HPC Questions

[Vovchandr]

21 minutes ago, kayentaskier said:

It's in the garage someplace, it was either 47 or 49.

 

Very interesting. Thanks

 

Maybe somebody smarter than me (dealer?) can clarify. Maybe SL's were different. I might try to find my models book when I get home and see what they dictate for these models. I was under impression they had to have the Rover motor as part of the deal and part of the classification as the motor is a crucial part of the horsepower output and the weight factor. 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Vovchandr

[Stang70Fastback]

This is all very fascinating information.

For my purposes, the added value of the vehicle isn't REALLY important to me, as I'm not planning on selling it... (though I suppose ideally it would be good to ensure it's insured for what it's worth.)

I'm trying to determine the "authenticity" of it more for my own knowledge, and because I just don't want to spout false information in my blog posts, or when talking to people about the car. I also wasn't clear on what made an HPC an Evolution. IF the only difference between my car, and a "super-duper-official" one is that the latter was built by Caterham (and apparently was bought by someone who took the HPC course) then I think I'll just go ahead and call mine an Evolution unless that's some sort of major faux-pas. After all, the engine would still have been tuned by Swindon, and the only reason it wouldn't have been assembled by Caterham wasn't because it was missing something, but simply because you couldn't legally import one into the US except as a kit. So it's more a technicality than a physical difference in the vehicle. The fact that the first owner might not have taken the official HPC course is hardly relevant in my eyes as well. Those details might matter if I'm trying to win some official Caterham Concours d'Elegance or something, but I feel I can tell people it's an Evolution without offending all but perhaps the stingiest Caterham purists. Seems given how hard it is TO get concrete answers one way or the other that it likely isn't that important either way.

Or maybe I'm wrong... but that really was all I was trying to figure out was whether I can say it's an Evo without offending everyone. It certainly is more fun to say it is given the rarity! (Not to try and sound like the typical Corvette owner, lol. "This car is 1 of 1 made in the year 1998 in this color paint with THESE options on a Thursday!")

Edited December 11, 2023 by Stang70Fastback

[Croc]

43 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

While this pertains to SLR's not SL I went by the information given to me by Martin Phipps, the Caterham Archivist 

 

I will stand corrected however having taking a look at the correspondence again, they did not have to be factory built but no SLR's were numerated in the states even though they were officially sold and shipped as such. 

 

According to this website that is a registrar of SL's and SLR's among others the engine had to be a rover in SL

http://www.thecaterhamregister.net/superlights.htm

 

 

You have seen a numbered SLR in the US with a plaque on the dash.  Look at the register site and go to #123.  Its yellow, left hand drive, with clams and while the driver is slightly obscured you should be able to guess it is Tom. 

 

Martin is excellent in what he does but he is working with Caterham records that are not always complete or logical or deal with the quirks of US cars being ordered.

 

[Vovchandr]

9 minutes ago, Croc said:

 

You have seen a numbered SLR in the US with a plaque on the dash.  Look at the register site and go to #123.  Its yellow, left hand drive, with clams and while the driver is slightly obscured you should be able to guess it is Tom. 

 

Martin is excellent in what he does but he is working with Caterham records that are not always complete or logical or deal with the quirks of US cars being ordered.

 

 

That one is under SL (on the website at least)  123 SLR is orange RHD (again on the registry)

Edited December 11, 2023 by Vovchandr

[kayentaskier]

Here's my badge, no idea what happened to the car

[theDreamer]

Sorry to revive this old thread but… I now find myself in the same position as Stang70Fastback. He referenced his car during the auction of my new car. He pointed out the similarities of our two cars. Both order sheets indicate the HPC Evolution 218 BHP Engine option. Reading his blog has really sparked my curiosity.

The owner of my car has found the original HPC nose badge which is another box checked off my list. For some reason the owner had someone else sell his car on BaT. Now I am going through this seller to get things done and questions answered. It seems that something is always lost in this three way arrangement. That’s why I’m very anxious to join the Caterham & Lotus 7 Club. The original owner of my car was a long time member. (40 issues of Low Flying are included with my car). The wait to get my membership payment to them is killing me. Once I am a member I will be able to ask questions and search old threads to perhaps find out more about my “new to me” Purple Passion.

As agent Scully says to Mulder,” The truth is out there”.

[Stang70Fastback]

4 minutes ago, theDreamer said:

Sorry to revive this old thread but… I now find myself in the same position as Stang70Fastback. He referenced his car during the auction of my new car. He pointed out the similarities of our two cars. Both order sheets indicate the HPC Evolution 218 BHP Engine option. Reading his blog has really sparked my curiosity.

