David aka Blue7 Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 #75 IMO it would at the very least have to look like a 7 in which case I would be tempted to try one. Anything that looks radically different would not do and we would be back to an S4 scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Maybe the future energy problem could be resolved as a result of the Junor mission? Deep in Jupiter's atmosphere, under great pressure, hydrogen gas is squeezed into a fluid known as metallic hydrogen. All we need is a pipeline https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/images/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 #77How about a whacky alternative?Keeping the old ones going instead of constantly building and buying new ones?!!The resource required to make a new car is way in excess of keeping an older machine going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 #78 sounds very sevenesque, if they can do it with Minis, why not a 7? Caterham need to consult with Ed China, I bet he could come up with something and failing that his 'almost' namesake Dominic Chinea. Meantime there is a book to get started DIYhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Convert-step-step-converting-electric/dp/1946767034/ref=sr_1_4?adgrpid=102453891263&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71Bc83AnlDOHDMv98GE5_ewXZK1T66n-FmMCsg4ZJetkMy7yC6hCtnMaAuwDEALw_wcB&hvadid=446283467216&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046839&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=1606330858160240142&hvtargid=kwd-159535736&hydadcr=6852_1812908&keywords=electric+car+conversion+kit&qid=1643799785&sr=8-4Or get one converted herehttps://vimeo.com/388299735Configuration here but I couldn't get the video to playhttps://cascadiamotion.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71AODfke99lOohILtzGRAXJQkP8nSBqwxqBHpBB3j4TxL6fS2vjj6iIaAm8aEALw_wcB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 I'll stick to my stinky ICE propelled 420R ta very much over a silent Caterham EVR (will that be its name?) that is about as much fun as a wet weekend in Grimsby! A confirmed Luddite to the bitter end!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 And that unfortunately, is what could kill CC. If they are to exist beyond 2030 as a manufacture, they have to embrace the brave new world. If we as existing owners don’t like it, to some extent we will have to put up with it. It not us they need to convince, it’s the customer in a decade or less. No EV = no new sales. Sting said ‘If you love someone set them free’ - we need to let CC and by extension the 7 free to exist in the new era, otherwise it will go the same way as myriad of other sportcars / manufacturers. Morgan seem have been much more advanced and forward looking in their engineering for at least a decade and they are I suspect in much stronger position than CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 #81 I think you're right, which leaves the big question about whether what they produce will have the same appeal as the 7 has had historically. I think you may well be right about Morgan too, but would suggest that they have a range, historically, that is less focussed than CC and can possibly weather a big change more easily.They already have a smooth IL6 with an 8 speed auto! (On a platform designed with electrification in mind as I understand it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 I wonder if ownership/ management culture has driven the different approached by Morgan and CC. I think Morgan is still family controlled, whereas CC have been an asset in a airline magnates business portfolio, with limited apparent product investment in the last decade. Maybe a more hands on ownership, locally in the UK would have been able to forsee the changes necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Tom, Morgan sold out a few years ago to an Italian company. Decision may have been influenced by Peter Morgan's fall out (was it future direction plans?) around a decade ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finmac Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Interesting chat about Morgan. In a rush of blood to the head I went and test drove a new, manual box, Plus four. Didn't do it for me at any level to be honest. Couldn't touch my Exige S2 in any department - handling/pace/enjoyment. Mind you it didn't rattle as much inside! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted February 2, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted February 2, 2022 I drove a friends Morgan a while ago. I must say, it felt less comfortable than my 7, felt as if there was less space, no more luggage space, handled like an ordinary tin top, but with no roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 The "new" CX ally platform Plus Fours are gorgeous things. Beautifully built. Now a pure high end luxury lifestyle accessory. A pretty trinket if you will.The quality is sublime like a Hermes bag. No more 70's black vinyl and spraying the shell over the wing piping!You need however +-£70k to turn the key. Overpriced like a Hermes bag!They are not exciting to drive. They are now a 30's shaped sports car with a bit of token timber to placate the flat cap brigade who are no longer their core market!A Seven is a superior machine for a hardcore driver. It has not strayed away from its original design. It too has got a bit pricey but I see it as much better value for money overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted February 3, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted February 3, 2022 Just a thought. Land Rover have set up a restoration business and are offering complete restoration and re-builds of the old Land Rover Series 1,2,3 ect + other models. It is I believe, pretty expensive to have one done, even if you supply the original vehicle. If the EV is going to kill CC, then maybe starting a restoration business in their works, may be an option. They could offer to completely rebuild any Caterham to the original specification or customer requirements. As they have the rights to the Lotus 7, they could also include restoration of older Lotus 7's, Series 1,2,3 and may be even S4. It could be a business saver. Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 Hmm? I'd say 99% of Caterham's get very well looked after and rarely descend into decrepitude. Very few require a total rebuild. Only a car that is kept outside really deteriorates (under a cover or not) or one used in winter. They really do fall to pieces. The metal work rusts heavily and the alloy tends to corrode badly. The interior also degrades with damp. The current set up would be way to big for that concept IMPHO.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Completely agree - I rebuilt mine a couple of years ago, full re-skin and repaint, nuts and bolts - I spend about £4k plus my time. I don't think such a service would be a starter, especially as the panelling and painting might end up being subcontracted. Looking at auction value of well restored vintage 7, Im not this would be viable. Porsche do something similar, but given the values and number of of old 911s still out there, its probably worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Already thought of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted February 4, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted February 4, 2022 Ferrari have the same service available, it's becoming quite common with established manufacturers.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Its not the only thing Porsche or Ferrari do though - which could be the case post 2030 if CC don't pull off the transition to EV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 If EV is all they offer after 2030 then they won't have a problem with 15mth waiting lists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I tend to agree. I'm not sure they could have a viable business maintaining and refurbing the current fleet of sevens out there. Surely one of the attractions for many us to do their own such work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 #94 Sadly this is probably true.My guess is that Market Research will confirm that there will be insufficient demand for a car with outdated design with little or no safety features, no infotainment features and probably costing close to £100k in 2030. It would be interesting to conduct a poll here to establish who would consider buying an EV 7 and at what price. I think we used to carry out polls on the old "yellow" Blatchat?The other problem will be trade in, who is going to be interested in an ICE car with dwindling petrol stations but I suppose the Gov. of the day may introduce scrapage schemes ... perish the thought!Another matter that intrigues me is that in the 2021 Webinar, Simon Lambert said he had driven an EV7 so where is it and would it be possible to see it? I think you guys that live in the area will be attending the Caterham open day, what about asking if you can have sight of this EV7 so you can let the rest of us know what it looks like compared to an ICE 7?David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 4, 2022 Member Share Posted February 4, 2022 IIRC there are several battery-only 7ish cars in the 7 Concept Car thread. Including a video.And there's one in the background on Vintage Voltage.But the simple swap versions are going to be just what you'd expect: fast, quiet and heavy.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagler Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Its not only the EV's, persecution by government and so called green policies that are threatening our ICE sevens but the whole of classic vehicle ownership. I can feel a revolution coming on. When we have electric commercial airliners, ships and all trains I may be a little more persuaded but for now its seems we are just soft targets and cash cows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I hate to mention the word in this forum for fear of blasphemy but ..... Westfield having bought Chesil Motors back in 2019 must have ideas in the pipeline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 We have to go EV, it's a cleaner fuel and will save the planet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now