2010 Caterham Superlight R400/500 S3

[Bruce K]

THIS GORGEOUS CATERHAM HAS BEEN SOLD ON 12/16/2022!!!

 

Presenting for sale my Concours-winning 2010 Caterham Superlight R400/500 S3.  This lightweight “bucket list” supercar includes more than $25,000 in options, and would cost around $90,000 new including dealer assembly.  At the 2022 "Eyes on Design" Concours, celebrated on the grounds of the Henry Ford Estate in Grosse Pointe Shores MI, this Caterham won the "Design of Distinction" award.  
  
VIN:  NY71329, clear Michigan title with NO liens and NO salvage or other demerits.  Chassis number:  SDKLDKLNS90023720
 

MILEAGE:  About 5,400.
 

USE & CONDITION:  Garage-stored since new (my garage is heated).  Road use only.  NO collisions or extensive repairs.  Original motor and transmission.  Never driven in rain or snow.  Near-perfect, with only tiny chips and spots that all Caterhams accumulate at lower fender and body edges.  
 

BODY:  The nose, fenders, dashboard, mirrors, valve cover, license plate surround/light and turn signal nacelles are naked carbon fiber finished in glossy clearcoat.  The balance of the car is painted metallic Daytona Blue with twin silver stripes.  
 

MECHANICAL:  This Caterham’s astonishing veneer is exceeded only by its performance. The aluminum 2 liter Ford Duratech I4, upgraded by Caterham, features larger injectors, strengthened bottom end, high-lift camshafts and performance ECU.  A low-restriction Piper Cross air filter feeds turbulence-free roller throttle bodies.  The motor exhales through a polished stainless R500 exhaust system with cat delete (removed converter is included in the sale).  Transmission is an aluminum-cased Caterham 6 speed close ratio.  Double-spoke 13" Caterham wheels are shod with Avon ZZ's (4/32” tread remaining).  Dampers are Bilstein double adjustable.  This car is equipped with the factory precision-cut and laser-welded chassis upgrades plus Dedion rear including 30 improvements and LSD diff.  About 230 horsepower propels this 1,157-pound missile from 0 to 60 in around 3 seconds (see the uploaded video for proof).  
 

MAINTENANCE:  All fluids have been replaced with the finest synthetics, and the car was fully torqued, aligned and corner weighted.  Due to a factory defect, the clutch master and slave cylinders were just replaced, providing the next owner with another 100,000 miles of dependable enjoyment.  I spent $9,260 within the last 12 months on the car, primarily on upgrades including new mohair doors, lowering floorboards, a heater installation, and a new Caterham cowl-mounted shift indicator light.  I intended to keep this car until I could no longer drive.  
 

OPTIONS & EXTRAS:  R400 performance package including wide track front A-arms and Dedion rear upgraded with LSD and stouter anti-rollbar.  Factory carbon fiber body package.  Two identical Tillett racing seats, constructed of lightweight Kevlar and fitted with Schroth 6-point harnesses.   These seats are mounted on adjustable sliders, and provide improved lateral support and driver control.  Two uninstalled lowering floor pans drop each occupant about 1.5 inches, centering vision vertically in the windshield and providing additional footbox room.  Taillights are upgraded white with colored bulbs.  The rollbar is extra-height and FIA-approved.  Includes a full windshield with wipers, washers and wind wings, plus a carbon fiber windscreen with center stalk mirror.  You will not lose your grip on the Alcantara rim of the detachable MOMO steering wheel.  A three-speed heater and mohair weather gear (top, tonneau, doors, binnacle cover) enable several additional months of touring every year.  Aero-fill fuel cap, push-button start, external kill switch and ultra-bright LED rain light are also installed.  A new Caterham shift indicator light is mounted on the driver’s cowl.  Extra parts include two touring-style Caterham seats, a stock fiberglass nose, a set of four stock fiberglass fenders, four Caterham 15" wheels wearing Avon CR500's, and a box full of various parts and manuals. 
 

HISTORY:  This car was imported from England in 2010 by “LeBrun Motors”, a former New York Caterham dealer.  Assembly was completed by the dealership in 2011.  The car served as the dealer’s personal transportation and as a demonstrator.  It was sold circa 2016 to a sportsman in Niagara Falls, who invested extensively in the car’s appearance, adding multiple carbon fiber and kevlar upgrades.  I am the third owner, having purchased the car a bit more than a year ago.  I have owned four Super Sevens over the span of forty years, but none with appearance or performance to rival this.  I searched for years to find her.

  

SUMMARY:  Inclusive of both appearance and performance, one of the finest Caterhams available anywhere in the world at this time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Caterham Superlight R SPARE PARTS LIST001.pdf 2010 Caterham Superlight R front of title001.pdf

Edited December 18, 2022 by Bruce K

[Pokey]

Beautiful car Bruce.  That 4C is going to miss its stable mate

[Bruce K]

On 10/23/2022 at 5:26 PM, Pokey said:

Beautiful car Bruce.  That 4C is going to miss its stable mate

Thank you.  Perhaps so beautiful that you must buy it ? ? ?

