1999 Caterham Seven

[Scott_]

I have been a fan of these cars for many years.  I remember buying a book about them in the late 90's; however, the stars never aligned until this past weekend when I went to pick up my seven.  It's a factory built De Dion K1.8 VVC  and was imported to the US a couple of years ago.   I was lucky enough to get with it the records going all the way back to the order sheet, factory build sheet and every record to present.  It has the lowered floor for the driver and the only additional options it had from the factory were the Ford Pacifica Blue pearlescent  paint and carbon fiber dash.

 

I'm sure now I'll be posting quite a bit as I start figuring things out.   The only thing I know that needs attention at this point is the speedometer, which was working until recently.   I notice in its history that this is at least the second time it has had speedometer issues.

 

 

Scott

Edited January 31 by Scott_
Photos

[Croc]

Calling our erstwhile K series "experts" to this thread.  

@yellowss7 @slowdude

 

 

[Scott_]

14 minutes ago, Croc said:

Calling our erstwhile K series "experts" to this thread.  

@yellowss7 @slowdude

 

 

 

LOL, sounds great!

 

Scott

[yellowss7]

Too bad it doesn’t have Clams like mine. .  Much faster with them. 😝.  Good to have another K series on the team.  Good little motor. Really light weight and revs willingly.  Hopefully you have the six speed to keep it in the rev range.  Good luck and enjoy it. 😎

[yellowss7]

Does it have the mechanical speedo or the digital one?   The mechanical one is easy to fix.  It’s just the little square quill that needs to be replaced. 

[CBuff]

@slowdude does your car need to be operational to maintain the “expert” moniker?

[IamScotticus]

@Scott_If you have an electronic speedo, there are GPS convertions you may plug in and eliminate the gear driven cable.  The resulting hole in the trans extension housing may be sealed with a 5/8" core plug, of which You an get as Dorman 555-011 front local parts store.

 

If possible,  please post pictures of the front and back side of the speedo.

 

Have this book:

Ebay sellers will have the best prices

 

Scott, 7s give owners enough surprises wirh things breaking,  it a rough ride that shakes itself apart.  The speedo cable is not something to keep if there are better options.  One less thing to break.

Another Scott

 

 

 

Edited January 22 by IamScotticus

[Scott_]

3 hours ago, yellowss7 said:

Too bad it doesn’t have Clams like mine. .  Much faster with them. 😝.  Good to have another K series on the team.  Good little motor. Really light weight and revs willingly.  Hopefully you have the six speed to keep it in the rev range.  Good luck and enjoy it. 😎

I did some soul searching and research before I bought it since these motors and parts are like hens teeth over here.  It has the five speed.  I've only driven it a couple of hours and I'm loving it!

[Scott_]

3 hours ago, yellowss7 said:

Does it have the mechanical speedo or the digital one?   The mechanical one is easy to fix.  It’s just the little square quill that needs to be replaced. 

It's mechanical.

[Scott_]

1 hour ago, IamScotticus said:

@Scott_If you have an electronic speedo, there are GPS convertions you may plug in and eliminate the gear driven cable.  The resulting hole in the trans extension housing may be sealed with a 5/8" core plug, of which You an get as Dorman 555-011 front local parts store.

 

If possible,  please post pictures of the front and back side of the speedo.

 

Have this book:

Ebay sellers will have the best prices

 

Scott, 7s give owners enough surprises wirh things breaking,  it a rough ride that shakes itself apart.  The speedo cable is not something to keep if there are better options.  One less thing to break.

Another Scott

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the tip on the book and about plugging the hole.  I'll be tinkering this weekend and will p0st some photos of the speedo.

 

Scott

[Reiver]

That was a similar entry to this hobby...'98 build Vauxhall.  Parts can be a pita but I've found shipping from England very good/rather quick ... faster than expected.  The prices are a bit but that comes with the territory.  The older ones are easier to work on tho, imo, due to the simplified electronics that the newer ones have. 

[Scott_]

8 hours ago, Reiver said:

That was a similar entry to this hobby...'98 build Vauxhall.  Parts can be a pita but I've found shipping from England very good/rather quick ... faster than expected.  The prices are a bit but that comes with the territory.  The older ones are easier to work on tho, imo, due to the simplified electronics that the newer ones have. 

