmetic and engineering base, RS Performance, will "turn imagination into reality," says Savory.

The heartbeat of every RS-monikered Seven will be the unique RST-V8 engine. With more than 16 years of development behind it by Russell Savory, the 40-valve, 2.4 litre engine reliably delivers an incredible 400bhp in normally aspirated mode, or over 500bhp as a supercharged varient, whilst weighing only 90kg in full running gear.

The unbridled lightness of the RST-V8 matched to the already featherweight Seven chassis delivers a power-to-weight ratio of over 1000bhp per tonne - more than double of a Bugatti Veyron. This unique partnership will be open to customers looking for the ultimate in exclusivity, and carry a price tag to reflect the tailoring, detail and hand-built craftsmanship that will go into every RS-badged Caterham.

Validation of the engineering house's abilities comes in the form of the supercharged 'Levante'. This is the first Seven to rollout of RS Performance's Hertfordshire doors and which only seven more of this type will be available.

With a 12 week waiting time and costing over £115,000, this supercharged engineering masterpiece boasts a modern interpretation of the Seven's classic looks with a sophisticated electronics package with traction and launch control to help get the phenomenal power to the floor. Weight reduction runs throughout the car, from the carbon fibre interior finished with Kevlar seats down to the hosing used on the cooling systems
The RS Performance badge will sit alongside the established, and soon to be expanded, Ford powered Caterham Seven range.

"Caterham and Russell Savory have a long history, and this seemed a natural progression of that relationship and shared engineering philosophy," explained Ansar Ali, Caterham Cars managing director.

RS Performance RST-V8 Engine Technical Specification
Configuration 90° V8
Capacity 2.4 litre
Valves 40
Construction Aluminium main frame with dry sump
Max Power 380 bhp @10,000rpm / 500+bhp @ 10,000rpm (supercharged)
Max Torque 190 lbsft @ 8500rpm / 300 lbsft@ 8500rpm (supercharged)
Gearbox 6-speed
Overall length 45.6mm
Overall width 45.6mm
Height 48mm
Weight 90kg
Service intervals 8000 miles (minor) / 30,000 miles (major service & belt change)
RS Performance 'Levante' Technical Specification
Price £115,000 (dependent on specification)
Chassis Caterham SV
Engine 2.4-litre, 40-valve RST-V8 supercharged
Max Power 500+bhp @ 10,000rpm
Max Torque 300 lbsft @ 8500rpm
Supercharge boost 0.8 psi
Gearbox 6-speed sequential, paddle shift option
Transmission LSD
0-60mph (claimed) Less than 3 seconds
Top Speed 150mph (limited)
Wheelbase 2305mm
Overall length 3530mm
Overall width 1685mm
Height 1140mm
Weight From 520kgs
Suspension de Dion rear, Nitron 3-way adjustable shocks all corners
Wheels Image Billet; front 8 x 15, rear 10 x 15
Tyres Avon CR500; front 195/45-15, rear 245/40-15
Brakes Hi Spec; front 280mm vented, rear 260mm.
Exhaust system BTB 2 x 4-2-1 rear exit
Dashboard Farringdon and SPA design
Driver aids Traction Control, Launch Control
Additional Two day driver training course provided on delivery of vehicle

Best Looking Se7en

From the moment it pulled into the Tapoco Lodge's parking lot Ed Hudson's 1998 Caterham Superlight R caught my eye and refused to give it back. Painted in classic Jaguar racing green with black carbon fiber bits (nosecone and fenders) this Superlight has a positively menacing stance. Also nice were the gullwing-ish half doors and carbon weave seats. Sadly, my clumsy camera work does it no justice. This Se7en would be perfect for that rare occasion that Mad Max had to attend a black tie function. A truly sinister beaut.

We Jam Econo Davey G Johnson Memorial Obscure Punk Reference Award

Due to a camera malfunction (I'm an idiot) we don't have any photos of Paul & Terry Brocious's Locost. [Update: Al Navarro to the rescue!] Which is a shame. A Locost is a homebuilt Se7en (as opposed to from a manufacturer). The phenomenon started with the publication of Ron Champion's book, Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as £250 and Race It!. Paul (son) and Terry (father) had never even heard of a Se7en before Terry, "found plans floating around the internet." The duo built their Locost in 7 months time for around $6,000. The heart of their car is a Yamaha R1 engine. OK, it's not a Hyabusa, but still, the sucker revs to 14,000 rpm in a heart beat and blats out 170 hp. Absolutely perfect for a Se7en.

What truly makes the Brocious's car stand out is its homemade sequential paddle shifter. Just imagine banging through the gears with such a fast motor. It's like a homegrown F1 car, only several million cheaper. Almost as cool, is how they got the Locost to move backwards. To reverse, you pull a lever under the dash which engines a winch motor from an ATV. If it dies, big deal, go buy another winch motor. Another great touch was the front traverse leaf spring. Not only does it help to Americanize the car (and spin Chapman round and round in his grave), but is has to be a Se7en first. Oh, and the seats? From a Pontiac Montana. Locost indeed.

