1978 Caterham Super Seven Twin-Cam Racer
James Whiting's famous drag, sprint and circuit racing car

Registration No: YPA 176S
Chassis No: CS33972
MOT: T.B.A

• Built and campaigned by James Whiting to promote his Caterham / Lotus business
• Obsessively lightened and beautifully constructed to race (rather than road) car standards
• Lotus Twin-Cam 1650cc engine developing circa 170bhp
• Featured on the front cover of 'Lotus Seven Super Profile' by Graham Arnold and HOT CAR Performance magazine
• Sponsored by Caterham Cars, Compomotive Alloys and Shell in period
• Fastest quarter mile time was 11.83 seconds @ 110.60 mph (faster than a McLaren Mercedes-Benz SLR!)
• Run at Santa Pod, Blackbushe, Wroughton, Snetterton, York Raceway, Hethel, Goodwood and Lydden Hill etc
• Featured John Player Special (1978,1979) and Martini (1980 onwards) liveries when competing

For many in Lotus and Caterham circles this is a car which needs no introduction. Purchased by its sole registered keeper, James Whiting, on May 1^st 1978 for the princely sum of £3,663.36, the original Caterham Cars invoice pleasingly remains on file. A successful drag racer, Whiting took delivery of the Seven Twin-Cam in component form and set about building it to competition, rather than road car, standards. Obtaining sponsorship from its manufacturer, chassis CS3/3972 was soon finished in ‘John Player Special’ colours with ‘Caterham Cars’ emblazoned down each side. Far quicker than Whiting’s previous machines, the nominal two-seater had obvious potential beyond the drag strip. Responding to concerns from fellow competitors that it was a thinly veiled Works entry, Caterham asked Whiting to re-livery the Seven Twin-Cam. First adopted in 1980, the current ‘Martini’ colours were applied to the car’s ultra-thin fibreglass panels. The nosecone and wings having mesh grilles set into them to reduce lift. Branching out into Sprints and Circuit Racing, chassis CS3/3972 was also used for promotional duties appearing at a Henley-on-Thames pub meeting alongside Fittipaldi, McLaren and Williams F1 machinery and on the occasional Caterham show stand as well as at numerous International Lotus 7 Club meetings.

Campaigned at the likes of Santa Pod, Blackbushe, Wroughton, Snetterton, York Raceway, Hethel, Goodwood and Lydden Hill etc, the Seven Twin-Cam enjoyed support from Shell, Think Automotive (MOCAL), Compomotive Alloys and Whiting’s own nascent Lotus specialist business (for which it became a very effective mobile billboard). Adorning the front cover of HOT CAR Performance magazine in September 1981, they devoted a multi-page article to Whiting’s creation entitling it ‘The Magnificent Seven’. While two years later, ex-Lotus Sales Director Graham Arnold used a picture of the ‘Martini Car’ on the front cover of his ‘Lotus Seven Super Profile’ book. A victim of his own success, Whiting found less and less time for racing as his business grew. Although not run in anger on a regular basis since the 1980s, chassis CS3/3972 had by then left an indelible impression on the minds of numerous enthusiasts including the vendor. Jumping at the chance to acquire the Caterham late last year, he has since extensively recommissioned it. Running and driving well during our recent photography session, ‘YPA 176S’ is now capable of road use.

Sporting a bespoke cam cover, the Lotus Twin-Cam 1650cc engine is understood to house a steel crankshaft / conrods, high compression pistons and BRM Phase 4 camshafts etc. Developing some 160-170bhp, it is allied to a four-speed ‘Rocket’ close-ratio gearbox and powers the rear wheels via a Salisbury limited slip differential. The suspension is rose-jointed and benefits from Whiting’s own modifications. Recording a best ‘quarter mile’ elapsed time in period of 11.83 seconds @ 110.60mph (faster than a McLaren Mercedes-Benz SLR hypercar), the Caterham remains a seriously quick and exhilarating machine. Featured in Classic & Sportscar magazine last year as part of their ‘Caterham Seven: 50 years of lightweight thrills’ piece, the ‘Martini Car’ is only now coming to market because the seller has been presented with the opportunity to buy an even more historic Lotus. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor has fitted a Lucas 17ACR alternator to the Seven and had a professional auto electrician fabricate charging / lighting looms for it (together with their associated fuse boxes). The dashboard has been modified to accept extra warning lights and lighting switches etc. A 52mm, 120mph speedometer has also been installed but the seller has not had the car MOT tested as planned.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737

Condition Report

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor has fitted a Lucas 17ACR alternator to the Seven and had a professional auto electrician fabricate charging / lighting looms for it (together with their associated fuse boxes). The dashboard has been modified to accept extra warning lights and lighting switches etc. A 52mm, 120mph speedometer has also been installed but the seller has not had the car MOT tested as planned.