 

Seriously, note that weather gear in the image second from last.  The face mask is a Harley Davidson item - really cuts the chill.  Ditto the leather helmet - keeps the bald head and ears toasty.  the jacket was also purchased at a Harley store.  It has a liner, plus detachable neck wrap.  With driving gloves and heater, I can cruise around comfortably on 40 degree days - really extends the driving season!

 

Also there is a wide-angle billet rearview mirror glued onto the windshield, plus, per the image below, a carbon fiber flat-lens center stalk mirror that bolts to the cowl for use with the carbon fiber windscreen.  Everything is included in the sale.  The excellent previous owner (a craftsman responsible for most of the artistry inherent in this car) informed me that, regarding wind buffeting, there was not much difference between the windshield and the carbon fiber windscreen at high speed.  I was surprised to find this statement to be accurate.  I was told by Scott Minehart of Brunton Automobiles that the largest part of wind buffeting in Caterhams is due to the 90 degree included angle of the rear fenders relative to the body.  This observation  appears to be correct, making the windscreen an arguably better option for late spring through early fall driving - the car looks cleaner, and better aero means superior high-speed acceleration.  However, the windshield is required to hang the doors, which are essential for cockpit heat, so the windshield is a better option in early spring and late fall.

Edited November 5, 2022 by Bruce K

[SK400]

Bruce. 
Good to see your car in pictures. I was your neighbor at eyes on design with the red r400/r500 caterham.   Is your car sold? If not, might be someone in Michigan / Ann Arbor who might be interested.  (Might).   Let us know.  Txs. 

[Bruce K]

Hey, Sebastien - good to hear from you.  It's nice that your signature photo features you and your son, and also great that he enjoys doing car things with dad.  In that regard I failed - none of my children view cars as more than conveyances.  One even owns a midnight blue Alfa Giulia with every option including Nero, and the car still sits in the drive on gorgeous summer afternoons.  Pity.

 

My Caterham is finally ready for sale.   Late summer, I detected a defect in the clutch slave and master cylinders, necessitating an early R&R.  The repair was proceeding well, but disruptions in global supplies resulted in an extra several weeks of parts delay, and I unfortunately missed the last couple months of summer driving.  Then along came my Lola T70 purchase opportunity, and now this outstanding Caterham will belong to some other lucky soul.  Please advise your friends that the car is available and 100% ready for street, track or show.  Besides the items listed in the preceding ad, I have ATTACHED a report listing many other spares.  Thanks, and start teaching your son how to drive your beautiful red R400!

2010 Caterham Superlight R SPARE PARTS LIST001.pdf 2010 Caterham Superlight R front of title001.pdf

[slowdude]

3 hours ago, Bruce K said:

Hey, Sebastien - good to hear from you.  It's nice that your signature photo features you and your son, and also great that he enjoys doing car things with dad.  In that regard I failed - none of my children view cars as more than conveyances.  One even owns a midnight blue Alfa Giulia with every option including Nero, and the car still sits in the drive on gorgeous summer afternoons.  Pity.

 

My Caterham is finally ready for sale.   Late summer, I detected a defect in the clutch slave and master cylinders, necessitating an early R&R.  The repair was proceeding well, but disruptions in global supplies resulted in an extra several weeks of parts delay, and I unfortunately missed the last couple months of summer driving.  Then along came my Lola T70 purchase opportunity, and now this outstanding Caterham will belong to some other lucky soul.  Please advise your friends that the car is available and 100% ready for street, track or show.  Besides the items listed in the preceding ad, I have ATTACHED a report listing many other spares.  Thanks, and start teaching your son how to drive your beautiful red R400!

2010 Caterham Superlight R SPARE PARTS LIST001.pdf 2.16 MB · 3 downloads 2010 Caterham Superlight R front of title001.pdf 4.64 MB · 3 downloads

You can't tease a Lola and not post photos!!

[Bruce K]

On 11/13/2022 at 7:18 PM, slowdude said:

You can't tease a Lola and not post photos!!

OK, Slowdude - challenge accepted!  First image group is current paint and livery.  Second group is intended paint and livery.  Number 83 is A J Foyt's car, which won a number of races and podiumed others.  It has four sets of dual-throat Webers like mine, but is powered by a larger (427 vs 388 ci) Ford motor rather than the Chevy in my car.  However, a Chevy was the original motor in Foyt's car, and I loved his selection of color and livery, so I am honoring his car with mine.  I had an aluminum spoiler fabbed to duplicate his, and my wheels have been finished with clear rims and black centers, also like his.  The car is currently in GA receiving numerous upgrades including all new rubber, as everything was aged out - new fuel cell, rebuilt QA-1 shocks, street/track air filters (this car has a title and will be plated), turn signals, air horns and much more.  Note the image of the available diecast model.  I have a collection of diecasts limited to all the best cars I have owned - it is a frequent source of fond memories, and a little chagrin regarding some I shouldn't have let go:

