Ex Formula Woman car
Ex Formula Woman car
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Discussion

Steve Evil

Original Poster:

10,799 posts

249 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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Hello folks, been toying with the idea of buying a Caterham for several years and starting to win the battle with the Wife. Seen this one for sale and the spec looks good, as does the comprehensive set of extras with the car:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

However I've seen mention previously that the Formula Woman cars are worth 'significantly' less than an equivalent academy car, presumably because the racers didn't own the car so there probably wasn't that same level of mechanical sympathy shown to them.

Bearing that in mind is there anything else that I need to know or consider? This example has had quite a bit of work done on it by sevens and classics in terms of the engine, so I can't see that being a problem point.

Thanks all.

Matt W

158 posts

258 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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I think the only reason why the Formula Woman cars would be worth less is that they weren't originally road registered which narrowed the market considerably. As this one has now been registered I see no reason why it would be priced any differently to an equivalently upgraded ex-academy car.

CharlesElliott

2,226 posts

302 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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You could equally argue that as they were maintained centrally by the championship they could well be better maintained.

However, it is all so long ago that the maintenance back then is pretty irrelevant.

CharlesElliott

2,226 posts

302 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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This car's engine is nothing like the original spec, so that bit is irrelevant anyway!

rubystone

11,254 posts

279 months

Monday 4th June 2018
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I think I probably sold most of the FW cars that made it onto the open market after Hyperion was wound up. Most were in good condition, low miles and very straight bodies and good chassis. All were wrapped, none painted, and I sold each one for around the £8k mark back in 2010. Road registration was pretty straightforward; everyone I sold ended up with a number plate...

CanAm

12,406 posts

292 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
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It's got no heater and has the short passenger footwell. Make sure your wife is ok with this!

Steve Evil

Original Poster:

10,799 posts

249 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
quotequote all
rubystone said:
I think I probably sold most of the FW cars that made it onto the open market after Hyperion was wound up. Most were in good condition, low miles and very straight bodies and good chassis. All were wrapped, none painted, and I sold each one for around the £8k mark back in 2010. Road registration was pretty straightforward; everyone I sold ended up with a number plate...
That's very helpful thanks. Did the cars differ at all from the academy spec at the time?

As to the point about the shorter footwell, how much shorter are we talking? Won't be a problem for the Wife, discussion around it ended with her refusing to condone the purchase and her basically saying "Do what you like." This means that I'm in real trouble if I do buy it.

CharlesElliott

2,226 posts

302 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
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Same as Academy spec (1.6 K series, narrow track, no LSD, race chassis with shortened passenger footwell) but they ran different tyres. Khumo's if I remember correctly.

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

155 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
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Mine being academy spec (short footwell),and having a 5'9 SO, I really can't see an issue. The seat is at the back of the rails, and she's a mile from being able to touch the end of the footwell - I think the end is still level with or possibly further awat than the pedal box on the drivers side..

CanAm

12,406 posts

292 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
quotequote all
Steve Evil said:
That's very helpful thanks. Did the cars differ at all from the academy spec at the time?

As to the point about the shorter footwell, how much shorter are we talking? Won't be a problem for the Wife, discussion around it ended with her refusing to condone the purchase and her basically saying "Do what you like." This means that I'm in real trouble if I do buy it.
I'm away from the car at the moment. The difference is roughly the length of the pedal box, as per the attached very scruffily amended photo.

rubystone

11,254 posts

279 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
quotequote all
Steve Evil said:
That's very helpful thanks. Did the cars differ at all from the academy spec at the time?

As to the point about the shorter footwell, how much shorter are we talking? Won't be a problem for the Wife, discussion around it ended with her refusing to condone the purchase and her basically saying "Do what you like." This means that I'm in real trouble if I do buy it.
No difference from Academy spec. Don’t listen to your wife.

geeks

10,858 posts

159 months

Tuesday 5th June 2018
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Steve Evil said:
rubystone said:
I think I probably sold most of the FW cars that made it onto the open market after Hyperion was wound up. Most were in good condition, low miles and very straight bodies and good chassis. All were wrapped, none painted, and I sold each one for around the £8k mark back in 2010. Road registration was pretty straightforward; everyone I sold ended up with a number plate...
That's very helpful thanks. Did the cars differ at all from the academy spec at the time?

As to the point about the shorter footwell, how much shorter are we talking? Won't be a problem for the Wife, discussion around it ended with her refusing to condone the purchase and her basically saying "Do what you like." This means that I'm in real trouble if I do buy it.
I can just imagine how thrilled Jess will be when you turn up with it hehe

Steve Evil

Original Poster:

10,799 posts

249 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
geeks said:
I can just imagine how thrilled Jess will be when you turn up with it hehe
Ha, she's not a woman I would set out to cross, feels like I am setting myself up for some Cersei Lannister levels of payback.

geeks

10,858 posts

159 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Steve Evil said:
geeks said:
I can just imagine how thrilled Jess will be when you turn up with it hehe
Ha, she's not a woman I would set out to cross, feels like I am setting myself up for some Cersei Lannister levels of payback.
No exactly, I have seen her face after you have ordered a pint too many so can only imagine what'll happen turning up with this. I had to google that Cersei Lannister thing, some GoT thing, does that mean she'll dress up for you? hehe