CATERHAM SUPERSPORT K-SERIES. Do you really need a 620R for the road?!

[@rustyturner431]

SPLENDID!! In 1967, I had a Super 7 fitted out with an Alfa 1600 Veloce engine and 5-speed. With a few tweeks, it made about 110hp but weighed little more than half what an Alfa Duetto did. For the day, it was gloriously fast and nothing on the road could touch it in the twisties. I'm an old man now, and I've owned scads of "exotics" over the years...none of which was any near as entertaining as that 7. Screaming up the Blue Ridge Parkway behind the Brooklands screen made you feel just like you were in the Mille Miglia (except the road was much better)!

[@ianscott3180]

I am with you guys, mine is an elderly 1700 crossflow with 135bhp. Pound for pound the most fun that you can have with your clothes on. I have owned this for nearly 20 years and it has virtually not devalued. I would recommend anyone with a smaller budget to look at an older model.

[@thefuelfactory307]

Absolutely love a crossflow Ian, previously owned a Westfield with the same spec engine on twin 40's. It's the green car nose to nose with the caterham in our banner picture. The sound was incredible. Unfortunately compared to a caterham, the handling wasn't!

[@philipethier9136]

I have one also. In fact, I have just now tripped on a video of my actual car: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l16ciqd8ht-jaKs

[@philipethier9136]

I also have a 1700 Super Sprint. Just a few moments ago, I stumbled upon kzbin.info/www/bejne/l16ciqd8ht-jaKs I was looking at that video and thinking that the car was Ford Moonstone Blue just like mine. Then I realized that it IS my car. I am holding the English number plate in my left hand. Yes, it went to America. I bought it last fall from the gent who imported it from England along with some other Caterham cars.

[@markjolyonsinclair]

Absolutely true! I've just bought a 1700 supersprint and believe me, its more than enough power!

[@Scoutss21962]

Great video! I have a Series 2 Lotus Supet 7. I agree that a tiny car with 135hp is more than adequate and very entertaining. Enjoy the car and keep it forever. It's doubtful there will be anything as pleasurable as this in the future.

[@MrCaterhamr500]

The close ratio 6 speed box is what makes that so good.

[@mikemoore7250]

Absolutely agree with you regarding the power; I've got a 270S and have never felt I needed more power for my road driving. Your Dad did look a bit scared at times!!

[@jamesmartin5396]

Great car and nice video. I have a 1.6K 7 and agree you don't need loads of power in these things to have fun! One hopefully helpful comment... Noticed at the end of the video that you both have the buckles of the harness mid way up your belly. For best performance in a crash you really want to have this buckle lower down. Best to do the waist belts up first. Pull these tight over your hips. THEN click in the two shoulder belts and finally pull these two tight. Enjoy and stay safe!

[@jordanpene5279]

Great video, can see how much your Dad was loving it. I have a 1600 crossflow, 11.5/1 compression ratio, 150hp. It’s sounds so good but I’m a bit envious of the smooth power delivery of that engine and the 5 speed gearbox, mine has a 4 speed.

[@dereksollows9783]

My 1967 series 3 Super 7 has long since gone to its new home in Denmark (from Canada), but I still miss that car. Lars, I hope that you and the car are well over there. I completely agree with Ian Scott: "...the most fun you can have with your clothes on". Mine held its value like no other car that I have owned. One thing....The lovely sound of the cars straining engine made your words very difficult to make out, kind of like some of those KZbin vids in which the creator plays his favorite tunes overloud and then tries to give the view an oratory on top.

[@davideyres955]

I have a standard car with flared wheel arches in prisoner colour scheme, built in 1998 and I hd the factory supply the super light R engine. Claimed 192 bhp and it’s so much fun it’s epic. It’s throbs like a V8 on tick over. It sounds epic. Had DVA power do a little work on it and in my opinion it was a little too fast for the road following that upgrade because everyone else is so slow in comparison. I also got rid of those seats and had the old style S type seats put in recovered by oxted trimming. So much better than the “new” seats. Loved the way the car behind you went to overtake and you stepped on the gas and he shrank to nothing in the blink of an eye. Also because it’s self built pre SVA test the emissions test at the MOT is visible smoke only. Never sell your 7 you will regret it so much.

[@thefuelfactory307]

Sounds an incredible car David! I imagine it's a real handful in that trim!

