Model advice please

[Risotto]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there was a site which had a chronological history of Caterham models?

I've lost touch with the marque since building a 1700 x-flow (4 speed live axle) in the early 90's. This was a time when the K series was being introduced and the HPC was still the flagship model!

The live axle car is possibly going to be replaced but there seem to have been quite a few models in the intervening years. I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

Is the original Superlight still well regarded?

Budget would be whatever the live axle car would fetch plus £5k.

Useage would be dry weather, low miles, occasional track work.

Thanks in advance!

PS: Would it be worthwhile (is it even possible?) to keep the live axle car and convert it to bike power? I only ask because I remember seeing a few magazine reviews of Blackbird powered cars which featured live axles.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 29th May 17:17

[CanAm]

Miguel's post below on The Magnificent Seven gives a good potted history. And yes the Superlight is still well-regarded and sought after. I have a Supersport which is a Roadsport with all its comforts, but all the mechanical parts of a Superlight, ie 138 bhp, 6-speed, wide track, big brakes etc.

[Gad-Westy]

Risotto said:

Hi all,

I was wondering if there was a site which had a chronological history of Caterham models?

I've lost touch with the marque since building a 1700 x-flow (4 speed live axle) in the early 90's. This was a time when the K series was being introduced and the HPC was still the flagship model!

The live axle car is possibly going to be replaced but there seem to have been quite a few models in the intervening years. I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

Is the original Superlight still well regarded?

Budget would be whatever the live axle car would fetch plus £5k.

Useage would be dry weather, low miles, occasional track work.

Thanks in advance!

PS: Would it be worthwhile (is it even possible?) to keep the live axle car and convert it to bike power? I only ask because I remember seeing a few magazine reviews of Blackbird powered cars which featured live axles.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 29th May 17:17

Just to address a few of yor questions in no particular order. Without knowing more about your actual car I'd guess its going to be worth somewhere between £6500 and £9000 so lets say your budget is between £10,500 and £14,000. That gives you a fair bit of choice.

If its straight line speed you're after an HPC will fall easily in this budget and offer pretty good value. A pretty bulletproof engine as well that's very tuneable. Some say, they are a little heavy at the front end, which may be true in comparison to a K-series car but probably not dissimilar to a X-flow so may be worth trying.

K-series wise, your budget might just stretch to a Superlite and yes they're still very highly regarded. You should also find a whole host of 1.6k's at this sort of budget, but I think I'd be tempted to seek out a 1.4 Roadsport or Supersport (make sure its a 6 speed) for about £12k. Would make a great road/track seven.

And to answer your last question, yes a live axle car makes a great basis for a bike engined car but you might be struggling to stay in budget. If you do decide to go this way, I could put you in touch with somebody who's done exactly that and converted to R1 power. If you could stretch to £14k though, you may get lucky and find that one of the original James Whiting Fireblades comes under budget.... if you can find one.

[rubystone]

If you don't want to travel much faster than your current car and like revving the nuts off the car, buy a 1400. If you want a true "modern" 7 and one which should hold its value if you buy right, find a Superlight - 1.6 or 1.8...just make sure the powdercoating on the visible chassis tubes is in good condition.

The Superlight has the other plusses of all the right bits should you want to ugrade - widetrack, lsd, 6 speed, carbon, big front brakes, FIA bar, adjustable platforms, no rear wheel rack, Apollo anti-cav. One sold on ebay this week for £11,300 - 8,000 miles from new - seemed a very good buy.

2.0 VX is a great car when sorted but a totally diferent drive from a Superlight