Short "Frequently Asked Questions"

This is just about questions that have been asked to me. A comprehensive and detailed FAQ about the Seven exist here .

How to register a Seven in California ?
How to insure a Seven in California ?
How fast does it go ?
What's the acceleration ?
How much does it cost ?
What's your car's specs ?
How can I sponsor you and your car ?

How to register a Seven in California ?

That was a sore point for a while (read, impossible), but now it is much easier. First, I got stuck with a Caterham-provided South-African Ford engine. Not a good idea to go and show that to the DMV or the State referees (I was told that they have the power to eventually impound the car). Then, I had to wait for a particular Bill to be approved, which would allow pre-74 engines to be smog-exempt. Once that bill got chaptered by the Senator, I bought and installed a suitable Ford engine (out of a Formula Ford 1600), I took a big breath and went to the local DMV... 6 times over a period of several months. During my first visit there, they issued a temporary permit which allowed me to put the Seven on the road for its first miles! I was referred to the California Highway Patrol to inspect the vehicle, and to a light station as well. Apart from a lot of red tape to cut, everything went smoothly (and slowly...).

Here is a checklist of things to do in order to register a smog-exempt Seven in California (once you have assembled the Seven). I might have forgotten one or two items, but here goes:

  1. Get yourself a nice pre-1974 engine from a US source. The best bet is a 711M6015B block out of a Ford Pinto (the casting number is on the left side of the block). The Pinto 1600 (car) was not produced after 1973, if my informations are correct, so that's a good way to ``prove'' that your engine is pre-74. Hint: this engine has been extensively used (in uprated form) on Formula Ford, so a lot of engine builders have just what you need somewhere on their shelves...
  2. Get an insurance for the car (hint: 20th Century (818) 704-3100 insure mine at a very interesting rate, with comprehensive, collision, etc., as a second vehicle). For the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), tell them that you are in the process of registering the car, so they will use 999999 or something like that.
  3. Get a copy of the Senate Bill No 42, chapter 801 (an act to amend Section 44011 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Section 4000.1 of the Vehicle Code, relating to air pollution), which basically says that engines manufactured prior to 1974 need to meet only the requirements of their production year. Take a written version of it (here is an html version of this Bill). Don't show this unless needed (it isn't necessary to raise all their red flags by showing you are equipped to kill the bear). The DMV guys are very helpful and they are supposed to know their stuff, but sometimes they don't. Having a copy with me saved me (yet another) trip.
  4. Get a certificate of ownership from Caterham, showing the chassis number and your name as the owner and a Caterham agent's signature.
  5. Collect all your bills of sale, if possible with the price without tax and fret already computed.
  6. File a form REG343 (application for original registration), describing the Seven as a Specialty Assembled Vehicle (MAKE = SPCNS, 1st year sold = 00, VLF CLASS = JN, YR = 98, TYPE VEH = 110).
  7. Hint for the DMV guy behind his terminal: to get out of the smog menu, press '*' (their software won't let go without a smog check otherwise). At that stage you should get a temporary operating permit (and soon your first (ahem, legal) ride, yeeehaaaa).
  8. You'll be referred to the CHP. Make an appointment and go. In your story, indicate that the car is a replica of an early 1960 Lotus Seven, with an engine taken out of a Ford Pinto 1972. The safety standards (bumpers and all that) are based on whatever was in effect in 1960, that is, not much. The emission standards are based on the engine block. That is in substance what the officer should write on a form REG256 (Statement of facts).
  9. Smile a lot. Don't volunteer information, just answer the questions.
  10. In principle, the CHP should find unnecessary to apply a blue tag to your vehicle. Instead, the chassis number provided by Caterham should be used. Point to the aluminum plate with the number you should have rivetted somewhere (on the left of the pedal box, for example), as well as the chassis number engraved somewhere on the chassis (in my case, on a top left tube in the engine bay). Just for the record, here is what the nice officer wrote for my car:

