Rare Caterham Super Seven BDR

This Caterham 7 (or Caterham Seven) is a super-lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory-built form by Lotus Cars from 1957 to 1972.

So let’s get this straight right out of the box: this Caterham 7 BDR 1700 is NOT A REPLICA! In 1973, after Lotus had ended production of the Lotus Seven, Graham Nearn of Caterham bought the rights to the design, and continues to this day to make both kits and fully assembled cars.

This modern Caterham Seven is based on the Series 3 Lotus, which is widely regarded by car enthusiasts and the media as one of the iconic sports cars of the 20th century. With 2017 marking the 60th year of continuous production, the Seven still enjoys strong support and success in clubman-style racing

This Caterham 7 BDR has been maintained through its life to a very high level. If you want to experience the thrilling driving experience that only a true 7 can give, you should consider this car. Far from the ordinary “run of the mill” Ford Kent powered cars, or even worse, the Vauxhall or Z-tec powered cars, this car hearkens back to the bygone age when state of the art race engines were put in service in street cars.

As you may know Cosworth solidified it’s association with Ford in 1969, by developing a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve inline 4 engine for road use in the Ford Escort. As Keith Duckworth was busy designing and developing the DFV, the project was assigned to Mike Hall, who created the 1601cc BDA on the Kent block block for Homologation purposes. The camshafts were driven by a toothed belt, hence the name BDA, literally meaning "Belt Drive, A type". It was designed for FIA Group 2 and Group 4 on either rallying or Touring car purpose. These engines were so successful that they became the standard engine in Formula Atlantic open wheel racing in the ‘70’s through the ‘90’s.

Of all the Lotus Seven “clones” available today, the Caterham cars are the best of them all as they have the strongest frames, supported bigger engines and had desirable suspension modifications that make them world class contenders. It is extremely hard to find a Caterham BDR these days since few were made and many ended up in Japan during the late ‘80’s economic bubble.

MECHANICS: The engine is a 1700 cc 3 bolt BDA that was built by renowned Formula Atlantic Engine Builder Paul Hasselgren in Berkley California. It sports a pair of genuine Italian manufacture Weber 40 DOCE carbs and custom 4:1 exhaust to accommodate the small space available in the Caterham. It’s Dyno sheet from Hasselgren Racing shows 154 HP at 7k RPM. It is mated to a Sierra/Cosworth 5 speed transmission and a Sierra/Cosworth LSD rear in De Dion IRS configuration. All mechanicals were inspected and replaced where necessary in Sept 2015 and are in excellent working order today. Being this Caterham weighs around 1,000 pounds, 154 horsepower makes it 6 a lb/HP car! That my friends is Z/06 territory! Given it’s low weight and pinpoint steering, this car will easily outperform most vintage sports cars and a good many modern ones. Though the engine currently has no chokes, it starts right up and idles nicely. There is no hesitation upon acceleration and no smoke. Transmission shifts into all gears with ease and precision. This Caterham is ready to be driven and enjoyed.

INTERIOR: So many of you enthusiasts might be shocked to hear this, but Shocker notice: I’m 6’4 and weigh 200 lbs. This car was built around me with an extended pedal box and “seats” that are not much more than a bit of upholstered foam padding on the floor and on the rear bulkhead. Much like a vintage Formula Ford car “ I don’t get in this car, I put it on”. I have the original seats that have never been used and are still in factory plastic wrap that will be included in case the buyer is not of the gargantuan size I am! Allgaugesand instruments work. Horn, turn signals, and lights function as they should. There are removable floor mats. Driver seat had a 4 point harness and passenger a standard DOT style 3 point shoulder belt. The car was equipped with the (at the time) FIA legal roll bar and it’s associated “Petty Bar” which for the clueless amongst you is the forward facing roll bar triangulation point tying into the passenger compartment.

EXTERIOR: All aluminum panels are original and are in excellent condition. Weeks were spent polishing the Aluminium to bring it to it’s current state of shine. Fenders are BRD and the nose is Lotus Yellow. There is one flaw: a ¾ inch scratch in the passenger side rear fender. Tires are in excellent condition. Wheels, including spare are Caterham wheels and are in great condition with no curb rash. Windshield is heated like new. All lights and turn signals work as they should. All weather equipment (top and side curtains) is in place and in excellent condition.

As you may now be begining to realize, a Caterham 7 BDR is one of the best experience a driver can have! This car combines great power with the best handling of any sports car ever made. Don’t miss this chance to own one of the few hundred ever built, and the only one I know of to have a real Hasselgren FA motor up front.

This Caterham is titled as is Lotus 7 it should be easy to register in any state.

I encourage inspections prior to sale. This car is sols as-is Where-is with no warranties represented or implied. I look forward to speaking to the truly interested amongst you.