Restoration: Modify or keep it standard?

[Pat H]

I fancied building another Caterham but didn't want to be bothered with SVA, emissions, catalysts etc etc.

So I bought this old thing to rebuild:





It is a 1977 Caterham with a Lotus TC motor that hasn't been started for more than 20 years.

It looks pretty in the photos, but the panels are a bit wrinkly, so it will probably go to Arch Motors for a reskin and for a lowered cockpit floor so that I can actually fit in it.

This raises the question whether it should have any other chassis modifications whilst it is in bits. I am thinking along the lines of modified cockpit chassis rails so that I can fit harnesses and a proper roll over bar.

The nice chap at Arch has also suggested converting it to long cockpit spec, for instance.

If it was a Series 3 Lotus Seven and not an old Caterham, then I would probably keep the car completely standard, but I am inclined to sod originality and modify the old dog to suit myself.

But one day I will come to sell it and don't want to have shot myself in the foot and spent a fortune devaluing the car and making it unsaleable.

Suggestions, advice, abuse and ridicule on a postcard please, to the usual address.

[anonymous-user]

Keep the twin cam, they sound fantasic on tune... also if its an original 701 L block then even more reason to keep it!

FB

[Tango7]

As its going to Bruce at Arch anyway, I would do sympathetic modifications as you suggest that will enhance rather than detract from the car. Making it a long cockpit is a good idea as is fitting an FIA bar and harnesses. There is a large call for older cars from Europe and Canada / Australia (pre-1983) and there is significant interest in cars that carry modifications to later specifications - the real desirable factor is the original date of registration.

So have the car converted to suit yourself, have all the work recorded before and after by suitable specialists such as Arch and I think the car will still be very saleable come the time it is to be sold. The big caveat is that do not go overboard with the budget because its unlikely that it will be worth masses more after the work. I can remember a very well sorted zetec engined 1983 car that had been updated for racing but then never used. It went to France a couple of years ago for around £9-10k which was good money but I expect had cost a bit more than that in the first place.

HTH

T

[Pat H]

Tango7 said:

There is a large call for older cars from Europe and Canada / Australia.

So it seems.

I had to fight off a couple of very determined French buyers in order to get my hands on the car.

Interestingly, Bruce says that he can effect a long cockpit modification and still retain the English axle.

I was always under the impression that it was the skinny nose on the Marina diff that permitted Caterham to introduce the long cockpit, but it seems that Arch can accomplish the same results using the Ford unit.

Are there any other modifications that ought to be done to the 1977 chassis whilst Bruce has his brazing kit out?

[Tango7]

For the English axle conversion, the nose is slightly offset towards the driver's side which necessitates a slight amount of relief (with a hammer!) to accomodate the unit. I expect Bruce could do this work when the car is converted which should be a bit more elegant than a retrofit. Otherwise fitting the Ford English axle to a long cockpit car is very straightforward. Maybe consider having the chassis made ready for a 5 speed gearbox if it doesn't have one already?

T