[@robertmorgan8581]

I’ve had 4 Sevens, started with a Westfield with a 1600 cross flow, then got a Caterham 1.6 K Supersport 6 speed, then an R400 K series (which was too much) so now gone back to a 360S. The 1.6K SS 6 spe was the best, just perfect for the road and the most fun.

[@tmautos-surrey-sussex]

Just working on a k series super seven which had been in a garage for 5yrs then wouldn’t start - after much searching online found wiring diagram and found the multi function relay unit had a failed relay which powers the ecu and in turn the fuel injectors , bought a new one put new plugs in and it fired right up - beautiful caterham car in yellow

[@rmohamm6]

Great review Ben love the Captain Beagles hat !

[@texr2000]

I had the same spec car for many years, on the road 135BHP supersport K was great fun. The only thing I drove better was a car that had DTH Jenvies, Emerald and Vernier pulleys. 155-160BHP 1.6 (similar spec most likly ex race with Supersport cams and dry sump, forged pistons) with the added noise and that little bit more power felt was best road spec Caterham i have driven. Adding to that on track the extra few BHP i think would really help, more so now days. This was one option I was going to go, but went all out on a 244BHP 1.8 build and I wouldn't want the 1.6 back.

[@markjolyonsinclair]

Great film! Just bought 1700 supersprint!

[@sambagogo777]

The 420 and 620 have a dry sump which gives them greater ground clearance for getting over speed bumps without scraping so it could be argued they're the more practical choice, haha.

[@thefuelfactory307]

This is also dry sump, you can see the oil tank on the video. I mean, don't get me wrong, I still WANT a 620 😂

[@sambagogo777]

@@thefuelfactory307 My bad for not having been more clear. I meant relative to the current line-up, i.e. the 360.

[@thefuelfactory307]

@@sambagogo777 Ah yes I see! 👍

[@ianscott3180]

So did the Cosworth BDR and it couls shift.

[@ianscott3180]

Maybe so but? A 620 is going to cost you north of £50k. My 1700 crossflow could be yours for around £14k In fact you could have mine and a Yaris GR for the same kind of money as a 620R. Not so silly.😀

[@cainniacfpv174]

Love it man!!!

[@1061shrink1061]

I have a 1.6K and I think it was a sublime vehicle on road and on track! plenty videos in my channel of me blasting it around various tracks. Yes, a bit more power would have gone down nicely, and yes the 420R of the time was ultimately more "adjustable" on the throttle, but my 1.6K was no less fun!

[@all_out_of_bubble_gum]

The 420R was a 1.8?

[@Chemnerdsn2]

Is that a gt40 going the other way? 3:00 min

[@sh4969]

The Caterham I'm interested in are K Series or earlier Caterhams Super sevens sprint

[@ThomasDoubting5]

That k series sings very cool cars .

[@misujerr]

Um... anyone notice the GT40 at 3:00?? :O

[@stephenauty2402]

Yes I did

[@alexanderkrampe6540]

I've got a caterham for 15 years now. I#m getting older, the car ist still great...

[@spacedrifter1961]

A good honest review ✨🥇✨

[@natetaylor564]

Haha Brian loved that

[@montyriviera795]

Had a 2 litre Pinto in my Robin Hood. Plenty for me. I'm not skilled enough to exploit 600 odd BHP..

[@vdel9036]

Nice ! My cat is a 1700SS. Same power, same dashboard. Not the same engine. Ford in mine. Your cat sounds like a supercar. Mine sounds like a WW2 Spitfire plane.😄 Two different worlds, though both are Seven.😉

[@thefuelfactory307]

The 1700 crossflow engine is an amazing sounding engine, very tractable on the road! You'll be on twin Weber's then?

[@vdel9036]

@@thefuelfactory307 Two Weber carbs, yes. Reliable engine, not expensive to maintain. All yellow body and long front fenders. The sound suits the vintage look.

[@blakeyuk1981]

I really need a 620r 😂

[@thefuelfactory307]

Understandable 😂

[@itsmephil2255]

I agree with James May when he said on top gear A smaller engine can be used better than a larger powered I'd have the 3cyl engine for today's roads

[@ValueNL]

Audi 4 cyl 1.8 is perfection

[@ianscott3180]

Me too, a Toyota GR three cylinder twin turbo 265bhp. Now that would shift, oh well, back to my old 1700 cross flow.