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Bruce K

[slowdude]

13 minutes ago, Bruce K said:

OK, Slowdude - challenge accepted!  First image group is current paint and livery.  Second group is intended paint and livery.  Number 83 is A J Foyt's car, which won a number of races and podiumed others.  It has four sets of dual-throat Webers like mine, but is powered by a larger (427 vs 388 ci) Ford motor than the Chevy in my car.  However, a Chevy was the original motor in Foyt's car, and his selection of color and livery is the best IMO.  I had an aluminum spoiler fabbed to duplicate his.  The car is currently in GA receiving numerous upgrades including all new rubber, as everything was aged out - new fuel cell, rebuilt QA-1 shocks, street/track air filters (this car has a title and will be plated), turn signals, air horns and much more.  Note the image of the available diecast model.  I have a collection of diecasts limited to all the best cars I have owned - it is a frequent source of fond memories, and a little chagrin regarding some I shouldn't have divorced:

 

Gorgeous. The Lola's are supposed to be transcendent to drive. Please stick around the forum!

[Bruce K]

What's amazing to me is how a stiff-lipped Englishman managed to create one of history's most voluptuous car designs.  A vehicle like this was supposed to be the product of Scaglietti, Pininfarina or Giugiaro, those Italian experts in sheet-metal sex.  Instead, it was Eric Broadley’s T70 that piled on the supercar tropes:  Huge scoops behind the doors and atop the rear quarters - every McClaren, Ferrari and Lambo now sports these. That sinuous S-curve beginning at the nose and wending up and down the entire length of the car - again, a feature of most super and hypercars for decades now.  The aerodynamic kammback tail - true, Wunibald Kamm pioneered the design in the 30's, but major implementation did not occur until deep into the 70's, and few ever looked as good as this.  Even the mouth of the car - big and wide, like an athlete gulping air, flanked by two amusing dimples (brake air ducts) and topped by wide, aggressive eyes - cars haven't had such expressive faces until recently, but Broadley's was gawping at us back in the 60's.  The T70:  As iconic and contemporary as the Ford GT40. the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale, the Lamborghini Miura and the Jaguar XKE.  That stiff-lipped English gentleman created a prototype for the pantheon.  Salutare, Eric!  

 

T70's in other liveries, and one famous patron:

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by Bruce K

[Sean]

Cool.  I was at Laguna Seca historic races back in 2011 and spied a T70 in the open pit area.  As I was checking it out, the owner asked if I had any questions about the car.  I looked up, and it was Brian Johnson, singer for AC/DC.  Great car, and a real friendly and down-to-earth guy.

 

edit -- One thing he told me was that he feared and respected his car, because he knew that two of its previous owners were killed driving it.
 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2022 by Sean

[Bruce K]

Sean - thanks so much for sharing the images and memories.  I've added the photos to my Lola album.  Brian's Lola was recently offered for sale - don't know if the hammer came down or not.  Included in this response is a link to a recent article in which the author was permitted to pilot Brian's Lola around Sebring Racetrack in Florida.  Brian's car appears to be significantly more difficult to drive than mine.  My car is LHD, to which I am more accustomed.  Also, Brian's Lola is equipped with a Hewland LG-500 transaxle.  Providing a top speed of plus 180 with only four gears means first is TALL, making launches difficult and low speeds intractable.  Plus, the Hewland is hard-shifting - a rock-crusher, like the first 4-speed trannies installed in XKE's.  My car is equipped with a later Getrag 016 that was upgraded with stronger shafts and gears.  My Getrag features 5 speeds, rendering launches easy and slow speeds viable.  It also includes effective baulk-ring synchronizers, so shifts are smooth.  My Mountney steering wheel is also wider than Brian's, so I have more leverage while parking and so on, but with the big gooey tires that Lola's wear, and manual steering the only option, shoulder muscles are required.  However, this is true of most sports cars I have owned, including my Backdraft Cobra, Lotus Exige, Porsche 935, Alfa 4C, and even to some degree the Caterham R400/500 - it's like an initiation fee you pay in order to enjoy the unassisted steering at speed.  Regarding Brian's warning about the car's widow-making tendencies, those are wise words, providing my rationale for no longer engaging in elbows-out competition.  I realize that Can Am race cars, Caterhams, Backdrafts and stripped-out 935's share escape velocity performance without benefit of air bags, collapsible steering columns, crush zones and the like, so I am now more cautious than brave.  I don't need to ride the razor's edge to know I'm alive, and maybe that makes me the wrong owner for my car.  Or maybe the right one?

 

https://classicmotorsports.com/articles/behind-wheel-driving-lola-can-am-racer-owned-acdcs/

Edited December 8, 2022 by Bruce K

[ajs117]

PM'd