The original Superlight of which only 196 were ever produced, is widely recognised as a real sweet spot for Caterham 7’s. It came with the right specification straight from the factory.
They are becoming increasingly rare, especially in this condition and with such detailed history. It took me a very long time to find my car and I passed over a lot of cars along the way to buying number 106.
As of January 2017 the total spend was about £26,800 (including the purchase price), and that figure in January 2018 had gone up to nearer £31,000, which has been the cost of making sure this car is in (and remains in) tip-top condition; You have to bear in mind that the car is 18 years old this year. I have given up counting now, but the figures are all there should anyone want to add up the realistic cost of fastidiously maintaining and looking after a 7.
As of Spring 2016 the agreed insurance value was £19,000 and in spring 2018 and 2023 this was reviewed by the Lotus 7 Club valuer Guy MUNDAY and the agreed value set at £22,000. This is currently being reviewed as an updated valuation is required by my insurers (A Plan), this year.
106 is not an ‘as new garage queen’, but rather an original Superlight with a really nice patina of polished originality which has been properly looked after, by all it’s owners.
What is clear to me, is that whilst 7 residuals are historically strong/stable and for some models they are increasing i.e. the SLR and Superlight, maintaining them properly really is not a cheap proposition. When I was looking for a 7 and specifically a Superlight there were lots that purported to be well maintained but in reality were not. Even my car which I sourced from Caterham Cars (South) needed a frankly surprising amount of remedial work. A detailed service history is very important and not just stamps in a book. The service hostory really is important as mileage cannot be relied upon as the speedo’s can be easily disconnected. Just have a look on You Tube at any Caterham race and the majority of speedo’s appear to be disconnected and therefore when it comes to buy one as a road car the attarcively low mileage may not be accurate. Service history is very important in my opinion.
Superlight Number 106 was factory built originally registered as W87XKP and now S1 7 GFC i.e Superlight 7 and my initials, thanks to a very thoughtful present from my long suffering wife and children.
I purchased the car from Caterham Cars (South).
The specification is as follows:
1.6 Super Sport EU2 Rover K Series engine fitted with 42mm Direct To Head Jenvey (QED) throttle bodies and Emerald ECU professionally fitted and set up by Rob at Ratrace Motorsport in December 2017. Mileage: 41,773
N.b. all parts have been kept and carefully stored so that the orginal spec can be reinstated at any time.
ECU mapped by John LAMSLEY at EMERALD in April 2018 Power: 145bhp Mileage: 42,000.
Remote thermostat fitted. This should improve temperature regulation and bleeding the system.
Radtec high flow radiator and 11″ SPAL fan fitted December 2017. Mileage: 41,773
Lightweight flywheel
Carbon fibre nose cone, dashboard and (unpainted) front and rear arches.
Caterham 6 speed gearbox and LSD (3.62). Both checked and serviced December 2017 (Mileage 41,773) and July 2022 (Mileage: 44,361).
550 kgs without a driver but with a full tank of fuel.
Rear anti-roll bar December 2017 new lower mounted bar fitted as the older top mounted bars risk fouling the bodywork.
Wide track Superlight (Adjustable) suspension. Professionally set up and flat-floored for 100 kg driver by DPR Motorsport in July 2016.
Checked by Ratrace December 2017 and flat-floored for 115 kg driver and 4.5 imp. gallons (20 litres) fuel.
Race rack (22%) 1.75 turns lock to lock.
Fully rebuilt suspension with Powerflex bushes professionally fitted by Seven & Classics.
Caterham AP 4 pot front brakes.
AP racing uprated brake master cylinder.
Avon ZZS 185/55/13 fitted all round December 2017 at 41,773 miles and May 2022 at 44,000 miles.
Lowered driver’s floor by Caterham In 2015 and passenger floor done by Sevens & Classics July 2022.
6 point Caterham (Luke) full harnesses.
FIA electrical cut off switch.
DVA K14 drivability kit fitted by Dave Andrews as the Caterham Super Sport cams are apparently very rarely properly timed which gives bad road manners and poor driveability. Typically the inlet cam may be retarded by up to 15 degrees which greatly reduces low and mid range torque. This kit comprises of a pair of Piper verniers which has been professionally set to improve mid range torque (up to 15 ft/lbs). Throttle response and driveability is markedly improved.
Apollo oil/air separator with a breather pipe fitted with a one-way valve to prevent oil draining into the sump. This way there is immediate oil pressure on startup (at the gauge and low oil pressure sender unit)
Thermostatically controlled Mocal oil cooler.
Exhaust By Design 4-2-1 stainless steel manifold and system as recommended by Dave Andrews of DVA.
ACES Sureshift 2, sequential shift lights.
Mechanical oil pressure gauge and 20 psi switch and low-pressure light.
(Uprated) De Dion tube with wide buttresses professionally fitted December 2017 by Ratrace Motorsport at 41,773 miles.
Tall (FIA) roll bar fitted with high level brake light by RatRace Motorsport. Original FIA roll bar put into storage.
Nitron NTR1 suspension fitted (42,317 miles) and full geometry set up by Rat Race Motorsport (29/05/2018)
Caterham 7 Superlight No: 106 