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Caterham in U.S.?
A couple days ago, in West Hartford (wealthy town), I spotted a yellow Lotus Seven replica ripping down a main road. I figured it must be either a Caterham or a Westfield or the like.
I thought these cars were not street-legal in the U.S. due to emissions and crash restrictions? Anyone know something I don't? Here's an example of what I saw: 
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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11-29-2006, 07:41 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,185
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I believe they are legal because they get in as "kit cars". Same as the Radical and the Ariel Atom.
It may have actually been a Lotus. I followed a guy to a Starbucks one day. He was driving a '73 Lotus 7, not a replica.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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11-29-2006, 07:45 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,185
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I wish I had the disposable income to have a "7" of some sort. I think that would be a blast. I'd drive it to work when the weather was good.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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11-29-2006, 07:46 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ridgefield CT
Posts: 1,290
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I think that cars registered as a "kit" get huge leeway with crash testing and emissions. I also think you can buy Caterhams in different stages of build.
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'08 RX350 (Hers) '84 911 Carrera '83 911SC Cabrio '06 Miata |
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11-29-2006, 07:47 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hamburg & Vancouver
Posts: 7,693
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These are more fun than a room full of teats! Make the 911 feel like bus.
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_____________________ These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.—Groucho Marx |
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11-29-2006, 07:58 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,954
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Quote:
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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11-29-2006, 07:59 AM
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A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
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Yeah...But its still UGLY!
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Copyright "Some Observer" |
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11-29-2006, 08:01 AM
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Registered
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quick cars, aldermans in delaware sell them so legal
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11-29-2006, 09:03 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Tucson AZ USA
Posts: 8,228
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Ugly...perhaps, but purposeful, mean, and has "attitude" that few cars can ever touch.
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Bob S. former owner of a 1984 silver 944 |
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11-29-2006, 09:08 AM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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I saw one here in Bloomington at a car club get-together. It wasn't a Caterham. It was some builder from Australia or New Zealand...
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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11-29-2006, 09:42 AM
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could be real, could be a kit (there are a few), even grassroots had a buildup of the "locost" car.
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dave 1973,5 |
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11-29-2006, 09:47 AM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Quote:
Ugly...perhaps, but purposeful, mean, and has "attitude" that few cars can ever touch. That car is nothing but a road scorcher. I wouldn't drive it on the 405 at rush hour, though.
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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11-29-2006, 09:52 AM
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Writer/Teacher
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I would love to put one of those in the garage with the 951. Anyone have any idea how what kind of money it takes to get one over here?
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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11-29-2006, 11:44 AM
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Writer/Teacher
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http://www.caterham.co.uk/downloads/Tech_pricesheet.pdf
Looks like, at the cheapest, a full kit would cost 13K pounds (almost $20K), unassembled. You can buy whatever parts you need, however, if you already have a drivetrain.
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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11-29-2006, 11:53 AM
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who cares about ugly... fast is beautiful. (a bit like rich is goodlooking to some men/women. tori spelling?- c'mon, gimmie a break
 )
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dave 1973,5 |
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11-29-2006, 12:09 PM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,185
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I actually think there's something attractive about them. I guess the whole, "so ugly it's cute" thing or maybe more of the form follows function beautiful thing. I don't know, but I like 'em a bunch.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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11-29-2006, 12:19 PM
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It's a form-follows-function thing. I think it's gorgeous, because it's so purposeful and simple. I dunno, I have wanted one for a few years now.
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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11-29-2006, 12:24 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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Quote:
This car was built, not styled.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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11-29-2006, 12:26 PM
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I know this sounds crazy, but i would consider selling the 951 if I was convinced i could get one for a good price. That's how badly I want one...
I'd rather have both, though.
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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11-29-2006, 12:31 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: southwest Ct
Posts: 277
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My friend built his Caterham 2 years ago. These are registered as kit cars but do not need emmissions inspections because they use pre 1974 pinto 4 cyl engines. They run fantastic because of the great weight to horsepower ratio. Think of the seven as a motorcycle with 4 wheels.
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"The smaller the fine print, the larger the risk." 1988 911 coupe 2008 VW R32 2004 530I |
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11-29-2006, 01:06 PM
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2007 Porsche Cayman S
The Viridian Falcon
SOLD! -- The Purple Pig
SOLD! -- Mighty Mouse
SOLD!! -- Alpine Wolf
