The BDR is considered to be one of the most desirable engines ever to be used in a Seven. Not necessarily for the power it makes, or for being a particularly light weight engine, but because of its history.

The BD series produce by Cosworth from the late 1960’s has powered some of the most famous racing cars to victory around the world in numerous disciplines. From the world rally stages to touring cars and from Lemans to Formula One, BD engines were on podiums everywhere and to this day still hold more Formula 1 victories that any other manufacturer after Ferrari and Mercedes.

The BDR was first used by Caterham in 1983 and was offered in factory built or kit form to across many countries. These came in either the 1600cc variant with 150bhp, or the 1700cc variant which produced 170bhp.

At the time was the most powerful Seven to be produced and sold by the factory, and as such the company deemed it their responsibility to ensure that their customers were suitably trained to be able to handle such a vehicle. This gave birth the HPC models, which stood for High Performance Course. The idea being that the purchaser of each of these cars were gifted with a days high performance vehicle training, to help them handle the amazing power of the new BDR and later Vauxhall Red Top engines which replaced them.

This early 1700 BDR was originally purchased for the Japanese market and was imported back into the UK in 2015. It has since been extensively maintained and cared for by its owner, fitting it with countless new components from hoses and gaskets to starter motors and alternators.

If what you are looking for is a exceptionally prepared piece of British automotive history, this is it.

Body

1700 BDR
Series 3 chassis
Bare aluminium with black fibreglass
Polished aluminium windscreen
Full weather equipment
Polished chrome roll bar
Clamshell wheel arches
Stanchion mounted mirrors
Locking fuel filler cap

Engine

1.7l BDR Cosworth engine 170bhp
Dry sump

Fuel System

Alloy fuel tank

Exterior

Brushed aluminium with black fibreglass
Flared wheel arches
Bright pack
Chrome roll over bar
Silver AERO filler cap
Heated windscreen
Full weather equipment

Engine & Transmission

1.7l BDR Cosworth engine 170bhp
Dry sump
4-into-1 exhaust system
5-speed gearbox
Limited slip differential

Brakes & Suspension

Adjustable platform Caterham SPAX suspension
Standard track front wishbones
De-Dion rear suspension
Adjustable rear anti-roll bar
Dual piston front calipers
Solid front and rear discs
Standard master cylinder

Wheels & Tyres

All around:

13" Split Rims
Toyo R888 tyres

Interior

Adjustable S-type leather seats
Motolita steering wheel
Long cockpit
Luke 4 point harness
Heater
Carpets

Caterham BDR