Caterham Superlight #34

Tockwith, United Kingdom

1997
34K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
135
BHP
1.6L

Caterham Superlight #34

Basic Information:
Original Superlight
Series 3 chassis
34200 miles
Aluminium with Black fibreglass
First registered 1997
Technical Specification:
1.6L K-Series engine 135bhp
Anti-cavitation tank
Light-weight flywheel
6 speed gearbox
Limited slip differential
Tripple pass ali radiator
Widetrack front wishbones
Fully adjustable AVO springs and dampers
De-Dion rear suspension
Ventilated front discs and quad piston callipers
13" Black and diamond cut Minilite alloys 6" front, 7" rear
Exterior Specification:
Carbon fibre Aeroscreen
Full convex mirror kit
FIA roll cage
Drivers side intrusion bar
Black pack
7" headlamps
Half doors
Interior Specification:
Adjustable leather seats
4 point harness
Carbon fibre dashboard
Change up light
Suede MOMO quick release steering wheel
Push button start
Master battery isolator switch
The Superlight was a ground-breaking model which paved the way for a series of cars produced by Caterham which propelled the brand into a new and exciting phase in the marque’s history.
The original Superlight was powered by the light-weight, all aluminium 1600cc K-Series engine. However, Caterham used a variation with a slightly higher lift cam than standard and paired it a free flowing 4 into 1 exhaust system and a modified ECU map. This raised the performance output of the 1600 from 115bhp, to 135bhp. Though this might not sound like a lot, it makes an enormous difference to the character and feel. Not only did the engine have a little more power, it revved higher, was more responsive and made an absolutely glorious noise.
The engine was then bolted to Caterham's super close-ratio 6 speed gearbox, via an ultra light-weight flywheel, and drove the rear wheels via a 3.9 limited slip differential. This combination, when pulling a sub 500kg Caterham Superlight, meant that the 135bhp delivered from the little 1.6 could launch the occupant from 0 to 60mph in less than 4.9 seconds! That’s seriously fast today, but in the late 90's this was faster than the very fastest of road going saloons. (E36 BMW M3 - 5.5 seconds)
More than just the 0 to 60 times was the excitement factor. The high revving nature of the engine perfectly suited the close ratio gearbox and thrashing around the country lanes you were constantly up and down the ratios. The power to grip ratio offered by this Superlight have long been considered "the sweet spot" by Caterham enthusiasts the world over, with the most recent 310R filling that performance point.
In addition to the mechanical components which made up the Superlight, these models were all lavished in Carbon Fibre, with nosecone, cycle wings, rear arches and dashboard all made from the super light-weight material. They then also each caried a plaque, proudly displaying their providence to the world, and chassis numbered individually.
This, number 34 to leave the factory, has recently been through a ground up rebuild. Between 2018 and 2020, this Superlight was stripped bare and rebuilt on a complete and totally new chassis. There is a large folder of receipts detailing the rebuild and the cars history right back to the initial purchase in 1997.
This Seven is not just excellent example of an iconic model from Caterham's range, it is also without question a very special car in Britain’s automotive history.
Please feel free to contact us for any questions. All our cars come serviced, inspected and MOT'd. We also provide all our customers with an in house guarantee to ensure the peace of mind that we care about our vehicles and our customers experience.

Engine

  • Layout Front Engined
  • Size 1.6L
  • Aspiration Normally Aspirated

Performance

  • Power 135 bhp
  • Acceleration 0 to 62 in 4.9 s

Transmission

  • Type Manual
  • Driven wheels Rear Wheel Drive

Fuel

  • Type Petrol

Exterior

  • Doors 2
  • Colour Silver
  • Body type Convertible

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Turn 7

Turn 7, Tockwith, United Kingdom

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