I've had 3 now and they are additive. The first back in '99 was my only car and i drove 16k miles a year for four years. The hood is a life saver when it's sleeting & snowing. It has stiched in guttering to stop the water going down your back when you get in and out. The rear window zips open to get your shopping in the boot and the screen is heated to stop it misting up. There's a tensioner built into the hood sticks to tention it so it doesn't even flap at a steady 85mph. The lower section of the doors lift up and stay up by the air flow above 30mph to create a good breeze if it suddenly turns sunny. The heater will blow cold as well as hot air. Getting in and out isn't so easy but you soon learn to do a kind of tumble forward manoeuvre like Tony Alcock at the Crown Green Bowls. I think its easier than an Elise due to the narrow sill. Plenty of companies like OMP and Sparco make narrow leather shoes suitable for the office. The only consession I ever made was rolling my left trouser leg like a Free Mason due to an occasional drip from the scuttle during a long journey in the rain. I probably could have sealed it but it was never really a problem. Many reviews sign off that you have to be some kind of petrolhead masochist to buy one, but that's because they only keep them for a short time and don't learn about using the weather gear properly. Don't be put off thinking you can't run a Seven every day, just look for someone on a motorbike and think you've got it easy!
Here in the USA if you want pure , raw no nanies involved driving experience you get a first gen viper...in the Uk a Caterham. Each one really reflect their respective countries approach...and I love both.
some say the S3 is the raw experience a caterham should be, but TBH having driven both the SV affords a little room in the pedal box and a bit more space between you and the passenger to make it just that touch more livable. yes its heavier, but it still works.
Anyone know where this road is? Seen in it loads of Top Gear episodes and car reviews. My guess is either Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Highlands or perhaps even the Lake District. If any one knows get in touch!
Ah yes the A4069 again. Britain's best road for a track car or a super bike until you hit a sheep. As a Physics grad, I can assure you that mainstream car makers can't replicate the experience of a sub 600 kg car, in a vehicle of more than twice the weight, for ordinary money. The new Focus RS, Golf R, Renaults etc all do a fab job of producing thrills in an everyday car for the same money as the Caterham. The Caterham is still got to be a second car and therefore............
Much less common on a Caterham than you'd think. A combination of more airflow around the engine stopping it from boiling itself, and revised gasket design means that very few Caterham K series ever had that issue.
I've had 3 now and they are additive. The first back in '99 was my only car and i drove 16k miles a year for four years. The hood is a life saver when it's sleeting & snowing. It has stiched in guttering to stop the water going down your back when you get in and out. The rear window zips open to get your shopping in the boot and the screen is heated to stop it misting up. There's a tensioner built into the hood sticks to tention it so it doesn't even flap at a steady 85mph. The lower section of the doors lift up and stay up by the air flow above 30mph to create a good breeze if it suddenly turns sunny. The heater will blow cold as well as hot air. Getting in and out isn't so easy but you soon learn to do a kind of tumble forward manoeuvre like Tony Alcock at the Crown Green Bowls. I think its easier than an Elise due to the narrow sill. Plenty of companies like OMP and Sparco make narrow leather shoes suitable for the office. The only consession I ever made was rolling my left trouser leg like a Free Mason due to an occasional drip from the scuttle during a long journey in the rain. I probably could have sealed it but it was never really a problem. Many reviews sign off that you have to be some kind of petrolhead masochist to buy one, but that's because they only keep them for a short time and don't learn about using the weather gear properly. Don't be put off thinking you can't run a Seven every day, just look for someone on a motorbike and think you've got it easy!
brilliant! soon i hope i can afford one!
how about speed humps?
Been with the 420R for a month now. Best sports car I've encountered, a keeper ! Thanks Chris for all you superb reviews over the years :)
Here in the USA if you want pure , raw no nanies involved driving experience you get a first gen viper...in the Uk a Caterham. Each one really reflect their respective countries approach...and I love both.
Eloquently put.
Love this car. The sound, the ethos behind it, everything.
To answer his question,yes Chris...You should own one.I would if I could... 😅
180,000 miles in mine, and it's never going!
I'd just get the cheapest one and build it with my friends
You must have filled your underwear on many occasion ! .
Presumably never going [to leave me]… rather than never going [to start]?
Colin Chapman did right first time around 50+ years ago and still going strong :D
It was actualy his 7th anthem
I'd just buy the cheapest one, build it with my friends and then mod it
When I think at how mental my basic 1.6 Roadsport becomes when you really go for it, this car must be really something special.
He went round the corner with a serious face and come out of it smiling….job done
Yes all totally road legal!! very magical little cars and best fun on 4 wheels! Loved driving mine on the Antrim Coast Road
Life can really be fun. And then there's the Caterham ! =)
Colin Chapman would have feel proud, after all these years. His design!
Chris, you need to drive one again. I have a Locost 7 with 160BHPnand it is a blast.
That's the one to get and mod it after for cheap
I absolutly have to own one!
4:50 the face of a satisfied man
Anybody notice the Ford Focus going off the road at 5:15?
it was parking
just saw it… he was reckless ;) ;) ;)
if you know what goes into building these, £28,000 is a rip off, £50,000 for the 620 is extortion.
ordering mine this year , getting the sv 135
Did it arrive yet? Mine was delivered in January.....you'll love it....soooo fast, and the SV is really comfortable to drive.
still waiting .at bottom of list
some say the S3 is the raw experience a caterham should be, but TBH having driven both the SV affords a little room in the pedal box and a bit more space between you and the passenger to make it just that touch more livable. yes its heavier, but it still works.
Did you ever get it? Still have it?
Maybe everyone should own one! :0)
"this is what it's all about" chris harris
Do you need to wear oven gloves to drive one? Is it that hot?
Great Car - Super Guy!
Yeah i'm sold!
Anyone know where this road is? Seen in it loads of Top Gear episodes and car reviews. My guess is either Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Highlands or perhaps even the Lake District. If any one knows get in touch!
Brecon Beacons
Its the moors road between beaufort ebbw vale and crickhowell
Add lightness...
Ah yes the A4069 again. Britain's best road for a track car or a super bike until you hit a sheep. As a Physics grad, I can assure you that mainstream car makers can't replicate the experience of a sub 600 kg car, in a vehicle of more than twice the weight, for ordinary money. The new Focus RS, Golf R, Renaults etc all do a fab job of producing thrills in an everyday car for the same money as the Caterham. The Caterham is still got to be a second car and therefore............
MX5 MK1 :)
MX5!! MK1.
whatever
Chris (tyre destroyer) Harris
Dat gloves
The only thing exploding on a K series is the head gasket.. all over your wallet.
Much less common on a Caterham than you'd think. A combination of more airflow around the engine stopping it from boiling itself, and revised gasket design means that very few Caterham K series ever had that issue.
7:01 someone should tell chris that in most parts of the world it is considered frowned upon to set homosexuals on fire
dernsville , you tell him!
well done copying Drives video
Ryan D Drive sucks.
+MagicAyrtonforever
Chris harris doesn't though! :D
Mm