Caterham 7 310R 2015-present
WITH A FOCUS on elemental driving enjoyment, the Caterham 7 makes a virtue of its simplicity. But as production dates from 1973, there’s nothing simple about choosing which is the right one to buy.
Most buyers go for a Series 3 chassis. The only choice until 2000, it has double-wishbone front suspension and a De Dion rear (though earlier cars got a live rear axle). The driving position is pure canoe, and the pedal box cramped, so they’re often spec’d with optional lowered floors. The SV joined the range in 2000, offering 110mm extra width, and formed the basis of the CSR, with inboard pushrod front suspension and double-wishbone rears. S3, SV, CSR: those are your three basic choices.
Today’s range is organised around power-to-weight ratios, ranging from the 160 (a Suzuki triple with 80bhp) through to the 620R, a supercharged Ford Duratec making 310bhp. The 270, 310, 360 and 420 nestle between, all Ford powered.
Used prices span £10k to £50k. Andy Noble of Sevens and Classics cites the Rover K-series-powered Superlights produced from 1996 as great buys: from £19k for a Superlight, £22k for a Superlight R, and £25k-£28k for a Superlight R500. Our car is a 16-plate 310R, with the 1.6 Ford Sigma engine. It makes just 152bhp, but with short gearing and 540kg it’s plenty quick enough for road use and it sounds fantastic. Casual slides come easily but bring little terror.
It’s a summer-evening dream, and even the slowest Caterhams are sensational on track, so sweetly balanced that you’re soon flat out everywhere – and because they’re so light, you’ll do a trackday without burning through much in the way of fuel, tyres and brakes.
A Seven won’t depreciate, and won’t cost much to run. Buy one this winter while the market’s flat, then have a ball next spring.
Thanks to: Warren Saville, MX-5 Owners’ Club,
Classics and Sevens, Jon Seal Sports Cars