Caterham Manufacture Date / VIN Number List

[lotsats]

I recently bought what is supposed to be a 1984 model Caterham S3. The VIN number is: CS34259MKRM. It has a California title indicating it's a 1969 model. I am in North Carolina and the DMV is trying to find out the actual year so they can issue a North Carolina title that's correct. Does anyone have, or know where I can find a serial number list with model year information on it? When first titled in the state, all kit cars, replica cars, and cars 35 years old or older must be inspected and photographed by an examiner before a title can be issued.

 

I know some would be frustrated by such a law, but I'm actually not as it helps prevent fraud. Can you imagine what would happen if a Cobra replicar were to be titled as a Shelby Cobra. Then sold to someone as an actual Cobra a few years later. If I were the unsuspecting buyer, I would NOT be happy to find this out after the seller had left with my money. In the case of the Caterham, it's obvious California didn't pay attention when they issued a title for the car. As I understand, Caterham didn't make any cars until 1973, and S3's started production in 1974. Hmmmmmm-----------

 

Anyway, if you have, or know where to find a serial number list, I'd sure like to have access to it.

 

Thanks!!!!!

[DaveStruve]

It's more likely that caterham listed it as a 1969 on the certificate of origin they sent with the chassis to help make sure the car avoided any modern day vehicle standards. I know someone that built one last year and it was listed as a 1969 on the documents caterham sent him. Anyways I would title it as it was, last thing you want to do is create a issue that could get the car flagged and blocked from registration. The title is just a means of identification for the state, buyer should know better with something like this.

[lotsats]

Unfortunately, the state caught the error so it needs to be dealt with. Besides that, down the road the year manufacture might be part of the determination of value. Having the incorrect year would look like fraud to a lot of people.

[Sean]

Anyway, if you have, or know where to find a serial number list, I'd sure like to have access to it.

 

Serial number list: http://www.lotus7.club/guides/frequently-asked-questions/chassis-numbers-what-do-they-mean#h9

Have you tried contacting Caterham in UK?

[Croc]

The Lotus 7 Club of the UK has chassis guides. Anyway the pre-1990 VINs did not identify by year. You need their club historian who MAY be able to provide details on chassis history - factory records are not the most complete or organized.

 

Pre-1990 Caterham Series 3

 

Chassis Types Designations

CS3 Caterham Series 3

LCS Long Cockpit

S3B for Dutch market

5LC 5 Speed Gearbox, Long Cockpit

KLCC Kit-built, long cockpit, CKD

KLD Kit-built, long cockpit, deDion

KLDC Kit-built, long cockpit, deDion, CKD

KS3 Kit built (not CKD)

KS3C Kit-built, standard cockpit, CKD (Completely Knocked Down ie all parts supplied by Caterham)

 

Configuration/Other? Designations

2 Mark 2 Escort Axle

5 5 Speed gearbox (not sure about this one)

13 1300 GT

16 1600 GT

17 1700 Supersprint

17H 1700 Holbay

BDR Cosworth 16 Valve Engine

D DeDionRearAxle?

F Fully Built

GS 100bhp 1600 GT

GT 84bhp 1600GT

J Jubilee

JPE Jonathan Palmer Evolution

L Left Hand Drive or LiveAxle?

M Marina/Ital? Axle

ME Japanese Specification JPE

MK Modified Kent

P Prototype

PRI Prisoner Series

R Right Hand Drive

R Racer

RI Rover K-Series (pre 1992)

RJ Rover K-Series (post 1992)

RMJ Japanese Specification Racer

S RS Axle

T Turbo

X Experimental

TC Big Valve TwinCam?

VC Vegantune VTA Engine

VI Vauxhall Injection

VJ Vauxhall Injection

VX Vauxhall Carburettored

VT Vauxhall Turbo

XR Ford CVH

XT Ford CVH Turbo

Edited May 29, 2016 by Croc

[Road Ready]

When my son and I finished the build on our seven we scheduled required inspection. Remade sure that the lights worked, mirrors installed, all the stuff that one might expect to be checked in a normal NC safety and emissions inspection. When the inspector arrived wearing a sidearm we got our first clue that this was not going to be an exception like any other.

 

Unfortunately the aerial number on the side of the engine was not legible, inspire of our creative use of mirrors and lighting. that meant that we would be required to post a one-time indemnity bond in case the engine turned out to have been stolen. It was aggravating but not expensive.

 

My "07 Caterham is titled as a '57 Lotus Replica. In NC replicas are subject to the same requirements as what it is that they're replicating. In this case it means no need for a safety inspection, ever. I guess they figure that if you can build it and keep it running then you'll do fine without the safety inspection and emissions.

[MichaelD]

When MD DMV read te Caterham SS# They said it was a 1998 even though the Caterham Title said it was shipped over to US in 2000.

 

So it is registered as a 1998 Assembled Vehicle. Go Figure>??/

[lotsats]

Thanks for the reply!!!!! Where in NC are you located? I'm in Cary. It would be nice to know another Caterham owner nearby. I do have pretty good knowledge about working on the car. It's been a while, but I've owned two 1965 Super 7's in the past. The first was actually ordered from the factory in 1975 by a friend when we were in high school ---------- a long time ago.

[lotsats]

I wrote to Caterham in the UK and haven't received a response.

[lotsats]

Today, I called the UK, and was able to get a copy of the original invoice for the car. Hopefully, this now solves the problem. Thanks to everyone for the feedback!