Why I own a Caterham 7
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- Is a Caterham 7 really as good as people say? In this video I explain why I own a 2002 7 SuperSport.
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DDT provides one and two-day driving adventures around Wales. Meet great people, share your passion for cars, and experience the best roads in the country. All without breaking the bank.
When not running tours, I can be found working on cars. Usually breaking more than I fix. But it's the only way to learn. And it's fun.
Get in touch via Instagram to book onto a DDT event or to create a bespoke tour: sam_dreamdrivingtours
I had a 1700 Crossflow for many years 135BHP. Not the quickest but far from the most expensive and great fun. A little tip for new Caterham owners that want to drive on non summer days. Have a tonneau cover fitted, they are not expensive. If it rains you can park without fighting the roof. If you are alone and have a heater fitted leave the passanger side on while driving, toasty. Everyone should have one once in there lives and you can own one relatively cheaply.
"Life is short!", the same reason I have mine.
I had a 1.6k supersport a couple of decades ago. Boston metallic green with silver stripe. 4 into 1 competition exhaust. FIA roll bar. Harnesses. Cycle wings. I remember the feeling of driving it like it was yesterday. I really miss thar car.
I e little video; thanks for posting. I have a 1989 1700 (135BHP) Super Sprint - Ford powered. It’s a lovely usable car, low-key miles, well maintained and worth every penny for the driving satisfaction it delivers. Trouble is, I have three bikes so come the decent weather, it’s head scratching time as to which keys to grab. I find I gravitate to the bikes for day rides out and use the Seven for a longer trip with night or two away (provided the parking is good).
Ice car you have there; I’m also looking to do a few upgrades this year - improved suspension, replacing the original clamshells and putting in a slightly hotter but usable cam.
i dunno but i got one too😁 , i had the bigest smile on my toodle on sunday in the sunshine, best fun without a woman
Nice to see a fellow boyo out enjoying his toys! Brilliant cars for them mountain roads, enjoy!
Cause they're GOOD for the SOUL ! that's why i got mine ,( and life is too short ) .I'm about to go for a blast in mine ,thanks for the reminder & the inspiration .No better way to turn fuel into PLEASURE .😉
Since I first saw one in I think 1967, I have loved the look of this fully unpractical "car"! I have sadly never driven in one and I think I was too tall for the original Lotus 7. I Danish Editor named it a "bike on 4 wheels" (And don't take off your raincoat, even with the hood up!).
The new models have a SV wide option and lower floor option with either bolstered leather seats or fitted bucket seats. The 5 point harness is annoying for daily driving you can get the normal 3 point seat belt. There’s also different roll cage options, windshield, quick release steering wheel, and several top covering options. I’m pretty sure a tall person like you can fit in the newer ones.
@@markm0000 Completely agree. I am wide rather than tall and the SV is a perfect fit. Mine is a very early SV car (2002) with the Rover k-series engine but you'll find Ford engines in later SVs.
Go for it, dont waste time, a day without a Seven is a day lost.
That was fun, was hoping you would have come back down that hill, downshifting and a little tire squeal. Beautiful car! And your neighborly respect is admirable.
@ 5:24 it wasn't the wheat bix, it was the switch on the dash. I won't check that option when ordering my car. 🤣
Nice. I'd suggest painting some black interior polish on the switches to stop them greying. Did it to mine and the dash looks like new now. Can't wait for the weather to warm and start the 2023 season of blats with the local club members. And if you're not a member of the Caterham club you must join...
Good advice. Any particular type of polish? I am a member of the Lotus and Caterham 7 club - great people and a really friendly atmosphere. Bring on the Fish and Chip run in May!
@@DreamDrivingTours Carpro Pearl is great for all black interior stuff. See you at the fish and chip run! Fingers crossed we get good weather. This will be my first time in my new 420R. Can’t wait. I’m very jealous of your local blatting roads by the way!
Your oil pressure reading seems a little low, but a nice video. I've often gone out to get some petrol in my 7 and come back hours later with less petrol then I started with even after visiting a garage!
