I did wonder how I was going to manage on long trips with my 7, but with a bit of judicious use of space, its astonishing how much you can tuck away.
I do use a boot bag for trips of more than a couple of days, but even driving down to the south of France for two weeks, I came back with clothes I hadn't worn.
'Course, there are some here who might suggest that's nothing to do with the capacious space a 7 offers, but more to do with me being a scruffy bugger.
Finding space for the tailcoat wasn't so bad, but packing the top hat did present problems.
Hi welcome another to the fold ,,never been abroad in seven ,,,but go each year to Scotland touring round ,,plus isle of skye few times ,,,usually go for ten twelve days do average 1500 miles ,,,did at first buy a boot bag ,,but sold it as found if we work out what clothes we needed ,,,them bought a few of the vac pack bags ,,put em all in bag in boot ,,plus few bits behind seats ,,no problem ,,,just have shower each day ,,,if gets hot ,,buy can air freshener ,,puncture and stuff in boot ,,no problem ,,,ours is sn SV which does give us a bit more room
Not sure of routes out to the W of London, but there are quite a few very well organised tours for 7s already planned for 2021 (covid permitting of course, but a couple are almost full already!) https://www.international7network.org/international-events
I've always enjoyed driving long distances in a Caterham. Nothing beats the sense of occasion, in my view. I've driven to Le Mans, Belgium & the Scottish Highlands in mine, the continental trips in my previous live axle 7, which had a shallower boot & shorter footwells than a 'modern' 7. The seats (s type, in my case) are comfortable & the suspension reasonably compliant. The main problem on a long drive is the wind noise, but good earplugs or noise cancelling headphones with an intercom system make the car feel far more civilised when touring.
Just get out there & enjoy it I'd say. (Covid situation allowing...)
I'll second that about the intercom. They make a huge difference to the comfort of talking to your passenger, meaning you don't arrive with a sore throat from shouting, and they offer an extra degree of hearing protection. Expensive, but good.
Very interesting to hear people's tips for touring as that is one bit of 7 ownership I will need to figure out. I generally travel light and without a passenger so thinking I can have a bag (or two) in the passenger seat. I don't think space will be the issue.
What do you do about security when parked up? My back up plan was to make sure to go with a friend that has a sensible car with lockable boot so he can carry a bag for me! The boot doesn't seem very secure and the car is likely to be open most of the time so do you just carry anything of value with you when you leave the car?
I've also been caught out in the Alpine weather where it is generally sunny and warm and we've suddenly hit snow or very cold / wet weather. Manageable in a tin top but perhaps more challenging in a 7. I've tried fitting the full hood a couple of times and find it pretty cumbersome so am thinking of getting a Softbits half hood which some friends have suggested. That seems fine for showers but presumably not that good if very wet or cold?
I have used ear plugs which I agree make driving any distance or on motorways much more comfortable. What do you guys for an intercom?
I did wonder how I was going to manage on long trips with my 7, but with a bit of judicious use of space, its astonishing how much you can tuck away.
I do use a boot bag for trips of more than a couple of days, but even driving down to the south of France for two weeks, I came back with clothes I hadn't worn.
'Course, there are some here who might suggest that's nothing to do with the capacious space a 7 offers, but more to do with me being a scruffy bugger.
Finding space for the tailcoat wasn't so bad, but packing the top hat did present problems.
Alan
Commercial Lead
Hi welcome another to the fold ,,never been abroad in seven ,,,but go each year to Scotland touring round ,,plus isle of skye few times ,,,usually go for ten twelve days do average 1500 miles ,,,did at first buy a boot bag ,,but sold it as found if we work out what clothes we needed ,,,them bought a few of the vac pack bags ,,put em all in bag in boot ,,plus few bits behind seats ,,no problem ,,,just have shower each day ,,,if gets hot ,,buy can air freshener ,,puncture and stuff in boot ,,no problem ,,,ours is sn SV which does give us a bit more room
enjoy
Derek
Don't forget that there's also space in the engine bay.....
What do you put in engine bay and were. ?
derek
Welcome to the club
Simon
Simon Houghton
Club Membership Secretary
Not sure of routes out to the W of London, but there are quite a few very well organised tours for 7s already planned for 2021 (covid permitting of course, but a couple are almost full already!) https://www.international7network.org/international-events
Sure you'll enjoy the car whatever you do.
The Completely Superior Ride Seven
Stephen
Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty
Welcome to the club & a great choice of 7!
I've always enjoyed driving long distances in a Caterham. Nothing beats the sense of occasion, in my view. I've driven to Le Mans, Belgium & the Scottish Highlands in mine, the continental trips in my previous live axle 7, which had a shallower boot & shorter footwells than a 'modern' 7. The seats (s type, in my case) are comfortable & the suspension reasonably compliant. The main problem on a long drive is the wind noise, but good earplugs or noise cancelling headphones with an intercom system make the car feel far more civilised when touring.
Just get out there & enjoy it I'd say.
(Covid situation allowing...)
I'll second that about the intercom. They make a huge difference to the comfort of talking to your passenger, meaning you don't arrive with a sore throat from shouting, and they offer an extra degree of hearing protection. Expensive, but good.
Alan
Commercial Lead
Very interesting to hear people's tips for touring as that is one bit of 7 ownership I will need to figure out. I generally travel light and without a passenger so thinking I can have a bag (or two) in the passenger seat. I don't think space will be the issue.
What do you do about security when parked up? My back up plan was to make sure to go with a friend that has a sensible car with lockable boot so he can carry a bag for me! The boot doesn't seem very secure and the car is likely to be open most of the time so do you just carry anything of value with you when you leave the car?
I've also been caught out in the Alpine weather where it is generally sunny and warm and we've suddenly hit snow or very cold / wet weather. Manageable in a tin top but perhaps more challenging in a 7. I've tried fitting the full hood a couple of times and find it pretty cumbersome so am thinking of getting a Softbits half hood which some friends have suggested. That seems fine for showers but presumably not that good if very wet or cold?
I have used ear plugs which I agree make driving any distance or on motorways much more comfortable. What do you guys for an intercom?
Thanks