Meet Squash (Caterham 7)

[lgb240]

So, after about 15 years of half a$$ searching, I finally found a Se7en that was fairly close to home, was reasonably priced and had the drive train I wanted.

Meet Squash - it's a '76 Caterham, has a 1600 Lotus Twin cam, webers, dry sump, live axle, LSD, magnesium minilites, weather gear and less than 9K miles. My poor pics don't show it, but it is a very bright shade of orange - all the better to be seen in. This thing is very small; I need to sign up for yoga classes
to limber up so I can get in and out of it.

I would have loved to have found an original Lotus 7, but the current prices are just too dear. This car was a very good compromise - it's one of the earliest Caterhams and is faithful to the original 7 intent, without many of the 'modern' updates. A quick couple of blasts around the block went I got it home today (just before it started to snow, of course) confirms that this is truly a unique driving experience.

Can't wait 'till spring ....

[azasadny]

Very cool! Looks like a lot of fun!

[HardDrive]

Looks like a hell of a lot of fun.

[HHI944]

We need a pic of the huge **** eating grin you get when you drive it....

[CMDR Perry]

I concur with what Art said. Why the rear plate frame extension and how is the ride at 110 kph? DP

[fred cook]

on several levels! I had the opportunity to sit in an original Super 7 a few years ago and almost could not get out! I would have to adapt a removeable steering wheel and could never think of getting in with the top up! We used to enjoy watching these cars race at Road Atlanta when the SCCA runoffs were held there. Probably the most nimble car in the world!

[lgb240]

Originally Posted by CMDR Perry

I concur with what Art said. Why the rear plate frame extension and how is the ride at 110 kph? DP

The rear plate extension is a cradle for the spare tire (like this)



Don't know how the ride is @70mph - I haven't gone that fast in it yet, that's a little fast for my neighborhood! Even at small speeds, the car is telling you about every little nook, cranny and road surface change.

I'll let you know in the spring when the street cleaners have cleaned up all the winter gravel - the roads are a little slick right now.

[tevake]

That does look like a blast, What are your plans with it? Driving on the street seems a bit risky to me. Any track action near to you?

Nice find
Richard

[lgb240]

Originally Posted by tevake

That does look like a blast, What are your plans with it? Driving on the street seems a bit risky to me. Any track action near to you?

Nice find
Richard

It will be driven often in the summer - grocery getter and tourer.

There are a handful of tracks nearby (Mosport, Toronto Motorsports, Shannonville) that I try to get to for track days. I'll probably take this out to have some fun at least once, but I have a '71 240z that I've done a lot of engine / brake / suspension mods purposefully built for track days - I usually thrash the Z on the track.

[Dottore]

On my bucket list...

[masraum]

Very JEALOUS!

I'd love a 7. I spoke to a guy with an actual Lotus 7 several years back at a Starbucks.

Congrats!

[pwd72s]

A street legal go-kart! Gotta be a total gas!

[porsche4life]

Looks like more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

[dennis in se pa]

Had a twin cam Europa. These are even better. You don't drive them, you wear them. Sort of like skiing.

[Heel n Toe]

Practice your monkey roll, because that is the best way to get out of it.

Enjoy... closest things to that I've ever driven were a kart and a Europa... both more fun than a barrel of... no, I'm not gonna say it.

Also, just so you know... you won't be waiting until spring to take it out for a good sling... there will be a nice warm day sometime soon and you will turn that key and be off like a dog with his tail on fire.

[legion]

So incredibly jealous. I'm seriously considering a Lotus 7 replica for my next fun car.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I built one of these years ago with a turbo Merkur engine. Way too much fun.

[onewhippedpuppy]

That is awesome, congrats.

[J P Stein]

Originally Posted by Dottore

On my bucket list...

+1

I saw a picture of the newest Catherham frame......I want (I need that raccoon pic). Starting there I could make a killer street legal AX car. Winning the lotto would be step one.

[SXSMAN]

Good score ! Man can they be made to handle !

I always wanted an 11 or Westfield .

With my size at 6'1" and 240 and the 7 is tight for you I think I'll take this off my bucket list .

The mini is plenty big though .