What is the most popular Caterham?

[datasafe]

Could someone tell me which of the caterham models is the most popular?

I'm creating some embroidery patterns and would like to do one of the Caterham.

Cheers

John

[jackal]

probably the R500 as it possibly got the most press and awards, was there doing a 7.55 at the very beginnings of all this 'Road tested at the Nurburgring' marketing stuff and nicely trumped the Carbon westfield of the same era.



although you'd have to alter that by saying the Duratec R500 as that was the truly reliable version

shame the R500 had such an inordinately high "bang to sales" count

[datasafe]

Thanks for the info.

I like the Caterhams very much although I have an Atom. I've already produced some shirts for the Atom and want to do the same for the Caterham.

[RobM77]

I'm impressed - that looks good!

Caterhams are all one of a kind really. However, from an artistic perspective, you've really got three choices:

1) 70s/80s one with flared wheel arches (most dinky toy models are of this style)
2) Modern roadsport (i.e. cycle wings, but with a windscreen)
3) Superlight R300/400/500

Differences of models within those brackets are subtle, and I doubt anyone would expect to get their individual Caterham exactly spot on.

[peter-2006]

Nurburgring 24h race car.

[datasafe]

Thanks for the info Rob and glad to hear there's not to much variance

I hope to get a few designs done in time for Christmas and of course can 'personalise' with names, text or colour. I've got some Kooga long sleeve rugby shirts (long sleeve for trackdays) and some polo shirts, hats and other stuff too.

This is more a hobby for me than anything else as I have a passion for cars

I'll post some pics when I've got something complete.

Cheers

John

[Eric Mc]

It depends on who you want to sell the logos to. Older Caterhams tend to have the "Flared" front mudguards but since the mid 1990s, the cycle front mudgaurads have been far more popular.

[datasafe]

Thanks for the comments Eric

The Atom was relatively easy as the design is the same regardless of the power choice.

I can basically produce anything for anyone although as with everything, there's always saving with economy with scale.

I've done many 'one-offs' but these take many hours of digitising to get the detailling right - I must admit however, I love doing them

Any ideas are always welcome.

Cheers

John

[jackal]

what about the JPE
that was a pretty iconic model

[Eric Mc]

Agree about the JPE but you won't sell to many current or former owners - only 30 or so were ever built.

I would recommend buying Chris Rees' book "The Magificent Seven" as there are loads of photos of most variants going right back to the Lotus 7 Series I of 1957. If you don't want to buy it, I'm sure your local library would oblige.

[RobM77]

RobM77 said:

I'm impressed - that looks good!

Caterhams are all one of a kind really. However, from an artistic perspective, you've really got three choices:

1) 70s/80s one with flared wheel arches (most dinky toy models are of this style)
2) Modern roadsport (i.e. cycle wings, but with a windscreen)
3) Superlight R300/400/500

Differences of models within those brackets are subtle, and I doubt anyone would expect to get their individual Caterham exactly spot on.

By the way, I missed off the fact that numner 3 on my list is without a windscreen - that's one of the main differences. If you do a google image search you'll probably just see them with windscreens (a lot of people spec them). Most guys in the Lotus 7 club area I was in got rid of their windscreens pretty quickly and switched to an aeroscreen.

[datasafe]

Thanks for all the posts.

It seems the R500 would make a good starting point so I'll get o work on that first.

When I've got something worthy of posting, I'll take a picture and let you guys see.

Cheers

John