Piers300

As there were many boxes to unpack and check, I have been re-checking everything as I made some mistakes in the first count. So I have Motorsport from January 1974 up to 1995 with none missing - i.e 264 mags I have 1999 Feb to Dec with January 1999 missing - 11 Mags I have Motorsport 2000 and 2001 Jan to Dec - 24 Mags I have a second set of Motorsport from 1974 to 1977 Jan to Dec - 48 Mags I have a Motorsport from 1971 up tp 1999 - 28 Mags various dates I have Classic Car (Thoroughbred and Classic Car) 1979 to 1990 Jan to Dec - 144 mags I also have Classic Car 1991 Jan to Aug - 8 Mags and 1978 Oct to Dec - 3 mags. I have Classic and Sports Car 1983 to 1990 Jan to Dec - 96 Mags plus 1991 Jan to Aug - 8 Mags and 1982 April to Dec - 9 mags. I also have the rare Ford Publication Brochures (Original) Sierra Cosworth RS, Ford Escort Heritage and The Power in F1. I have a Ducati 900SS Brochure and Tuning Twin Cam Fords by David Vizard (3rd Impression). Plus a great deal of other magazines. In all 19 Boxes. Does any one know any companies/Shops who buy this type of thing. It is taking up a lot of space so has to go. Piers

Will 195/50/15 on 15” 10 spoke Caterham wheels fit within the 13” wheel arches. My car has 15” wheels and 195/45/15 CR500 tyres and it just, by a whisker, clears the 15” carbon fibre wheel arches. I bought some 15” Caterham wheels with 195/50/15’s fitted and it fouled the wheel arches. Piers

I am sure most 7 owners have oil and coolant in their garage, so they can top up when needed. I suggest you buy some and make sure that you get the correct coolant and oil from either CC or Redline. In your situation, the car is about to be serviced and drained of oil and coolant, so I understand your dilemma. However, in my opinion, the levels on both oil and coolant should always be checked and topped up to the correct level before you venture out onto the road. Piers

I always carry a spare clutch cable and throttle cable. Over 11 years on my 1.8K, I've had three clutch cables break when out and about. All snapped at the peddle box end where the cable is crimped to the union. Piers

I have decided to part with my car magazine collection. I have 82 x Autosport magazines from 1970 up to 1988. I have Motorsport x 337 magazines from 1971 up to 2001 with many complete years I have 105 x Classic and Sports Car from 1982 to 1991 with some complete years I have 88 x Thoroughbred and Classic Car from 1978 to 1985 with some complete years I have many many more - 16 boxes in all and they all have to go. Plus there are many many more. Some of these have Lotus and Caterham 7's reviewed. As said above, there are many complete year sets which I would not want to break up. I have not yet set any pricing but an open to offers. Collection only please (Canterbury Area) due to weight. Piers

I too have an R300 with EU2. I had a starting problem that took 2 and a half years to find. It’s a long read on here in the archives (A Reluctant Starter) but the problem turned out to be a bad earth on the ECU. It would crank but not fire as the injectors were not working. The multi pin socket under the throttle bodies was also corroded and cleaning that with contact cleaner helped. It’s not easy to get apart by the way. I also have a spare MFRU that I could lend you if in East Kent. I changed that thinking it was the problem.

The Banner battery above is a standard lead acid cell battery. What battery charger make and model do you have ? What do the instructions say ? I use a fully automatic constant potential CTEK charger which is rated at 1.8 amps. It can be left connected 24/7. They also do a 5 amp version. Piers

We are now not to far away from lock down ending. Then you can start really searching. Problem is, so will lots of others ! I am sure you have visited the main 7 specialist web sites. Have you been in telephone contact with them to give a idea of the specifications you are looking for. I think that would be a good idea, so if they are getting a 7 in that meets your spec, they will call you. Good luck with your search. Piers

Alan. Now you have had the chance to study all the details in "The Magnificent 7", have you come to any decision on a suitable model ? Piers

Try contacting Sevens & Classics. They fitted one to my car after clouting a stone. They “may” have stock. Piers

Alan does say in his #1 message that it will be used exclusively for road use. So why would he want a track based car. Most road going 7’s will be OK on a track day. It’s only when you get really keen that modifications are needed. I suggest staying with a road going spec. Going for an R300/400 or Superlight would be the way to go. Piers

Alan. I had the same impression about lowered floors as you, until I had my R300K (Rover powered) serviced at Caterham. (it was some time ago). To get me home, they lent me an R300D (Duratec powered) for a week. This had lowered floors and it was quite a shock to find the driving position being so much better, even though it probably only lowered me by 2”. You looked out of the centre of the windscreen and I have to say, it was a huge improvement over my car. Returning to Caterham after a week and picking up my car, again was a shock, as I was sitting so much higher than the R300D. I was looking out through the top of the screen and felt very high in the car. It felt really weird for a day or too, till I got used to it. I did consider having the car modified to lowered floors, but in the end did not. It is worth trying one out when you get the opportunity. Piers