LOL, I just spent thirty minutes figuring out oil filters for this motor.  I hear you.

[Reiver]

19 minutes ago, Scott_ said:

LOL, I just spent thirty minutes figuring out oil filters for this motor.  I hear you.

Yeah, went the same route and had help here...found a WIX filter that replaces the Caterham one.

[Reiver]

It is best to do a general internet search for a part or question as other Caterham sources will come up.... search here certainly, but I've had better luck with a general open internet search.

Then double check everything you find for veracity.   

[IamScotticus]

+1 on parts searches. 

Realize that a Caterham or Lotus is an assemblage of other car's parts.  The key to knowing your 7 is to know those other cars.  Then your parts searching opens up to a wider availability and knowledge base.  Example,  your front uprights are likely Triumph Spitfire.  Specifically,  Spirfire wirh custom hubs to fit Ford bolt pattern.  If that needs replaced or parts or special knowledge like trunion oil type, (so you don't put grease in there), you go to the Triumph forums and clubs and vendors.  You have many 80s Ford Sierra parts there, go to the Sierra forums.  Being a 99, you may have BMW diff. 

I suggest having the Haynes manuals for these cars.  If you don't do your own work,  being able to tell a mechanic what the donor cars are and have references is a great help to him, or a very cool her.

 

I'm interested in what steering bracket you have?  You may have a modified Mini Cooper, or a Caterham bedpoke.

 

 

Edited January 23 by IamScotticus

[Scott_]

6 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

 

I'm interested in what steering bracket you have?  You may have a modified Mini Cooper, or a Caterham bedpoke.

Those are great points.   I looked over the build sheet and it really doesn't go into detail about the sources of the parts.   When you say steering bracket are you referring to the steering rack or something else?

 

Scott

[Reiver]

With my 98 HPC I looked at wear items and replaced those up front... cam belt/water pump/sump baffle/fan belt/ and sourced a new alternator (serious search) as a preventative measure....the old one still in place but I have a replacement.  The Vauxhall is a strong unit and only has 20k on it...but reset the valve lash when applying the new external cam belt.

Brake pads don't wear quickly due to the light weight but take a look.  Trannies and De Dion rear end are solid also due to the light weight, but mileage is the issue here for fluids.

Wheel bearings...jack it up and spin for noise/feel for slack.  Check your rubber boots on the front steering and rear end for splits.

I had a leak I thought was the front seal but was a sump issue and was fixed when I replace the sump baffle...no leaks now.  Check your shocks for leakage/firmness.

With older cars always start from a known point by replacing fluids /replacement wear items and a serious inspection. You probably won't find much as these are enthusiast cars but always good to start from a known point.

Your 7 looks great and well kept.

Edited January 24 by Reiver

[IamScotticus]

On 1/23/2026 at 4:53 PM, Scott_ said:

When you say steering bracket are you referring to the steering rack or something else?

Yea, Rack. Stupid auto correct.  I fat finger every other word.

[Scott_]

On 1/23/2026 at 7:54 PM, Reiver said:

With my 98 HPC I looked at wear items and replaced those up front... cam belt/water pump/sump baffle/fan belt/ and sourced a new alternator (serious search) as a preventative measure....the old one still in place but I have a replacement.  The Vauxhall is a strong unit and only has 20k on it...but reset the valve lash when applying the new external cam belt.

Brake pads don't wear quickly due to the light weight but take a look.  Trannies and De Dion rear end are solid also due to the light weight, but mileage is the issue here for fluids.

Wheel bearings...jack it up and spin for noise/feel for slack.  Check your rubber boots on the front steering and rear end for splits.

I had a leak I thought was the front seal but was a sump issue and was fixed when I replace the sump baffle...no leaks now.  Check your shocks for leakage/firmness.

With older cars always start from a known point by replacing fluids /replacement wear items and a serious inspection. You probably won't find much as these are enthusiast cars but always good to start from a known point.

Your 7 looks great and well kept.

 

Much appreciated!   

[slowdude]

Parts arent too bad for this engine. I have a small stockpile of spare parts up here (sensors, filters) etc. Holler if you need anything.