The Reason No One Died Award

Do you see that turbo? It's the size of a watermelon! And happens to be attached to a JDM SR20 motor. How much power are we talking? "Could be 600 hp," answered Bob Drye, the head of Champion Motor Cars. That's Viper power in car that weighs half as much. There aren't any doors, either. Bob says "could be" because his suicide-solution Se7en just didn't get finished in time. Still, he was kind enough to trailer it down from Virginia for all of us to stare nervously at. And I'm still breathing.

Blaze Of Glory: The Sophisticated Hoon

When Paul Roupas first dropped the hammer in his Deman USA SR27 I thought I was dead. Not because he's a poor driver (quite the opposite, actually), but because physical matter doesn't move that quickly. It was as if I was no longer bound by Newton's laws. It also didn't help that my head got smashed against the rock hard racing seat. I asked Paul and his business partner Dino Trakas about the engine. The turbocharged SR20 DET savagely dyno'd 320 hp at the wheel. Which means the motor is good for around 375 hp. And the SR27 weighs 1,400 lbs. Which is insane! If I had to guess, 60 mph shows up in about 3 seconds.

Halfway up the Dragon we stopped for photos and Paul asked if I wanted to drive it down. I should have said, "duh" but instead I politely replied, "yes." The experience from the driver's seat was quite different. The SR27 is a piece of precision machinery. There were no squeaks, rattles or detectable weaknesses. True, the stage IV clutch rendered first gear a pipe dream, but the Deman pulled as strongly in 4th as it did in 2nd. Even more impressive was the handling. Obviously, by their very nature, all Se7ens are the stuff of track day dreams. But the SR27 was even more exacting. Credit the wider front track (also an option on many Caterhams) and stiffened everything else. While the passenger seat may very well have been the most frightening place I've ever sat, from behind the wheel, I've never felt more in control.

Paul echoed my sentiments. See, when I got in the SR27 it only had 351 kilometers on the odometer. "I've never ridden in the passenger seat," Paul explained as I played psychotic bootlegger towards the North Carolina border. "How is it?" I asked him while mashing the rocket booster go pedal. "Scary!" he shouted. Massive Jalopnik bonus points for featuring the world's loudest blow off valve. Every throttle lift and upshift resulted in an infinitely pleasing, "Whoooosh!" It also happens to look great. In a word, fantastic. And the SR27 can be yours for $55,000.

Los Jalop Daily Driver

At 6'6", Doug Beckett is an unlikely Se7en proponent. Until he starts talking and you hear his Northern English brogue. He'll quickly tell you that when he lived in Old Blighty he worked on Jags, TVRs and Rolls-Royces for a living. Then he'll climb into his fiberglass, 1130 lbs. bright orange baby and, well, it all makes sense.

Doug is the President of Raleigh based Autopro Motorsports and his sole product (at the moment) is a 1992 Miata powered Westfield 7. In fact his car is essentially a cannibalized Miata. The engine, transmission, differential drive shaft (sorry Doug, "prop shaft"), axle shafts, front and rear suspension components, brakes, steering bits, wiring, exhaust and even the instruments are all Mazda. While this particular car uses the first generation 1.6-liter, the frame can accommodate later 1.8-liter mills.

It's cheap, too, with the kit starting at "$18,000 or $19,000" (one of the first things you learn when dealing with Se7en owners, is that numerical precision really isn't a top priority. The second is that you can pick 'em out of a crowd by the exhaust pipe burns on the back of their ankles and the gravel in their left ears) plus the cost of the donor car. This complete turnkey example will set you back a quite reasonable $28,950. Parts can of course be found anywhere. It's quick to build, too. Doug claims the build took him about 90 hours total and the only parts that didn't snap together were the steering and drive shafts, which had to be cut down at a local welding shop. The car's quality was exceptional, and most in attendance agreed that Doug's Westfield had that certain something that set it apart.

Other Se7ens were undeniably faster (see above) and perhaps even handled better. After a trip up and down the Dragon however, I knew this was the car I would take home. The APM Westy offered the perfect combination of raw sportiness and leisurely cruising that you can only find in a Se7en. Plus of course, like most of the others, it looks like the cat's pajamas. Doug plans on building and selling a dozen cars per year along with about 25 kits. I hope he sells a million.

Hoon Of The Dragon

It can only be Michael Dougherty, as he chased down and caught a Porsche GT3. And he had the gaul to call me crazy...

Honorary Jalopnik Fantasy Garage Inductee

Meet the Rotus. What started out a stupid, racist joke has become one of the most mind-blowing vehicles I've ever had the privilege of driving. Most rumors hold that the name Rotus is due to the fact that these cars came with rotary engines. Not true. Custer Toyota in Fredrick, Maryland thought it would be a funny name for their Japanese-parts Se7ens that used AGE Toyota Twincam engines. Get it? The Japanese can't say their Rs. While it is true that one or two wankels got tossed in under the bonnet, what sets Mazda Ebrahimi's Rotus apart is that he managed to wedge in a 440 hp LS1 small block. Let's recap before we move on: An Iranian-American named Mazda owns a Japanese-American British-themed Se7en that features a Chevy 350. If that's not Fantasy Garage material, nothing is.

