Caterham 21 - advice?
Discussion
Always liked the look of the Caterham 21 but don't know that much about them. Does anyone own one or have experience of ownership? Are they easy to work on? Do they have a boot? Is the handling anything like a 7? Are they secure? Do they leak... that sort of thing!!!
I've got a Ginetta G27 and Chimaera, so I could imagine what to expect, however just be good to hear it from those better qualified than myself!
Be interested to hear your thoughts...
I've got a Ginetta G27 and Chimaera, so I could imagine what to expect, however just be good to hear it from those better qualified than myself!
Be interested to hear your thoughts...
quantum_man said:
Always liked the look of the Caterham 21 but don't know that much about them. Does anyone own one or have experience of ownership? Are they easy to work on? Do they have a boot? Is the handling anything like a 7? Are they secure? Do they leak... that sort of thing!!!
I've got a Ginetta G27 and Chimaera, so I could imagine what to expect, however just be good to hear it from those better qualified than myself!
Be interested to hear your thoughts...
I've got one, had it 10 years. So:I've got a Ginetta G27 and Chimaera, so I could imagine what to expect, however just be good to hear it from those better qualified than myself!
Be interested to hear your thoughts...
Ownership - fairly painless - chassis are prone to rust as 7s and the powdercoating is useless. Cooling is an issue as the rad is flat on the floor to compound the K series CHG issue. I'm on my third chg in 55K miles.
Not that much space to work on some bits and no access from underneath the engine but generally ok. Parts individual to the 21 are running out from cc now.
Huge boot, especially for the size of car. A real plus point.
I only have limited experience of 7s but they are a little softer but not much. They look softer than they are.
Secure - ish, as much as any soft top I suppose
Do they leak - they're british and a soft top what do you think?
Much more pointy than a Chimaera and driving experience is almost opposite although they look similar. No torque and rev the bits off it not like a V8. 21 really is a 7 in a frock.
I love mine even though I have no real use for it and don't cover many miles each year. Used it as an only car for 4 years or so and you can but if you have an alternative you won't.
Have a look at www.caterham21.com
21's are a bit marmite...you love them or think that you'd be better off with an Elise 
It is a VERY pretty car (IMHO)
My other half has one whilst I have a 7
The 21 is in standard set-up a excellent GT car, we took 'ours' to the alps in 2004 and it was great, the large boot swallowing loads of luggage, the roof protecting well against the elements, 400 mile tank range plus it'll cruise happily at 100+mph for hours.
Under the skin they're very similar to a 7 but as DKL has said Caterham are running low (or more likely are completely out of stock) on some 21 specific bits, although through caterham21.com there will probably be someone who knows where to get all the bits from possibly even by a small batch production by the owners. They're therefore easy(ish) to work on although by now the powdercoating on the chassis may be getting tired and there could be corrosion issues on the chassis....nothing that can't be solved but you may have to invest time and effort in doing so....doing a full body off refurb is a big job!
They do not (without a lot of set-up and modification) drive just like a 7 with a body on them, they're heavier and not as nimble....that's not saying they don't handle well because they do....they're just not a 7 if you get my drift
Compared to a Chimera most 21's will probably feel lacking in grunt unless you're running the VHPD engine.
DKL may have had CHG issues, but fingers crossed we haven't, the radiator is probably better replaced with a Radtech or similar (think Caterham triple pass radiator) and we've wired a remote fan switch in as well just in case.
I love 21's....so much so that another 21 and 7 owning friend and I have just bought another one between us
It is a VERY pretty car (IMHO)My other half has one whilst I have a 7
The 21 is in standard set-up a excellent GT car, we took 'ours' to the alps in 2004 and it was great, the large boot swallowing loads of luggage, the roof protecting well against the elements, 400 mile tank range plus it'll cruise happily at 100+mph for hours.
Under the skin they're very similar to a 7 but as DKL has said Caterham are running low (or more likely are completely out of stock) on some 21 specific bits, although through caterham21.com there will probably be someone who knows where to get all the bits from possibly even by a small batch production by the owners. They're therefore easy(ish) to work on although by now the powdercoating on the chassis may be getting tired and there could be corrosion issues on the chassis....nothing that can't be solved but you may have to invest time and effort in doing so....doing a full body off refurb is a big job!
They do not (without a lot of set-up and modification) drive just like a 7 with a body on them, they're heavier and not as nimble....that's not saying they don't handle well because they do....they're just not a 7 if you get my drift
Compared to a Chimera most 21's will probably feel lacking in grunt unless you're running the VHPD engine.
