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1978 Caterham Super 7 with turbocharged Lotus twin cam


drewbrese

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THIS… unique 1978 Caterham Seven features a turbocharged Lotus twin cam engine and exemplifies the thrill of driving.

 

Links to forum albums for pictures album 1, album 2, album 3, and driving video.

 

Engine

  • Built by William’s Racing in Harvard, MA
  • 2.0 L, 300 hp, 289 lb-ft, 14 psi boost, 8.4 compression ratio
  • Jennings aluminum block with iron liners
  • CP-Carrillo rods and pistons
  • Marine forged crank shaft
  • Dave Bean camshafts
  • Dry sump oil tank
  • Water to air intercooler under hood with rear mounted radiator, reservoir, and pump
  • Jenvey 70 mm throttle body and custom machined aluminum intake manifold
  • Garrett turbocharger
  • Custom stainless steel exhaust manifold with heat shielding
  • Tial MVS external wastegate
  • Aluminum radiator
  • AEM UEGO sensor
  • Haltech Platinum Sport 2000 ECU
  • Oil, oil filter, and engine coolant changed in 2022
  • Currently the car is conservatively tuned to approximately 235 whp to maximize longevity and durability
  • Previous owner had this engine built so the information above is from conversations I had with William’s after purchasing the car as well as the owner’s listing

 

Transmission

  • 5 speed manual Quaife box built by Parks Transmission
  • Tilton OT-II 7.25 twin plate clutch and lightweight flywheel
  • Close ratios, geared for 140 mph at 6000 rpm
  • Clutch master and slave cylinders replaced in 2021
  • Clutch recently started slipping

 

Chassis

  • Caterham S3 with live axle
  • Nitron NTR1 one-way adjustable dampers from Meteor Motorsports in 2019
  • Front suspension bushings, tie rod ends, and rear trailing arm bushings replaced in 2019
  • Rebuilt front brakes with new Girling master cylinder in 2019
  • Rear shoes and wheel cylinders replaced in 2019
  • Original 13” wheels refinished in 2018
  • Pirelli Cinturato CN36 185/70R13 tires new in 2020
  • Changed rear differential oil in 2022

 

Everything Else

  • Unpainted aluminum body panels with aluminum S1 styled nose cone, front and rear fenders
  • Panels are in OK condition, passenger side rear fender was dented by some road debris, the are plentiful rock chips in the usual places and other imperfections commonplace for a 44-year-old car, however most the panels can be polished to a mirror like finish.
  • New aluminum fuel tank and fuel filter in 2019
  • Standard windshield with side mounted wind deflectors
  • Carbon fiber aero screen with carbon fiber side and center mirrors can be included
  • JW Speaker 8631 LED headlights with integrated turn signals, daytime running lights, parking lights, high beam, low beam mounted in black 5 inch Caterham housings
  • LED taillights with both stop and turn signal functions
  • Moto-Lita leather steering wheel with quick release
  • Custom upholstered tonneau cover
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Some original parts and spares will be included such half doors and hood
  • Currently registered and located in Lexington, Massachusetts with a clean title
  • 30,106 miles on the odometer

 

I’ve enjoyed driving and wrenching on this Caterham since I purchased it in 2018. I was not prepared for the reactions it gets from folks when I’m out for a drive, as if they’ve just seen a UFO. It’s Matchbox like dimensions and lightness make it one of the quickest cars for my local twisty and tight roads. Great handling combined with giggle inducing turbo power make this car unique even among other Sevens.


This Spring I was getting ready to sell the car and noticed something wasn’t quite right, the clutch is slipping. Replacing the clutch isn’t particularly challenging but it is resource consuming, and after ruminating on what to do I have decided to sell the car as is instead of letting it sit.

 

Sold.

Edited by drewbrese
Sold.
  • Thanks 1
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34 minutes ago, spitfun said:

Looks like a great car,if it's not a scam someone should be all over this. I would be if I didn't just buy the SuperFormance S1... GLWS

 

HA! Not a scam.

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Absolutely beautiful car! Impressive power from the Twin Cam! Even more so- the torque! Must be a blast to drive. 

What part of MA are you in? Was up south of Boston yesterday, caught a glimpse of a Super Seven in the showroom of Joseph's Garage in Norwell. Stopped for a closer look- I asked if it was for sale and was told that it was Steven Tyler's and not for sale. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 8/7/2022 at 5:40 PM, Cueball1 said:

Possible to post additional interior pics?  None show seats or interior finishing well.

Added an additional album with some interior pictures. Seats are in great shape, there aren't any tears in the vinyl.

 

Album 3

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Can the trans be pulled out without removing the motor? Or at least moved far enough back to get to the clutch? Doing a clutch is no big deal, but removing that motor with all of the turbo piping and EFI stuff looks a little daunting. 😳

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9 hours ago, JB455 said:

Can the trans be pulled out without removing the motor? Or at least moved far enough back to get to the clutch? Doing a clutch is no big deal, but removing that motor with all of the turbo piping and EFI stuff looks a little daunting. 😳

I don't know if you can separate the two and slide them apart enough while still in the car to change the clutch. Removing the engine and transmission isn't daunting and no special tools are required other than a hoist preferably with a load leveler, 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I wonder if it would be possible to register this car in CA. Do you have any pictures of the original build? Or history of how it was registered from 1978 onwards

 

California DMV will ask for proof of it being assembled as a kit car.

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10 hours ago, rnr said:

I wonder if it would be possible to register this car in CA. Do you have any pictures of the original build? Or history of how it was registered from 1978 onwards

 

California DMV will ask for proof of it being assembled as a kit car.

I do not have photos from what it looked like back in 1978 or prior to my ownership. It was, and currently is, titled and registered in Massachusetts as a 1978 Caterham Super 7.

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10 hours ago, Cueball1 said:

Was the built turbo motor installed day one or is it lower miles than the chassis?

I do not know what engine was originally installed. I also think it's safe to assume that the miles on the current engine are much less than the miles shown on the odometer.

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