If the Deman SR27 defies Newtonian physics, the Rotus messes with Einstein. It bends time and space. Weighing 1700 lbs and sending 380 horses to the wheel, Mazda freely admits that his Rotus has a hard time laying all that power down. "Other Se7ens might have me from 0-60 mph," he explained. "But I have them from 60-150 mph." And everything else on planet earth, too. All star Commenter Danio3834 is always quick to point out the difference between Japanese and American horsepower. As much as I hate to agree with him, he's right. And here's the difference.

Photographer Brian's Hair After A Run In The Rotus

In the SR27, being belted into the passenger seat is horrifying. Yet, once you get behind the wheel, all that minimally-lagged power is quite manageable. Thrilling, sure, but you can work with it. The Rotus is always horrifying. The brand new 434 hp LS3 powered Corvette does the 0-60 romp in 4.4 seconds and weighs 1,500 lbs more! This monster has to be hitting sub-3. But again, exact numbers don't matter as the Rotus hits 80 mph faster than you can start urinating. Did I mention the brakes? Again, Corvettes stop exceptionally well for 3,200 lbs. vehicles. Mazda fitted Corvette brakes to the Rotus. I can barely describe the stopping power. Long story short, it hurts. And the very best part? It runs an unregistered copy of Windows XP. Still handles like a Se7en, too.

There you have it. The 2007 Jalopnik Se7en Se7en Se7en Awards. I know I missed a lot of great cars and a lot of great people. Which is why USA7s need to invite us back next year.

Turns out Se7en owners are some of the friendliest out-and-out hoons you'll ever be lucky enough to meet. Perhaps more so than with any other car make, a Se7en reflects its owner's off-camber personality (sorry MDorks). Gather 60 or so casual Porsche owners, you'd likely hear them tell of semi-legal stock trades, golf tips and hair plugs. Ferrari owners? Stories about getting Porsche owners' sentences reduced. But after two days with Se7en owners in the eye-popping, jaw-dropping, chart-topping, heart-stopping beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, I now know the following: the proper protocol for frogging (walk down the center of the stream, shine light in frog's eyes, throw stunned frog into sack, repeat) and how to catch carp with my bare hands while kayaking. I even met an honest-to-goodness electrical engineer from Lucas Electronics. (Yep, he knew all the jokes.) Also, of course, I learned that Colin Chapman is God. But these men (and a lady or two) are not just quirky. They are very, very serious about driving. Case in point, my new buddy/hero Michael Dougherty chased down a procession of Porches and eventually caught the leader who was driving a GT3. Michael's Caterham Se7en makes around 170 horsepower.

Everyone Loves A Non-Parade

Back on point, the gathered Se7ens seemed endless in their variety. They came equipped with a wide range of engines from vehicles as diverse as a Miata, a Yamaha R1, a Datsun 210, a Vauxhall of some description and a Camaro. Such diverse hardware meant these seemingly identical cars all possess unique personalities dictated by nothing but their owners' preferences and budgets. Yet, such wildly divergent cars are all essentially identical. One Lotus Series I in attendance wielded a 75-hp brickbat, while Bob Drye, who once stuffed a 427 into a Manta Mirage, showed up with a turbocharged, SE20-engined Se7en that kicks out "about 600 horsepower." This paradox is one of the many things that make Se7ens such captivating cars. Another reason is Chapman himself.

"The Seven was the car I dreamed about as a schoolboy. When I got the chance to build it, it was the most basic, lightest, high performance little car we could come up with... a student's car if you will – a four-wheeled motorbike."

A Beautiful Birkin

The first car I drove over the Dragon was a Lotus Elise. Describing the experience as fantastic means I am a very lazy writer. It was utterly phenomenal. The petite mid-engined Brit danced across the Dragon's 318 corners. The tires seemed to be made not of rubber but pine tar. Even my "kick and stab" driving technique (read: poor) didn't phase it, as I managed to hit 80 mph and live.

Anyone Got $28,950 They Can Lend Me?

I then climbed out of the Elise and into an Autopro Motorsports Westfield Miata-powered Se7en and raced right back up the Dragon. Time for a confession. After an entire morning of being driven up and back down the Dragon as a Se7en passenger, I was two scabs past itching to drive one myself. Doug Beckett, the President of Autopro Motorsports, agreed to let me drive his very fine fiberglass example. As I'm pulling out of the parking lot Doug asks, "You've driven one of these before, eh?" I'm so sorry Doug! The car made me do it (or was it the black lab?). Anyhow, yes friends, the very first time I ever piloted a Se7en was on the Tail of the Dragon.

