I'm going to put my big foot in my big mouth - again!

[Norman Verona]

Not having a "go" at anyone, just a general observation.

 

I keep seeing posts where people want to do things to their cars because "it looks good". In some cases it's against the advice of those with experience.

 

My feelings are we own high performance cars which should have no compromise performance. So it's performance first, cosmetics second.

 

I fully accept that we all want our cars to look good, at least in our eyes, but surely performance first.

 

What do you think?

 

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

No.

 

It's a balance, a compromise.Different people have different requirements from their cars. Attempting to shoe horn everyone in to one formula simply won't work.

 

I suspect one of the reasons the Seven type car is so popular is because it does offer so many ways to tailor the blend of what it does and how it looks to suit the owner.

 

PS, Not saying there's anything wrong with absolutely focussed performance machines either, but even there, you'll find they'll be "compromised" in favour of one sort of performance or other!

[Mark (smokey mow)]

As someone who's just spent the whole day at my second car show in as many weeks, the way my car looks to me is equally as important as the way it goes.

Showing a car is a way to socialise with other people, something i can't do whist driving flat out on a B-road.

[Stuart]

Nonsense Norm - people can do whatever they want with their cars, and as members should be able to freely discuss it on here. As long as they don't mind having the p*ss taken if they go too far.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

My feelings are we own high performance cars which should have no compromise performance. So it's performance first, cosmetics second.

But the very day you decided to buy a Caterham you yourself choose to compromise on performance for looks. You could have bought something more aerodynamic but you didn't

[Norman Verona]

I just feel that the 7 type car is all about no compromise performance. We think they look good but the general public mainly think they're odd. 

 

I'm not saying our cars shouldn't look good and be smart, but not to the detriment of performance.

[Norman Verona]

Mark, you overlook that I had wanted a 7 since I was 11 years old in 1957. 

 

Performance is relative. How many other cars can corner like a 7? Not many. My lad had a Chimera. Fast in a straight line (but not as fast as my 7) but was like turning an oil tanker when cornering compared to the 7.

 

I won't go into detail but when owners say they want a specific component and spend good money when the consensus of opinion is that they should buy something else. The reason they state for wanting their choice is because it looks good.  

 

Anyway, just my opinion, I have no problem with the polishing brigade and those that choose the bits they like best, I do the same, but not at the detriment of the cars performance.

 

ed to add that I'm repeating myself.

ed to add that I'm repeating myself.

ed to add that I'm repeating myself.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

But you compromise yours massively by sticking with the engine you've chosen and retaining Webers and the ignition system that (whilst faulty), made it so unreliable!

 

Flog the engine and use the funds to invest in a modern unit of equal power etc and modern injection/management.

 

True, you would then loose all the character of such an evocative engine as the twin cam, but hey that's irrelevant!

 

likewise, why have you compromised it with the BGH box? surely in the goal for performance and lightness, a good light sequential like the Elite would be the obvious solution?

[Norman Verona]

Dave, you're misunderstanding what I say.

 

I haven't fitted anything that has REDUCED performance because I liked the look of it. True I could have spent more money, or at least bought different components, to increase further my performance. As you say I could have done lots of things to gain more performance but I want to keep the character of the car as it was originally intended. 

 

My car is primarily a road car, and that's why I have what I have. I do have electronic ignition and Webers. 3D mapping and fuel injection may make the engine run better but wouldn't wouldn't increase the performance that much for the money spent. 

[Mike H]

I agree with Norm.  Some people stick stuff on their cars that quite frankly looks ****. 

[martyblues]

If you are worried about performance :-

 

1) take viagra

 

2) drive the piece of **** that you have, and stop belly aching on here.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

But that's my point, you've made a value judgement about the character of your car, that's 100% fine.

 

But at a time when you could have invested the engine rebuild costs in changing engines etc, you chose, (rightly in my opinion too,) to have, the twin cam rebuilt, at huge expense.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

2. Uncalled for Marty.

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

Your initial question was never going to get a great response was it !

Takes all sorts to own a "7" and many a happy hour has been spent by folk in here not only making there car go quicker but also making it look nice (well in the owners opinion at least)

Would be pretty boring and limiting for there use if every westfield was a stripped out racer

If people want to add fury dice - so what :-)

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Exactly Cleggy.

 

The mistake is forgetting that to many, the car's a hobby, not simply the means to a lap or cross country record.