2005 Caterham Seven CSR 260

Highlights

• Full Caterham service history
• Only 12,000 miles from new
• Desirable colour scheme with carbon fibre details
• Documented gearbox and differential rebuild
• 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds!

Overview

The Caterham Seven CSR 260 is very much a case of ‘old school, new rules’. When it was launched in the mid-2000s, Caterham was a long-established torch-bearer for the classic Lotus values of this iconic insectoid tearaway, but the idea with the CSR was part evolution, part revolution – a fundamental shake-up of what the Seven represented and what it could be capable of.

The chassis was comprehensively overhauled with a new independent rear axle setup, coilover suspension, double wishbones at each corner, and sharper steering. The most exciting development was found beneath the slender bonnet – a 2.3-litre Ford Duratec tuned by Cosworth which, in 260 spec, boasted roller-barrel throttle bodies and a dry sump, kicking out a peak of 260bhp at 7500rpm. The performance, naturally, was vivid; in a car weighing about as much as pack of tabs and half a pint of mild (call it 575kg wet), this meant a 0-62mph time of 3.1 seconds. That’s superbike quick.

The example we have here has a supremely desirable specification, finished in a shape-shifting shade of blue that alters beguilingly with the ambient light levels. There are carbon accents everywhere you look and pukka track-spec harnesses, and the condition inside and out is superb. Indeed, it’s only covered a little over 12,000 miles from new, and there’s a full Caterham service history to back it up. So c’mon, you only live once – buy a car that’ll make you howl with laughter every time you drive it.

History and documentation

• Registered 06 Sept 2005
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Original books and manuals
• Service book stamped Sep 2005 @ 783 miles, Aug 2006 @ 2926 miles, Apr 2007 @ 4086 miles, Feb 2008 @ 5765 miles, Sep 2008 @ 8385 miles, Sep 2009 @ 10,507 miles, Apr 2013 @ 10,873 miles, Jul 2016 @ 11,614 miles
• 2022 – invoice for £650 – service (Caterham), alternator belt, fuel pipe, etc
• 2020 – invoice for £525 – service (Caterham), brake fluid, steering column bush
• 2019 – invoice for £325 – service (Caterham)
• 2017 – invoice for £275 – service (Caterham)
• 2012 – invoice for £1495 – gearbox rebuild, service, etc
• 2010 – invoice for £832 – differential rebuild
• Sheaf of MOT certificates
• 2x keys
• Current MOT to 11 Feb 2026
• Private plate included in the sale

Interior

• Black-trimmed seats in great condition
• Caterham-branded Luke 4-point harnesses
• Momo steering wheel is pleasingly chunky
• White dials for that mid-2000s tuner aesthetic
• Neat dash, tidy carpets
• Carbon covers over side entry points
• Lovely condition, testament to low mileage and sensible usage

Exterior

• Sought-after colour scheme
• Numerous tasteful carbon fibre accents
• CSR spec brings bonnet vent and flat-topped wings to reduce lift
• Lightweight alloy wheels in great condition
• Avon CR500 tyres up front and Avon ZZS out back
• Light lenses and window glass all in good order
• A very impressive and clean example

Mechanical

• 2.3-litre Cosworth-tuned Duratec
• 260bhp and 575kg for the same power-to-weight ratio as a Lamborghini Revuelto!
• 6-speed manual
• Gearbox rebuilt in 2012
• Diff rebuilt in 2010
• Full Caterham service history

Summary

This CSR is an outstanding survivor. While many of these cars get regularly thrashed on track (that is, after all, what they’re made for), that’s not what this owner has done. In his nine years of ownership it's only covered around 600 miles, all on the road, spending the rest of the time tucked away in the garage.

It’s been kept MOT’d and ready to play rather than being mothballed, and a regular servicing schedule has been maintained; it was last serviced in 2022, but at the time it had covered 12,180 miles and it’s only showing 12,230 now.

The CSR is a visceral and eye-opening thing to drive – a highly-caffeinated rollercoaster ride, with acceleration akin to being flung from a medieval trebuchet, a super-light flywheel doing freaky scientific things to the concept of inertia, a very high clutch bite to enable rapid shifts at pace, no power brakes, no power steering… it’ll put hairs on your chest. It’ll put hairs on your hairs. It’s manic, rampant, and endlessly entertaining.

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. The seller is located in Ashtead, Surrey.