Holy mother of God was it incredible! Honestly, my first thought was, "The Elise is a fat pig! What a sloppy, silly car." If the Lotus felt like it had stickum on the tires, then the Westfield was riding on invisible train tracks. The whole affair was effortless. Even with a turn every 180 feet or so, there was virtually no need to hit the brakes. The superb suspension dispatched the majority of bends as if they didn't wind in the first place. If speed did need to be shed, the vehicle's low weight (about 1130 lbs. in this case) meant that I simply needed to heel-und-toe it down a notch. The engine took care of the rest, challenge bested. Put it this way: for the final three miles of our run Doug and I were behind a Yamaha R1 ridden by the type of guy that puts his knee to the ground every time he turns. In other words, he was caning it. Meanwhile, Doug and I were four car lengths back, having a conversation and loafing along in third gear. Yes, for reals.

Al & Mazda Atop The Tail Of The Dragon

Surprisingly, my favorite part of Se7en Se7en Se7en did not occur behind the wheel. I had (finally!) found my hotel at 2:00 am Thursday night. And I dragged my sorry ass out of bed at 5:30 am to go on an early morning Dragon run. At approximately 6:30 am I met up with Al (Caterham Superlight R), Mazda Ebrahimi (LS1-powered Rotus), Norm Beaver (Caterham Se7en) and Michael Dougherty (Caterham 7) at Deal's Gap (fittingly, population: seven). Al had warned me his Superlight would be a little tight. Which is like saying Manute Bol is a little tall. I believe we finally used a shoehorn to get me seated.

Why We're Moving To Tennessee

And then our little caravan set off. There wasn't another soul on the road, just the four Se7ens cutting through the gorgeous morning fog as we wended our way to the top. For years I have been saying that California/Oregon coast right where the two states meet is the most beautiful place in America. Now I'm not so sure. There's a turn off at the top of the Dragon that over looks a bend in the river capped off by one of the Tennessee Valley's innumerable damns. Should it turn out that heaven exists, there's no way in hell it's any prettier. The sun even decided to burn through the clouds. All your picture perfect postcards are belong to the Dragon. The way back down was even more enjoyable, as the road had dried a bit and I rode in Mr. Dougherty's 100-times more comfortable Caterham. Anyway, as Al said, "Who knew 30 mph could be so fun?"

Population Se7en

Also notable was the "non-parade" (you have to get a permit to have a parade) where at 9:00 am Saturday morning around 40 Se7ens set off to traverse the Dragon. Even the most jaded Dragon watchers had to be impressed with the show of Se7en force. They even held an autocross on Sunday (which I sadly had to miss). Obviously, it was a tremendously planned and even better executed event that I'll keep with me till the end of my days. I mean, who else on earth can say that the first three cars they drove over the Tail of the Dragon were an Elise, a Se7en and a Hyundai Sonata (don't ask)? I even did the deed in the back of an F150, which legally I shouldn't talk about. Again, a big congratulations is in order to USA7s and Al Navarro for pulling off such a daring plan. As far as I know, only one speeding ticket was issued.

Tomorrow: Part II: The 2007 Jalopnik Se7en Se7en Seven Awards

Related:
I Am The Gert: Riding Shotgun In A Se7en Over Decker Canyon; All Your Kit Cars Are Belong to Carlisle;
Westfield to Build Hybrid Se7en Kit [Internal]

If you're near Donington Park in Derbyshire, UK this weekend (and frankly, who isn't), get thee to see the latest Caterham Seven concept. It's dubbed X330, and that sound you just heard was Al Navarro banging his head on the ceiling. Caterham is 50 years old this year, and the celebrations involve tweaking out a CSR with a supercharged 2.3-liter Ford Duratec producing 330 hp and torque of 220 lb-ft, and linked to a flyweight six-speed manual. That the company could shave even more weight off the CSR testifies to the miracle that is carbon fiber. The company has no plans to produce the extreme Cat in number, but it shows what can be done if Al Navarro constituted the ruling class. – Mike Spinelli

Caterham's birthday concept [Autocar]

Related:
Caterham to Use Ford Sigma Engines in New Seven [internal]

I used to think Spinelli, Wert, and company had the best jobs ever because they got to drive concept mules, travel to exotic places sponsored by Bruce, and cover car shows for a living. Well, having visited the recent Carlisle Import/Kit/Replicar Nationals show with an eye toward writing something worth guest posting, I can tell you that it is not the easiest way to make a living. First of all, try walking miles in the midday sun for a few hours. Resisting the temptation to stop at every funnel cake vendor you see. All the while keeping an eye out for the diamonds among the rough...and at Carlisle, there was plenty of rough. I am still amazed at the lengths people will go to ruin a perfectly good Fiero. Then you've got to take photos that add enough visual interest to keep the commenters off your back. Which may or may not include shooing people out of your frame. Mike Bumbeck, you are my hero.

But I tried my best. And here are the highlights of my day at Carlisle.

The Se7ens
If you didn't already know, now's a good time to make it perfectly clear that I attend the church of Colin Chapman with some regularity. I'm the acting president of the USA7s club and a co-organizer of the upcoming Se7ens meet down at Deals Gap. That's not some stock photo in my avatar, either. So it should come as no surprise that I came to Carlisle looking for Lotus Seven-inspired Sportscars (LSiS). And I found a handful, including one in a very unexpected place.