Alan, I can assure you that the wait in getting a 7 is worth it. Once the book arrives, this gives you the ammunition to find what really suits you. For me the following things are important: Roll Bar - If you intend to do track days then you need the FIA approved version. Having a Full Hood is good, even if you never use it. Seats - Leather or Tillets. You need to try them all. Don't underestimate the Tillets, they are very comfortable, but get very cold in the winter. You can get seat inserts to keep your bum warm. Your wife will prefer the leather seats. Mine does. Gearbox. 5 Speed for touring. Caterham's 6 speed box 6th gear is the same as a five speed 4th gear, so cruising can get tiresome. So 5th on a 5 speed is a good overdrive gear for long distance. Ear plugs needed for any trip. I now have to wear hearing aids. I can's say the 7 has damaged my hearing but it has not helped. Quick release Momo steering wheel is useful but not essential. The other wheel used is MotaLita. Both are nice. Tonneau cover is useful. Easy to put on and keeps prying eyes out of the car. Always have a spare clutch cable and throttle cable in the car. I've broken a number over the years. Wheels - 13 or 15" Anthracite are the one's to get otherwise Minilite style. 14" wheels, tyre availability is limited as far as selection goes. Four point seat belts essential. You just feel safer strapped in. Soft Bits for Sevens (SBFS) Short or long rain cover recommended. It packs up very small and the long one keeps the rain off the engine area when parked overnight, Have a look at their web site, they do good bits for 7's SBFS Half hood recommended. My wife likes this when raining. Heated front windscreen good if you use the full hood. Limited Slip Differential - great if you do track days. However, for road use nice but not essential. Dry sump - great to have for track days. Lowered floors are great. I don't have them but have driven an R300D with them and really appreciated them. If you get into touring with your wife, intercoms are useful. Plus you can use a Radio (Walkie Talkie) to talk to other 7's Having a heater is very beneficial. Your wife will like it. Big brake kit. My car has it as standard but my old 7 stopped fine. After 1985, most 7's had the De Dion set up. Live axle (Marina) on earlier models. I've had both and prefer the De Dion. You will need a fully automatic battery charger to connect to the battery when in the garage. CTEK 5 amp is the one to get. The integral car alarm discharges 24/7 and will flatten a battery in 4 weeks or less. Hope this helps. If some of these items are included with what ever you buy, then great.

If I remember correctly, when ordering the R300/400/500K, the cat bypass was an optional extra. So it may be worth trying to contact the previous owners of your R400K who may still have the cat lurking unwanted in their garage. Long shot I know, but a new one from CC is a trifle expensive.

Looks like your 7 has the Caterham cat bypass system fitted. What you need is a second hand cat from either an R300K, R400K or R500K. I believe they are all the same. Someone may be along to correct this. Your photo shows the Caterham cat bypass system fitted, so what you have is a Caterham made system. My R300K is identical, hence above suggestion.

Alan - Thank you for your message. I'm now 34 years into Caterham ownership, so I have had a go at most things 7 oriented. I did say the S3 was snug and with a passenger, your shoulders may be touching. I would not have it any other way ! However, my wife has never complained and we have been on some long trips to France etc. When I ordered my first 7 in June 1984 (Delivered in Aug 85), no such thing as an SV existed, so I have never been in an SV. However, I do have friends with the SV and they are very happy with them. Each to their own, hence trying each variant for size. I fully understand getting your wife on board with the purchase. However, it is only on Holiday Trips that my wife has joined me, so my local outings (Blats) with Kent 7 friends is normally a solo event. One thing that may help you is to buy the book, "The Magnificent 7" by Chris Rees. I think it is on it's third edition. This book details all the Caterham Models ( Plus Lotus 7) and will give you a good understanding of the variations in specifications.

Re your first post about needing an SV and being 14 st 6. I was 16 st 4 and 5ft 10 and fitted snugly into an S3. You are firmly placed and don’t get any movement when attacking corners. Since retiring, I’ve slimmed down to 12st 12 andat nearly 70, can still get in and out with the roof up. Your idea to wait till the end of the virus problem is good. Then visit the dealers and sit and drive a few and then make the decision. Don’t buy the first car you find that you like. There is always something better out there. My advice is contact Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch. They are all experts and Ex Caterham people. Andy Noble is the man to contact.

You say that you have the specification sorted, other than the model (310 or 420). Have you included a Track Day roll bar ? Without it, you will not get into Lotus 7 Club Track days. Also useful is an isolator switch for security. A half Hood is good, as is a tonneau cover for use when away from the car. A roof is a personal requirement. When it is very heavy rain, it is useful. On the 310, I would keep it all 6" wheels all round but go 8" rears on the 420. Ok, it looks good on a 310, but you will loose it's dart ability. Add in a phone charger 12 V socket. What seats have you specified ? I would always have a heater, but you do get a lot of heat from the engine. In summer, it gets hot inside the car. You will be going for a 5 speed box as as I understand that Caterham have stopped production of their 6 speed box. If you have speed bumps in London where you live, it may be beneficial to get a dry sump on the 310, I think the 420 comes with it as standard.

Roy. I think we did the 1988 trip to Le Mans and stayed at the Chateau with Madame Condom. Was this one of your trips ?

Alan This car in photo was a live Axle. Piers

I "think" I still have the original Hillman Hunter radiator in the garage. I can't remember ever throwing it away. This is a slightly better photo. I also had to move the oil cooler and bracket.

I used to own a 1985 Super Sprint which I had from new and kept for 25 years. The cooling in traffic was always marginal and I believe that the original radiator was from a Hillman Hunter. I retro fitted a Cosworth radiator which was bigger all round and had to be moved to the front of the chassis, with added mounting brackets welded on. The fan had to be turned round as well. It then cooled the car well.

Over time, the exhaust will get noisier as the infill material gets hammered by the gases. Be patient and it will get noisier. However, if your tracking it, having a quite silencer is beneficial.

Have you made contact with Red Line Components. They are the official 7 parts distributor for older 7’s and will probably have all the bits in stock. Speak or email to Chris.

It’s also worth looking at the differential if the fluid is not petrol . I’m assuming this is not a brand new car.