Visual differences
Discussion
Hi,
I want to build a Caterham, but i dont like the look of the current car as much as the look of the car 10 years ago.
...i *think* its purely the position of the headlights, which i beleive were lowered and moved forwards about 5 years ago following a change in IVA rules.
But, does anyone know if there are other subtle visual changes?
Ie, is it still possible to build a car that looks *exactly* like the one in the first photo by just using old headlight brackets?
...what other visual differences are there between the two cars?
If someone has put old headlamp brackets on a newer style car, then please post a pic.
Thanks
Dave
I want to build a Caterham, but i dont like the look of the current car as much as the look of the car 10 years ago.
...i *think* its purely the position of the headlights, which i beleive were lowered and moved forwards about 5 years ago following a change in IVA rules.
But, does anyone know if there are other subtle visual changes?
Ie, is it still possible to build a car that looks *exactly* like the one in the first photo by just using old headlight brackets?
...what other visual differences are there between the two cars?
If someone has put old headlamp brackets on a newer style car, then please post a pic.
Thanks
Dave
The main visual difference is the location of the exhaust - older K series engines had it on the drivers side, the current Ford engined ones have it on the passenger side.
Other cosmetic changes, based on mine which was one of the first to have the lowered headlamps, things may have moved on further
The rear wings are now symmetrical, previously the drivers side was shorter at the front to clear the K-series exhaust, strangely this lasted well into the ford engine era. Could be replicated by fitting an older wing.
There are now two cross bars to the "Track Day" roll bar rather than a single cross bar.
There is no cut out in the nose cone to take the higher light bracket, mine still has the flat spot for it though, easy to correct with a dremmel. Of more note there is a fixing for the light bracket on top of the chassis, this may have been deleted on newer cars.
Nose badge has changed over the years. Held on by double sided tape so an easy fix.
BTW mine was delivered 7 years ago, so you are looking to create the look of a car older than that.
Other cosmetic changes, based on mine which was one of the first to have the lowered headlamps, things may have moved on further
The rear wings are now symmetrical, previously the drivers side was shorter at the front to clear the K-series exhaust, strangely this lasted well into the ford engine era. Could be replicated by fitting an older wing.
There are now two cross bars to the "Track Day" roll bar rather than a single cross bar.
There is no cut out in the nose cone to take the higher light bracket, mine still has the flat spot for it though, easy to correct with a dremmel. Of more note there is a fixing for the light bracket on top of the chassis, this may have been deleted on newer cars.
Nose badge has changed over the years. Held on by double sided tape so an easy fix.
BTW mine was delivered 7 years ago, so you are looking to create the look of a car older than that.
The car in the first photo has narrow track suspension and probably 185/60 tyres, the second car has widetrack suspension and probably lower profile tyres.
P.S. I too much prefer the classic 7" headlights in the original position to the gormless lower/ further forward / further apart smaller ones.
P.S. I too much prefer the classic 7" headlights in the original position to the gormless lower/ further forward / further apart smaller ones.
Edited by HustleRussell on Saturday 23 September 16:31
I don't think the later headlamp mounts are further apart, it is more the fact that they have changed from 7" to 5 3/4" head lights.
I got so used to looking at my Seven as I was building it, I now find the old style larger headlamps look funny.
Chrome is great on a sunny day, there's something I really like about the way they reflect the sky and surroundings as you drive along
I got so used to looking at my Seven as I was building it, I now find the old style larger headlamps look funny.
Chrome is great on a sunny day, there's something I really like about the way they reflect the sky and surroundings as you drive along
Poopaconk said:
Current Ford engine cars have the exhaust on the driver's side, the "K"'s were passenger side.
Doh - getting my sides mixed up again. I did get out for a bit of a spin today, only to get caught up in the traffic chaos around Winchester, and should have remembered getting out over the exhaust.Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff