2000 Caterham R500 Superlight

We are delighted to offer for sale a beautifully presented, low mileage and especially rare Superlight R500.

Our seller purchased the car twelve years ago from DPR Motorsport in Redhill, Surrey. For those who don’t know them, they not only run the leading Caterham Race Team, but they also offer a full range of specialist services, the aim being to help their customers derive the most from their Caterham ownership, for road, track or race.

When purchased, our seller used the car on both road and track. He soon decided he preferred to trailer the R500 to events and hence the car has not been MoTed for a number of years.

During his ownership he has enjoyed many track days with the Caterham, journeying as far away as Spa in search of thrills. Living close to Goodwood House, he also enjoyed many fine outings there.

At this point it is worth mentioning that the R500 has been fitted with a bespoke titanium Raceco silencer, which means it doesn’t fall foul of track day noise restrictions that are now in place at most circuits.

Our seller has covered a mere 2,000 miles during his extended ownership, each one as exciting as the last, but of late the car has been little used and so he feels the time is right to let someone else enjoy it.

When not in use, the R500 has been truly pampered, our seller deriving great pleasure in keeping his extensive collection of cars in concours condition.

So, here we have an original Superlight R500, low mileage, well maintained and surely a very fine piece of motoring history. And it could be yours…

We have to say that this Caterham looks absolutely sensational, better in the flesh than even our top-class pictures show. The Ferrari Yellow paintwork positively glistens and is a testament to our seller’s efforts to keep it in tip top order.

Its an iconic shape, instantly recognisable, and given that few are bought by the shy and retiring, a bright colour suits the car perfectly.

There are some minor stone chips on the rear wheel arch close to the exhaust pipe and there are some marks on the lower edge of the carbon fibre nose cone.

The 13-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels are clean, straight and free from kerbing and all are shod with matching Avon race tyres. Such details matter as due diligence when it comes to rubber is a good indication of careful ownership.

A full SLR roll cage is fitted, there of course to protect you if the very worse should happen.

The Carbon Kevlar Tillett seats look the part, the driver’s seat being fitted with a full 6-point harness.

The dash is beautifully crafted in carbon and ahead of the driver sits a digital display and analogue rev counter. Also note the Caterham shift lights fitted just above, essential given the high revving nature of the engine.

The grippy Momo steering wheel is a veritable delight to hold and falling easily to hand is the slick gear lever, topped with an alloy knob.

A simple, no nonsense cockpit designed to focus the driver on the pure unadulterated driving experience.

This would seem a good place to list the R500’s interesting mechanical bits. Deep breath:

230bhp 1.8-litre K-series engine

Dry sump

Limited slip differential

Caterham 6-speed manual gearbox

R500 4 into 1 exhaust system with Raceco silencer

De-dion rear suspension

Fully adjustable coil over dampers

Wide track Aerofoil front wishbones

Ventilated front discs with quad piston callipers

Rear anti roll bar

Rear braided brake lines

Got all that? Good.

We should mention that the Superlight R500s were originally destined to be part of a race series that never happened. As such, the engines were all factory sealed to prevent tampering with. We should mention that the engine in our R500 still has the seals unbroken.

Our seller consigned the car to DPR last year for a full check over, service and various works. The car’s ECU was interrogated and as can be seen from the graphs in the picture section, these confirm that the engine has never been over revved or mistreated.

The engine compartment bears all the hallmarks of careful maintenance and presents well.

We have included pictures of the Caterham’s underside and for a twenty-year-old car, it is in remarkably clean and tidy condition, with just a few minor scars from track day adventures.

The Caterham comes with its original service book which display a reassuring number of stamps covering the car’s early life.

Our seller has returned the car to DPR for all his servicing and maintenance needs, incredibly wise as they clearly know the car intimately.

In the history file you will see an invoice from them dated December 2020. They performed a full service.

They also carried out a full health check which included the ECU diagnostics and a borescope inspection of the pistons and valves.

Additional work included the fitment of a new WOSP starter motor, new timing belt, water pump and tensioner.

Have a read of the invoice for the full chapter and verse, but we can say with some certainty, if it needed doing, they did it.

Just reading about this rare and desirable Caterham is enough to get the pulse racing. Imagine owning it and taking it out for a drive whenever you wished.

Track days will undoubtedly beckon, but put the car through an MoT test and thrills on the road will be on the cards once more.

We estimate the car will sell for between £30,000 and £40,000. Find a quicker car for that money, we challenge you! Be in no doubt, supercar performance is the order of the day here. So, get bidding right away.

Viewing is always encouraged and this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’