Westfield and Brunton Automotive were located in the same open sided building. I'd never seen either variant on the LSiS theme in person before, so it was nice to have Justin Sims of Brunton (http://www.bruntonauto.com) on hand to give me a tour of the Stalker kit makes with his stepfather, Dennis Brunton. The Stalker uses a GM V6 drivetrain and the pretty silver and black customer car they had on hand featured a supercharger.

The Westfield booth featured the triumvirate of Doug Beckett, Tom McClintock, and Julian Turner. Doug's the relatively new East Coast dealer/builder who brought the Miata-engined Westfield 1600 on display; Tom runs Manik, LLC, the Texas-based US distributor; and Julian Turner is the Managing Director of Westfield Sportscars over in the UK. I think they were all moderately amused that I was fawning over their cars while wearing a Caterham hat.

The 1600 is an LSiS that uses a Miata donor car. From the engine to the gauge pod to the wheels. The Orange 1600 they had on display was well turned out, with excellent padded seats that I'd trade my Kevlar Tilletts for in heartbeat. When I sat in one of these perches, I noticed that I could barely see over the scuttle (I'm trying to use as many Se7en-centric terms as possible in this paragraph). The guys told me that this particular car had the lowered floor option — which gives tall guys a little more room. While the all fiberglass body may not be every one's cup of tea (original Loti had aluminum body panels and fenders), Doug says turnkey cars are available for under $30k, which is a lot less than I paid for my Superlight a few years back. So I think they'll sell lots of these.

In addition to a few other LSiS-related vendors displaying their wares, I found a Caterham Twin Cam, a Dax Rush with nitrous Hayabusa power (this thing runs low three second 0-60 times) — both being shown by their respective owners, as well as a Locost built around Volvo P1800 mechanicals. It was the first Se7en I saw in the open car show parking area, and I thought it was a mistake because it was sitting in the Volvo area.

The Hartley V8
You know you make a good product when your trade show booth consists of a piece of yellow lined paper, a business card, a wooden folding table, and your product — and there's still a line of people waiting to talk to you.

That's the situation I found John Hartley in when I went looking for the H1-V8. For those of you who haven't heard of the H1, it's a 2.8 liter V8 built around a custom block and crankshaft that uses Suzuki Hayabusa top end bits. I think it redlines up at 11,000 RPM, making 400 horsepower a few hundred revs below that. It's light and small enough that John managed to shoehorn one into his Caterham without modifying the bonnet. John's site has videos of the car on the dyno that are pretty amazing.

According to John, he's sold three of motors so far — although none have made it into fully operational vehicles yet (besides the one in his Seven). I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the $28,000 mills are more common with the add-lightness set. It might sound expensive, but you can't get close to that sort of power in a normally aspirated engine that will fit into a Se7en.

Later in the day, I saw John Hartley at the Westfield booth. He was digging the XI they had brought along — so perhaps we'll see some sort of Westfield-Hartley to follow in the footsteps of original Westfield SEight.

Odds and Ends
The only sorts of car shows I had gone to in the past were either the New York show or a smaller regional marque-specific meet (Porsche, Ferrari, etc.). So you can imagine my surprise when faced with the sprawl of something like Carlisle. By the time I got home, I was beat.

There were a few acres dedicated to a parts and assorted car stuff "swap meet". A few acres given over to kit/replicar manufacturer and dealers. About an acre of "car corral", where vehicles are for sale, cash and carry. A few more acres of show field for cars of all types (including ones that you don't have to build yourself), including at least two acres of Fieros of every imaginable configuration.

Not surprisingly, the Cobra and its various authorized and unauthorized offspring were the most common kit/replicar car at Carlisle this weekend. Cobras at Carlisle were sort of like hot women in Manhattan, there are so many that eventually you just tune them out. My personal favorite vehicle of the meet was this electric blue Renault R5 Turbo in a very deep field of French cars. It had the "hot at the time" asymmetric steering wheel, and an orange interior. – Al Navarro

Related:
First Customer's Phase III Baldwin-Motion Camaro Displayed at Carlisle [internal]

Hi Al. We thought we would post this. It's a video of a Caterham with a Hayabusa motor. We're sure you know more about it than we do. We just like listening to that 1.3L Suzuki mill wind out. Humina. – Davey G. Johnson

GSX1300R Hayabusa [Super 7 Cars]

Related:
I Am The Gert: Riding Shotgun In A Se7en Over Decker Canyon [Internal]

For part 47 of "Why My Job Is Better than Your Job," I direct your attention to how I spent my Saturday. Turns out that Jalopnik blabbermouth commenter and all around righteous dude Al Navarro is president of USA7s.com, a new club dedicated to all cars inspired by the legendary Lotus 7. He sent the Postfather a query wondering if any of us So-Cal Jalopnikos would be interested in riding a Se7en around Decker Canyon. I was screaming "YES!" at the top of my lungs. At 6:30 am. On a Tuesday. Alone in my room. I was all set to get whipped about the mountains in a Caterham by a man named Doug when freak weather caused the "Malibu Blizzard." Stupid global warming. My fantastic hoonage ride was delayed. More for those who dare to jump.

