- Name? Rosey Moffatt.
- Nickname? Ro.
- Job Title? Archivist.
- Location? Caterham South.
- How long have you worked at Caterham? Four years or so.
- What’s the best thing about your job? The enthusiasm of the Caterham customers, and their feedback when my research has been of some help.
- What’s your most memorable moment since joining Caterham? Driving the new Superlight R300 all the way to St. Moritz, what a drive!
- What is your favourite car that isn’t a Caterham? It has to be a Ferrari Dino, in my dreams, and my BMW 5-series in reality.
- What is your favourite Caterham? Er, the Superlight R300 is the best drive in my opinion.
- Who is your hero? Popeye, and the Dalai Lama.
- Do you have any hobbies? Where do I start – genealogy & family history, photography, quilting … to name a few
- Tell us an interesting fact about you. I won the Barry Jones trophy for hillclimbing in my TR2.
What’s the R300 like with snow shoes on?…or did you make the rip in the summer.
Hi Ro,
Last April I was talked in to visiting the Caterham Cars website to find a car so that I could join a few friends on car orientated jollies. They all have Caterhams or Lotus………and I didn’t. I found a 1990 S3 BDR which sounded like the sort of thing I should have and Antony Paine was very helpful. All quite straight forward but as much fun as it is, I didn’t really know what I’d bought. I’ve since found out that it is one of 62 ‘HPC’ cars that were sold upon completion of a driving course run by John Lyon’s. I’ve found a reference to the car in Chris Rees ‘Magnificent 7′ and the listed differences between the 269 BDR powered S3s and the 62 HPC versions come down to a Limited Slip Diff, a rear Anti Roll bar and individual seats. Is that a complete list and if so why was it felt that the HPC course had to be taken? Any information will be received with great interest. As an aside, I fend off a hopeful buyer on a regular basis after they’ve seen the HPC badge and one chap emailed me from Japan after seeing my name in ‘LowFlying’. It makes it more of a mystery why it was sat up at Caterham looking for a new owner.
All the best,
Derek.
Didn’t take you for a Popeye fan Rosie, Dalai Lama yes but not Popeye. You have a great job x
Good evening, that’s nice to see the lady who answered to me about the history of my Caterrham 1700 Super Sprint.
Thanks again to you for your answers, to Darren Philips and Antony Tocco.
With my best regards for your help.
Xavier Jourdan (France)
Yes, Derek, the awesome HPC cars were sold with the requirement of 2 days of driver training or “Roadcraft” with John Lyons. I ordered mine in 1990 and it arrived in 1991, as a kit, the first road-going Vauxhall engine example (it was ordered as a BDR but when my number came up, the engines had run out). The earlier BDR HPC is a magnificent classic car with a lovely (albeit somewhat “fussy” but more revving and rewarding engine). It is the much loved derivative of the Cosworth F2 FVA; DFV race engines, and to many folks (especially the Japanese) the ultimate Seven power plant.
I guess you have the 1700/1800 with high lift cams, recognisable by the GOLD cam cover. Your engine may have the AX competition block, not all of them had this. It is very tuneable to well over 200 BHP, although 170/185 is normal. The LSD and fully adjustable rear anti-roll bar, do help the handling, especially under very hard use, more noticeable on the track than the road. This is easily fitted. The later road cars usually had the more modern adjustable leather seats, too. I also chose full adjustable race suspension, which is rather harsh on the road, but with astonishing cornering. “Ro” drove that car a lot too, and we loved it dearly, I sold it in 2004 (when I bought my R500 Evo) and my old HPC now has a very fine new home in Oxford. I visited it and drove it recently, it is a wonderful car, tight, fast and responsive.
The training with John was truly excellent, he is masterful with these cars. That kind of training is still available today from Hugh Noblett at Cadence, it is well worth it. For me, when I am out alone in my Caterham, I still hear John and Hugh, coaching me forcefully, to keep the engine in control, up on cam, double de-clutching with heel and toe, avoiding that “London Style” of driving, making it sing, and keeping up a good safe progressive pace. The logic at the time was that it was a lethal weapon and anyone wanting one needed specific training. Sensible. Enjoy it, because it is a very special car. Make sure you change the cam belts to schedule! On a cold, sunny Sunday, “One of those days in England” at 7am, out in the country lanes, it comes alive with the driver, unforgettable!
Hi Steve,
Thankyou for the information. Yes, it’s the ‘Gold Top 1700′ as you said and the cam belt was replaced by Caterham cars as a condition of sale. I’ll have a look and see if it’s got an AX block which is something else I didn’t know about.It’s another sunny day in England and the roads around the New Forest are calling.