2000 Caterham

The original Superlight of which only about 196 were ever produced, is widely recognised as a real sweet spot for Caterham 7’s. It came with the right specification straight from the factory.

They are becoming increasingly rare, especially in this condition and with such detailed history - see my caterhamsuperlight106 website (apparently web page links are not allowed in adverts) for full details and the history.

It took me a very long time to find my car and I passed over a lot of cars along the way to buying number 106.

As of January 2017 the total spend was about £26,800 (including the purchase price), and that figure in January 2018 had gone up to nearer £31,000, which has been the cost of making sure this car is in (and remains in) tip-top condition; You have to bear in mind that the car was 19 years old this year.

In the spring of 2016 the agreed insurance value was £19,000 and by spring 2018 this was reviewed by the Lotus 7 Club valuer Guy MUNDAY and the agreed value set at £22,000.

No: 106 is not an ‘as new garage queen’, but rather an original Superlight with a really nice patina of polished originality which has been properly looked after, by all it’s owners.

What is clear to me, is that whilst 7 residuals are historically strong/stable and for some models they are increasing i.e. the SLR and Superlight, maintaining them properly really is not a cheap proposition. When I was looking for a 7 and specifically a Superlight there were lots that purported to be well maintained but in reality were not. Even my car which I sourced from Caterham Cars (South) needed a frankly surprising amount of remedial work. A detailed service history is very important and not just stamps in a book. The service history really is important as mileage cannot be relied upon as the speedo’s can be easily disconnected. Just have a look on You Tube at any Caterham race and the majority of speedo’s appear to be disconnected and therefore when it comes to buying one as a road car the attractively low mileage may not be accurate. Fully documented service history is critically important in my opinion. Proper documented history is everything IMHO.

Superlight Number 106 was factory built and originally registered as W87XKP and now S1 7 GFC i.e Superlight 7 and my initials, thanks to a very thoughtful present from my long suffering wife and children and therefore NOT included in this sale.

I purchased the car from Caterham Cars (South).

The specification is as follows:

1.6 Super Sport EU2 Rover K Series engine fitted with 42mm Direct To Head Jenvey (QED) throttle bodies and Emerald ECU professionally fitted and set up by Rob at Ratrace Motorsport in December 2017. Mileage: 41,773

N.b. all parts have been kept and carefully stored so that the orginal spec can be reinstated at any time.

ECU mapped by John LAMSLEY at EMERALD in April 2018 Power: 145bhp Mileage: 42,000.

Remote thermostat fitted. This should improve temperature regulation and bleeding the system.

Radtec high flow radiator and 11″ SPAL fan fitted December 2017. Mileage: 41,773

Lightweight flywheel

Carbon fibre nose cone, dashboard and (unpainted) front and rear arches.

Caterham 6 speed gearbox and LSD (3.62). Both checked and serviced December 2017. Mileage: 41,773

550 kgs without a driver but with a full tank of fuel.

Rear anti-roll bar December 2017 new lower mounted bar fitted as the older top mounted bars risk fouling the bodywork.

Wide track Superlight (Adjustable) suspension. Professionally set up and flat-floored for 100 kg driver by DPR Motorsport in July 2016.

Checked by Ratrace December 2017 and flat-floored for 115 kg driver and 4.5 imp. gallons (20 litres) fuel.

Race rack (22%) 1.75 turns lock to lock.

Fully rebuilt suspension with Powerflex bushes professionally fitted by Seven & Classics.

Caterham AP 4 pot front brakes.

AP racing uprated brake master cylinder.

Avon ZZS 185/55/13 on 6" rims fitted all round December 2017 at 41,773 miles.

Comes with a pair of new 8" rear wheels as well.

Lowered driver’s floor.

6 point Caterham (Luke) full harnesses.

FIA roll bar; and

FIA tall roll bar with high level brake light.

FIA electrical cut off switch.

DVA K14 drivability kit fitted by Dave Andrews as the Caterham Super Sport cams are apparently very rarely properly timed which gives bad road manners and poor driveability. Typically the inlet cam may be retarded by up to 15 degrees which greatly reduces low and mid range torque. This kit comprises of a pair of Piper verniers which has been professionally set to improve mid range torque (up to 15 ft/lbs). Throttle response and driveability is markedly improved.

Apollo oil/air separator with a breather pipe fitted with a one-way valve to prevent oil draining into the sump. This way there is immediate oil pressure on startup (at the gauge and low oil pressure sender unit)

Thermostatically controlled Mocal oil cooler.

Exhaust By Design 4-2-1 stainless steel manifold and system as recommended by Dave Andrews of DVA.

ACES Sureshift 2, sequential shift lights.

Mechanical oil pressure gauge and 20 psi switch and low-pressure light.

(Uprated) De Dion tube with wide buttresses professionally fitted December 2017 by Ratrace Motorsport at 41,773 miles.

Original De Dion tube will come with the car.

Tall (FIA) roll bar fitted by RatRace Motorsport. Original FIA roll bar put into storage.

Nitron NTR1 suspension fitted (42,317 miles) and full geometry set up by Rat Race Motorsport (29/05/2018)

Also comes with:

Brand new (Unused) Caterham K series sump

RIF carbon aero screen

Half doors

Softbits for Sevens half hood for the original roll bar and the tall roll bar.

Want to know more about what a Superlight is or rather why the press rate it so highly? Have a look at the 'About' page of my caterhamsuperlight106 web site.

Registration number not included in the sale.

I am not in a rush to sell and not open to oppoprtunist offers. The car comes with a lot of spares and equipment. She is available for inspection and it may be well to contact Rob at Ratrace Motorsport as the car is well known to him. Over and above that I would strongly recommend reading the Caterhamsuperlight106 website carefully as it is record the full history of 106 from order to present day.