Gridgway Posted July 9 Share Posted July 9 £13,995 ono Spec · Long cockpit, bench seats · Live axle · Low mileage (9,300) believed genuine, but can’t be guaranteed · 1700 crossflow, 10.5:1 compression, 244 cams, brand new build (from 1600) approx. 140-155bhp (only carb setup been done on a rolling road, not run in enough to do a power run) · 4 speed Ford Gearbox · Refreshed Ital axle with new Quaife ATB diff · Standard dual circuit brakes · Cable clutch · Aluminium with British racing green flared wings and yellow nosecone. · Vecta immobiliser · 3 owners in total (inc me) · Lots of documents including copy of original purchase paperwork and many MoTs supporting the total mileage. Story The original owner bought the car from Classic Carriage (Caterham dealer of old). The first owner owned it for 26 years until 2021, but used it very sparingly. The next owner bought it, but fairly quickly decided that he really wanted a k-series 6 speed Caterham so sold it on Collecting Cars. I bought it from there (influenced by summer sun on holiday, a barbecue and some red wine) to have as a winter project to do some fettling and then to drive. It’s my 5th Caterham over the years. As often happens, my initial idea of fettling turned into a full on upgrade and refurbishing project which has taken 2 years to undertake. I essentially took a lot of the car apart, cleaned, refurbished, upgraded and put it back together. There is a very detailed record of the project with all the tasks undertaken and the items bought held in a “Trello board”. All the items on there are now marked complete! There are lots of photos to show many before and afters. Some of the highlights include: · Full clean and polish - top to bottom · Engine – full rebuild and upgrade to 1700 fast road spec with electronic ignition. Upgraded from mechanical fuel pump to Facet electric pump plus fuel pressure regulator. New solid fuel line from front to back. Engine work undertaken by race engine builder CKM · Carbs – full refurb undertaken by Weber Carb Reconditioning Services · Ital axle – refurbished by Hardy Engineering in Ashtead (renowned classic car transmission experts) plus new Quaife ATB fitted for the extra power from the motor. · New propshaft UJs · New CRB · Brakes – front calipers refurbished with new seals. New rear brake cylinders. New front pads (1144). Brake fluid thoroughly changed · New tyres (it had the original tyres fitted from the 90s!) · New hi-torque starter motor fitted and wiring updated to remove the starter solenoid · Front suspension refresh with new bearings, trunnions and track rod ends · Cured incessant oil leak from speedo drive seal on gearbox · All oil new in engine, box and diff (and trunnions!) · Dampers - checked by Sean Pickering and found to be working well · Chassis tubes – found to be in great condition and few areas of surface rust repainted with POR-15 · Nosecone, front and rear wings repainted as they looked a bit tired. · Boot floor sanded and revarnished plus new boot carpet · New tunnel carpet and floor mats · Track day roll over bar bought and powder coated (not fitted yet, but to go with sale) · Many other new parts fitted. What Next I’ve really enjoyed the project, but don’t get to drive the car – all my recreational driving is done on track with race cars (or driving to circuits in a motorhome). In fact, I enjoyed the project so much, I “accidentally” bought another recommissioning project which is halfway through. It’s time for someone else to enjoy – someone who actually has time to drive such a wonderful car. The car is in super condition. There are a few imperfections. For example, the bonnet went low flying! It’s all ok but has a little bit of gravel rash. I could get a new one, but I quite like the patina. But overall, it’s astonishingly good. I have spent a silly amount of money getting the car in such fine fettle but have thoroughly enjoyed the project. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted July 22 Author Share Posted July 22 BTTT, no interest yet. Happy to reduce the price, anyone got a view on where the price would generate interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_h Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Personally I think it’s probably not too very far out on price for a rebuilt crossflow. How I’d see it is it’s too old in spec and age for new comers to generally want, being live axle, 4 speed and crossflow and too expensive to be a car for someone to do up as you’ve already done it. Personally I would have wanted it as you probably got it as a project car. It’ll probably become more saleable once it hits 30 years old for Europe and the USA. About £12k I would think would be a good starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowperil98 Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 It's all a matter of opinion, my first 7 (bought 4 years ago) is a 1600 xflow, live axle, 4 speed and absolutely great fun. More than quick enough for me on the road and practical too (as far as a 7 can be). All I would say to anyone who is new to it is don't be put off by this spec. Half the money of newer and less basic 7's but just as funny!! If I had the £12-14k I'd buy this one too for alternate weekends...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Thanks both for the helpful comments. I guess April 1st 2025 isn't that far away!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Updated price to test the water... £12,500 I may well put the price up again in a different marketplace, but I thought I would see if it had any appeal to this audience at a lower price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted August 11 Author Share Posted August 11 BTT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 Back to the top again, had some interest but no actual taker yet. I'd really like it to find a new home as I want to use the space and I have also got my BDR project. I would consider lower offers, so if anyone is looking for a fab xflow, but thinks it's just too much money, try me and see - you could be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted September 12 Author Share Posted September 12 Back to the top, updated price £11,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1WEL Posted September 13 Share Posted September 13 I’ve sent blatmail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted September 17 Author Share Posted September 17 And now sold to a very nice man! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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