2005 Caterham for sale

2005 Caterham Super Seven for sale

Additional photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/CjGTmBL6iH9SzAoy7

Driving Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv9LqQka8W0

Walkaround Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvmlfYoijWM

Cold Start Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pAO6fsuRI8

2005 Caterham Seven SV with Ford Zetec 2.0 SVT motor.  VIN: SDKLDK5NS50050488

Please contact me for a link to more photos. I cannot post the link here due to eBay's rules.
The car was originally imported in 2005 to Mid-Atlantic Caterham (George Alderman’s shop) in Delaware.  I am now its third owner. The body is the larger SV model, so is pretty easy for tall drivers. I’m 6’1” and have the seats pulled forwards about 4 inches.

I bought the car from a seller who originally had it registered in Florida. I’ve owned it for about 3 years, and have done around 1500 miles, it now reads 48xx miles.
I have done some simple upgrades such as the wheels and tires, Wide band air/fuel Ratio gauge and sensor, new front springs and shocks, remote ECU tuning and alignment.
The car is a pleasure to drive. It’s totally pure and simple in the best way with no power anything. The brakes are unassisted, the steering is direct, you are the ABS and the traction control. The power is good, but not intimidating from the SVT Focus motor. The Yokohama tires are grippy and communicative.
The car changes direction and speed few other cars on the road. You can fire it around corners and if you want a little oversteer then it’s available from the throttle, and quickly controlled with kart-like steering.
With the side screens on, and the surprisingly supple suspension,it’s easy to drive on the highway. The wind isn’t much worse than an MX5, but don’t expect AC or a stereo.
If you like talking about cars, then you’ll find someone to talk to at every gas station, parking lot, Cars and Coffee, etc. Budget a few extra minutes every time you go out

Spec

• 2004 Zetec SVT 2.0 motor. Engine was new when installed in the car. The motor has been tuned remotely by Tom of Focus Power in Belmont NC.The engine is stock, but for stage 1 cams(according to the original sales documents, this work was not done by me), KN air filter, and custom exhaust including a cat.
• Wideband AF Ratio gauge and sensor, retrofitted by me to help with the ECU tuning along with the SCT tuner
• 6 speed Caterham transmission
• DeDion rear suspension
• Limited slip differential
• Momo quick release steering wheel
•  Aero profile, wide track front suspension
•  4 piston AP/Caterham Calipers with vented front rotors
•  Adjustable spring perch kit
• Light alloy flywheel upgrade
•  Uprated alloy radiator
• Aluminum bash plate to protect the sump
• Heat insulation upgrade
•  Cabin heater
• Full weather gear with side screens, storage bag, and Tonneau cover.
• Original wheels were replaced with Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2 - 7.0 x 15. These are Caterham spec wheels with the correct offset for the car (TD supply Caterham’s wheels to the factory)

Included with the sale

•  SCT X4 tuner device which is already configured with the car to update ECU tunes
• Carbon fiber aero screen. This is a Caterham model imported from the UK. 
• Caterham Build manual
• Ford Focus ‘green book’ workshop manuals
• Full weather gear
• Tonneau cover
• 2 extra sets of front springs with different rates. One set is used, one is brand new
• LED headlights. These are not Caterham models,so whilst they fit the buckets, they do protrude around ¼” from the front of the rim. They do work very well, however

Issues

• There is damage to the skin on the left side of the car behind the suspension. The spring/damper unit separated from the top spring retainer possibly not sufficiently tight, and pushed through the skin.The damage is entirely cosmetic, no other damage was done and the spring/damper has been replaced as a pair with brand new ones from Caterham. I received a quote for the work of straightening the metal, flush riveting and repainting the side of the car from a local classic car restoration shop. He estimated around 1000-1500 for the repairs.The damage isn’t very visible, so could be easily lived-with if you did not want to repair. I can connect the buyer with the repair shop if desired.
• There are the usual minor chips around the hood and where the trunk cover studs have scratched the paint. These are covered when the hood and cover are in place so aren’t visible
• Small graze to the metal around the cockpit where the mirror mounting bolt on the side screen has rubbed against the bodywork
• Some spiderweb cracks in the fenders. Mostly where the studs go through to the mounts, it seems a larger stone struck the left front fender from the inside which has made a larger ding. Not very noticeable until you look closely

Registration and insurance

This question seems to come up a lot when these cars are sold. I can only speak for NC and GA so I’ll describe my experience. The car has been registered in Florida, Georgia and NC to my knowledge.
The short story on getting it on the road is; depends where you register it. It can be very easy and my advice would be check if your locality has any kind of kit car emissions exemption, if so, you should have an easy time. Here in NC I told the tag office it was a kit car, and it was exempted from emissions inspection, so getting it on the road was the same as any other car.. I still have to get it safety inspected as I do my normal car. Any garage can do this.
The only other thing I had to do was to ask the license and theft department of my locality to come and inspect it. They checked the VIN,that it was not stolen, and I submitted their report with the registration application at the tag office, I have had to the same with older cars and bikes that I’ve owned so it’s a standard practice, seemingly.
I used to live in DeKalb county GA and that was a lot more complicated, because this county has an OBD-based emissions test and requires a physical confirmation that the check engine light (CEL) lights up on ignition.
The car does not have a physical CEL. It also has vestigial codes caused by the transplanting of the motor from a Focus to the Caterham. These two points caused a failure of this test in my county in GA. Again, check with your locality to see what kit car emissions exemptions exist.
I insure the car with Haggerty, and it costs around $600 per year, which is about the same as the family SUV.