[@itsmephil2255]

@@ianscott3180 nothing wrong with a X-flow... Especially fettled by Burton Engineering

[@marclebrun641]

YES YES YES love this Video

[@RossNixon]

Should be cheap right? But probably isn't.

[@annpeerkat2020]

onya dad!

[@fortyfour1654]

...spots new Puma in mirror considering overtaking you.. Instant decision to educate the Puma that real Cat can leave it for dust!

[@777dolf1]

Way too cool!!!

[@DMAcidRacing]

On the road you are probably right, however on the track I wouldn't swap my 620r for anything 😂🏎

[@thefuelfactory307]

Watching your vids, it looks a weapon on track! If you want to do an episode get in touch 👍

[@DMAcidRacing]

@@thefuelfactory307 Your welcome to come to a track day next year 🏎

[@thefuelfactory307]

@@DMAcidRacing We'd really like that thanks mate 👍 drop us a reply on this message feed once the weather warms up again?

[@TheDangerzone94]

In my opinion 135bhp is a little low. I have the feeling that my roadsport 175 could have a little more power. Of course, on the datasheet the numbers are nice, but translation to the world 135bhp isnt "that" a lot. Sure Caterhams a light, but in the real world i think the numbers drop hard. When you are a 75kg light driver and carry nothing with it the number is really good. 550kg Caterham with 135bhp = 245 bhp per ton But than take my SV for example. 570kg (when you can trust the papers, but when you do a research its more like 580kg without the driver) with 175bhp = 307 bhp. Would be a really impressive number. But when you now add MY essentails: Half roof, doors, full fuel tank, 5l extra fuel, a little toolbox, when its colder some more clothes, when you do a trip of course this stuff... i mostly have a passenger and very fast it adds up. Then you have about 760kg on board. And then do the math and you have quickly 230bhp per ton. And with that power, driving up a hill (especially after slowing down for a thight corner) you wish somethimes i had a little more power.

[@thefuelfactory307]

I agree to a certain extent, I had a Westfield of similar power and weight that definitely needed a bit more. I feel with this particular car, 135bhp is plenty but only due to drivetrain. With light flywheel, close 6 speed, plated diff etc etc, it makes Absolute best use of the power available. I wouldn't want 135bhp on a 5 speed with an open diff etc. The feeling of wanting a bit more power never really goes in my opinion but it's very easy to chase it until you've ruined the experience on the road. I think it's hard to find the sweet spot at times! Bikes are the worst for this!

[@TheDangerzone94]

@@thefuelfactory307 i got the 5 speed trans, and i really like it. I do not often drive it like i stole it. High rev driving isnt the thing i like. Thats why i like the overdrive on the 5th speed. And with a speedlimit at 100kmh it is often reached very quickly, and than im happy to reduce the number of revs. When i asked a caterham specialist what can we do to get more hp he recommend to try the 6 speed first.

[@ianscott3180]

I think it depends on use. I have a 1700 135bhp crossflow which is probably a bit short on power but great for sunny Sunday driving. I used to have a Cosworth BDR. Hart prepared, dry sumped, twin Webber 45's, racing clurch and light fly wheel. They tell me just north of 200bhp. Great fun but useless in traffic and needed constant tuning. Try driving in traffic regularly with a racing clutch? I am getting on a bit and my 135bhp suit me fine now. My nephew has a 210 bhp Duratec but he is young and does track days. They are all great but fulfill different needs. Maybe will will wave at each other sometime.😀

[@antonshott7691]

I have a 140bhp 1.8K which is my daily driver. It is also our holiday car, and fully loaded with driver, passenger, full boot, E Bag, stuff down the back of the seats and two folding chairs on the spare wheel rack the only time I really notice the extra weight is when braking or driving fast on a twisty road in the wet - but then, you have to be careful with a Seven in the wet anyway.......

[@scuderiapraga6815]

Caterhams are the best.

[@davidprocter3578]

that cherry red is puke inducing, I could not live with that.. I do like the car though.

[@1silvervespa]

Some Side Draft Webbers for fun ....

[@thefuelfactory307]

Love Webber's, but can't deny with Fi, it's very nice to turn the key and it starts immediately and fuels perfectly in any weather 👍👌