The electrical oil pressure gauge is not the most reliable; the oil pressure itself is correct though. Been thinking of switching to a mechanical oil pressure gauge for a while now...
at 5:06 I love my Caterham dash. It is so much better than anything mass produced. Each to their own.
I'm going to hire a caterham first before any type of purchase. If I do get one it be a K series or a super sprint, if not a mk indy or westfield, ect..
I clipped the part near the end where you ask the question.
Then sent it to every old fart I know!
(and my kids)
I, too, have always wanted a Lotus 7. I was first introduced to them when I worked for a BMC Lotus dealer in California in the 60s and 70s.
About 2 years ago I had a chance at buying a Caterham 1700ss. It was everything I thought it would be until I sat in it and tried to drive it. I could not push one pedal without pushing 2. I called Caterham USA and they said there was no way to alter this. I did not buy the car. I regret that and should have engineered a solution myself. Now the prices of these cars have increased considerably and I can afford it, but not justify it.
My loss. Perhaps another day. Meantime I'll be ok with my 1963 MGB.
I am 5"10, 120kg, UK size 11 shoes. I struggle to fit comfortably in a Series 3 chassis. I therefore had to buy a Series 5 (or SV) chassis, as it is considerably wider. Try one out and see if your pedal issue goes away.
@@DreamDrivingTours Thanks, I'll see if I can find one.
I am 5' 9" 78 K. Shie size 11.5 American 44.5 Euro
Oil pressure reading low. Either a problem with the engine, sump foam disintegrated and blocking pick up pipe or more likely the poor quality sender has given up. Best to swap to a mechanical gauge.
Nice car enjoy it while you have the time.
Same reason why I own motorbikes, maybe one day the kids will be independent and I can invest again in myself 😅
wow nice video, love how the car and the pov driving.
How did you mount your camera so that it shows the road perfectly while some of the driving can be seen as well?
Llangynidr moors I see, local to me I have a Fisher fury great roads
Have you driven an MX5? If so, how does it compare? 😃
Induction sounds nice,is it straight pipe exhaust? Overlooked these but 🤔🤔🤔 hmmm😏😏😏
Caterhams are the best aren't they! 🤗
You won’t like the lightweight flywheel as it causes the car to buck or chatter uncontrollably at parking lot speeds. A heavier flywheel helps dampen that out. Sometimes race parts are best left to race cars.
In fairness you don't buy these cars for comforts
I agree I had a Cosworth BDR many years ago with a light flywheel and racing clutch. Great on the open road but a pain in town. I used to bet friends that they could not get it moving without stalling at least twice. I now have a more sedate 1700 crossflow which at nearly 70 suits me much better. Everyone should have one once, remember you don't have to spend a fortune on an older on. There is little to go wrong and they do not devalue maddly. Go on you know you should!
That somehow makes me want to spec a lightweight flywheel just for the extra character at low speeds.
Avez vous posseder une westfield yellow?
Which thermostat is fitted? It's easy to fit a slightly higher-rated one, so the engine runs warmer.
Mine is the low temp thermostat (82 Celsius I think).
Auf Sardinien bin ich ein paar Fahrern mit Chaterham 7 begegnet. Diese Dinger sind einfach genial. Selbst mit einem ernsthaften Motorrad waren die nicht so ganz einfach zu überholen.
Your oil pressure looks a bit on the low side what engine are you runing ?
Hi, it's a 1.8 k-series Supersport, so slightly uprated cams from the factory. The electrical oil pressure gauge is not the most reliable; the oil pressure itself is correct though. Been thinking of switching to a mechanical oil pressure gauge for a while now...
@@DreamDrivingTours Thank you for your reassurance as mine is the same
How’s the mpg in your Caterham?
Nice car! Your neighbours are extremely too close, these houses are were built too close to each other. At leaset they dont seem to be 'terraced' which is even worse because then you would be sharing a thin brick wall . . .
City living...
Where!!??
South Wales!