Beschreibung
A very early Caterham S3, built by a young aerospace engineer between 1976-8. Arch Motors chassis number 67 supplied in December 1975.
Registered as a Caterham, historic vehicle.
Flat floor, live axle, short cockpit, wide propshaft tunnel, built from new parts back then.
Copies of the original invoices for the parts from Caterham, Ford etc are in a file with the car.
Family owned by two brothers and then brought by myself as a project partly dismantled. I have recommissioned the car but find its rather too small for me to realistically use.
What its like:
Off the road and in dry storage for around 35 years
The condition is original, not restored so has some patina.
The body and chassis are excellent and the car has only covered 23000miles since 1978, it is basically a Lotus & S3 with a couple of tweaks by Arch Motors to the chassis.
My recomissioning included:
Finally fitting the engine built by Prompt Auto who were at the time a Cosworth sub contractor.(the co has since changed hands)
Fit a newly built 1700 Xflow (built in 1988) spec is:
Hepolite +90thou forged piston modified with deep valve cut outs and balanced.
711M new block bored and plateau honed.
Competition bearings.
Lightened flywheel and sachs uprated clutch
Fully balanced at Cosworth
Wing sump and modified oil pick up
Duplex timing chain assy
Kent 244 cam
VS7 valve springs
Stainless valves 1. 625 inlet and 1. 375 exh high silicone bronze guides.
Twin 45 DCOE carbs
Ford/ Bosch reluctorless ignition with restricted advance curve.
The engine is still running in but should produce around 160bhp.
4:2:1 exhaust repacked silencer
Gearbox, Ford 2000E new oil seals and gaskets fitted and gear lever pivot ball. Alloy bellhousing fitted, stainless bolts.
Brakes, new twin master cylinders, rear slaves, front callipers, pads pins, flexible hoses.
Clutch, new master, slave and flexible hose.
Facet fuel pump and new 8mm stainless fuel line. New Delco fuel sender.
New high torque starter motor and 40amp alternator replaced the original dynamo.
Fitted with leather Caterham bucket seats, but original cushion style seats are with the car.
The car is on 14" Revolution 4 spoke wheels with new 185/ 60 Yokohama Advan tyres.
All the rear suspension bushes replaced, front upper bushes replaced.
Sorted out wiring and fitted a modern fuse box and a couple of relays. Original aerospace style wiring system retained.
Currently has a Lotus badge on the nose cone, as I can't find the correct Caterham one.....
Side screens and hood are in good original condition. I have a tonneau cover as well but needs a repair. Fabulous patina, Lotus/ Caterham S3 a little jewel like work of art with the performance of a modern sports car.
