Wayne Stambaugh Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 Hello, After being an English car nut all my life I finally own a Caterham 7. I have been involved with MGAs and MGBs most of my life and always wanted a Caterham 7. I’m a machinist by trade and worked in the shop more than 30 years and still machine parts for myself. I started with conventional machines and later on we made the move to CNC so I have lots of experience with both. Previous to, and after my career in machining I did auto restoration and still do. A old friend of mine bought this Caterham 7 in about 1987 new from Caterham. He assembled it in his garage but got frustrated with carb tuning at the end of the build. He stopped working on it and it sat for many years. It has a 1600 BDA (I’m told). I haven’t picked it up yet. He died about 5 years ago and left it to his son who also died about 6 months ago. His brother was liquidating the estate and called me to see if I was interested in it, the rest is history. I have a lot to learn and have hundreds of questions. Hopefully I will able to get a lot of them answered here. Thanks in advance. Wayne Stambaugh 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowdude Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome, if it's a BDA, sheesh. I'm jealous. Since you're a machinist, nothing here will be hard to work on. I'm an excel loser and I still have figured out how to do some work on the car. They're a blast and welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 Hi Wayne. Nice you got a BDA. Even better if its on 711M or AX block.. Can't wait to see pictures. Please start a build page. Although its built, the refresh is likely going to be interesting. You didn't say if itwas driven by son? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdb Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 A sad tale for the car but it sounds like it has landed in a good home. Pics are needed! Ditto on starting a build thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 Looking forward to pictures. Cosworth BD engines are perfect for a 7. Make sure the carburetors are rubber mounted. That might have been your friends problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Stambaugh Posted October 6, 2023 Author Share Posted October 6, 2023 Thank all three of you for your replies and interest. I think I mentioned that I haven’t picked the car up yet and I’m scheduled to get it next Monday or possibly Tuesday. These cars are so unusual. People ask what I’m so excited about and they just don’t understand it. I’m even having trouble imagining what it will be like compared to my MGAs. The BDA 1.6 in a 1200 pound 7 ? I have no clue what that will be like! As soon as I have the car I’ll start a build page as you suggest. I know I’ll have lots of questions and I think I’m at the right place! Thanks again for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirkinBernie Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Congrats Wayne! Start exercising your grin muscles now or you will get cramps after your first drive..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdb Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 It's going to be a MUCH more immersive experience than your MGA! When you slide into a Se7en you enter a different realm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Stambaugh Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 Tuesday evening I received a tuperware tube full of paperwork on the 7. Unfortunately it wasn’t all for the Caterham. After I weeded out the non Caterham paperwork I started to focus on the Caterham stuff. John Sr. the original purchaser obviously spent a lot of time trying to decide what he really wanted. There is quite a bit of communication back and forth, several quotes, additional parts quotes, etc. Based on what I see Arch Motors completed the chassis October 15th 1986 chassis number 5LC 4578 BDLD. This info was in a letter from Caterham Sales and Coachworks Ltd. addressed to John Weiss C/O Chris Tchorznicki, Sevens and Elans. I have attached the last update of the Proforma Invoice.This is dated July 8th 1986. Later on he apparently ordered an electronic ignition module May 2nd 1988. Then on May 24 1993 he ordered a twin wishbone front suspension. There appears to be instruction sheets that came with the car. The are very short and not too well detailed. They are just single pages , no binding at all. I am scheduled to pick up the car not tomorrow but the next Saturday. I am really looking forward to getting some pictures taken and then start a build page. Wayne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Sheesh...I was in high school 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Stambaugh Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 I had a 7 year old and a 6 year old and was spending 10 to 12 hours a day in the machine shop trying to survive and somehow I did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Very Nice Seven as ordered. Lots of history with that dealer ship suppling Sevens here. Even had five 7's in their phone number! Have the best of times with your Seven, V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Stambaugh Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 I started a build log today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinman1 Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Wayne, The twin wishbone suspension may be the same or similar to the DSK ones I have on mine. I have not seen another Seven with them. Look forward to seeing photos of your project. Vin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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