Kitcat

If only the new mid-engined 'Vette was half as attractive as this Ford GT! Looking forward to hearing your impressions of this car at Hallett race track, especially as it compares to the mighty Ariel Atoms you ran there.

The prospect of driving my se7en on I-95 to get to this event is what finally motivated me to buy a trailer, a tow vehicle, and to rent a storage spot for my trailer. Worth every penny:). If you are convoying with WentMD, best to follow him rather than lead the parade, to stay visible to other drivers. If you are up front, in the cut and thrust of interstate driving someone could easily plan a fast pass of him, then dive instantly in front of him, only to see your se7en, maybe too late.

My 135 hp X-Flow was advertised as about 6" 0-60 mph. There is a pretty big real world difference between the 135 hp X-flow and the 140 hp base Zetec. Mostly because the 135 hp seems to have been a product of the Caterham advertising arm's creative imagination more than actual tested output. Typical 1700cc X-Flows test at around 95 hp on the chassis dyno, and the base Zetecs typically hover around 120 hp, give or take 3-4 hp depending on the car, dyno, temperature etc. Assuming that the 135 hp Signa is a more honest # than the X-Flow's, then its real world hp is likely much closer to a base Zetec. And that would explain the 1 second faster 0-60 mph figure given for it. Like Croc, I am skeptical of the 122 mph top speed (maybe if you find a big hill, have a tail wind, replace the windshield with a Brooklands set up, etc)? Back on the X-flow: they can make more power if they have a hotter cam or are built to spin faster etc. Also, they make a great snap, crackle and pop sound. And they supply enough power to be able to drive flat out and have a ball without getting into too much trouble. But, thanks to their carb set up, their gas mileage is much worse than that of the ECU managed fuel injected engines that replaced them.

I tried to rent a U-Haul once and was turned down because they didn't really know what a Caterham was and didn't want to take a chance that there would be problems. My solution was to call a separate U-haul dealer and ask to rent a trailer to haul my "Ford Focus":). No problem. As Seb and others can confirm, sometimes the U-Haul equipment is in very poor shape, with ratchets that are balky or tie-down straps that are too short, etc. If you go that route, check the tie down straps, and the air pressure in the trailer tires and monitor the wheel hubs (feel them at rest stops to see if they are over-heating). And be sure to have the U-Haul help #, and your cell phone.

Various parts went missing when the wheel (literally) "fell off" last Fall. It turns out I need 4 lug nuts as well as various and sundry other parts. I went to Autozone today and showed them the lug nut I needed and they were unable to help since they could only match it to the make and model of the donor car. Apparently Auto Zone does not stay up to the on Catherham's idiosyncrasies.... So, who knows what works on a Caterham S3? I dont think the "uprated rear brake system" has bespoke lug nuts as the rears are interchangeable with the fronts. I assume these are fairly common?

Thx Croc. Those don't look like the right items. But, between Bruce Beachman and Innominatus (who is buying up all of Jon Nelson's leftover Cat USA inventory), I should soon have it sorted. Next up something less challenging: finding proof that the Loch Ness monster is real:).

At our annual USA7S event at NJMP, the S1's have no trouble keeping up with similarly powered Caterhams and Birkins. Just saying, tho it is a bit more polished than they are, it is just as competent on the track.

Very good dyno #'s for a stock Zetec. Not that much less than my SVT (hp 155, torque 143).

Thx Croc, I will see what I can learn. Caterham seems to only sell the "uprated rear brake kit" as a group of parts, so I am not sure if the rotor has a part #. I will ask Bruce Beachman, who I typically get my Caterham parts from. Innominatus is checking to see if his part works and I will buy his if it is the right item. I do know the 10" front brake rotor does not work. It is sourced from AP racing which is all out of them, but allegedly is making more in a few weeks. The last time I heard Caterham say a part wld be available in few weeks it was 6 months....

Thx Inn, I will await your verifying that it is, indeed, the rare, bespoke, long rumored, seldom seen, unicorn, Caterham uprated rear brake rotor:).

