Unique RAF Caterham 360R Now Live For Bids

An incredible ‘one-off’ sports car is now live for bids on the Collecting Cars auction platform. The RAF Caterham 360R is a bespoke build created in partnership between Caterham Cars and the RAF Benson STEM team, celebrating 50 years of the acclaimed Puma HC2 helicopter – and it is being sold in a charity auction to benefit injured service men and women, with funds raised for Mission Motorsport and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

The inspiration for this project was a specific Puma HC2, registration XW232, which entered service in 1972, just a year before Caterham Cars Ltd was formed. While lightweight sports cars were being assembled in Surrey, Puma XW232 was being deployed for operations around the globe, with its military service eventually spanning Northern Ireland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Iraq during both Gulf conflicts.

Starting with a Caterham Seven 360R as the basis, this featherweight performance hero was subsequently given a military makeover using original components from XW232. Aluminium skin sections from the aircraft’s tail boom and doors are used for part of the car’s bodywork; retaining the rivets, RAF insignia and helicopter serial number. The internal rear bulkhead is even in place behind the seats, incorporating the Puma’s emergency door jettison handle. Other panels were repainted in NATO Green to match, while the chassis was refinished in authentic Desert Sand.

Inside, the genuine quilted soundproofing from XW232 has been used to line the side panels and centre tunnel of the cabin, as well as the centre panels of the carbon-fibre bucket seats, with the helicopter evacuation instructions still stitched into the fabric. The seats have also been given bespoke ‘Pilot’ and ‘Co-pilot’ labels in a further nod to its donor aircraft.

Ahead of the occupants, the dashboard is a complete custom build, matching the Puma’s own instrument panel in satin black, and incorporating repurposed military-grade gauges and switchgear. A three-stage ignition sequence control panel is a wonderful reference to its helicopter inspiration, while XW232’s navigation clock has pride of place in the centre.

The unique hand-crafted sports car is being sold to raise funds for Mission Motorsport, which aids in the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military operations by providing opportunities through motorsport and the automotive industry; and The RAF Benevolent Fund, which provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their families.

This special charity auction will be running until 12 September 2024. Contact the Collecting Cars team if you would like more information about the project.