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Super Seven 1600 Register

Super Seven 1600 Register

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This post is intended to be a register of the Super Seven 1600. The model was introduced in April 2020 as a heritage version of the 270 with styling and finishes which are only used on the 'Super Seven' branded cars. This includes flared wings (although cycle wings were an option), chrome finishes to the windscreen, wipers and grill, proper Smiths dials and leather interior options. The car also has a mechanical difference from the 270, or strictly the EU 275, on which it is based. The standard Sigma induction unit is replaced with twin Jenvey Heritage throttle bodies which change the sound and character of the engine. By June 2021 they had stopped taking orders due to dwindling supplies of the Ford Sigma unit. Mine was the last UK-ordered car, but there may be some EU or Japanese cars which were built afterwards. I'm still trying to get an accurate number of the total production, but it seems to be around 60 cars. Caterham ordered 50 sets of the Jenveys, which were used on...
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Eco Run 2025

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With the roads finally clear of most of the salt and pretty much perfect weather, yesterday we did the annual Eco Run. This is organised by Geoff, AR of the West London and Middlesex group. Whilst the objective was to see how little fuel one could use on a round trip in a Caterham, for most it was just a blat around the country roads in Surrey. Around 20 cars started off from the HWM Aston Martin showroom in Walton-on-Thames and headed down to the Surrey Hills.  Good to see Tim's new car, a blue 420R. After coffee and bacon rolls it was back to Walton for a tour of the Aston Martin showroom.  Thanks to Geoff and HWM for organising this !
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New radiator

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So after 11,000 miles my radiator has started leaking. Just little dribbles down the sides that eventually drop onto the nose cone and then leave a little pool of fluid under the car. So it's time for a new rad! Getting the old one off is straightforward, after the messy business of draining all the coolant and disconnecting the hoses. I've also decided to replace the bottom hose as it was also leaking at the joint to the radiator. The original fan is still fine, did a little clean up. Fitting the new bottom hose is a faff as access is limited, but got there eventually. I collected the new radiator and hose directly from Caterham Dartford as I live only 30 minutes drive away. Very handy. We now have a shiny new rad ! The design seems slightly different from my original 2022 one. This now has a Caterham logo on the top. See how it fairs.. My procedure for filling and bleeding the system was as follows: 1. Remove the top hose from the heater assembly and fill a bit from there unt...
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Long nose shower cap

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I've been using the Soft Bits standard shower cap for the last 2 years, it's been great ! Whenever I'm parked-up on a trip I put the half-hood and shower cap on. The only time I've had an issue is when there's proper heavy rain, as water leaks on to the scuttle and then down into the footwells. The solution here is a long-nose shower cap, which I got today. This has an extended front which covers all of the bonnet louvres and the K&N air filters. It's definitely more of a faff to put on compared to the standard item, but does give you complete rain cover over the whole car. I'll be using both !
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Cut down rear plate

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It's very much winter here in London so I'm just doing a few little bits on the car whilst it's in the garage, until the salt clears off from the roads. I cut down the front number plate back when I got the car, but never got around to doing the rear plate. I used 3M dual-lock to mount the number plates, so it's very easy to remove them.  I cut the rear plate down to its minimum legal size, which is 10mm of space around the characters, using a multi-tool saw and then sanding the edges. Looks much better I think. Hopefully will be back on the road soon !
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11-inch steering wheel

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I spec'd the car with the wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel option, which is a 12-inch wheel. Whilst it looks great, it is a little bit too big for the standard chassis car. Luckily Moto-Lita do a smaller 11-inch version, which I got today. I went for the flat spoke design, I think it looks really nice. It fits directly onto the standard 9-hole Moto-Lita boss. I really like the smaller size, it gives you more space in the car, your elbows work at a smaller angle, and it is quicker to turn. Should have got this last year !
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New Dartford Factory visit

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Caterham and Aston Martin dealer HWM organised a visit to the new Caterham factory in Dartford last Sunday. This was a chance for owners of both marques to view the new facility and talk to staff. It was a 9am start, and apart from a few drops of rain it was pretty good weather all morning. Around 50 people turned up, as well as most of the staff from HWM and some from Caterham as well. Twenty or so Caterhams made it there, but some turned up in other vehicles. There was a very nice 90's car which is the basis for my retro-styled model. The new factory is fully operational now, what a difference from the old Kennet Road place ! HWM brought a selection of new Astons including a DB12 Volante in the same colour as my car. A little photo shoot was required.
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