Enter Gert Burkhardt, a German electrical engineer who resides in Pasadena along with his gorgeous yellow and hand-polished aluminum South African built Birkin S3. He agreed to rattle my brain about my skull up and down some of Southern California's wildest roads. Gert sent me one final email before we set off:

Now...maybe I should mention something (because I had an embarrassing moment before). Since the car is something like a glove there is a certain size limitation. It fits me perfectly with my 195 pounds but if somebody wants to ride in it with a jeans size beyond 40 it is getting claustrophobic or just not going to work. I hope that is not a problem...

At a strapping, husky and yes — big-boned — 225lbs. I was confident that I would fit just fine. If you've never sat in a Se7en, let me assure it is nothing like a glove, as gloves tend to be soft and comfortable. No, being five-point swaddled in a Se7en is akin to being stuffed into a child's coffin. Only hotter. I spent the entire ride with my left hand holding my right arm so as to give Gert enough room to row the gears. Yeah, it's that tight.

The Se7en's acceleration is outright staggering. First of all, you are seated so low that if you wanted to, you could place your palm flat on the pavement. Second, the engine sounds as if the world's angriest, unmuffled lawnmower wants you dead. Gert claims that the 2.0L Ford Zetec engine cranks out, "170, maybe 180 horsepower." As the Birkin only weighs 1,400lbs, 60mph shows up in less than 5 seconds. Saying it feels faster is like explaining sex to a virgin. You just have to experience the thrill to understand.

We headed up Malibu Canyon and hung a right on Mulholland. Within a quarter of a mile it became apparent the chassis was ideally sorted, tightly hanging on until the very last moment and then finally breaking loose with a bit of oversteer. Gert explained that the chassis could be tuned for more oversteer but that he liked his neutral.

A dozen-dozen twists later we were blasting by the Rock Store where Schwarzenegger and Leno may or may not have been enjoying brunch. We really should have stopped, as Gert's shiny Se7en was seven-times cooler than all the hogs parked out front put together. Instead, Gert doubled-timed it up the hill to where Mulholland crosses Kanan and shifts into a much needed 55mph zone. Here Gert really opened her up and I found out what a fantastic touring car a Se7en can be. And then we got to Decker.

For those who don't know, Decker Canyon is one of the very greatest roads in all the world. It is the southern terminus of California Route 23 and connects Thousand Oaks to Malibu some ten miles later. This is the road where I nearly made Davey barf in the RS4. Here's what Wikipedia has to say;

This portion provides numerous beautiful vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean during daytime, but extreme caution is advisable, especially as the road nears PCH. It is a notoriously dangerous road, and the rusted chassis of cars that have gone over the side can still be seen. Bassist Philip Taylor Kramer of the rock band Iron Butterfly allegedly committed suicide by driving his van over the side along this route.

And when his crushed van was found three-days later, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was still playing on the eight-track. It's best to think of Decker Canyon as the N rburgring without the straightaways and with the added challenge of oncoming traffic. The Se7en ate it up. At first Gert was telling me about other roads he likes. By the time we got to Malibu, he was telling me what a fantastic hill climb Decker Canyon would make.

Now comes the Jalopnik part of the story. As the Swedish Mafia would have it, Dietrich Fat Stefan cleaved his Enzo in two about 100-yards up from where Decker Canyon dead ends into Pacific Coast Highway. This location also happens to be half-a-mile from the AC Schnitzer Memorial Nose Job Roadside Attraction. There we were, and... Gert stuffed it. Trying to perform a flashy, power-slider 180, my German pilot failed to notice a small, pointless curb. The front wheel, however, sure noticed. Long-story short, the fender was smashed against the tire. Yes friends, PCH had claimed another exotic. Or had it? "No problem," said Gert. "I always travel with tools."

And so, for the next half hour Gert and I wrenched, jacked and quite literally kicked the Birkin back into shape. I had a tiny crush on the South African kit-car before the crash. Afterwards, I was formulating a mix-tape to properly express my newfound obsession. I once helped rebuild an International Scout with little more than a brass hammer and a Sawzall. This was better. Seriously, we kicked it and made it home. It was like Han and Chewbacca beating the Millennium Falcon back into shape. Amazing. And now, dammit, I want a Se7en.

Gert's claiming that a decent used Se7en can be had for between $25,000 and $28,000, with new ones topping $40,000. If I abandon all hopes of owning a house within 100 miles of Los Angeles, I could swing a Se7en. Even if all I ever did was a mad, monthly power-blast over the Santa Monica Mountains. However, as I am about as mechanically inclined as, well, Gert's foot, mine would do very little but sit and look pretty. Until the tires went flat. Still, what a fantastic machine — yet another car for my personal spank bank fantasy garage. Sigh... [Thanks to Gert for the sweet ride and Al for the hookup] – Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Westfield to Build Hybrid Se7en Kit [Internal]

Last weekend, I drove for 32 hours and more than 1,700 miles in the process of making an increasingly popular vehicular pilgrimage. No, not Bowling Green, nor Indy, nor Pebble nor Laguna. There was no factory tour waiting for me at the end of my journey. No concours of priceless Italian bella macchina. Just a $59/night motel and some of the best damn driving roads in the US of A.