    11.  
      ``I, the undersigned, state that the vehicle or vessel (described on the front of this form): is a kit car replica of a 1957 LOTUS 7 (--ahem, ndlr--). The chassis was manufactured by CATERHAM CAR LTD., KENT ENGLAND and was given a manufacturers vehicle identification number of SDKetc (my chassis number). Although this VIN does not conform to U.S. VIN standards for vehicles manufactured for import into this country, this vehicle should be registered by this VIN as an original chassis number. Because of this, I do not find it necessary to issue a CHP identification number (--known as "blue tag"--). The registered owner of this vehicle (--my name and driver's license--) acquired and built this vehicle. Mr. Demartines was able to provide adequate bills of sale and a manufacturers certificate of origin. This vehicle appears to meet all safety standards which would apply to a 1957 production year vehicle. All of the required lighting equipment is functional and meets standards set forth in the California vehicle code. The engine in this vehicle is an early 1970's FORD PINTO engine block. The emissions standard should be based on this information.''
       
    Rather nice, eh ? I gave him a ride afterward (``Hey, but it has some zip, that Pinto 72 !...''). I even took some pictures of him on the driver's seat and with my goggles and leather helmet, ``for his files''... He seemed to enjoy even the tease of his colleagues as they were passing by: ``So, that's your new car ?'' ``-- ha!, that's the enjoyable part of the job, isn't it ?''
  11. Go to a light certified station and pay a little premium to see a guy laugh at the headlights while he tries to figure out how to adapt his adjustement gauge. Finally he'll adjust by guestimation and will give you a certified, stamped paper, which is all that counts.
  12. Go back to the DMV, be prepared to pay a substantial premium for the initial registration (in my case, $709).
I wish the same luck to all other Californian applicants. Just be nice and patient, I'm sure you will get your car on the road too.

How to insure a Seven in California ?

I am with 20th Century and pretty satisfied with them. The Seven costs me $261 for 6 months with the following coverage: This is with "good driver discount" and it is my second vehicle. (First vehicle: VW Golf GTI, premium $206 for 6 months without the comprehensive or collision). They have also an "engineer discount"; ask for details.

Refs: 20th Century Insurance Company, California, (800) 211-7283

They have an email too: internet.communication@20thcentins.com (although I don't know how frequently they read it :-( )

I explained to them that the car is a 1996 Caterham Super Seven, and I gave them the VIN number Caterham gave me and that the CHP officer confirmed during the safety inspection. I had to send them a copy of the registration at the DMV, and all went smoothly. If you have problems to obtain similar conditions, drop me a line of email and I'll send you my policy number as a reference.

How fast does it go ?

You miss the point. Straight line is boring, even fast. That's the acceleration (somewhat) and the handling (mostly) that make the car. For the record, the top speed is approx. 115mph. You see, after 80mph, the aerodynamics starts to seriously kick in...

What's the acceleration ?

I get 0-60mph times in 5.5 seconds on average (10 measurements with a G-Tech pro gizmo).

The lateral acceleration is interesting too. With Michelin Pilot SX (treaded dot-legal radial tires, nowhere close to competition tires), I read 1.16G lateral at Sears Point even though the track was pretty slippery (recent rains had removed the ``black top'' and the temperature was coldish for the area).

How much does it cost ?

A lot. I mean, everything is relative and I guess the owners of the Ferrari or biffed-up-Porsche as those I pass on track would be rather amused by this answer. Anyhow, the real answer is, in my case, a grand total of $37K (including California tax). This is for a 1996 Caterham DeDion with a 1600 Ford XFlow as described somewhere in this page.

What's your car's specs ?

Engine Car

How can I sponsor you and your car ?

Well, that isn't really a frequently asked question, but, hey, who knows ? Just contact me and we will see if there is something to be done that would be interesting for both parties... The least I can say is that the car attracts a lot of attention, not only in the paddocks but also in the streets where it can legally be driven and parked. This isn't high-money aggressive machinery, but it brings smiles on a lot of faces!
Last modified: December 1998. Back. Return to Pierre's homepage