Early Cat S3 serial numbers

[75TwinCam]

Does anyone know anything about the early Caterham S3 serial numbers? I know that the handful of S4's they produced were numbered 3501-38, did the S3's start at 3539? We have an early S3 with Lotus TwinCam (Cat #3622, AM 75 23), and I am trying to establish where ours is in the production numbers for 1975. I'm thinking that we've got one of the first 100 S3's that Caterham made, can anyone help me with this?

 

I saw someone else out East has a '75 with the same engine, are there any other 'old' classics here? I'll have some pics up when I can find a few good ones . . .

 

Derek in Colorado

 

[breezy7]

Derek, try this link to the UK Seven Club http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?ChassisNumbers#h8

 

Mike

[catracer]

Derek, From Chris Rees' book. Caterham Sevens,

 

S3

Prototype with Twin Cam CS3/3550/TCP 1974

First RHD production CS3/3551/TCR 1974

First LHD production CS3/3564/TCL 1974

First 1600GT CS3/3575/16R 1975

First 1300GT CS3/3580/13R 1975

First Ford RS axle CS3/3601/TCRS 1975

First Mk2 Escort Axle CS3/3612/TCR2 1975

First Vegantune built TC CS3/3643/TCR2 1976

 

Also he states that total TC S3 production in 74 was 20 units...in 75 47 units.

 

You have a real rairity there.

 

And it looks great!

 

Chip

[Ian7]

If you can wait until I get home on the weekend, I have a book by Tony Weale with a lot of serial number info as well.

[75TwinCam]

Thanks for the info!

 

The 7faq page is where I got the S4 info, but doesn't say anything about the start number for the S3.

 

The whole number for our car is CS3.3622.TCL2 -- dots, not slashes between the numbers . . .

 

My dad bought it new, it was built by Jeff Ball and on the road for Independance Day 1976. I was 5 at the time. Now I am the chief mechanic, and hope to keep the car in the family!

 

I'll put a thread in the "Rides" section when I can get some good pics together.

 

D

[catracer]

Great story! Any pix from back then?

[DeanG]

People are starting to appreciate the old Caterham's as classics. There is even a bit of talk about SimpleSevens.com starting to maintain a registry to keep track of the history of these cars.

 

Cool car. Try to write up the history of the car noting any modifications and parts replacements. As the original owner(s) you can add to the history of these cars.

[bball7754]

Since Ian mentioned that there was info in the Tony Weale book, I thought I'd take a look at my copy. Not to steal his thunder, but per info in the book I think your code breaks down as:

 

CS3 - Caterham series 3

3622 - Chassis number (I think we all figured that one out. )

TC - Big valve twin cam

L - Left hand drive

2 - Mark 2 Escort Sport axle

 

It also has a section on the approximate number sequence for each year of production:

1975 From 3570

1976 From 3625

 

The last section seems to contradict the approx. number sequence. It lists "Major Changes" by chassis number, and includes the entry:

 

1977 3612 TC R First Mk 2 Escort axle

 

Again, credit goes to Ian. Confess I wasn't aware this info was in the book.

 

Steve

[bball7754]

Since Ian mentioned that there was info in the Tony Weale book, I thought I'd take a look at my copy. Not to steal his thunder, but per info in the book I think your code breaks down as:

 

CS3 - Caterham series 3

3622 - Chassis number (I think we all figured that one out. )

TC - Big valve twin cam

L - Left hand drive

2 - Mark 2 Escort Sport axle

 

It also has a section on the approximate number sequence for each year of production:

1975 From 3570

1976 From 3625

 

The last section seems to contradict the approx. number sequence. It lists "Major Changes" by chassis number, and includes the entry:

 

1977 3612 TC R First Mk 2 Escort axle

 

Again, credit goes to Ian. Confess I wasn't aware this info was in the book.

 

Steve

[SevenAmerica]

There is even a bit of talk about SimpleSevens.com starting to maintain a registry to keep track of the history of these cars.

 

Yah, it could happen :-))) BTW It's .org not .com :-)

 

In general, how many early Caterhams are around? I mean, say, prior to any fundamental changes made by Caterham to the original Lotus design?

[sparecr]

My 78 Twin Cam Cat I have also been told was one of the first 100. 1974 Ki kit completed and first registered in 78. But I have been told lots of things that were not true. I will check the number when I get home home and see where I fall in.

 

As for these becoming classics well they are. I have tried to even stop mentioning Lotus when people ask me what my car is. Heck Lotus only built them for 15 or so years. Caterham has 35 years.

[sparecr]

Okay dug up my numbers and I guess I really have a 1978. Which is cool. I am not a numbers guy when it comes to my stuff. So it is a Caterham Series 3 Number 209, but I have the RS Axle.

[75TwinCam]

Based on the information from catracer and bball7754 referencing the Rees and Weale books, respectively—this car seems to be the #65 Twin-Cam from Caterham. It also has an actual Lotus, not Vegantune, built motor. This confirms for me what both Nathan Dowd and Jeff Ball have told me—for intents and purposes, it is a Lotus; the only thing keeping it from being and “actual” Lotus is that it was made post 1972. Nathan said that none of the engineering changed prior to the introduction of the “Long Cockpit” car in 1982. Rees' book The Magnificent 7 says that the Cat 7 S3 Twin-Cam chassis was built to the specification of the Twin-Cam SS. Jeff had one of the 13 made, and he said that it was built and delivered by Caterham in Surrey, not, in fact, Lotus in Hethel!

 

 

Food for thought--I've also learned that this car has a sister here in the Colorado Front Range that is still in the crate . . .

[scannon]

 

Food for thought--I've also learned that this car has a sister here in the Colorado Front Range that is still in the crate . . .

 

Before anyone gets excited about trying to buy this car, I know the owner and have been trying to pry it loose from him for several years. Its not for sale.