95/96 chassis

[Neil220]

I'm viewing a 96 K series Saturday and 95 Cross flow Sunday.

I understand there were mods for 96, handbrake relocation "revised stiffened chassis" etc.

But then I read this on the EVO website (from 2013)

" The cheapest Caterhams you’ll find in the classifieds tend to be the Roadsport’s predecessor, the Super Sprint from the late ’80s and early ’90s, with the cross-flow Ford ‘Kent’ engine. These start at around £7K, rising to £10K and more for a really nice example with all the right bits. Just check you fit, as they don’t have the longer body that arrived with the Roadsport"

Is this correct and if so how much longer is the body in the cockpit area?

I'm a medium build 6' 1" and have tried a 1997 S3 for size, it's okay.

I don't want a 280 mile round trip if I can't fit in it!

[Wrightpayne]

Is the Xflow live axle or de-dion rear? The de-dions were all one size, long cockpit
 

The K series should be de-dion though I have seen at least one live axle K series where the owner bought a chassis and sourced their own engine.

Happy to review the adverts if you want to post links or send a private message.

Ian

[TomB]

The 95/96 chassis change happened mid 96 I believe. My car is a 1996 P plate, but on a 95 chassis. As you highlight, the obvious difference is the location of the handbrake. However, the post 96 chassis is reputably stiffer, has revised front geometry with anti dive design measures, and I think this is when they changed from VDO to Caterham branded instruments. The chassis loom was improved, with multiplugs tending to replace bullet terminals. If I knew then what I do now, I’d prefer a post 1996 chassis. 

The cockpit length will be the same. Don’t get too hung up on names, they change around and people upgrade - look at spec and don’t worry about the model name. 

Post the ads up and you’ll get some feedback. 

ps check the powder coating, make sure you get to look underneath. 

[Phillip Meyer]

I had a Supersprint in the 90's, I am reasonably tall (6'2") and always had to drive with my shoes off. Also my head was highher than the roll bar.

That being said I still loved the car.

[Neil220]

Many thanks for your offer

The K series is de Dion,  the Xflow is a live rear axle.

There aren't any adverts as both contacted me privately in response to a wanted advert on facebook!

[Neil220]

Thanks very much, the K series was registered May 10th 1996 and is a de Dion. 

Are you saying the chassis lengths are the same and the EVO article is wrong?

Thanks for the tip, someone else had also mentioned this to me.

No adverts to post for either!

[Toby S]

For info mine is a 92 de dion 1400 Supersport (one of the first) and I'm 6' 1 and 15 stone and fit in fine

Beware on the plate reg though generally - mine for instance is plated 96 (P) as it was a track car for the start of its life at Silverstone and then retired, fully refurbed and plated for the road - no problem if you get all the history etc - I guess this could also happen when they were bought in kit form and had an elongated build period

[SLR No.77]

What size engine is the K-Series?

Stu.

[Neil220]

1.6 Supersport

[Neil220]

Many thanks,  good information.

[Andy Doughty]

I have a late 96 which is de Dion and originally a cross flow engined car.

one of the problems of that chassis era was very poor powder coating to all of the chassis and suspension components so have a good look underneath pat all the tubes.

if it is de deion you should fit with the pedals adjusted and the seal fully back although leg length impacts the seating!
good luck

 

[Mcalvert]

The way to check when the chassis was built vs when it was registered is to check the stamp on the top of the rear suspension turret behind the driver's right shoulder.  Assuming an Imperial car, it will be stamped AM then two digits, and below J1 or J2.

AM is Arch Motors (who build the chassis) and the two digits is the year.

J1 or J2 is which of their two jigs the chassis was built on, so if work is needed in future, it goes back on the original one.

I love this continuous history!

 

[Neil220]

Thanks, I know I'll fit in the de Dion K series, it's the live axle X flow I'm concerned about after reading the article saying it was smaller?

[orangepeel61]

 

The chassis number will tell you if it's a long cockpit, have a look here:

https://www.lotus7.club/guides/frequently-asked-questions/chassis-numbers-what-do-they-mean

Good luck.

[john g]

I have a 95 live axle xflow 'N' registered and it's the long cockpit variant. It also has the earlier trunnion front geometry set up.

[Terry Field]

I had a’96 XFlow. I am 5’11” and fitted in fine. But the passenger leg room was some inches shorter; I am not sure if this was common to all cars, but is something you might want to look at, if that is important to you.

[Iamscotticus]

AFAIK,

After the introduction of the Long Cockpit (LC), the LC became standard build of the Universal Chassis.  Most cars going forward, live axle and De Dion, were LC.  The LC became possible with the introduction of the Ital live axle, that had a shorter input housing clearance than the Ford Escort axles and allowed the rear seat bulkhead to be spaced back 2 inches.  Soon afterward the DeDion was built on the LC.  From that point, the short cockpit was available but only as a special order live axle.  Therefore, most chassis built after 1990 (should) be LC.

At your height, OP, a LC would be fine even in bench seats.  For me, at 5'7" I needed to install sliding seats, from an 85, I believe, that are about 4" thick and I still have to slide them 2" forward.  I wish I had a SC.  But I get a lot of better design with the LC, like a front mounted radiator and gearbox mount options.  Yes, my 96 powder coat is crap and the passenger foot well is short.  I think it would be simple to fab an extension if I relocated the battery.