2005 Caterham Seven CSR 260

[bespokestokes]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19345061

[GeoffW]

Why is it so rusty (for a Seven) underneath? Thanks

[Babw]

GeoffW said:

Why is it so rusty (for a Seven) underneath? Thanks

I was wondering the same thing, and came to the conclusion that it was probably stored outdoors at some point.

[Dave Marsden]

Babw said:

I was wondering the same thing, and came to the conclusion that it was probably stored outdoors at some point.

Hi, many thanks for your comment on the car. Just to let you know that the car is currently away having all the rust issues addressed so it will be all good to go for the new owner

Best wishes
Dave - PistonHeads

[Babw]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the update. Could you confirm if the rust issues have arisen due to being stored outdoors?

[Dave Marsden]

Babw said:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the update. Could you confirm if the rust issues have arisen due to being stored outdoors?

Hi, just a further update on this car. The seller has just let us know that the additional work comes with a value of £1700 and the car is also receiving an extra service as well.

Best wishes
Dave - PistonHeads

[MattGT3]

Hi Dave,

Will there be some new pictures of the underside showing the results of this work?

Also is there any background information as to why the diff and gearbox required rebuilding, the car is showing a low mileage and being described as only having light use.

Thanks
Matt

[Mafioso]

Hi All. What's the 'dot' in the middle of the rear panel? These never had spare wheels did they?

[Edgey1]

Cant help thinking that's an epic car. No time to sell my current Caterham CSR200 otherwise sorely tempted.
Rust issues, yes shame for the seller these weren't addressed before the advert pictures were taken.
They however, only appear superficial and due, no doubt, to being used occasionally when there was salt present on the road and not rinsed off.

[StewartCR]

Not just surface rust: one box member underneath rusted right through to holes, & many nuts & bolts appear to be corroded to the extent that they may not be able to be loosened. Also, carpeting in front of seats appears to be growing green with damp & photo of one of front carbon mudguards appears to show that it is stained/discoloured to brown shade. Even the steel tubing in the cockpit on top of the transmission tunnel on the passenger side, where it meets the leather trim beside the handbrake, & ahead of the gear lever, is corroded as it passes out of sight. It looks like this CSR 260 might have been left outside, without a roof on, in damp weather. Does it even have a hood & frame, of which there is no indication in the supplied photos? Corrosion on brake discs/chassis/suspension jeopardises next MOT.

I suspect that to properly recover all aspects of neglect of dampness on this car is going to cost a lot more than £1,700. It probably requires a complete strip, re-fabrication in places, thorough anti-corrosion treatment both external & internal, then rebuild. I am going to visit a friend this morning who has a business which rebuilds prestige, classic & vintage cars & get his opinion. I'll show him the photos, then when I have got his opinion, I will decide whether or not to bid - I suspect not!

Pity! I've been looking for a CSR 260, in good condition & at an acceptable price, since 2020, when I travelled with trailer over 250 miles from home to collect one, at an agreed price - based on dealer description as perfect & fully documented - only to find that it was not, so I came home with an empty trailer!

[Mafioso]

That wasn't a certain grey one was it by any chance Stewart? That appears to have been for sale for over a year...

[StewartCR]

Orange one, in Yorkshire, sold to inappropriate dealer (who described it as perfect) for any Caterham, let alone CSR 260 by Austrian multi-millionaire, who had used it exclusively on track in Austria. As it had not been in the UK since sold by 2nd UK owner at less than 2 yrs old, it had its first MOT just before I went to collect it (but didn't). STAK Km speedo fitted, showing Km equiv of 3K miles (dealer claimed 3K miles to be total mileage, ignoring prior UK use); no service stamps in Owners Manual; no invoices save photocopy of Austrian Caterham agent 17,000 Euro engine rebuild - new crank, 1 conrod, 1 piston, shaved head, new camshafts & valves, etc.; test driven in Feb 2020, therefore possibly condensation but concerned nevertheless by water droplets in oil catch tank (coolant leak at head gasket?). Not as described, refused to buy, returned home without empty vehicle trailer.

[Mafioso]

Blimey, what a saga. Good luck to whoever gets this one!