The "new" Caterham brand sells a civilized, fun, around the town car, suitable for dates with women in heels and dresses (Note, they did not show her elegantly entering and exiting the Caterham while somehow maintaining her dignity). So, no doughnuts, burnouts, track day heroics. Its a kinder, gentler, more practical brand, apparently:). The car seems the same tho.

Some new names on the list, that's good news!

TNc: I drove my street legal Cat in the rain all of the time. The full weather kit actually works. Yes, there is a drip here and there but it is nice and cozy all buttoned up inside. Getting in and out with the top up and the "doors" on in the rain IS a bit of a comic adventure. And other vehicles' ability to see your already diminutive car is further obscured by tire spray. But it's doable.

I have a dB app on my I-phone. Typically, my home db is under 40. At a recent crowded office holiday party in a small venue it was spiking at 115, with no music, just yakking.

Thx John. Redline says they dont have the needed rotor, nor does their supplier.

I have my Caterham at my mechanic's to repair damage that occurred when my driver's side half shaft broke at a track day. I lost the disc rotor at that time and have not been able to find a replacement, hence this post. I have Caterham's "uprated rear brake kit" which uses a system specific 10" disc rotor. Nothing else will do-this is a unique bespoke item just for this "uprated" brake kit. Both Beachmman Racing and Caterham Parts UK are out of this item. Thus this post. I only need the 10" rotor but will happily purchase the entire uprated brake kit if necessary ($1K+). My mechanic wants my car out as he doesn't have room to store it, so I dont have the luxury of time. If anyone has the part, plz contact me here, or better, text or call me at 513-646-8120. Thx! Mike

TNcoupe: I find that particular Caterham pretty tempting as well:). Maybe they will sell it for less, it's been there a while? Unlike most sports/sporty cars, Caterhams hold their value reasonably well. I bought a new '08 BMW M3 for $75K and sold it 3 years later for $45K. An identical one just sold on BAT for$19K. Caterhams seem to have a residual value of between $20-35K, and up depending on spec, in spite of age, mileage, etc. So, if logic ever has a role in this type of purchase, it would be to recognize the vehicle's excellent resale value. I can say that issue made absolutely no difference to me, tho, I just had to have one:)! A Caterham, or any se7en, for most owners is an emotional purchase not a rationale one. I fully intended to sell my Cat after I bought the M3. But it was the M3 that went. It just didn't generate the happiness/excitement that my Cat did (and still does) 12 years later.

The seller of the Hemmings Caterham R300 (Worldwide Motors) seems a bit confused. He notes that the costs of parts and restoration are going up. And that is that supposed to tempt me to buy this? But he says the value of the vehicle is also going up-since they dont make these anymore. Funny, I thought last year was Caterham's biggest production year?

Maybe Jon should list his parts inventory for sale here? Most of us Caterham owners like to keep a spare or 2 of everything, so when something breaks, we aren't frustrated by the typical Caterham response:"Part not currently available."

Tom: they worked together for many years at R Mtn Motorsport, no? Anyhow, you may be right.

How many does the Caterham RV sleep:)? Sorry, just being a wise guy, congrats on your awesome new Caterham! I will let the experts chime in on registration, but I dont see how this is any different than any other Caterham.

Sounds like Ben at Rocky Mountain Motorsport. He sold Cats to a lot of folks, incl Croc and Alacossie and was the main U.S Caterham distributor for years. If the car is set up for a Signa engine, the wiring loom may only support that engine directly, tho it can be rewired.

If Croc doesn't return to Australia at least 1x a year, he forfeits the right to be called "Croc" on this site and instead reverts to his American nickname, "Bubba". And, at that point he has to enter remedial speech classes with Xcarguy and brush up on his southern accent.

The orange 'Vette sure looks nice!

Thx Tom. I called you 2-3 weeks ago abt a rebuild. That is still my plan. First my mechanic has to get caught up and find time to fix my snapped axle, then we will ship the engine to you to do whatever you deem appropriate. I will call in the next few weeks to make arrangements. Mike M.