1998 Caterham Seven S3 Ecoboost Conversion

Highlights 

• Gemzoe Ecoboost conversion with 300bhp

• Extensively upgraded and mechanically sorted

• Comprehensive history file

• 15 years in current ownership

• Ready to enjoy

Overview

Often copied but rarely bettered, the Caterham Seven remains at the apex (pun intended) of track toys for the discerning paddock dweller. A continuation of the original Colin Chapman-designed Lotus Seven – a car that began life in 1957 – the Caterham Seven has been finely honed for decades, culminating in what many consider to be the best choice when it comes to hooning around a race track.

After Lotus decided to concentrate on purpose-built sportsters and ditch the kit-car in 1973, Graham Nearn of Caterham Cars, a then Lotus Seven dealer, approached Chapman with the idea of continuing to offer the car in both fully built and “box of bits” forms. Chapman agreed, sold Nearn the rights and the Seven lived on under the Caterham name.

Tracing its roots back to Chapman then, and perfectly embodying his “simplify then add lightness” concept, the Caterham Seven today continues to represent an affordable and relatively easy way into motorsport and, whether you're a weekend warrior or fully blown competition veteran, the focus has always been on performance.

Continuously developed and with so many models and specs to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin but this tried and tested 1998 example ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. Beginning life as a Caterham scholarship car (now Academy) with a Vauxhall eight-valve engine, it has since been upgraded with the renowned Gemzoe Ecoboost conversion, which has boosted power to 300bhp, and in a car that weighs approximately 625kg with driver (depending on your girth) that gives it an astonishing 480bhp per tonne.

With over £26,000 spent on upgrades (all fully documented in a comprehensive history file), including but not limited to a rebuilt Type 9 gearbox with Quaife heavy-duty gear sets, uprated clutch, Atlas Tran-X plated LSD, rear disc and caliper conversion and an SCS Delta ECU with launch control and adjustable traction control, it's a bit of a beast, and in the words of the vendor: “ the performance is genuinely ridiculous. It’s absolutely not a car for the faint-hearted”. Which, quite frankly, just makes us want it even more.

It may not be a show car but that's really not the point when it comes to the Caterham Seven. This is an absolute weapon that has been professionally tweaked and is ready to be driven and enjoyed, whether that be on the road or at the track. We seriously doubt you'll be able to have more fun with or without trousers... 

History and documentation

• 1998 model year

• In current ownership for 15 years

• Extensive history folder

• Originally a Caterham Scholarship car

• Gemzoe Ecoboost conversion in 2022 (fully documented)

• Original build manual

• V5C present and correct

• Two keys

• MOT until 04/09/2025

• First registered 24/06/1998

• HPI clear

• 54,000 miles

Interior

• Clean, tidy and free from damage or excessive wear 

• Full cage 

• Flat-floor setup

• Nylon shifter

• Momo steering wheel in great shape

• Carbon dashboard presents well

• Fully functional digital display

• Bucket seats look to be in good order

• Full race harnesses

• Comes with: full doors, half doors, half hood, full windscreen and Aero screen 

• Full size matching spare wheel and tool kit included 

• No handbrake fitted currently

Exterior

• Presentable blue paint with contrasting orange roll cage

• Various marks and blemishes typical of a track car 

• Some chassis skin oxidisation at the lower points (the vendor informs us this hasn't changed in 15 years of ownership) 

• Rear wings have stone chips and stress marks

• Roll cage has typical stone rash

• Black nose cone has not been painted

• Small thumb print sized dent at the rear

• 13” Minilite style alloy wheels appear to be in decent shape

• The vendor informs us that the Toyo Proxes tyres are all like new 

• Solid and clean underneath

• Chassis cleaned and painted during rebuild

• Both doors have been sticker-bombed

• Rear fog and reversing lights present and correct

Mechanical

• Imperial chassis

• 300bhp, 1.6-litre Ford Ecoboost four-cylinder turbocharged engine with hyrbid turbo; the engine was stripped and sonic cleaned before being fitted to the car

• Rebuilt Type 9 gearbox with Quaife heavy-duty gear sets (and long 5th gear for motorway cruising)

• The seller advises that the clutch is a 184mm twin plate cerametallic made by PTT, which reportedly cost more than the engine!

• Atlas Tran-X plated limited slip differential

• Rear disc and caliper conversion

• SCS Delta ECU with launch control and adjustable traction control

• New fuel tank

• All parts and ancillaries appear to be in good order

• Quiet exhaust suitable for road use

• The vendor informs us there are no mechanical issues to report

Summary

If you want a show pony or garage queen then you're going to have to look elsewhere. If, however, you're after a proper, eminently usable, turn key race car then get bidding because this is it. It may wear its battle scars on its sleeve but to us that's a badge of honour - simple proof that this Caterham can cut the mustard on track, which is exactly where it belongs, though with a suitable exhaust and long 5th gear, it’s also set for the road.

We'll leave you with these words from the vendor: “It can behave itself when asked but you’re always one squirt of throttle away from absolute madness...” 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Guisborough, North Yorkshire.