I'm talking about the Tail of the Dragon, US 129 across Deal's Gap — at the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Three hundred eighteen turns in a little over 11 miles. A bunch of Se7eners are meeting up here next July (on 07/07/07, get it?) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Super Seven Series 1, and this late fall trip was the initial recon for the organizers. We wanted to see if the hotel we selected looked as nice as it did online (it did!), and of course, to come face to face with one of America's premier touge courses.

I have no idea from where I heard about the road first, but I've been intrigued by the TotD for about two years. Every week, I've checked out the eponymous Web site run by locals Ron and Nancy Johnson (updated every Monday or Tuesday) as well as the photoblog of the dean of Dragon photogs, Darryl "Killboy" Cannon (updated every Wednesday).

Here's an actual quote from me while driving the Tail of the Dragon: "If you put a wheel off here, you could really f-yourself." And here's a composite of quotes from my passenger, a fellow Se7en owner: "It's like an autocross, except with elevation changes and traffic coming the other way."

The long and short of it is, if you live within roadtripping distance and call yourself a driving enthusiast, you must visit the Tail. Even if it didn't exist, there are dozens of roads in the area that will make your local favorite twisty bit seem downright mundane. And when you go, don't drive like an idiot and ruin it for future generations. I'll leave you with two pieces of advice: A) DO NOT CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW. EVER; and B) you may want to take Dramamine before viewing the video above.

Peace, love, and Colin Chapman,

Al Navarro

[Submit Jalopnik Road Trip Reports to tips@jalopnik.com]

Related:
Hey Killboy: Can You Shoot StarQuests On the Tail of the Dragon? [internal]

And speaking of Cosworth ... If you thought the Koenigsegg CCX's dominance of the Top Gear test track was unassailable, there's a little matter of the Caterham CSR 260 we'd like to point out. Piloted by a member of Dunlop's Injection team, the little Cat — powered by a Cosworth-stroked 2.3-liter Ford Duratec — smokes the Dunsfold aerodrome, leaving the K-egg's lap time in its wake. It makes sense, since the 1,315-pound wonder can do zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Now get it into the Stig's hands. – Mike Spinelli

[via Motor Authority]

Caterham Racing Series: Sevens on the Nurburgring! [internal]

Frequent commenter, tipster and Caterham owner, Al Navarro brings us this clip of Evo magazine ad manager Duncan Clarke lapping the N rburgring in a high-spec Cat. Anyone from the states who's unfamiliar with the Caterham's performance would be well served by checking out this vid with the volume turned up to 11. He may have even done better if there'd been fewer of those slowpoke superbikes around.

Related:
More on Caterham [internal]

Think the Caterham Seven roadster was only good for track days and carving up country lanes? You're absolutely correct, but the company found out if you also slap on a bunch of aerodynamic gear and skinny tires, you can get one to hit 131 miles per gallon (though, to be fair, that's probably those bloated UK royal gallons). Still, it's a matter of bragging rights for the roadstermaker, which showed off its eco-minded prototype at the recent Shell Eco-Marathon at Rockingham. The concept was based on Caterham's outgoing 1.6-liter Rover K Series engine (the new models have Ford engines), with a carbon-fiber aero kit from Axon Automotive. A company rep also said they used "careful driving" to blast through the original target of 100 mpg.

Caterham 7 Hits Max Economy [Pistonheads]

Related:
More on Caterham [internal]

Got a rust-bucket Mazda MX-5, but you really want a Caterham? If you're in the UK, check out Westfield's MX5. The company took the running gear from a used last-gen Mazda and added its own kit body and components to create a kind of, well, Mazderham. But there's a twist to the story. Considering the UK's new "End of Life Vehicle regulations" (an environmental law that requires manufactures to pitch in to recycle old, valueless cars) the company is actually promoting environmental sensitivity. Kit-car building on old platforms, they say, is a form of recycling. We're not sure it'll wash over at Greenpeace, but it sounds like a good enough idea to us.

The Mazda Powered Westfield [Westfield Sports Cars]

Related:
Yes, It's a Kit: Colvin 911 for Sale on eBay [internal]

Related:
Top Gear: Parkour Ain't For Porkers, But Are Traceurs Faster Than May's Peugeot 207? [internal]

The inheritors and improvers of Colin Chapman's wee rocket are, for the first time ever, offering 0% finance on a 24-month loan with 3,374 down and 399 a month for 24 months on all Rover K-Series powered models, presumably to clear them from stock as the company moves to a Ford-powered lineup. Caterham managing director Ansar Ali was quoted as saying, "Driving a Seven is all about the heart; excitement, passion and drama.

