New PH member. New Caterham owner.

[Dave 152bhp]

Hello, all! I came up against a Caterham/Lotus 7 in about 1990 back in my motorcycle days. I was on a Suzuki GS 1000 in an urban setting. I beat the fella on acceleration, but I can still remember the bark of the exhaust, and hearing a short but distinct squeal from his rear tyres when he changed gear. That little car left a lasting impression, and 35 years later I've finally managed to buy one of my own. I managed to track down a 2022 310S with 454 miles on the clock. I absolutely love it! My wife absolutely hates it and sees it as a rival.
Having watched every YouTube video I could find over the last few years, I had a fairly good idea of what to expect, and it has exceeded my expectations (it's only just run in!)
The one thing I didn't expect, however, is quite how many people have asked me: "Is it a Morgan?" Gaaahh!

[framerateuk]

Brilliant stuff, the 310 is a great spec of car too.

I've had mine for about 12 years or so, and yes, it's amazing how many people ask if it's a Morgan. (I didn't even realise Morgan were that well known, I knew of Caterham before I knew about Morgan).

[slime bomb]

Dave 152bhp said:

Hello, all! I came up against a Caterham/Lotus 7 in about 1990 back in my motorcycle days. I was on a Suzuki GS 1000 in an urban setting. I beat the fella on acceleration, but I can still remember the bark of the exhaust, and hearing a short but distinct squeal from his rear tyres when he changed gear. That little car left a lasting impression, and 35 years later I've finally managed to buy one of my own. I managed to track down a 2022 310S with 454 miles on the clock. I absolutely love it! My wife absolutely hates it and sees it as a rival.
Having watched every YouTube video I could find over the last few years, I had a fairly good idea of what to expect, and it has exceeded my expectations (it's only just run in!)
The one thing I didn't expect, however, is quite how many people have asked me: "Is it a Morgan?" Gaaahh!

I had exactly the same experience as you in the mid 80s. I was on my GSXR 750 (Slab side) and two friends, GPZ900 and GPZ600R. We were heading to Blackpool on a day out but were going to turn around at Nantwich cos it looked like rain when I spotted a Caterham at the lights and said 'lets just have a go at this first'.

I have always known about the Caterham 7 and what they are capable of but never had a race with one until now. This thing was off the scale and to date one of the best rides I've had.

I then vowed to own one of these one day and in 1992 I bought the kit, built it, drove it around the UK and Europe and all with aero screens on and sold it 15 years later.

In 2018 I was in a position to spend as much as I wanted on another one and bought the one I have now, the 420R (the sweet spot).

[WombleCate]

To me nothing looks more at home on a race track than a Seven. Then, I see a Morgan race and in my mind I see sideboards racing.

Like any niche only we see it (same as a sweetspot).

[Dave 152bhp]

slime bomb said:

I had exactly the same experience as you in the mid 80s. I was on my GSXR 750 (Slab side) and two friends, GPZ900 and GPZ600R. We were heading to Blackpool on a day out but were going to turn around at Nantwich cos it looked like rain when I spotted a Caterham at the lights and said 'lets just have a go at this first'.

I have always known about the Caterham 7 and what they are capable of but never had a race with one until now. This thing was off the scale and to date one of the best rides I've had.

I then vowed to own one of these one day and in 1992 I bought the kit, built it, drove it around the UK and Europe and all with aero screens on and sold it 15 years later.

In 2018 I was in a position to spend as much as I wanted on another one and bought the one I have now, the 420R (the sweet spot).

I think bike to Caterham is a logical progression, Slimebomb. I lived and breathed motorbikes from mid 80s mid 90s, but I wouldn't want to go back to them. The Caterham is the perfect answer to the excitement I have missed for so many years.

[Dave 152bhp]

WombleCate said:

To me nothing looks more at home on a race track than a Seven. Then, I see a Morgan race and in my mind I see sideboards racing.

Like any niche only we see it (same as a sweetspot).

I couldn't agree more!