Clearly it is a testomony to the inherent rightness of the Caterham Seven that little has altered during the last 50 years. It stays gentle, speedy, easy, joyous a laugh on 4 wheels. The supercharged 620R gained our best possible observe automotive since 1998 in opposition to some esteemed festival, however in truth any Seven selected during the last 25 years would had been in with a shot. Not anything in the market so completely blends pace and leisure with responsiveness and purity. 

It must be famous, alternatively, that efforts to conform the Seven haven’t most often been smartly won. All of the extra reason why to not tweak the recipe. The 21, as an example, simply didn’t ring a bell with consumers. The AeroSeven idea by no means truly went anyplace. And the Levnate proved that there most likely was once a factor as too excessive a Seven. 

Within the early a part of the twenty first century, the CSR was once supposed to be essentially the most basic reconsider of the Seven in a long time. A redesign supposed enhanced conventional tension and progressed aero, with double wishbones at each and every nook, coilovers, and an unbiased rear axle changing the usual Seven’s extra rudimentary setup. That truly was once only the start, too, with a Cosworth-fettled 2.3 Duratec additionally fitted, along an overhauled internal, revised steerage, bespoke tyres… whilst nonetheless taking a look so much like a Seven (observe the flat entrance wheelarches for aero receive advantages). 

To pressure, the S5-based, wider-bodied CSR was once borderline unusual, a extra mature and extra succesful Seven – albeit one with the inimitable attraction of a lot of energy shifting no longer a lot weight. ‘That is one breathtakingly speedy Seven, but even if the Cossie engine is hollering loudly within the upper gears, the chassis stays comfortable and poised’, learn one evaluation; every other mentioned the CSR was once ‘gentle years’ forward of earlier Sevens: ‘While sooner than you felt each pressure was once a white-knuckle journey, now you could have the thrills with out the concern’. Which makes it sound like the very best Seven, however in fact the rawness was once a part of the attraction for lots of. And a CSR, reflecting the engineering effort invested, was once a bit extra money. 

So there aren’t many round in this day and age, particularly within the full-fat 260hp spec (a 200hp model was once additionally introduced). On PH this present day there’s one 260 marketed as a undertaking, then this automotive – a 2005 Titanium Gray instance with simply 18,000 miles. It’s a stunner, all of the extra fascinating for the ones little CSR main points that mark it out and wouldn’t most often be spotted.

The rep and rarity of the CSR – blended with the sturdy residuals loved via all Sevens – manner one this excellent isn’t an affordable purchase. It’s on the market at £41,995, which might purchase a factory-built 360R for the ones prepared to attend. However as without equal evolution of possibly without equal observe automotive – with extra energy than any naturally aspirated Seven to be had now – it isn’t laborious to know the temptation. There are nonetheless a couple of observe days left this yr…

Engine: 2,261cc four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed handbook, rear-wheel pressure
Energy (hp): 264@7,200rpm
Torque (lb feet): 200@6,200rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
12 months registered: 2005
Recorded miles: 17,603
Worth new: £37,000
Worth now: £41,995