"With our outstanding 0% finance offer and breakdown cover, a Seven will also appeal to your head." Mister Ali, a Seven may appeal to one's heart, but nothing about it will ever appeal to one's head, unless one's life will depend on going around many corners at high rates of speed. It's one of the most irrational cars ever; the inverse of the H1. That said, we'd totally rather have a Seven than an H1. Even in LA.

0% finance on Caterham Cars what are you waiting for? [Easier]

Related:
Even Lighter than Light: Caterham Superlight [Internal]

Lucky Brits. First they spy the Brangelina offspring before anyone else (Hello, Hello), then pics of Paul McCartney's (soon to be ex) wife engaged in a bit of the old Lonely Hearts Club Band (nudge, nudge, wink, wink sayno'more). Now, the gents at Caterham have uncovered their newest roadster for all Blighty to peep at. It's the Caterham CSR260 Superlight, and it's powered by a 2.3 liter, Cosworth-tweaked Ford Sigma engine, that can propel the feather-light sled to sixty mph in 3.1 seconds sterling. It's the first Caterham to sport the new MTCe 'Dynamic Suspensions' dampers as original equipment, which the company says will offer "an undiluted performance driving experience." How super light is the Superlight? It's 1245.6117803 lbs. Soaking wet.

Related:
More on Caterham [internal]

The boys at Caterham say the company's Seven sports car will get a new powerplant in late 2007, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the original Lotus Seven on which it's based. Replacing the current Rover K-series engine on the Caterham Classic, Roadsport and Superlight will be a new, 1.6-liter Ford Sigma mill — Duratec to us Yanks — tuned by the UK's Power Torque Engineering to produce up to 160bhp. That motor joins the Cosworth-tuned 2.3-liter Duratec four in the company's UK-only model range (a 115bhp EU IV-compliant unit will be available in "expanding overseas markets" in early 2007). The Seven will also get a new laser-cut and robot-welded chassis for a greater degree of precision, and fewer tea-and-John-Player breaks. New pricing to be announced this fall.

Caterham

Related:
Caterhams to Italy: It's Anzio All Over Again [internal]

Carriers of the Lotus 7 torch since Lotus couldn't be bothered with the drafty, quick roadgoing kart, Caterham has inked a deal with Automobil Trivellato to bring their little rocketships to the Boot. Trivellato will sell the CSR200, a hairy-chested Euro IV-complient sprite capable of scooting to 60 in a rather mind-bending 3.7 seconds.

Caterham Extends Export Market To Italy [Carpages, UK]

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Caterham Introduces Entry-Level Roadster [Internal]

"We want information. Information. In-for-ma-tion."
"Who are you?"
"The new Number Two."
"Who is Number One?"
"You are Number Six."
"I am not a number, I am a free man!"

Burned into cerebral cortex of metalheads everywhere over the last two decades, the intro to Iron Maiden's "The Prisoner" was lifted from the UK's cult-classic TV series of the same name. Reportedly, when Maiden manager Rod Smallwood called star Patrick McGoohan to ask permission to use the sample, McGoohan asked, "What was the band's name again?"
"Iron Maiden."
"Iron Maiden, you say? Do it."
Apparently, a revised version of The Prisoner is in the works, and the people at Caterham are waiting on word as to whether Number Six will again drive a Seven, as McGoohan did in the original. No word on whether Maiden's classic track will serve as the theme song, either.

The prisoner returns with a Caterham 7? [Motortorque]

Related:
Caterham Seven CSR: An Updated Legend [Internal]

Although many of Caterham's cars feature Ford motors, the company has elected the Skoda Octavia to serve as its corporate fleet vehicle of choice. Jeremy Clarkson, our favorite UK motoring writer, had some nice things to say about the wagon version a while back, although he ultimately pronounced it "dull." Which is not something anyone would ever say about a Caterham. Still, maybe after spending so much time with vehicles that elemental and raw, a bit of time in a bland, modern car is actually a blessing for the keepers of the Lotus 7 flame. And needless to say, the Skoda folks are well-chuffed by Caterham's decision, as it obviously adds a bit of lustre to their one-time-joke of a brand.

Skoda Wins Caterham Company Cars' Race [Carpages, UK]

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Czech This Out: New Skoda Octavia RS [Internal]

This fall, Caterham will add a stripped-down roadster to its lineup of open-top, Britisher go-karts — the Superlight — on occasion of the tenth anniversary of the original version. The, er, super-light Cat is powered by a 1.8-liter four, generating 140hp and 124lb ft of torque, and at nigh on 1100lbs, its power-to-weight ratio compares to that of the Ferrari 360 Spider. For those for whom Charles Lindbergh—grade weight reductions are unnecessary, options include a windshield, heater, roll bar and a — hopefully unnecessary — fire extinguisher, and zero-to-60 times in the five-second range are likely, according to the company.

Low-fat Caterham strikes back [Autocar]

Related:
Caterham Seven CSR: An Updated Legend; Caterham Racing Series: Sevens on the Nurburgring!; Race on the Cheap, Keep the Car: The UK s Caterham Academy [internal]