Caterham Superlight R400 K
Discussion
A week into ownership of R400PWR and I have finally stopped driving it enough to write a few words on the incredible machine!
Nearly 500 miles in the glorious sunshine in the last 7 days!
After the last few years of searching for the ultimate fun weekend car I have finally found the one.
A couple of MX5's, an NA and NC, a beautiful 986 Boxster S and a wonderful Lotus Elise S1 111S have all come and gone with their various pros and cons but although the Elise came close, something was lacking in the overall ownership experience really.
The Elise was really special but still wanted something more.
My mates brother had a Caterham R400 about 15 years ago that I spent some time in and it left a lasting impression with me even after all these years.
A trip to PT Sports cars a few weeks ago saw Ian Payne spend a whole afternoon with me going through every iteration of Caterham out there.
Sat in every chassis,with every seat, cage, engine and colour combination possible and even though I am 6' 3" and on the chunkier side of skinny, I managed to squeeze myself into an S3 chassis with standard leather seats.
I really wanted the K series as the Elise engine had superb character and the VHPD in the R400 is just on another planet!!
As much as I love the Tillet buckets, there was no way on earth I was getting my arse into them at all!
Fell in love with "the frog" as it has been christened and went back a couple of weeks later for test drive which saw me leave a deposit immediately.
The owner had chopped it in for a 620R and the price, condition and history was perfect.
The only thing I wanted to change was to a "safer" double D full cage that the previous owner had ordered and was sitting at Caterham brand new so a deal was done to purchase that and for PT Sports cars to fit.
Collection day was last Saturday and it is honestly the most incredible vehicle ever.
I deliberately used vehicle rather than car as car doesn't do it justice. It is such a hugely visceral angry little b
d that is the most thrilling thing I have ever driven.
First week done and 500 miles later and I am knackered....
I finished the week off last night with a sunset drive and took the big camera with me!
Nearly 500 miles in the glorious sunshine in the last 7 days!
After the last few years of searching for the ultimate fun weekend car I have finally found the one.
A couple of MX5's, an NA and NC, a beautiful 986 Boxster S and a wonderful Lotus Elise S1 111S have all come and gone with their various pros and cons but although the Elise came close, something was lacking in the overall ownership experience really.
The Elise was really special but still wanted something more.
My mates brother had a Caterham R400 about 15 years ago that I spent some time in and it left a lasting impression with me even after all these years.
A trip to PT Sports cars a few weeks ago saw Ian Payne spend a whole afternoon with me going through every iteration of Caterham out there.
Sat in every chassis,with every seat, cage, engine and colour combination possible and even though I am 6' 3" and on the chunkier side of skinny, I managed to squeeze myself into an S3 chassis with standard leather seats.
I really wanted the K series as the Elise engine had superb character and the VHPD in the R400 is just on another planet!!
As much as I love the Tillet buckets, there was no way on earth I was getting my arse into them at all!
Fell in love with "the frog" as it has been christened and went back a couple of weeks later for test drive which saw me leave a deposit immediately.
The owner had chopped it in for a 620R and the price, condition and history was perfect.
The only thing I wanted to change was to a "safer" double D full cage that the previous owner had ordered and was sitting at Caterham brand new so a deal was done to purchase that and for PT Sports cars to fit.
Collection day was last Saturday and it is honestly the most incredible vehicle ever.
I deliberately used vehicle rather than car as car doesn't do it justice. It is such a hugely visceral angry little b
d that is the most thrilling thing I have ever driven.First week done and 500 miles later and I am knackered....
I finished the week off last night with a sunset drive and took the big camera with me!
Excellent purchase sir. I had a S1 111s between by two Caterhams and actually found more compromised believe it or not albeit it was beautiful to look at and the steering gorgeous.
Love the colour of this and I think you're not miles away from me in the south so hopefully see it soon!
Love the colour of this and I think you're not miles away from me in the south so hopefully see it soon!
This is great. Love the spec. You're right to not call it a car, I've been trying to explain to people over the past week of owning mine that it's not comparable to a car, or a bike it's so unique in how it feels and gets down and interacts with the road.
I've got concerns I should have squeezed into an S3, would agree the SV has buckets of space inside, it's one of the only cars I've owned where the seat isn't all the way back! At 6"3' and <85kgs I could probably have made it work...
The attention they get too is quite something too! People (kids and middle aged men) seem to love a Seven!
Enjoy!
I've got concerns I should have squeezed into an S3, would agree the SV has buckets of space inside, it's one of the only cars I've owned where the seat isn't all the way back! At 6"3' and <85kgs I could probably have made it work...
The attention they get too is quite something too! People (kids and middle aged men) seem to love a Seven!
Enjoy!
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