 

Glad you enjoyed the blog! After all the asking of questions and seeming ambiguity with no solid answers, I've decided to just call mine an Evo until someone can provide concrete info one way or the other. All I've gotten to date are wishy-washy responses that end with "I'd say it qualifies," so that's good enough for me. I figure I'm more likely to finally get a concrete answer by calling mine an Evo anyway, since that's likely the best way to piss off some all-knowing purist who might actually have the knowledge to give me a proper answer, lol.

Edited February 11 by Stang70Fastback

[Croc]

8 hours ago, Stang70Fastback said:

 I've decided to just call mine an Evo until someone can provide concrete info one way or the other. All I've gotten to date are wishy-washy responses that end with "I'd say it qualifies," so that's good enough for me.

 

I think this the answer for @theDreamer   This has happened with a number of special edition Caterhams over the years - HPC, Superlights, even a JPE.  The L7&C folks and the Caterham historian only classify them as true specials if they were UK delivered car.  This is despite some cars having numbered plaques, factory documentation, and the like to validate.   I have even seen them argue this on anniversary kits with number plaques where if they were ignored then they do not match numbers produced per Caterham press releases.  Supporting them are Caterham VIN records which generally do not classify US market cars as specials (with the possible exception of some of the Superlights).  Joining the L7&C is not going to change anything on this.  You will just find the vocal naysayers are mostly a bunch of narrow minded strict constructionists. 

 

My view has always been if you have the spec for one of the specials and you have documentation that supports that (e.g. special name, correct option boxes ticked on order/build documents, etc), then you have a US market special, in this case HPC.  I've said as much on BringaTrailer in the past.   But thats just my view and what would I know.  I'm also not convinced it adds as much value to the car as other people might think.  Se7ens are so uniquely customisable they are are very individual and that different people value different attributes or spec more than others.  You can prove that in the auction sale results. 

[theDreamer]

@Croc and @Stang70Fastback I’ve already adopted this philosophy. I was involved with the antique weapons community for decades. Talk about narrow minded, thin skinned, narcissistic, intransient, buffoons, oh the stories I could tell... However, my desire to join the Caterham & Lotus Seven Club is multifold. I DO wish to learn more about my car, if indeed the original owner posted about it. I would also like to track down info on the mysterious Cadbury Purple Show Car that my car supposedly is a copy of or tribute to. At the very least I would hope to gain more knowledge about Caterham and specifically the HPC models. Will my shouting’s from the wilds of Upper Canada change minds and influence people? Not very bloody likely! But that’s not why I wish to engage with fellow Seven owners from across the pond.

At this time though it’s a moot point as I still can’t get the info I need for PayPal to work. Blimey, whata right cock-up!

[Croc]

32 minutes ago, theDreamer said:

At this time though it’s a moot point as I still can’t get the info I need for PayPal to work. Blimey, whata right cock-up!

 

 

 

Its probably a pop up setting on your browser or something similarly arcane. 

 

One workaround.  If you have other UK payment needs then open a Wise bank account online.  Set up a CAD and a GBP account.  Link to your normal personal bank account.  Transfers are very cheap - cheaper than the Paypal fees.  FX conversion is done at wholesale rates with cheap fees.  Cheaper than anything else I have found for consumers and the fees are not that much higher than what I pay for commercial transfers in the business.  You can then use the Wise UK account for direct debit at no fee - its very common in the UK for payments.  

 

 

 

[Lotusfan]

@theDreamerAt the risk of getting the Seven Club folks offended, I wouldn’t get overly worked up over waiting to join the club. If you’re not in the UK and are unable to attend their events and drives, you may not ultimately feel the benefit of their forum and newsletter worth the cost. There is some older stuff in their forum relating to the Vauxhall but nothing earth shattering or that you couldn’t get answered on here or in the C20XE group on FB. Good that you got the original HPC nose badge as I think they’re pretty hard to find now. Congrats on getting your car - you’re going to love it.

Edited February 11 by Lotusfan

[theDreamer]

@Lotusfan, Maybe so but I’m willing to give it a go for a year and then decide. Meanwhile, maybe someone would be so kind as to give Andrew or whomever it is a good, swift, kick up the back side to approve my joining the Caterham7, C20xe Facebook group. It’s one of the groups that have been “pending” for what seems ever.

On the other hand, 7 Spot added me within minutes of my request. Go figure, eh?