Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
- Victor Meldrew
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Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
I know that a few ex Lotus Elise/Exige/Evora owners have owned a Caterham over the years. I was curious as to your experiences regarding whether you still felt accepted as part of the Lotus community?
A Caterham is just a Lotus 7 with a different badge at the end of the day?
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A Caterham is just a Lotus 7 with a different badge at the end of the day?
currently browsing Piston Heads Classifieds......
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
Can't say I personally ever felt a 'Lotus owner' when I owned my Caterham. Why? Cos it isn't a Lotus. When I collected our Elise several years later, that was my "I own a Lotus" emotional moment.
...though - for the very obvious reason of them being evolved from the original Lotus 7 S3's DNA - the owners' club is still named the Lotus 7 Club.
For the pedants/detail-obsessed, IIRC, a notable piece of trivia is the last common part to the Lotus and Caterham 7 was the under-dash handbrake - which ceased to be on any new Caterham model a good few years ago.
...though - for the very obvious reason of them being evolved from the original Lotus 7 S3's DNA - the owners' club is still named the Lotus 7 Club.
For the pedants/detail-obsessed, IIRC, a notable piece of trivia is the last common part to the Lotus and Caterham 7 was the under-dash handbrake - which ceased to be on any new Caterham model a good few years ago.
Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
One of the reasons I'm such a fan of the marque was growing up with a Super Seven. I still think 'Lotus' when I see a caterham as a result. Its possible to have something very close to the original, but Caterham have forked the DNA into something newer and better which is fine. But that makes them a Caterham, not a lotus, which is ok by me.
Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
Always felt plenty in common with Se7en owners. The rawness, leaks, regular spannering and flakiness. And the early shared heritage / paternity.
Go for it, John. Can't be any harder work than your ageing S1.
Go for it, John. Can't be any harder work than your ageing S1.
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- Victor Meldrew
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
That is roughly where my head is just now..... Still have a few concerns though... need to see if I can fit in one..
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- rossybee
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
Bang on Jason. The under dash handbrake ended about '95, my first one was a '97 and had it on the tunnel.jason wrote: ↑Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:46 pmCan't say I personally ever felt a 'Lotus owner' when I owned my Caterham. Why? Cos it isn't a Lotus. When I collected our Elise several years later, that was my "I own a Lotus" emotional moment.
...though - for the very obvious reason of them being evolved from the original Lotus 7 S3's DNA - the owners' club is still named the Lotus 7 Club.
For the pedants/detail-obsessed, IIRC, a notable piece of trivia is the last common part to the Lotus and Caterham 7 was the under-dash handbrake - which ceased to be on any new Caterham model a good few years ago.
Had two Caterhams and still regard myself as never having owned a Lotus.
So, to answer your question, no.
John, if I recall correctly you are about my height and build, so an S3 chassis is a lovely tight fit.
Go for it man!
PS yes I'll have another and yes I look at them all the time
Ross
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1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
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1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
I don’t think a Caterham is a Lotus anymore but don’t let it stop you taking the step - a Lotus has always been a sum of the parts and Caterham took the original 7 and improved it bit by bit until none of the original is there but it’s better for it
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- point n squirt
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
Always gave a wave if in the Elise to a caterham they never waved back , crossed paths nearly ten years ago at a certain weekend , most unpleasant bunch of car guys i ever met , very un Lotus actually put me off getting one. No offence to any owners on here obviously the minority.
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- Victor Meldrew
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Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
I must admit that I have been around sound of the “other” groups in Scotland and depending on who turns up on the day you could be forgiven for going home with that same impression.point n squirt wrote:Always gave a wave if in the Elise to a caterham they never waved back , crossed paths nearly ten years ago at a certain weekend , most unpleasant bunch of car guys i ever met , very un Lotus actually put me off getting one. No offence to any owners on here obviously the minority.
The fist ever road run I did not long after I bought the Elise was with Ross and Thinforth when we joined up with the Seven owners club on their Scottish tour. I was made to feel very welcome.
If I did make the change I doubt very much that it would change in any way the groups I choose to associate with, it was more a question to gauge the opinion of the SE group as to what they felt about Caterhams in general. I want to stick to something light and nimble. Not interested in massive speeds, although a V6 Exige would be nice.
I know they are a few Porsche (fancy beetles) converts in SE also. A Cayman was also being considered but that going even further away from what I am looking for.
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- rossybee
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
Why thank you, we did always make an effortVictor Meldrew wrote: ↑Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:30 pmThe first ever road run I did not long after I bought the Elise was with Ross and Thinforth when we joined up with the Seven owners club on their Scottish tour. I was made to feel very welcome.
Same with any groups - you'll always get nobbers, unfortunately certain brands have a higher percentage
Ross
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1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
I've always shared a wave or a thumbsup when passing any caterhams. They share our passion for lightweight sh*t that make you smile. But then I'm not in a "proper" Lotus either. But you guys always make me feel welcome. I've had occasional looks at westfields as they have a fat boy variant, and the girlfriend's dad has a V8 one! Even if I went that route I wouldn't think twice about turning up at SE events, you wouldn't get rid of me that easy!
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- rossybee
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Re: Is a Caterham just a Lotus with a different badge
You could say a Westfield is more akin to an Elise, as it smells like a canoe too.
/ironic
/ironic
Ross
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1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages