Curious? Why no comments on R500 IRS?? (Independent Rear Suspension)

Curious? Why no comments on R500 IRS?? (Independent Rear Suspension)

Author
Discussion

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Honestly - Yes, ever so slightly on the nose - would be easy area to re-finish but only if you were being really critical about it.

It still looks great, more so in the flesh than the pics.

It originally wouldn't have been my choice of colour, that was until I saw it.

Really suited the car, being rather tiny, and was re-assuring on the odd motorway trip too. Boy those lorries are big when your in a Caterham!!

Don't think day glow yellow would suit a Bentley for example.

MikeE

1,826 posts

283 months

Tuesday 6th August 2013
quotequote all
I had a very similar 'R500' which I built from an R400 kit and put a RaceCo 285bhp 2.3l Duratec in in 2004. Same colour as yours and all the trick bits (and a few more). Sold it 2 years ago after 7 years of hard track use and it didn't miss a beat and even cosmetically looked good, and as you say the paint hadn't faded to any noticeable degree.

I saw your old car at Bramleys a couple of months ago, while looking at the Gallardo spyder they have for sale, and it brought back a lot of positive memories smile

Regarding one of your other comments about supercharging a caterham. Peter at Raceline did the original Supercharged Duratec development for the one off Caterham concept (forget what they called it) 6 years or so ago, guess Owen probably picked up from there as Caterham did with the Duratec after Mick Attree and several others (including me) had already proved its worth...

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
Hi MikeE. I see my and your R500 look like twins (from a distance).

Your car looks great too and sounds very well specified / fettled.

It seems they do get under your skin these caterhams.

Keep wanting to rent one for a day to tackle Oulton Park.

Mick (catetham factory engine builder at the time) built the engine "special" for Owain. It certainly seemed healthy :-)

If your looking for VFM rather than a Lambo, my v10 R8 is an awesome cross country motor! Comfy, masses of torque and a real mile muncher. Not that I travel too far from home as yet, but perhaps LeMans is calling next year.

Although now I'm getting used to her, I'm noticing the fact she is 3 times the weight of the old toy.

Give one a go, I tried one to dismiss it as is seemed great value, presuming it wouldn't feel special or drive well. I was very much mistaken!

With the money you'd save you could buy a ... ... ... Caterham :-)

Saying that I did rather fancy a Balboni, but now realise these 4wd drive like a rwd anyway.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
I did'nt know Raceline were responsible for the X330; it was certainly Mick Atree I saw pushing it out of the truck at Donington she. It made its debut a few years ago!

mic

376 posts

232 months

Wednesday 7th August 2013
quotequote all
Raceline built the engine for the X330. The car and installation were done by Caterham dev engineers.

R500TIM

5 posts

97 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Hi Guys. Never posted on this site before and only just joined. I have just purchased the Caterham R500 IRS and will be picking her up in the next week. Previous car was an R500 with the 1.8k series engine. Hope I have made the right choice!

nigelpugh7

5,996 posts

189 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
R500TIM said:
Hi Guys. Never posted on this site before and only just joined. I have just purchased the Caterham R500 IRS and will be picking her up in the next week. Previous car was an R500 with the 1.8k series engine. Hope I have made the right choice!
Wow, and holy thread resurrection too! smile

Would be great to hear your feedback on what you think when you get it and hav had time to play!

Enjoy smile


R500TIM

5 posts

97 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Watch this space. Will keep you posted!