catsv7 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I recently purchased a caterham 7 from the son of the builder (Ronald Johnson from Denver). Unfortunately Ronald passed away several years ago and the son has very little information ( zero documentation) about the car. The car does carry a Colorado issue VIN and Caterhman name plate with a chassis number. I have enclosed a couple of recent photos, perhaps someone recognizes the car. I would appreciate any info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 The car and previous owner have not shown up at any of my Se7ens gatherings or at the local C&Cs. Are you and the car living in Colorado? Please give us more details on the car - year, engine, model (guessing its an SV from your screen name). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsv7 Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 The car and I are in Phoenix. I am having trouble identifying the year because of the lack of information available. The son believes the car was first titled in 2008 ( the current CO title seems to support that thought). The engine is a 2.0L Zetec, frame is Arch (tagged), De Dion. I believe the car is SV ( I have not done car body/frame measurements however I am 5'11" and I fit quite comfortably). The gear box has a Rocky Mountain Sportscars Inc label. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 The number of poppers across the windscreen is an easy way to spot an SV. If you have 11 it is an SV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsv7 Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Just counted the poppers as 9 across the top 11 including the wrap around on the edges. What is the verdict? Maybe I will changing my member name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off Road SHO Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Yay, another 7 in the Valley of the Sun! Let me know if you want to do some short blats to get used to it. The wife and I are always needing more excuses. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) Just counted the poppers as 9 across the top 11 including the wrap around on the edges. What is the verdict? Maybe I will changing my member name. The verdict is, you have an SV :hurray: If you look at the photo of my SV from earlier in this thread it should be exactly the same as your screen Edited January 18, 2016 by Blokko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 The 10th digit of the chassis number will indicate the year of the chassis. At the time your car was built, the 10th digit was as follows: 1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 etc. Following is a partial breakdown of chassis codes for Caterham that will apply to the time your SV was manufactured: 1 digit is country (S) 2-3 digits are manufacturer (DK) 4 digit is LHD or RHD (L) 5 digit is chassis cinfiguration - guessing yours will be D 6 digit is build type - probably K, which indicates kit built 7 digit is chassis type - 5=SV 8-9 digits are engine, probably NS=Not Supplied 10 digit explained above 11-17 digits are the chassis number, a.k.a. serial number Congratulations on the new car, and best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I queried a few people who might know about your car and got this reply from Nathan Down who worked at Rocky Mountain Sportscars (and at the Caterham factory). It was a car that was sold by Rocky Mountain Sportscars a little time before i moved here in 2003. Ron built the car himself in a garage just a few miles from our shop. Ben and Jon supported him during the build. The car was a SV with Cadbury purple metallic paint and a ruby red noseband. It had a 2.0ltr Zetec with the TWM throttle bodies, cams and Pectel ECU. engine and box (5 speed) came from Jon at Cat USA. i serviced the car for Ron a few times, helped him with some driveabilty issues with the ECU and helped with emissions. Ron liked to do the work himself. The car was a nice build, more street car than track car (16" wheels, leather seats, full weather etc... but did have harnesses). Ron did a a track day with us at SCR and also the HPDE with RMVR. I believe these were in 2004. Ron was a cool guy, a real Dead Head. Always fun to see a man in tie-dye and a bandanna roll up to the shop. A shame to hear that he has passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsv7 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Off Road SHO, Thanks for the short blat offer. There is some deferred maintenance that I need address before any trips. Sean, Thanks for the chassis decoder. By its use I also able to confirm SV status, chassis date of 2002, LHD, and KIT. scannon, Thanks, for your inquiries and passing along the information from Nathan Down, a bit of history I would not have otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Blokko and Sean, Thanks for the information! I guess I had never thought about the windscreen poppers, and the breakdown on the VIN is equally helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsv7 Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 Thanks to everyone for the very helpful responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now