CATERHAM CSR Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Caterham did another upgrade to its timeless machine and introduced the CSR in 2005, adding more spicy ingredients to the already flavored British roadster.

The three letters from the car's name don't have anything to do with Corporate Social Responsibility. It would rather be Irresponsibility. The little roadster had a lot of connections with racing technology but lacked in the comfort department or daily usage. And yet, it was such an awesome machine that many racing drivers praised its qualities, which were rarely outshined by other similar stripped-down roadsters.

The UK provided some of the most outstanding vehicles in automotive history. Cars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lotus, and Land Rover are just a few examples. The Lotus 7, for instance, was built as a race car with only an engine at the front and a few body panels to protect the driver's shoes from getting wet. Caterham bought the license to build the Lotus Seven in 1973 from Colin Chaman himself and kept upgrading the original vehicle. The aluminum body panels and the rigid chassis were the main elements of the vehicle. The 2005 CSR version was a reminder of a batch of 20 vehicles built by Caterham in 1974 based on the Lotus Seven Series 4.

For the tight cockpit, Caterham offered a redesigned dash panel fitted with white dials and red needles. The center console hosted the gear stick for the six-speed manual transmission. At the same time, the driver was spoiled with a Momo racing steering wheel and a set of aluminum pedals.

Just like its 1974 predecessor, the 2005 Caterham CSR was fitted with a Cosworth engine, only this time it was turbocharged. Moreover, it sent the power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual, while the independent suspension in all corners was vastly improved.