Hello everyone,
It’s a pleasure to meet you all and, perhaps, to contribute in some small way.
I also hope you’ll receive my message, given the rather late hour at which I’m replying to yours.
My name is Patrick, I’m French, and since March 2023 I’ve been the happy owner of an authentic Caterham HPC Evolution ‘Blue Top’. I’m also in contact with Martin PHIPPS, Caterham’s archivist, and here are the details I’m happy to share with you, if you aren’t already aware of them:
1. The total number of Caterham HPCs put forward by Chris REES (337) is likely correct, given that Chris worked closely with Martin to arrive at this figure. The VX/VXi versions were fitted with the same engine, namely the Vauxhall 2-litre 16-valve unit, but only the specifications differ. The HPC versions, which often, though not always (mine, for example, does not have it), featured the letter H in the VIN, had the following options: 16-inch wheels, leather seats, a Moto Lita steering wheel and a heater. These cars were listed as ‘HPC’ specification on both the order form and the invoice, as it is the case with mine.
2. Whilst it is perfectly correct to say that the High Performance Course was indeed compulsory for buyers of the first BDR-engined HPCs (only three buyers residing in Dubai, the USA and Norway respectively were reportedly exempted), this does not appear to be the case for the Vauxhall-engined HPCs, for which the course was 'recommended' but not 'compulsory', except for buyers under the age of 25… of whom, one can imagine, there were not very many!
3. Still according to Martin, out of the 337 HPCs produced, 23 were reportedly ‘Evolution’ versions. These ‘Evo’ versions were apparently not official versions duly listed in the factory catalogue. The specifications of these ‘Evo’ versions, in addition to their three-stage engine tuning (Stage 1: 218 hp, Stage 2: 225 hp, Stage 3: 235 hp), were: improved cooling with a larger radiator, larger front brakes, higher-performance shock absorbers, and, for some of them only, a roller gearbox.
4. Out of these 23 HPC Evolution models, Martin lists:
a. 12 Stage 1 versions,
b. 2 Stage 2 versions,
c. 9 Stage 3 versions.
5. 16 models were produced for the UK, and 9 for the USA; 12 were built at the factory, and 11 were delivered as kits.
6. Mine is therefore one of the 12 Stage 1 versions delivered as a kit to the UK and is hence right-hand drive. It naturally features all the options of the HPC versions + those of the Evo ones, with one distinctive feature that I’ve never seen on any other Caterham before: a twin rear exhaust. It has a complete history dating back to the order form and the original invoice; it likely saw some track action in the UK before enjoying a well-deserved retirement on the small country roads around Lyon, where I now live.
I hope you’ve found this information useful, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Best,
Patrick