DKL may have had CHG issues, but fingers crossed we haven't, the radiator is probably better replaced with a Radtech or similar (think Caterham triple pass radiator) and we've wired a remote fan switch in as well just in case.
I love 21's....so much so that another 21 and 7 owning friend and I have just bought another one between us
48 made, a couple of write offs (anyone seen S21 CAT?)and about 5 abroad so the numbers are falling.
There's usually a couple for sale (actually there are 2 for sale in germany)if you ask the right people.
I'm not one!
ETA http://www.westermann-motorsport.com/shop/index.ph...
there you go - not cheap mind.
There's usually a couple for sale (actually there are 2 for sale in germany)if you ask the right people.
I'm not one!
ETA http://www.westermann-motorsport.com/shop/index.ph...
there you go - not cheap mind.
Edited by DKL on Thursday 19th January 13:29
DKL said:
48 made, a couple of write offs (anyone seen S21 CAT?)and about 5 abroad so the numbers are falling.
There's usually a couple for sale (actually there are 2 for sale in germany)if you ask the right people.
I'm not one!
ETA http://www.westermann-motorsport.com/shop/index.ph...
there you go - not cheap mind.
S21CAT...I know exactly where it is David There's usually a couple for sale (actually there are 2 for sale in germany)if you ask the right people.
I'm not one!
ETA http://www.westermann-motorsport.com/shop/index.ph...
there you go - not cheap mind.
Edited by DKL on Thursday 19th January 13:29
Ah. Last I heard it had been crashed and was at a breakers in Gloucester?
That was the first car I tried to buy. CC had it about 1999/2000 and it was sold from under me as I was on the phone organising to go and see it that weekend.
I did drive what became Toby's car (sold now I think) - blue one - at CC and then a certain silver 1800 at Millwoods before I bought mine privately. Actually I driven one or two more than that - must be a reasonable proportion!
Anyway what's the plan. Duratec, 1.9 230bhp K or a V8 (hey be different!)?
That was the first car I tried to buy. CC had it about 1999/2000 and it was sold from under me as I was on the phone organising to go and see it that weekend.
I did drive what became Toby's car (sold now I think) - blue one - at CC and then a certain silver 1800 at Millwoods before I bought mine privately. Actually I driven one or two more than that - must be a reasonable proportion!
Anyway what's the plan. Duratec, 1.9 230bhp K or a V8 (hey be different!)?
It'll still be K powered for certain....initial rebuild will be to VVC'R' spec like Dave and I run in our 7's but at some point it might end up with a 1.9
As we have a full rollcage for it we're re-builing it as a track / race car...hopefully it'll be ready for a 21's gathering later this year
As we have a full rollcage for it we're re-builing it as a track / race car...hopefully it'll be ready for a 21's gathering later this year
My 21 turns up occasionally at The Ace Cafe (if you are in London) or at the L7C meetings in Penn near High Wycombe or the meeting near MK (which moves from place to place).
Security isn't a problem, boot is large but has only GRP for structure.
Handling-wise, in my opinion (and it is a very subjective subject) it is not the same as a Seven (I also have a Crossflow/live axle Seven). The best way I can explain the difference it's like putting on several stone personaly, lots the same underneath but feels different. Powder Puff and I are two of several 21 owners who also have a Seven.
I think you will find it to be very similar to your G27 in many ways.
Security isn't a problem, boot is large but has only GRP for structure.
Handling-wise, in my opinion (and it is a very subjective subject) it is not the same as a Seven (I also have a Crossflow/live axle Seven). The best way I can explain the difference it's like putting on several stone personaly, lots the same underneath but feels different. Powder Puff and I are two of several 21 owners who also have a Seven.
I think you will find it to be very similar to your G27 in many ways.
Edited by Golf Juliet Tang on Saturday 21st January 13:38
Never been to the ACE cafe but heard a lot of good things about it. I sometimes go to Goodwood for the Breakfast Club meetings but my G27's been off the road for a year - not had the time to use it much sadly 
but hoping 2012 will be the year!
Love to see a Caterham 21 up close - I remember seeing it at the 1997 Motor Show in London when I was 13 and picking up a brochure
but hoping 2012 will be the year!Love to see a Caterham 21 up close - I remember seeing it at the 1997 Motor Show in London when I was 13 and picking up a brochure
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