Neil220 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I'm viewing a 96 K series Saturday and 95 Cross flow Sunday.I understand there were mods for 96, handbrake relocation "revised stiffened chassis" etc.But then I read this on the EVO website (from 2013)" The cheapest Caterhams you’ll find in the classifieds tend to be the Roadsport’s predecessor, the Super Sprint from the late ’80s and early ’90s, with the cross-flow Ford ‘Kent’ engine. These start at around £7K, rising to £10K and more for a really nice example with all the right bits. Just check you fit, as they don’t have the longer body that arrived with the Roadsport"Is this correct and if so how much longer is the body in the cockpit area?I'm a medium build 6' 1" and have tried a 1997 S3 for size, it's okay.I don't want a 280 mile round trip if I can't fit in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Is the Xflow live axle or de-dion rear? The de-dions were all one size, long cockpit The K series should be de-dion though I have seen at least one live axle K series where the owner bought a chassis and sourced their own engine.Happy to review the adverts if you want to post links or send a private message.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 The 95/96 chassis change happened mid 96 I believe. My car is a 1996 P plate, but on a 95 chassis. As you highlight, the obvious difference is the location of the handbrake. However, the post 96 chassis is reputably stiffer, has revised front geometry with anti dive design measures, and I think this is when they changed from VDO to Caterham branded instruments. The chassis loom was improved, with multiplugs tending to replace bullet terminals. If I knew then what I do now, I’d prefer a post 1996 chassis. The cockpit length will be the same. Don’t get too hung up on names, they change around and people upgrade - look at spec and don’t worry about the model name. Post the ads up and you’ll get some feedback. ps check the powder coating, make sure you get to look underneath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I had a Supersprint in the 90's, I am reasonably tall (6'2") and always had to drive with my shoes off. Also my head was highher than the roll bar.That being said I still loved the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 Many thanks for your offerThe K series is de Dion, the Xflow is a live rear axle.There aren't any adverts as both contacted me privately in response to a wanted advert on facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 Thanks very much, the K series was registered May 10th 1996 and is a de Dion. Are you saying the chassis lengths are the same and the EVO article is wrong?Thanks for the tip, someone else had also mentioned this to me.No adverts to post for either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby S Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 For info mine is a 92 de dion 1400 Supersport (one of the first) and I'm 6' 1 and 15 stone and fit in fineBeware on the plate reg though generally - mine for instance is plated 96 (P) as it was a track car for the start of its life at Silverstone and then retired, fully refurbed and plated for the road - no problem if you get all the history etc - I guess this could also happen when they were bought in kit form and had an elongated build period Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted July 1, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted July 1, 2021 What size engine is the K-Series?Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 1.6 Supersport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 Many thanks, good information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Doughty Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 I have a late 96 which is de Dion and originally a cross flow engined car.one of the problems of that chassis era was very poor powder coating to all of the chassis and suspension components so have a good look underneath pat all the tubes.if it is de deion you should fit with the pedals adjusted and the seal fully back although leg length impacts the seating! good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Mcalvert Posted July 1, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted July 1, 2021 The way to check when the chassis was built vs when it was registered is to check the stamp on the top of the rear suspension turret behind the driver's right shoulder. Assuming an Imperial car, it will be stamped AM then two digits, and below J1 or J2.AM is Arch Motors (who build the chassis) and the two digits is the year.J1 or J2 is which of their two jigs the chassis was built on, so if work is needed in future, it goes back on the original one.I love this continuous history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil220 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 Thanks, I know I'll fit in the de Dion K series, it's the live axle X flow I'm concerned about after reading the article saying it was smaller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangepeel61 Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 The chassis number will tell you if it's a long cockpit, have a look here:https://www.lotus7.club/guides/frequently-asked-questions/chassis-numbers-what-do-they-meanGood luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john g Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 I have a 95 live axle xflow 'N' registered and it's the long cockpit variant. It also has the earlier trunnion front geometry set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I had a’96 XFlow. I am 5’11” and fitted in fine. But the passenger leg room was some inches shorter; I am not sure if this was common to all cars, but is something you might want to look at, if that is important to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamscotticus Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 AFAIK,After the introduction of the Long Cockpit (LC), the LC became standard build of the Universal Chassis. Most cars going forward, live axle and De Dion, were LC. The LC became possible with the introduction of the Ital live axle, that had a shorter input housing clearance than the Ford Escort axles and allowed the rear seat bulkhead to be spaced back 2 inches. Soon afterward the DeDion was built on the LC. From that point, the short cockpit was available but only as a special order live axle. Therefore, most chassis built after 1990 (should) be LC.At your height, OP, a LC would be fine even in bench seats. For me, at 5'7" I needed to install sliding seats, from an 85, I believe, that are about 4" thick and I still have to slide them 2" forward. I wish I had a SC. But I get a lot of better design with the LC, like a front mounted radiator and gearbox mount options. Yes, my 96 powder coat is crap and the passenger foot well is short. I think it would be simple to fab an extension if I relocated the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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