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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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Old 11-29-2006, 07:41 AM
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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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Old 11-29-2006, 07:45 AM
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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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Old 11-29-2006, 07:46 AM
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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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Old 11-29-2006, 07:47 AM
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These are more fun than a room full of teats! Make the 911 feel like bus.
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Old 11-29-2006, 07:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dottore
These are more fun than a room full of teats! Make the 911 feel like bus.
+1 but you can combine titties and a car like this and have a lot more fun...
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Old 11-29-2006, 07:59 AM
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Yeah...But its still UGLY!
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Old 11-29-2006, 08:01 AM
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quick cars, aldermans in delaware sell them so legal
Old 11-29-2006, 09:03 AM
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Ugly...perhaps, but purposeful, mean, and has "attitude" that few cars can ever touch.
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Old 11-29-2006, 09:08 AM
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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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Old 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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Old 11-29-2006, 09:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by tabs
Yeah...But its still UGLY!
+1 but as Money says...

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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Old 11-29-2006, 09:52 AM
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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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Old 11-29-2006, 11:44 AM
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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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Old 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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Old 11-29-2006, 12:09 PM
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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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Old 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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Old 11-29-2006, 12:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by CJFusco
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.
+1

This car was built, not styled.
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Old 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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Old 11-29-2006, 12:31 PM
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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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Old 11-29-2006, 01:06 PM
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