Caterham CSR R500 Superlight for sale
Fancy a CSR with an R500 engine? You're living in the right place...
Once upon a time, news of Westfield’s sad plight might’ve triggered a few smug grins at Caterham HQ. Not outright celebrations, of course - after all, people’s livelihoods are at stake - but the demise of a close rival in a niche business environment tends to mean more customers. And Westfield had been the cheaper thorn in Caterham’s side for decades. Consequently, it could be forgiven for experiencing something like the triumphalism of a big brother watching a younger sibling taking a game-ending football in the groin.
But not, you suspect, in 2022. We still don’t know the full story behind Westfield’s spiral into administration, but unquestionably Caterham will understand and sympathise with the pressures it must’ve been under. Faced with increasingly stringent safety legislation, emission restrictions, and, in the fullness of time, electrification, there is probably no low volume carmaker in the UK that can claim to see nothing but plain sailing in its near- to long-term future. Significant change requires significant investment, and that can be difficult to come by in the best of times. Which these categorically are not.
Nevertheless, we remain optimistic. Needless to say, PH has collectively cross its fingers for Westfield, and the possibility of someone returning it briskly to health. But, as ever, we’re also encouraged by the specialness inherent in the cars still being produced in the UK. There is no finer soup for the soul than standing next to the factory doors of Ariel or Caterham or Morgan or half a dozen other firms and watching hand-built, world-beating loveliness emerge.
Moreover, let’s not forget the men and women underwriting all the endeavour. British carmakers depend on British buyers, and there is apparently no population on earth that can be counted on to write increasingly large checks for noisy bits of scaffolding than the one which inhabits this small island. And while there are brilliant people to do the buying, the market will find a way to do brilliant.
Case in point: this Caterham CSR R500 Superlight. We’re fairly confident Caterham didn’t think to combine a CSR chassis with the lighter 2.0-litre Duratec motor and dash from the R500 by itself. No, an enterprising individual almost certainly turned up on the proverbial doorstep with a bright idea and what was presumably a blank cheque, and said “how about you build me this?” and they did, and now the world is an infinitesimally nicer place to live as a result.
Whether it’s a total one-off or not (we think it is, but are more than happy to be told that there are a few more swarming around the place like angry bees) it is certainly very rare, and therefore probably deserving of its £49,950 asking price. We’re also not entirely fussed by the question of whether or not the smaller Ford unit is actually a better fit for the CSR than the Cosworth-tuned motor it was originally twinned with. We just love that it exists, that you can buy it right now, and then spend the rest of the summer getting busy with adding to its impressive 19k odometer reading. Power to the people.
Would love to try one, not just a CSR any 7!
An R500 should be an S3, as low weight as possible and a K-series.
Also what's the power to weight of this is it still R500
It’s sad that Westfield has fallen on hard times however, this is good news for current owners of factory / self build cars looking to sell, they can now only go up in value ( just look at TVR)
It’s sad that Westfield has fallen on hard times however, this is good news for current owners of factory / self build cars looking to sell, they can now only go up in value ( just look at TVR)
The Caterham may be derived from the Lotus 7 but like the Westfield isn't a Lotus 7...
Also what's the power to weight of this is it still R500
A better option ( if you are competing ) is an R500 Duratec , 263 bhp and again 490 kg
This price for the hotch potch mix at £49995 is also high as others have said.
Pistonheads have had a 2017 620R dealer car up for sale at £44995 for ages. I bet a bid of £43500 would take it !
GP Sevens have another long advertised R500 at 286 bhp ( hmn , longevity ? ) with a sequential box ......at £38995 .
A similar R500 they discounted to £32995 to shift it
Its about deciding what you do most of :
Touring , get a wide body CSR with comfy seats and great performance and a nice ride.
Racing , you need an S3 , probably an R500 Duractec , tillet seats , proper cage etc
Also suprising to see how many top power cars for sale have minimal safety kit , bog standard roll bars rarely FIA compliant , no battery immobiliser etc
I had to add to mine after purchase
FIA ( Academy cage ) , side impact bars , battery immobiliser , fire extinguisher , no doubt the weight rose 25kg but my son said you will welcome that cage Dad when you are sliding upside down towards a kerb if you only had a rear roll bar ...........thanks comforting thought lets not test it I responded.
And, for the money, that's what I would want.
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