30 years old Caterham

[Olivier_F]

Hi all,

I live in France and I'm looking for buying a Caterham.
Unfortunately it is difficult to register a Caterham in France and the simplest (and safest) way is to buy a 30 years old car.
I'm looking since few months on PH but I haven't found my happiness yet. I also searched on autotrader.
I regularly watch on gpsevens and sevensandclassics (even if all their cars are on PH).

Can someone tell me if there are other sites (classics specialists, forums, facebook groups, ...) where I can find classics Caterham ?

Thanks in advance

[andy97]

You don’t mention a budget. Might be worth talking to Paul Matty Cars or looking for a Lotus 7.

There are some Series 4 cars here that might fit your bill, or for a bit more money some Series 3s:
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/29/seven/

The same website also has Caterhams, including some older ones:
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/era/8/65/
Note the LHD one that might be of interest, located in Denmark.

Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 7th July 21:24

[Olivier_F]

Thank you for your reply andy97

Yes I forgot to precise what I'm looking for.
So I'm looking for an S3 chassis, xflow 1.7 or kseries 1.6 / 1.8 or zetec engine
My budget is +- 17000£

[Tazio77]

Andy97, Paul Matty is winding down, sold his properties, and most of his stock, so looks like retirement beckons.

There are a couple of Caterham Marketplaces on FB where the occassional 30 year old crossflow turns up, and if memory is right there are a couple on now.

[andy97]

Tazio77 said:

Andy97, Paul Matty is winding down, sold his properties, and most of his stock, so looks like retirement beckons.
.

Interesting, thanks. I suppose they have been trading a long time. I used to drive past there every day- wish I could retire but it would mean selling the toys!

[BertBert]

Tazio77 said:

Andy97, Paul Matty is winding down, sold his properties, and most of his stock, so looks like retirement beckons.

Hadn't realised this, by coincidence I went to see him for the first time last week looking at a car!
Bert

[braddo]

BertBert said:

Hadn't realised this, by coincidence I went to see him for the first time last week looking at a car!
Bert

Watcha lookin’ at?

[Tazio77]

Have you seen this one?

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1244922

[dhutch]

Tazio77 said:

Have you seen this one?

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1244922

Now that, is a thing!

[Olivier_F]

No I had not seen it. It can be very interesting !
Thank you Tazio77

[BertBert]

braddo said:

BertBert said:

Hadn't realised this, by coincidence I went to see him for the first time last week looking at a car!
Bert

Watcha lookin’ at?

Sorry missed this...the Lotus GTS

[Murph7355]

Olivier_F said:

Thank you for your reply andy97

Yes I forgot to precise what I'm looking for.
So I'm looking for an S3 chassis, xflow 1.7 or kseries 1.6 / 1.8 or zetec engine
My budget is +- 17000£

Unfortunately K-series cars are a bit too new. Unless you're allowed to get an older chassis that's had an engine change.

I think the K-series officially came to the 7 in 1991, but only in 1.4 engine size.

1990 or earlier puts you in xflows or Vauxhall engined cars.

So it'll depend on how strict the rules are/what the 30yr old limit entails.

I'm very biased, but I think nicely spec'd (Supersport engine upgrades, 6-speed gearbox) K-series Caterhams are very much a sweet spot of the brand. They'd also fit your budget well...but are stretching it on the 30yr old piece.