Modifying??

[MKnight702]

I'm tempted to join the Caterham fold. However, one thing I want to know before I take the plunge is the view of modified cars. I'm not talking about adding Halfords tat but engine mods to improve power over standard etc.

The cars I see advertised pretty much all seem to be "stock" as they left the factory spec, but I like to tinker and would probably end up having the head modified, upgraded cams, fitting throttle bodies and getting the car remapped to suit as and when the upgradeitis struck. Would this have an adverse effect on re-sale? I know that I wouldn't get the value of the mods back, but would the car end up worth less than the spec that it started??

[DCL]

I think 100% original cars are easier to sell, but I don't think there's any particular penalty to modifying car provided it's done to a reasonable standard, and there are some mods that are quite desirable. There's very little of my original car still on it, but most parts I remove have been safely stored away for the 'back to original' rebuild I'll do one day.

[downsman]

As the last post said, if you have all the original bits, it is hard to see how you will devalue the car much.

However, if you get too worried about resale value, you'll have to limit mileage and you'll never enjoy it properly.

[Matt UK]

I think if you want to be in it for a few years before 'trading up the ladder' keep it stock.

But personally my caterham is mine. I don't want to 'trade up' I just want to keep evolving the car so it's 100% to my liking. As such in not bothered about resale value, it'll be what it'll be whenever the day comes that I can't enjoy it and decide to sell.

[xcentric]

In my limited experience, most Caterhams are highly personal cars, with bits changed to suit owners' particular needs or desires. So tuning them to make them faster is much more common than on 'standard' cars. However, the received wisdom is that it's usually easier and cheaper to trade up rather than tune up, but that ignores the feelings of the car itself :0)

[battered]

Depends on the mods. Get another 10bhp from a respected engine builder, it will be more desirable than a "standard" 7. See also a dry sump kit, a 6 speed box, an Apollo mod (essential on K series used on track), big brakes and so on. Bear in mind also that there is no "standard" 7 as the options list is so huge.

7s are easy to modify and just as easy to un-modify if originality is important. The best I heard of in this regard was a S2 Lotus 7, rotten, in N Yorks. It had sat in a shed for years and everything was knackered. Chassis rotten, the lot. 2 ex members of L7OC and Blatchat set to, but they were BEC fanatics. They got the original chassis sorted out (or replaced with a new one from Arch, I forget) and retained all the original mountings for the Twincam. They then fabricated pickup points/an engine cradle for a Fireblade (or similar) that picked up on the existing engine mounts, and built a S2 Lotus 7 with a 'Blade engine. Off they went and had lots of fun. Meanwhile the marque purists are sitting head in hands, crying. But it's a classic, a piece of history. You don't like it? Well, our heroes kept the original engine and box. Get them rebuilt, unbolt the 'Blade engine, replace the twink, off you jolly well. It's whatever you want it to be.

[grenpayne]

My car was an original 1.6 Superlight, number 157 which was modified by the 2nd owner with a factory fitted Caterham Supersport R conversion to bring it up to R300K specification. In my tenure, I then modified it further by correcting it's slight weaknesses when used on the track; I had the engine rebuilt with forged pistons and added dry sump system as well as adding a host of other minor mods (shift lights, catch tank, smaller battery etc).

When I sold it (to fund our new house ) it sold almost immediately to the first person who viewed it for pretty much the asking price, which was considerably more than I paid for it. The point being, mods are definitely not a bad thing and crucially, if they suit a particular buyer, the car will always sell.

[xcentric]

I suspect I was that buyer, if it was the blue one from pTsportscars...... (edit - no I wasn't, wrong number). But the point is, I bought a much modified Superlight R which is absolutely epic and worth what I paid for it and will sell for at least what I paid for it, if I ever do sell......

Edited by xcentric on Friday 7th October 18:35

[Huff]

battered said:

Depends on the mods.
... Bear in mind also that there is no "standard" 7 as the options list is so huge.

7s are easy to modify and just as easy to un-modify if originality is important.
...
It's whatever you want it to be.

Following -up on this point, I popped down to the breakfast meet at the Haynes Motor museum a week or so ago. One of the nicest things I saw there was a B-reg (c. 1965) '7' that was with tatty clamshells, twin SUs sticking out of the bonnet, alloy panels and definitely - used.

Speaking to the owner - well, he's only had it 42+ years, was running a 1275 ' A' Series, & was surprised anyone took an interest. I thought it simply the most interesting sot of car because the owner had made it suit his&wife's purposes over the years and run it as they wished, without any thought for what 7 owners might think. It had been the 'daily' for 15 years, come rain or shine, too...

And it was on 155 section tyres on steel wheels - and quick!

A proper car, used, occasionally broken, repaired, used some more, and with most of a lifetime yet to go; and the owner had no wish to change 'up'. I have immense respect for this outlook.