MartinPhipps

Hi Adam - Caterham Archivist here. Car with this chassis number and engine BDR001 was supplied to Caterham's Japanese agent in 1984, with correspondence from the agent regarding the order describing is 'of a trial manufacture'. Please contact me at martin.phipps@caterham.com for further information.

The 'K' for 'kit' sequence of VIN / chassis numbers ran from 1984 (K0001) to 1996 (K3587). From 1991 onwards the European standard 17 character VIN starting with 'SDK' (the identifier for Caterham Cars) was adopted, but post-1991 cars are still referenced in the archive as Kxxxx. The kits varied from starter kit (chassis body unit only), stater kit plus one or more packages (eg. rear axle, lighting, interior trim etc), complete kit excl engine, complete knocked-down (CKD) kit. All model types available during that period, with a lot of 1600 Sprints, 1700 Supersprints and HPC VX carbs in the latter years. Some De Dion, some live axle. Mostly supplied to UK customers but quite a few to France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Chassis numbers were generally allocated at the time of an order, so Kxx239x was the 239th order received for a kit after the introduction of the 'K' sequence of chassis numbers in 1984.

I am more than happy to help members with provenance questions, but please be aware that most weeks I am at Caterham on just one day each week - so it make take up to a week to get back to you.

I replaced the standard roll bar on my SV with the double diagonal track day version and the Thundersports half hood is a little tighter, but still fits ok.

link here great looking car!

In my capacity as the CC Archivist, we have recently been contacted by two owners of cars with Vauxhall 8V engines who have been unable to get their cars through the MOT test following the recent MOT rule changes. This is likely to impact owners of Vauxhall 8V cars that went through SVA from around 1998 to 2003, as the new system will not recognise their emission levels. The only default option that the MOT testing stations have is a cat test, which is obviously not suitable for such engines. If provided with a letter as per the below, which was prepared by CC's Simon Lambert, the testing station should be able to revert to a visible smoke test. We know that this letter has allowed one of the owners to get his car through the test. "Chassis number: SDK********** We write in relation to the Caterham Seven with chassis number SDK*******, a [name of model] model that was supplied to the customer in [month/year] with engine #KD-*****-XC. This vehicle was originally fitted with and, after passing the Single Vehicle Approval examination, was registered with a Vauxhall 8V engine built in 1994 by Holden, Australia. The engine was provided new, having been in storage at Vauxhall prior to supply to Caterham. As such, it was not fitted with a catalytic convertor and is not required to pass a cat test. Signed on behalf of Caterham Cars Ltd. Name/Title" If you need such a letter, for which there will be a small issue fee, please contact me at martin.phipps@caterham.com. I am normally only there one day each week, so it may take a few days before I can respond.

Not sure about Tony, but I think that Darren was away this week. Factory closes on Friday afternoon, so this may explain response not being as speedy as it normally is from both of them.

Pleased to hear that I was of help, Brian & glad that you were able to get paint to match.

Hi Nicolas, I had a look in the archives earlier in the week. The first 21, which went to Japan, does indeed have the chassis #009999 and there are then two series of chassis numbers 000001 - 000012 and 40001 - 40068. When a customer places an order, the order is allocated to a chassis number that is used as the reference through the build and in communications with the customer. If the order is later canceled, the chassis number is never issued - this is why there are fewer cars than the number ranges imply. For example, the buyers of cars allocated with 40003, 40004 and 40005 all canceled their orders. Please let me know if there is anything else that you need. Martin

Hi David, In case my PM did not get through, I found your file in the archive after you have me your chassis number, but it does not show the code for the paint - described as Caterham Plasma Blue Pearlescent. I passed this info to Darren when I was in on Tuesday & hopefully he will be able to identify the code & advise. Martin