• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Who knows Caterhams?

Share this page

Scott_Hower

Scott_Hower

Luke Skywalker
Offline
Anyone here an expert or own one?

Some background... I am working in Europe, and a colleague mentioned over beers that he is looking to sell his Caterham. The car is in the UK, he and I are in Poland. We're trying to put a deal together as he is moving to Brazil in June for at least two years and wants to sell before he leaves. It has been garaged its entire life. I've always lusted after a Lotus 7.

I dont know much about it, other than it is RHD, full fenders, 2.0 litre engine and dual Weber 38DCOEs, est 170 bhp, 5sp. Car is a 98 model with 12,000 miles. It was factory built, not a kit/assembly. I know the Lotus 7 replicas vary in build quality, is Caterham one of the better models?

Can anyone guess a value? He bought it with about 3000miles on the clock for 12k GBP. We have yet to talk price, but I am reasonably certain it will have depreciated - or maybe not?

Anyone have any experience with these? What should I look for? I will likely fly to the UK to take a look in the next couple of weeks.
 
Noisy, stinky, TINY cars.

BUY IT!! :laugh:

The Caterham 7 is the best of the "After 7's". You may find it difficult to get it "legal" if it carries a 1998 build date, tho. Mebbe if you ship it as a used, pre-assembled "kit" car...
 
Caterham started by obtaining the original Lotus 7 dies, parts and molds and have been improving them ever since. There are quite a few frame types now including the SV (stretched for taller drivers). Engines and transmissions vary. That car in the USA is probably $30K to $40K USD. When I buy my seven, it will be a Caterham because of the quality & reputation...
 
How about some pics!
 
I just went diggin' thru my photo files to try and locate pix of the one a friend here has. We went to "just look" at it a few years ago. Caterham. It was quite well assembled, supposedly by a retired USAF Colonel. He did a fine job; my friend took my word for it and made the deal. He & his S.O. even ran it from North Port to Tampa and back on Interstate. Had a blast.

Built up a twincam Lotus engine for one a number of years back for another bud, that one was all racecar. Did a few laps around the neighborhood here in it with Horsemits as passenger too. What a blast! After about lap three there were folks out in their front yards clappin' and cheerin'! :wink:

"Keepin' th' natives up onna sidewalks where they BELONG!" :devilgrin:
 
A freind of mine here has a Super Seven. Has a Ford V-Tec engine (about 200 HP) and the car weighs about 1,600 pounds.

You do the math: the darn thing will fly and handles like it's on rails!

Scary fast in the twisties. Tons 0' fun, I'd say.

Buy it!@!!!
 
Brooklands said:
Scott,
At the meeting of the British Car Club of the LV last week, a new member arrived with a Caterham. I can see if I can get you contact info if you are interested.
Click to expand...

Thanks; I am interested. I will PM you my email address.

Price aside, my immediate concern is Doc's statement about making it US legal. I think Caterham is located in Surrey, UK. My employer's UK HQ is also in Surrey, not far from Caterham... I may need to fabrica /k/k/k schedule a business trip to the UK office to see what's up with importation specifics and if they can help. If I can't make it US legal, the deal is dead.

The thing that makes this so attractive is that I get a 10x20ft ocean container to move my stuff back to the US. Doesn't much matter what I put in it and I'm certain it would fit :smile: I'd need to get it to Poland/Cracow from the UK, but that would be a once in a lifetime roadtrip - and I'm up for it.
 
Scott_Hower said:
I think Caterham is located in Surrey, UK.
Click to expand...
Caterham is located in Caterham Surrey; my wife grew up there. South of London just off the A22 road.

Car is a rocket powered roller skate that sticks to the road like "you know what" to a blanket. If your kidneys are in good shape then go for it.
 
alana said:
You'll never be able to register it here unless you ship it dismantled and register it as a kit car.
Click to expand...

Thank you; apparently Caterham offer kits and turn-key cars. The one in question is the latter. Sounds like I need to do more research to understand if I can even import it. Appreciate the help. I will visit them in the next couple of weeks to research my options (and see what they have on offer). Might even visit Brooklands while I'm there (Weybridge).

alana said:
I thought you wanted it as a toy while you were there...
Click to expand...

Nah, the roads in Poland are crap. This whole thing happened over a business dinner (& a couple bottles of red wine). The seller is "highly motivated" and his wife is a member of my team and absolutely hates the car.
 
I have vivid speculation as to WHY she hates it... :devilgrin:
 
Scott,

I'd talk to someone who know (Caterham?)
on what makes it a kit as far as importation.
I heard a story from a reliable source about
a guy,who upon visiting England with his Wife,
decided he wanted a new Mini (not too many years-
-ago).
He went to the local dealer,bought it,& had it
shipped to the US.When he went to Customs,he paid
the fees,& was just getting ready to drive off,when
the Customs man said - "Wait - where do you think -
-you're going?",to which he replied - "Home".
He ended up shipping the car back to England,
dismantling a lot of the car,& shipping it back as
parts.I think the duty is less as parts also.

- Doug
 
Of the cars I own, it is the most fun to drive.

Bruce
 
Did some research and it does not look promising according to Caterham. I think the guy on the other end of the phone is still laughing.

On top of that, I need to prove ownership of the vehicle for a stated duration in order for it to qualify for shipping. Likely to prevent what I'm planning to do.

So, this deal is dead :-(
 
Back
Top