Roadsport or Superlight...how do you tell?

[beejay993]

Looking for a bit of advise guys, last year I bought a 2007 150bhp Superlight, I've been looking back at all the history and on some of the build invoice from caterham it states superlight on certain items and roadsport others, it has all the factory superlight bits, carbon dash, cycle wings (minus indicators), wide track, superlight suspension, 15" wheels, quaife diff, tillets, quick release wheel, however it was spec'd with a 5 speed box. It has screen with heater also...it does have superlight badges in the bonnet, but I wondered how you tell if its originally a superlight or roadsport ? It's a factory built car...any thoughts ?

[Matt W]

Call Caterham with the chassis number/registration number and they will look it up on their system.

[CaterBram]

http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?ChassisNumbers#h10

not Sure if it still holds true but for a superlight chassis the L7C FAQ says the 7th charactor of the VIN number should be L

Once built the VIN number does not change regardless of any subsequent changes.

[BertBert]

Just a thought, that in reality there is no difference between roadsport and superlight apart from the spec of the bits. There was some tooing and froing in the R500 K days with a chassis that was really lighter (no wiper motor mount and holes in the steering rack "bridge") for the "proper" superlights, but I don't think that went on too long.

The VIN might make a difference, but the realworld difference is in what's attached to the chassis.

Bert

[TeflonTurd]

Do they both have the Watts link?

[sfaulds]

There is no such thing as a 'standard' Superlight or Roadsport. I'm not sure there is a single car that was 100% as per factory 'standard' spec for either.

I think Jez gave up on the bespoke lightweight chassis R500 as soon as someone ordered one with leather seats and windscreen (circa chassis 3 iirc). As for the one with flared wings......

[framerateuk]

It's always going to be a grey area between Roadsport and Superlight depending on what you spec.

Even my 140 Roadsport has pretty much all the Superlight bits on it (Wide track front suspension, watt's linkage, 4 pot brakes, carbon cycle wings, LSD, 6 Speed box, quick release wheel, 15" superlight wheels and CR500 tyres ect. ect.), but regardless of that it's still registered as a Roadsport.

Do Roadsports come with a spare wheel carrier on the back as standard? Mine has one (though it doesn't have the actual frame for the wheel to sit on, just the hole in the rear panel.

[TeflonTurd]

framerateuk said:

Do Roadsports come with a spare wheel carrier on the back as standard? Mine has one (though it doesn't have the actual frame for the wheel to sit on, just the hole in the rear panel.

Now that's a key difference.

[beejay993]

Interesting, I will check the VIN and see if I can work it out from there, it has no spare wheel, or hole for a frame etc. looking at the registration document and the original paperwork there is no mention of either roadsport or superlight in the title, just by item description. The one bit of guidance I was given was roadsports fitted with carbon cycle wings always came with indicators, many superlights did not...not sure how true that is! Thanks for the feedback guys

[gedG]

Just to confuse you further, my Ltd edition Roadsport came as standard with carbon front wings but no indicators fitted. My superlight R300 has indicators fitted.