craig chima Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Reluctantly selling my trusty "old reliable" crossflow powered 1979 Caterham. The best way I can describe this car is a true "survivor" with 6130 original miles, original unpainted aluminum skin with very, very few blemishes, original fiberglass, and original running gear throughout. The car is titled as a 1964 Lotus and has a matching Lotus data plate with appropriate SB1940 serial number so regardless of where a potential buyer may be located there should be no emissions issues whatsoever. In fact, the only features to distinguish this car from an original S3 Lotus 7 would be the Caterham taillights and front clamshell turn signal lights. The car has 5 like new 13" x 6" Panasports with 205 x 60 x 13 Sumitomo HTR 200's with under 500 miles on them. Absolutely everything on it works, and it has full weather equipment (side curtains, top, tonneau), and stock Caterham roll bar. The interior has the original "bench" vinyl seat and original Smiths guages that work fine. It is a solid axle car with Ford Cortina based rear with 3.9 final drive and Salisbury type LSD and semi-close ratio 4 speed transmission. The crossflow motor was rebuilt (strictly for performance upgrade purposes) by noted Formula Ford builder Dave Dixon in Detroit at just over 4000 miles (i.e. about 2000 miles ago) and got a lightened flywheel and clutch assembly, Bosch distributor and coil, new valve springs and retainers, new pistons, cam, lifters, timing chain assembly, and some other odds & ends and while it was never dynoed it likely makes 130 to 135bhp. It is on a single downdraft Weber and before anyone pooh poohs this induction versus dual sidedrafts, I will tell you that it makes far more torque and is far more streetable and there is no fiddling with linkage or tuning of multiple carbs, etc.... It is an unbelievably reliable motor that starts with a single crank and settles into a steady idle in under 10 seconds, doesn't show any blue smoke whatsoever and after sitting all winter it might have 2 or 3 drops of oil under it. The car has a full length (i.e. exits out the back) stainless exhaust system) with header wrap under the hood to keep the heat down to a minimum. There is also an oversize radiator with thermostatically controlled electric fan for extra-hot days. Overall, I'd give this car a cosmetic rating of 9+ out of 10 and mechanical rating of 9.9 out of 10 (.1 deduction for the typical crossflow engine drip although this is the best one I've ever owned). The master cylinders were replaced last summer and the best endorsement I can give this car is that I wouldn't hesitate to jump in it and drive to California in it (if my back could stand it!). It truly needs nothing and is ready to go. Very realistically priced at $19,200 and I will post pictures as soon as I am able. Craig. (330) 807-0742 or chima97@aol.com P.S. I have now attached 5 pretty basic pictures of the car. As there is still snow on the ground here in Northeast Ohio and snow flurries in the air today I had to take the pictures inside my shop but they should provide a fair representation of the car. I have several more pix that I can email to interested parties and will be happy to take specific shots if there are areas of the car that anyone wants to see. Thanks again. Edited February 7, 2012 by craig chima Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 As always Craig - a great description...leaving us anxious to see the pictures. I'm sure she will be snapped up quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig chima Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 All, Thanks to those who have inquired about the car over the past week. Here is an update for those who may have some level of interest in it. I had what I believe to be a legitimate offer on the car on Friday for $17,500 and respectfully turned it down and told the person that my bottom line on the car was $18K. Since that time, I have not heard back from him but have gotten two other inquiries who I have told the same thing to (i.e. $18K price). With that in mind, I figured that I'd take the opportunity to put my cards on the table and re-post the car here with my bottom line price. You won't find a better Caterham anywhere for that kind of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig chima Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Just wanted to let everyone know that the car is now officially "sold." Thank you to everyone who inquired about it (there was pretty amazing response after I posted the lower price 2 days ago) and the car is going to the Pacific Northwest area where hopefully the new owner will get lots of enjoyment out of it. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Great car, great price, quick sale, everyone's happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyI Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Amazing simply amazing....I really should take a writing course...love the first line...nuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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