2001 CATERHAM SEVEN R1

Fitted with the high-revving engine and transmission from a Yamaha R1 Superbike, this 2001 Caterham Seven is a step above most other lightweight sports cars in terms of performance and excitement, and is presented in good order throughout.

Taken from a 2006 R1, the fuel-injected 998cc engine produces around 170-180bhp, and drives the rear wheels via the bike’s original six-speed sequential transmission. An electric reversing motor has been added to enable conventional manoeuvres.

The seller understands that the chassis has covered approximately 22,500 miles from new, with around 6,000 miles of that total being with the new R1 engine installed. The total mileage on the engine is around 12,000 miles.

First registered on 14 May 2001, the car started life as a Caterham Seven Academy car, fitted with a 1.6-litre Rover K-Series engine and a five-speed gearbox. After a year in the manufacturer’s motorsport programme, it was then sold to an owner in Edinburgh, who ran it for a number of years before fitting the 998cc engine from a cosmetically-damaged Yamaha R1. This process was completed over several years, and included slight professional modifications to the chassis in order to install a cradle for the motor.

The seller, an experienced Caterham owner, bought the car around four years ago and set about enhancing the interior with carpeting, a leather transmission tunnel cover and other new trim, before placing it into storage in October 2019.

The current owner asserts that this Seven has no evidence of any bodywork damage, and the Kawasaki Lime Green paintwork is described as being in fair condition for its age. There are some stone chips that have been touched in, and gravel marks on the rear wings and stone guards, which is of course quite common among Caterham’s low-slung creations.

This is offset by the ‘Black Pack’ windscreen frame, exhaust guard and headlight shells, as well as a black FIA ‘track day’ rollover bar and carbon-effect mud guards, giving this Caterham some real presence on the road and track alike. The car rides on a set of anthracite 15-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, which are in great shape, with only a few minor scratches to their surfaces.

As with all Caterhams, this modified example’s cabin is designed with function in mind, and remains in good overall condition, with only a few scratches to the uncovered bases of the composite Tillet seats, which are accented by red ‘Luke’ safety harnesses.

The present owner has installed a vertical handbrake on the transmission tunnel, instead of the hard to reach horizontal lever above the passenger’s knees. This new lever position has proved easy to use at all times, even when strapped in with the six-point harness.

The car is also fitted with a removable leather Momo steering wheel and a specially ordered leather transmission tunnel cover with red trim, which introduces a touch of refinement into this otherwise stripped out track toy.

All of the interior controls and switches work correctly, and there are no warning lights displayed on the dashboard; however, it is noted that the digital speedometer – incorporated in the 15,000rpm Stack rev counter – has stopped working during the car’s storage.

Maintained by the experienced vendor, who has owned various Sevens and built around half a dozen since 1985, this Caterham’s last engine oil change was carried out in April 2018. Since then, the car covered very few summer miles between 2018 and 2019, and was then taken off the road for around a year in October 2019.

As well as the Yamaha R1 engine and sequential six-speed transmission, the car also features Protec adjustable front shock absorbers with softer springs, tuned to the lighter weight of the R1 engine, a custom-built exhaust with integrated catalyst and a built-in fire extinguisher system, making it as usable on the track as it is on the road.

Its last MOT test was conducted on 16 September 2020, resulting in a first-time pass without any advisories. The online MOT history dating back to 2006 is very impressive, with the car failing in 2016 for a misaligned headlight beam, and again in 2017 for a wrongly fitted tyre, but otherwise with no alerts or defects noted in 14 years.

The seller states that the Avon CR500 tyres are approximately 50% worn, although the exact amount of tread remaining is unknown. While there are no handbooks or service records available, the car will be supplied with various bills and receipts for the parts fitting during its modification.

Offering ballistic performance and head-turning looks, this unique Yamaha R1-engined Caterham Seven is the perfect weekend plaything, and is sure to provide its next owner with plenty of smiles-per-gallon on every journey behind the wheel – whether on the public highway or the track.

Specification:

• 2006 fuel-injected Yamaha R1 engine/gearbox approx. 170-180bhp
• Sequential six-speed gearbox with push/pull gear lever
• Aluminium radiator
• Electric reversing motor
• 3.3 differential drive ratio
• DeDion chassis
• 15-inch Caterham wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
• FIA 'track day' rollover bar.
• Driver’s side impact protection bar
• Protec adjustable front shock absorber and softer springs
• Full weather equipment - hood, side screens, luggage cover and two-piece tonneau
• Hood bag
• Clear front/rear indicator lenses
• 'Black Pack' screen frame and stanchions, exhaust guard, headlight shells
• Red battery isolation key
• Removable Momo leather steering wheel
• Electronic gear indicator
• Starter button with transponder - no key
• Special order red-trimmed leather transmission tunnel cover
• Vertical handbrake
• Tillet 'race' seats
• Six- and four-point 'Luke' seatbelts
• Special custom exhaust with built-in catalyst
• Built-in fire extinguisher system - bottle in boot

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.