Phil Six 7

Spotted these a few months back in a front garden in Wanstead, there were a couple of other cars in the trees too.

Yellow with black stripes heading south on the A10 between A120 and A602 junctions. Hope you had a good blat today.

Hope the engine is well on its way to being run in. I've only had my car for a few months and still haven't reached the magic 500 miles after which I believe I can start to use higher revs. The salt and snow has kept me off the road since the end of last year but hopefully I'll be out again soon, I'm based in Stortford so might see you on the road.

Spotted a Seven with hood up heading west on the A120 bypass around Little Hadham, just outside Bishop's Stortford. Classic colours, BRG with yellow stripe, just like mine. Hope you were having a fun drive.

Hi Nigel, Good luck with the upgrade, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I see you are in Hertford, I'm not far in Bishops Stortford and bought my car from Ian at Krazy Horse too. As you say, really excellent service and very helpful, hopefully a good place for the club to meet next year.

Thanks for all the ideas and recommendations, much appreciated, will have a look at the options mentioned.

I realise this is a recurring topic but I’m aware that I need to protect the underside of my new car though the winter and was going to spray/coat it with XCP Rust blocker clear coat as it seems to highly thought of and seems much the same as ACF50. What I’m not sure about is whether I should first apply Dinitrol, and if so, which one, the 1000? Is the idea that the Dinitrol provides a waxy layer and then you can use ACF or XCP over the top? The answer is probably out there but I’ve not found it yet. Thanks for any help clearing this one up.

Lovely looking Seven filling up at Sainsburys petrol station in Thorley, Bishop’s Stortford.

As of late last year the two ex Lotus buildings were still there, though those on either side and indeed in front had been demolished as the whole road undergoes redevelopment. I assume they are building flats as it is near to Cheshunt station so good for commuter homes. I often pass close by on the A10 so when I have time I'll pop by again. I took the photo below about a year ago and you can still see the ramp that completed cars drove down from the first floor workshop. You can see it, and the whole factory, in an aerial photo from 1964 on this fascinating page on the Lotus Cortina site - http://www.lotuscortinainfo.com/?page_id=1176 But I must make the effort to get to Tottenham Lane and see the Jewson site.

Once a fairly common site on the road, a Ford Granada GL estate. This one looks like it is in good condition. It was heading south on the A1 near to Knottingley.

Hi Scott, thanks for the offer. I'm in Bishops Stortford so a fair way from Diss, once I get the car I'm hoping to join a few club meets. Enjoy the evening. And thanks to everyone for their advice, all noted and appreciated.

Thanks Olly and Scott for the replies, yes I plan do it myself. Though I think I'll let the dealer sort the first 3 month one to catch any issues. One last question, is it 5W50 oil? I think I have read that on here. Cheers, Phil

Just out of interest how often should you change the oil in a Duratec? I'm taking delivery of a 420S in July and be interested to know when it would be good to change the oil. It'll only be driven on the road. Thanks.

Thanks Simon, much appreciated.

Hi Simon, Quick question - my car is on order and I won't have it for April, but as Snetterton is not far from me, are we able to just come along on the day and pay the usual entry fee to watch? Thanks, Phil

I just wondered if anyone has one of the leather organisers that Caterham sold as part of the merchandise for the F1 team? They look like the photos below, mini Filofax I guess. Photos below show the item I'm after.

I've got a 420S on order, delivery July. I had originally planned to buy a 310 but the demise of the Sigma a month earlier meant that was no longer possible. I drove the 170, both the S and R version, the two on show during the recent club webinar with Caterham and really enjoyed the drive. They are light and the thin wheels make for a lively drive. I've not driven early Caterhams, or an original Lotus 7, but I can imagine they have a similar feel. It was a close call, but in the end the noise and growl of the Duratec in the 420 was too much to resist, but in years to come something a little quieter might be an option. Anyway, it's well worth trying the 170, sure you will enjoy it.

Hi. I've got a 420S with a spare wheel on order for delivery in July and I've asked the question re the LED lights. So as and when I get an answer I'll let you know.

Thanks Alan, I'll keep a close eye on all the dealers in case a car comes up that meets most requirements, happy to compromise on some things, otherwise I'll probably order new in coming months. Enjoy your new car, it looks fantastic.

Thanks, yes I will check out Seven & Classics and GP Sevens too, though KH are now an official Caterham dealer so if I decide to buy new they are an option, I don't think they hold any second hand stock. Whisper it quietly - They do sell Morgans and lots of cool bikes too.

Congratulations Alan, I'm now in the position you were earlier in the year and looking to buy my first Caterham. I had planned to do it in 2019, but for various reasons that rolled into 2020 and we all know what happened then. I'm going to explore the new route, likely a 310 in the same colours as yours, but I guess if something came up that met my spec then maybe a used one would speed things up. I've driven a few, but need to ensure my wife is happy in an S3 as she has only been in a hired SV. Off to the open day at Caterham in a week or so to gather info and then most likely a visit to the new dealer Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds. I'm in Bishop's Stortford, so Hertfordshire like you, and as they are quite close and I'm interested to see if I should order from them or at Crawley. Either way, I know I am in for a long wait. Anyway, enjoy your new car, looks like the weather is set to improve so you can take that half-hood off and enjoy it. Phil